...Samurai: the term given to the Japanese warriors, are staunch followers of the Bushido Code. Now the Bushido Code didn't come to the picture until the early 1600's but nonetheless, the virtues are universal and have existed long before the "code" arrived. Samurai are also men of noble birth assigned to guard members of the Imperial Court. Women are not supposed to be on the battlefield, unless there is a war which requires their presence. The Eight Virtues of the Bushido Code are: Justice, Courage, Benevolence, Politeness, Honesty, Loyalty, Honor, and Character. Justice is the strongest virtue of Bushido. Justice to a samurai is the bone that gives firmness and stature. Without bones, the head cannot rest on top of the spine, nor hands move nor feet stand. Without Justice, neither talent nor learning can make the human frame into a samurai. ’ Courage in Bushido means worthy of being counted among virtues only if it's exercised in the cause of righteousness. Courage in definition to a samurai means to do what is right. Benevolence branches out into love, magnanimity, affection for others, sympathy, and pity. These traits are the highest attributes of the human soul to a samurai. Thus it holds high importance in the Bushido Code. Discerning the difference between obsequiousness and politeness can be difficult for casual visitors to Japan, but for a true man, courtesy is rooted in benevolence: Courtesy and good manners have been noticed by every foreign tourist...
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...A knight, cowboy, and a samurai were not just fighters, but also warriors that followed an unwritten code of conduct. A samurai a japanese warrior that is described in many tales their code of chivalry. The origin of the “The Tales of the Heike” was believed to be written down by priests as a collection of stories. The text is a reflection of the conflict between two clans the Genji and the Heike. The Heike clan holds all the power at the beginning but by the final blow the Genji clan defeats the Heike clan. The story not only show the struggle between the two clans, but also represents the code of Bushido that samurai’s followed in life. The text “The Tales of the Heike” gives examples of Samurai that abides to “The Bushido Code: The Eight Virtues of the Samurai.” Four of those virtues practiced in the text are rectitude, benevolence, loyalty, courage. Rectitude deciding one’s way of conduct without wavering like choosing to fight or dying. A...
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...Legends of the Samurai The Faces of Bushido Bushido, however it is defined, has had a profound impact on Japanese society. Translated, Bushido means “Way of the Warrior” and so it can be defined as a type of code of conduct for samurai. Besides being simply a code applied to Japanese samurai alone, Bushido has also been said to be an integral element in the fabric of Japanese culture and society. Although there is no formalized official written document specifically stating what Bushido is, it remains an entity that has become the quintessential element of Japanese society. Of all the interpretations on what Bushido is, two of the most popular are the Hagakure by Yamamoto Tsunetomo and Bushido, the Soul of Japan by Inazo Nitobe. However, both of these writings are influenced by the time period in which they were written, and experiences of their respective authors. By evaluating certain influences on the interpretations of Bushido and the contradictions in them one is able to see how each is using their own version of Bushido to justify the author’s position or achieve a certain end. Bushido as a term itself was not used much later on, but the code itself, although unspoken, can be seen Japanese literature throughout the ages. Starting with the Shoku Nihongi the term “bushi” is used as well as the term “Saburau”, which was applied to those who accompanied nobility. One of the earliest forms of a type of written code of conduct that has Bushido qualities was the Chikubasho, written...
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...In Tokugawa Japan, “the way of the samurai”, also known as bushido, is defined by William De Bary, author of Sources of Japanese Tradition, as a samurai code of ethics in which one “reflects on his own station in life, gives loyal service to his master if has one, strengthens his fidelity in associations with friends, and with due considerations of his own position, devotes himself to duty above all” (206). The general purpose of bushido is a “total sacrifice of self-autonomy” (De Bary 207) as well as a samurai’s “willingness to die rather than dishonor their lord” (Lu 262). Chushingura, translated by Donald Keene, expresses this romanticized definition of bushido which is dramatized through extreme self-sacrificial and duty-motivated actions...
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...Bushido, essay #1 Marjorie S. G Have you ever wondered what it was like in medieval Japan? Do you have the answer to it? Well it doesn’t matter, i’ll tell you stuff such as the code of conduct, and what virtues are. Samurai followed a strict code of conduct, this is called bushido, this provides guidelines for all aspects of life. Bushido is a mixture of two Japanese words, bushi, which means ‘’warrior,’’ and do which means ‘’way’’ this means ‘’the way of the warrior.’’ The Asian religions of confucianism, Zen Buddhism, and Shinto had a strong influence on Bushido code. The virtues were courage, respect, honesty, honor, loyalty, rectitude or doing what is morally correct, and benevolence or desire to help others. Discipline...
