Bushido: The Soul of Japan

By Inazō Nitobe, Inazo Nitob, Inazo Nitobe

Book Overview

A century ago, when Japan was transforming itself from an isolated feudal society into a modern nation, a Japanese educator queried about the ethos of his people composed this seminal work, which with his numerous other writings in English made him the best, known Japanese writer in the West during his lifetime.

He found in Bushido, the Way of the Warrior, the sources of the virtues most admired by his people: rectitude, courage, benevolence, politeness, sincerity, honor, loyalty and self-control. His approach to his task was eclectic and far-reaching. On the one hand, he delved into the indigenous traditions, into Buddhism, Shintoism, Confucianism and the moral guidelines handed down over hundreds of years by Japan's samurai and sages. On the other hand, he sought similarities and contrasts by citing not only Western philosophers and statesmen, but also the shapers of European and American thought and civilization going back to the Romans, the Greeks and Biblical times.

This book is a classic to which generations of scholars and laymen alike have long referred for insights into the character of the Japanese people. And all of its many readers in the past have been amply rewarded, as will be all those who turn to its pages in the next and future decades.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 4770027311
• ISBN13: 9784770027313
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Kodansha
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.5" x 5.4"

Customer Reviews

A good basic primer on Bushido

The book is an ideal introduction to Bushido. It offers a simple insight into 19th Century Japanese society in short chapters. A Japanese forum recommended this book to me to help in my research for my next book. One of the more interesting ideas the author offers is how Bushido is quite similar to chivalry during the Middle Ages in Europe. That concept helped me to comprehend what Bushido meant to the Japanese.

Think like a Samurai

The book will help you get into the mind of the Samurai. Has an excellent description of an actual sepuku ceremony.

A fantastic introduction to the way of the warrior

Bushido is literally translated "warrior path" and this book explains that path in to-the-point detail. the whole book is filled with inspiring quotes, practical advice and a good look at what a feudal samurai had to be. Some other things are explained, such as suppuku (ritual suicide), honor, commitment and more. For those interested in the martial arts, Japanese history and fighting cultures... this is an excellent book. It is well combined with "The Book of Five Rings" by Miyamoto Musashi, "The Art of War" By Sun Tzu, "The Tao te Ching" by Lao Tzu and "budoshoshinshu" by Daidoji Yuzan.

A Good Primer

This is a good introduction to Bushido for Western readers. A little dramatic but then again, it does capture the ethos of the subject.