Bushido (武士道) - or bushi - is a practice so as to be a code of honor for samurai. Bushido literally means "way of the warrior". It was an unwritten manual, which, for the samurai, meant emphasizing loyalty, fidelity, self-sacrifice, justice, refined manners, humility, martial spirit, and, most importantly, honor above all, for a death. and dignified life.
Bushido was developed between the 9th and 12th centuries. Its great influence on Japan was demonstrated through writings translated from the 12th to the 16th centuries. The foundational development is due to the diffusion of influences and concepts from 仏教 (Budista), 神道 (Xintoísta), and 儒教 (Confucionista). It emerged from the combination of these doctrines and religions and feudalism itself.
Another particularity of Bushido is that there is a code of honor. This code has 7 precepts to follow and become a samurai of honor and dignity before your life, and before the feudal lord or his daimyo.
Through this article, and others in the future, we will learn more about the elite class of warriors in Japan, the Samurais. The source of this article is Bushido Online, inspiration and even some quotes were taken from there. Don't forget to check their site. So let's go!
Table of Content
Influences of doctrines and religions
Buddhism is linked to bushido through fearlessness of danger and death. The samurai are brave warriors who did not fear their death, as they believed in the Buddhist teachings, by which they preached life after death. Therefore, they continually lived in the desire and “faith” to continue in their charge as a warrior in their continuous reincarnations. Learning and encouraging detachment was the foundation of a samurai, for with the practice of it, they became the greatest warrior caste that ever existed.
Shintoism also enters into the precepts of Bushido. Shinto brings with it the precepts of loyalty, patriotism and reverence for one's ancestors. Shinto has great importance with its country, Japan. This patriotism that leads them to loyalty to the memory of their ancestors, the samurai pledged the same loyalty to the emperor and to their feudal lord or daimyo. They also believe that the Earth doesn't just exist to meet people's needs. “It is the sacred residence of the gods, of the spirits of their ancestors… The Earth must be cared for, protected and nourished by an intense patriotism”.
Confucianism is more related to belief in human beings and their families. Bushido preaches justice, benevolence, love, sincerity, honesty and self-control. And these preachings are “intimate” relationships offered by Confucianism for emphasizing filial duties between servant and master, father and son, husband and wife and several other distinctions. With the definition that Justice is one of the main factors in the samurai code, as well as love and benevolence as a virtue of the samurai.
The way
Bushido means "Way of the Warrior," "Bushi" equals Warrior and "do" equals Way. Following the same meaning, the ideogram for path, in Japanese, is equivalent to the Chinese form "Tao," expressing a philosophical concept for an absolute. This concept gives the idea of origin, principle, and essence of all things.
"The bushido means the total life of the warrior, his devotion to the sword, his respect for the rules dictated by Confucianism. It is not just an ethical system to be followed by social classes. It is the road of the cosmos, the sacred traces of Heaven, pointing the Way." – The Book of Five Rings.
In general, a warrior is someone who seeks their own path. We are all warriors, many of us are searching for the path without knowing it. Being a warrior means having a goal and that, through it, it is possible to discover one's gifts and limitations. Through this awareness, the warrior reaches their goal, combined with the will to overcome weaknesses, fears, and limitations. Each person treads their own path. And we all do this aware of our inclination, thus, a warrior is one who follows their specific path.
meaning of the term
The term bushi cannot be addressed to anyone. It is different, as the bushi in their studies and practices is based on surpassing men. The samurais are different due to their loyalty and honor; not being honored in their life is the greatest regret of a samurai warrior. “The word of the warrior is worth more than anything.”
"When the warrior takes on a responsibility, he keeps his word. Those who promise and do not fulfill lose self-respect, are ashamed of their actions, and their lives consist of running away, spending more energy making excuses to dishonor their word than the warrior uses to keep his commitment. Sometimes, the warrior takes on a responsibility that will lead to loss. He does not repeat this behavior, but honors what he said and pays the price for his impulsivity. – 光の戦士のマニュアル."
Bushido Practices
Bushi is not just the way of the “warrior” and war, bushi is also the way of the pen and the sword, a concept that comes from ancient feudal Japan. Keeping an open mind was the duty of the nobility (bushi), so that they mastered both the art of war and reading, and should appreciate both arts. Therefore, one should learn the path of all professions, learn about all subjects, appreciate the arts, and when not engaged in military duties, one should always practice something, reading or writing, so that he can store history in his mind. ancient and general knowledge.
Samurais needed to possess self-control, detachment, and austerity in order to maintain their honor, and given that, we can say that they, the samurai, are complete warriors. And bushido – their code of honor – still adds, even today, strong influences on the lifestyle of the Japanese people, offering an explanation of character, as well as the indomitable inner strength of them, the Japanese.
The correct behavior was followed at all times to indeed present a posture worthy of a samurai, without deviating from his – true – path, the bushido. Etiquette must be followed every day in daily life, just as in war by the samurai. Sincerity and honesty are the virtues that evaluate their lives. Transcending a pact of complete loyalty and trust is linked to dignity.
Honor and dignity
"A samurai must, above all, always keep in mind, day and night, from New Year's morning, when he picks up the chopsticks to have breakfast, to the night of the last day of the year, when he pays his bills, the fact that one day he will die. This is his main task." – Bushido The Code of the Samurai – Daidoji Yuzan.
To be a warrior is to be aware of death. If he has such awareness, he will avoid conflicts, be free from diseases, in addition to having a quality personality that is different from other human beings. The warrior doesn't worry about tomorrow, and that means adding character and total sincerity and consideration to other people, being deeply sincere.
Dying from unnecessary arguments could result in your dishonor and, perhaps, harm your family's reputation and name. If the idea of death is maintained, he will be careful and likely to be discreet and not say things that offend other people. Furthermore, they will not commit unhealthy excesses with food, drink and sex, using moderation, common sense and deprivation in everything, for good physical and mental health.
Miyamoto Musashi once said, “Men must shape their way. From the moment you see the path in everything you do, you become the path.
code of honor
The warrior class of feudal Japan known as the samurai, or bushi, achieved fame for their bravery, martial skills, honor, and their unshakable spirit in the face of death. This reputation is due to a code of ethics and conduct, followed and lived by the warriors, known as bushido.
Bushido Precepts:
GI - Justice and Morality
Direct attitude, correct reason, deciding without hesitating;
YU - Courage
Heroic bravery;
JIN - Compassion
Benevolence, sympathy, unconditional love for humanity;
REI - Politeness and courtesy
Kindness;
MAKOTO - sincerity
Total truthfulness, never lie;
MEIYO - honor
Glory;
HUGO - Duty and Loyalty
Devotion, Loyalty.
For a samurai, honoring the name of his family and ancestors is said through death in battle or duel, but not necessarily. And to fail, in front of his lord, was the greatest dishonor for the warrior, who ultimately had no choice but suicide, or seppuku as it is known. This is only possible by the standards that govern the samurai warrior through bushido.
There are huge books explaining all the details about bushido. It is impossible to cover the whole topic in just one article. We will end the article here and thank you for reading and possible sharing.