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...Writing Assignmen2: Samurai Culture in Japan GVPT 280 The Samurai culture of Japan The Samurai culture was seen for the first time during the 12th century during the first military dictatorship. They last until 1868 when they were disbanded. The word samurai translates to “those who serve”. In the beginning, samurai was armed guards for wealthy land owners. Over the years the samurai developed into what we know of them today. An elite military group. To become a samurai, it started at an early age. They was taught and lived by a code of honor, it was called bushido or “way of the warrior. There are 7 virtues of the bushido. The virtues were morality, courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, honor and loyalty. They was taught in a very strict way. They was taught swordsmanship, horsemanship, archery and martial arts. They was taught to know suffering, not to want wealth or praise, taught it is better to die then dishonor one’s self and most of all obey his master or lord. The samurai was well educated in reading and writing. Some samurais became business men and politicians throughout their history. The samurai had their own religion which was called Zen Buddhism. Zen Buddhism is coming to enlightenment through mediation. True Zen is coming face to face with one’s self. It was also tried into their teachings at early ages. The most iconic items of the samurai was their swords and their armor...
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...For Japan and europe, it was time of trouble. In the late 400 the conditions that led to the development of feudalism in western europe and japan were that the roman empire fell then divided among weak kingdoms. Were the samurai and knights similarities greater than differences? The similarities between samurai and knights were greater, than the differences. This can be shown by looking at three areas social problems, training and armor, and code of honor, life, and death. The first area of important similarities was social problems. According to Document A social order in feudal Japan and Europe were very similar. In Japan they had emperor, shogun, daimyo, samurai, peasant farmers, Artisans, trade people, and merchants. The social order in...
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...A knight, cowboy, and a samurai were not just fighters, but also warriors that followed an unwritten code of conduct. A Japanese warrior who follows a code of chivalry is a Samurai. The origin of “The Tales of the Heike” was believed to be written down by priests as a collection of stories. The text is a reflection of the conflict between two clans the Genji and the Heike. The Heike clan holds all the power at the beginning, but by the final blow the Genji clan defeats the Heike clan. The story not only shows the struggle between the two clans, but also represents the code of Bushido that a Samurai followed in life. The text “The Tales of the Heike” gives examples of a Samurai that abides to “The Bushido Code: The Eight Virtues of the Samurai.” Four of those virtues practiced in the text are rectitude, benevolence, loyalty, courage....
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...In the Western world, the Japanese are well known for their intrepid knight-like warriors, the Samurai. During Japan’s feudal warring states period, Samurai first appeared as honorable and talented solders who faithfully served their lord. Since then, they have left a lasting legacy and impact all across the globe. Samurai have become the subjects of many movies, television series, and writings, becoming a massive culture icon. They’re skill with a sword is legendary and their code of Bushido, or the way, epitomizes the gentleman warrior. The impact of the samurai is so great that even in modern times, their practices are still carried out. One of the most notable instances of this is the suicide of Nogi Maresuke, a distinguished Japanese...
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...The Harakiri and Its Implication to Japanese Pride The Harakiri and Its Implication to Japanese Pride Around 800,000 to a million people die by suicide every year, making it the 10th leading cause of death worldwide. Rates are higher in men than in women, with males three to four times more likely to kill themselves than females. There are an estimated 10 to 20 million non-fatal attempted suicides every year. Attempts are more common in the young and females. Views on suicide have been influenced by broad existential themes such as religion, honor, and the meaning of life. During the samurai era in Japan, Seppuku also known as Harakiri was respected as a means of atonement for failure or as a form of protest. One of the factors that leads to Harakiri in Japan is the Psychosocial states. A number of psychological states increase the risk of suicide including: hopelessness, loss of pleasure in life, depression and anxiousness. A poor ability to solve problems, the loss of abilities one used to have, and poor impulse control also play a role. In older adults the perception of being a burden to others is important. Recent life stresses such as a loss of a family member or friend, loss of a job, or social isolation (such as living alone) increases risk. Those who have never married are also at greater risk. Being religious...
