Customer Reviews

Bushido, the Soul of Japan

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Inazo Nitobe (1862-1933) was a Japanese author with a unique perspective; he was an educator and a Quaker. When queried about the basis of morality in Japan, he thought long and hard on the subject. His answer was that Bushido was the Soul of Japan, and from that idea flowed this book.

In this wonderful book, Mr. Nitobe explains Bushido to the Western observer. Using the Bible and other Western literature as examples of common points of reference, he explains 1) the origins and sources of Bushido, 2) its character and teachings, 3) its influence, and 4) its continuity and permanence.

So, if you are interested in Bushido in particular, or Japan in general, then I strongly recommend this book. Even though it was first published in 1905, it makes a wonderful introduction to the Western reader. I highly recommend this book!

Is Japanese way of thinking unfathomable to western people? Inazo Nitobe and other notable Japanese like Tenshin Okakura and Kanzo Uchimura thought the otherwise and try to explain the tradition and way of thinking of Japanese to westerners. When the book was written Japan had been working hard to obtain equal status among international society and to riscind the unfair trade treaties set upon to Japan during 1850s. Is winning wars the only way to get recognized as "Civilian"? Those giants might say "No!"

It's true that Japan has no strong religion like Christianity but Nitobe thinks Bushido could be the right counterpart. The idea on Bushido as the writer says may not be academically enough because it is based upon teachings and stories handed down to Nitobe family formally a samurai clan. Particularly I am impressed on the part of Self-Immolation, or suicidal acts as known by westerners "Harakiri". Such practices are even alive in Japan. When some politicians and company owners did something wrong they take responsibility by resigning the post themselves and these acts are expressd something as "substitution to harakiri". You can see the manner of them by reading this book. You may also find lots of Japanese traditions strange to Japan are based on Bushido traditions.

But you have to be reminded that this book was written more than 100 years ago when the memory of feaudalism tradition was still fresh and modern Japanese has few traces of such Bushido traits. It seems loss of traditional code of ethics can be the cause of almost anything wrong today's Japan is ailing such as corporate and political scandals. And the degrading Japanese moral manners in general.

This book is useful not only non-Japanese to understand Japan but for us forgetting about our traditional and respectful code of ethics.

Verdict: A bit generic and lacks academical aspects but well written

Rating: 88 out of 100. three points added for being a pioneer to write about Japan to westerers.

Recommended for: Samurai movie fans and those who love Japanese culture but for academical study maybe you have to find something else.

Nitobe's book is a must read for anyone, whether interested in Japanese culture or not. His arguments and defenses linking East and West may offend some at first, but they are perfectly justified and fair. An amazing book!

I found a free, online copy of this book three and a half years ago. I have read it twice. I am now downloading it to my new Kindle so I can read it again this summer in the park. Want to know the content? Do a search and look at the table of contents.