BUSHIDO

The Soul of Japan
An Exposition of Japanese Thought

by Inazo Nitobe

[1905]

Scanned at sacred-texts.com, June 2003. J. B. Hare, redactor. This text is in the public domain. These files may be used for any non-commercial purpose, provided this notice of attribution is left intact.


Dedication: TO MY BELOVED UNCLE TOKITOSHI OTA WHO TAUGHT ME TO REVERE THE PAST AND TO ADMIRE THE DEEDS OF THE SAMURAI I DEDICATE THIS LITTLE BOOK


"That way
Over the mountain, which who stands upon
Is apt to doubt if it be indeed a road;
While if he views it from the waste itself,
Up goes the line there, plain from base to brow,
Not vague, mistakable! What's a break or two
Seen from the unbroken deserts either side?
And then (to bring in fresh philosophy)
What if the breaks themselves should prove at last
The most consummate of contrivances
To train a man's eye, teach him what is faith?

               ROBERT BROWNING,
                        Bishop Blougram's Apology.

"There are, if I may so say, three powerful spirits, which have, from time to time, moved on the face of the waters, and given a predominant impulse to the moral sentiments and energies of mankind. These are the spirits of liberty, of religion, and of honor.

                                     HALLAM,
                                            Europe in the Middle Ages.

"Chivalry is itself the poetry of life."

                    SCHLEGEL,
                            Philosophy of History.





Preface to the First and Tenth Edition

Introduction

CHAPTERS

I. Bushido As an Ethical System

II. Sources of Bushido
III. Rectitude or Justice
IV. Courage, the Spirit of Daring and Bearing
V. Benevolence, the Feeling of Distress
VI. Politeness
VII. Veracity and Sincerity
VIII. Honour
IX. The Duty of Loyalty
X. The Education and Training of a Samurai
XI. Self-Control
XII. The Institutions of Suicide and Redress
XIII. The Sword, The Soul of the Samurai
XIV. The Training and Position of Woman
XV. The Influence of Bushido
XVI. Is Bushido Still Alive?
XVII. The Future Of Bushido

 


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