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...The Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas _________________ Applying the Lessons of History to Modern Police Leadership Training _________________ A Leadership White Paper Submitted in Partial Fulfillment Required for Graduation from the Leadership Command College _________________ By Kenneth W. Sidenblad Bee Cave Police Department Bee Cave, Texas Date Submitted (month year) ABSTRACT Law enforcement continues to move in the direction of a profession and away from being only a vocation. Police officers of today are better trained and educated than at any time in the past. This demands police leaders be up to the challenge to lead them. Law enforcement leaders must enhance their knowledge and incorporate training ideas in use by other professions. Applying lessons from academic subject material is an important part of leadership development in many professions, and should be emphasized in training future police leaders. This will enable law enforcement leaders to develop as leaders in a profession. One academic subject used in other professions to develop leaders is the study of history. History provides a wealth of material from which valuable insights and examples of leadership may be drawn from. Lessons drawn from history are used by other professions to enhance the quality of leadership within those professions. Leadership lessons from history should be incorporated into modern police leadership...
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...Have you ever eaten a large pizza? Well, medieval Europe and Japan were large Pizza’s that were very different. Were the similarities larger than the differences, or did the differences have the larger number? Europe and Japan are in pieces, and there is only one thing they can do; they have to each adopt a warrior class. Japan’s warriors was the Samurai, and Europe’s was he Knight. The similarities between the Samurai and knight were not greater than the differences. This can be shown by looking at these three areas: Social Position, Training and Armour, and Honor and death. A second area of important differences was Training and Armour. Samurai had very different armour than knights. Samurai had big, strong armour but, the knights had...
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...each other. The differences in feudal was they were all about religion. The Chinese had a different way of writing and ways of life. Their religion was called “Shinto”, which was the following of their ancestors. They basically worshipped them but it was actually just respect. They respected anyone in their family or anyone who was higher than them. The samurai, which were like the knights of Japan, followed a code called bushido. Bushido was a code that all samurai followed and honored. They had their own gods that they worshipped and believed on the way of the gods. They had shoguns which was a supreme military leader or commander that all the samurai followed and respected. In Japan, the peasants were about the merchants and artisans because they believed that the peasants were higher because they did most of the labor and hard work. In this time they mostly fished for their food....
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...Propaganda in the Second SinoJapanese War Submitted by Justin Choo How was propaganda utilised by China and Japan in the Second SinoJapanese War? Attacking the mind was an incredibly important Chinese military strategy and is highlighted in ‘孙⼦子兵法’1, a military treatise written by a high ranking military strategist, Sun Tzu. Propaganda was critical in keeping up the civilians’ spirits and preventing them from waning support which ultimately proved to be the ace in China’s victory against Japan. For example, the Chinese government imposed a strict media blackout on the whole nation throughout the Sino-Japanese War. The Japanese did not lack in this area of warfare either and held their own against the Chinese. Three main principles were instilled in citizens to assist the ruling government then. They are 国体, ⼋八紘⼀一宇 and 武⼠士道2 and ingrained the belief that the war was holy and that Japan would emerge victorious at the end no matter what kind of obstacles they may come across. The use of propaganda may differ considerably between these two nations at war but the results were exactly what the government had in mind - elevating the statuses of those who die for their country and glorifying the act of self sacrifice as patriotic. Japanese Propaganda Kokutai, literally “national body”, is translated simply as ‘sovereignty’ and in wartime Japan meant the Emperor’s sovereignty. Basically, the qualities that make a Japanese “Japanese”. The Ministry of Education then...
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...Samurai Warrior Few countries have a warrior tradition as long and exciting as Japan. It is a tradition found in the Samurai, the loyal and self-sacrificing knight of ancient Japan. The Samurai is a valiant warrior who can both appreciate the beauty of nature in that of a rose blossom but will also kill or die for his master in an instant. This well-rounded warrior was the ruling class of Japan for almost seven hundred years. He fought for control of his country and to keep Japan free from outside influences. (Turnbull 1) This aristocratic warrior class arose during the 12th century wars between the Taira and Minamoto clans and was consolidated in the Tokugawa period. Samurai were privileged to wear two swords, and at one time had the right to cut down any commoner who offended them. They cultivated the martial virtues, indifference to pain or death, and unfailing loyalty to their overlords. Samurai were the dominant group in Japan. Under the Tokugawa shogunate, the samurai were removed from direct control of the villages, moved into the domain castle towns, and given government stipends. They were encouraged to take up bureaucratic posts. The Hagakure, has been dubbed the book of the samurai. It was written after a century of peace around 1716. It came to be the guide of samurai ethics until the end of the feudal period. Its short passages reflect and outline the qualities that make a samurai. Yamamoto Tsunetomo expresses in the hagakure the framework and mindset of being...
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