Bushido: The Soul of Japan (Paperback)

by Inazo Nitobe (Author) "CHIVALRY is a flower no less indigenous to the soil of Japan than its emblem, the cherry blossom; nor is it a dried-up specimen of..." (more)
Key Phrases: warrior class, Precepts of Knighthood, Right Reason, Far East (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Absolutely the best explanation of bushido in the English language."—Nicklaus Suino, author of The Art of Japanese Swordsmanship --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Description
Bushido, (the "Way of the Knight"), the unwritten code governing the life and conduct of the samurai, is one of the cornerstones of Japanese culture. With roots in Buddhism, Shinto, and Confucianism, this book shows how Bushido is the basis of Japanese morals and ethics.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing (September 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080483413X
• ISBN-13: 978-0804834131
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #891,942 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword, December 5, 2002

By	Zack Davisson "All Good Things" (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Bushido: The Soul of Japan (Bushido--The Way of the Warrior) (Hardcover)

"Bushido: The Soul of Japan" is an interesting book, outlining the codes and ethics of the Samurai warrior class of Tokugawa era Japan. Much like the code of Chivalry of European Knights (of which the book makes comparisons), Bu-shi-do (Military - Knight - Way) lays down stringent rules of behavior towards superiors and inferiors, of behavior in battle and in peace, as well as the minute of life, all as a way of taming and ordering this privileged warrior class which sprang from the most brutish, most barbarian roots.

Written in 1900, the book uses the writing style common at the times. "Bushido" was written as a means to educate an educated Western audience about the soul of Japan and eliminate common prejudices towards the Japanese civilization. As Nitobe writes for a 1900s Western educated audience, he takes it for granted that the reader is familiar with Shakespeare and often uses Shakespearian characters as mouthpieces for the Western point of view. "As Iago said...."

Nitobe does an excellent job explaining the code, and uses fables and examples to illustrate his points. He clearly sees the value in this military way of life, and waxes poetic from time to time. There are no insights into modern Japan to be gained from "Bushido," anymore than you can understand modern London by reading "Le Mort D'Arthur." It is, however, a great resource for understanding historic Japan and the Samurai cast.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful introduction, November 7, 2001

By	Kurt A. Johnson (Marseilles, Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Putting a Name on Ideas Unnameable, February 8, 2001

By	Michael Holmes (Miyazaki, Japan) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Bushido Soul of Japan (P) (Paperback)

Nitobe Sensei did an incredible job of putting into words concepts that are very difficult for all to understand, not only foreigners (non-Japanese.) He also did it as a Christian scholar in a non-Christian land during times of great change in Japanese society. It is a wonderful cross-cultural and cross-theological comparison between Christian and non-Christian belief systems. There's a saying about being able to explain things that are Zen. "If you can explain it, it isn't Zen," if I may paraphrase. Zen and Bushido are inextricably linked and Mr. Nitobe managed to put it into some sort of framework that we could easily understand. Not all things will make sense to the first time reader. When you read it again and again, the things that are true for you, you will clearly understand. As with many discussions of Zen and/or Bushido, it has to become a part of you to be understandable. This doesn't mean you have to pick up a sword or take up calligraphy, it means that you have to see the truth of it in yourself, no matter what you do or where you are. There are universal truths here. Even when you understand, you may not be able to put into words your understanding. That is the time when this book will become most indispensible.