The Code of the Warrior: Daidoji Yuzan [Paperback]

Daidoji Yuzan (Author), D. E. Tarver (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 10, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0595269176 | ISBN-13: 978-0595269174

The Budo Sho Shinshu was originally written by Daidoji Yuzan as a text book on warrior ethics for young people born into the warrior caste. It teaches the general tenets of bushido without going too far into any one fief's history or traditions, which is one of the reasons the original text was so widely accepted. The Code of the Warrior is a clear and easy to understand version of the Budo Sho Shinshu. Anyone who wants to understand the Japanese frame of mind or gain insight into the warrior's soul should start with this book. Although the caste system has long been abolished, the principles of bushido still influence every facet of the Japanese way of thinking.Today's warriors will find a wealth of information and guidance in the pages of this book.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

D. E. Tarver holds black belts ranging from 2nd to 7th degree in seven different styles of Japanese and Filipino martial arts. He has taught martial arts and strategy for twenty years. Since his honorable discharge from the Marines, he has spent time in Japan and the United States.

Product Details

• Paperback: 76 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (February 10, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595269176
• ISBN-13: 978-0595269174
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,015,167 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warrior ethics never change!, July 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Code of the Warrior: Daidoji Yuzan (Paperback)

It is amazing to me that such a small book can cover so many deep and life changing principles. This is not just a code of conduct for warriors it really should apply to all people. The concepts of loyalty, bravery, and honor are brought out and explained in a clear straightforward manner. I really enjoyed reading this book though I have never trained in martial arts or studied anything about the samurai. I became interested because of our American warriors overseas and decided to give this a read. I am blown away that all the same principles apply to warriors today as several hundred years ago.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting text, imperfect book, October 1, 2004

By 

ordinaryjoe - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Code of the Warrior: Daidoji Yuzan (Paperback)

I enjoyed reading this book. However there are two things that could make it better:

1. Print the title on the spine of the book.
2. Reduce self-importance in the translator's preface.

I have tremendous respect for the translator's martial arts achievements and his fluency in Japanese and I appreciate his regard for the warrior's way. But I would enjoy the book better-- and I think it would appeal to a wider audience-- if Mr. Tarver relaxed some of his us-versus-them attitude in the preface. For example:

"Whether enlisted in the military or not, the burning desire to protect is one of the things that separate us from the sedate, self-infatuated crowd."

When I buy a book to learn about traditional samurai values-- values like humility and respect for the people you serve-- I find it distracting to have this kind of self-congradulatory language in the preface.

Otherwise I found the book interesting and useful.

15 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A warrior's perspective!, June 21, 2003

By 

Sensei Harris (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Code of the Warrior: Daidoji Yuzan (Paperback)

I have been teaching martial arts for years and have read every book I can find on the warrior culture of the samurai. My curriculum for martial arts students includes several books that my students must read and write reports on in order to move up a belt rank. I had been using The Code of the Samurai but I have switched for several reasons.

1. I never liked that the other book used the work Knight when talking about the Samurai Warrior. I prefer to stay with a Japanese feeling when reading this type of book and Knight just wasn't as comfortable.
2. I feel that this book is brings the concepts and the mind of the warrior out in a more clear and complete way.
3. It is completely evident that the author has a lot of experience in the martial arts and the way of the warrior. This can make a huge difference in what you take away from the read.

I first heard of the warrior series when a friend loaned me a copy of The Book of Five Rings by the same author. I liked it so mush that I bought my own copy and this book at the same time.

If you are interested in learning about the warrior mind from a warrior's perspective then this is your book.