Bushido

The word Bushido is written with three characters,

1. bu - Military

2. shi - Man

3. do - Way

Hence Bushido, the way of the warrior. This is also known as the Samurai code of chivalry. This term describes the principles of honor and loyalty followed by the bushi, members of the military class that ruled feudal Japan. Miyamoto Musashi was a member of this class.

The Bushido was a mixture of three sources. From Zen it borrowed the stoic endurance and scorn of suffering and death, Shinto supplied the worship of Country, and from Confucianism contributed the social ethic of the five relationships - primarily the lord/retainer relationship (the retainer owes uncompromising loyalty to his lord). The latter contribution held the Samurai to sacrificing his life for his lord at a moments notice, "like a cherry tree sheds its blossoms."

As a professional warrior, the samurai trained in the use of many weapons but the sword was the weapon of choice. In fact it was the badge of his class. It took years and years of to master this weapon. Bushido emphasized constant physical training to learn and improve techniques of swordsmanship and to gain the austere Zen-like discipline that developed the self-control, confidence, and character needed to face an opponent in battle to the death without flinching.

Bushido is also a philosohpy of patience. In combat the samurai stood face to face within striking distance of each other and patiently waited for the opponent to make the first strike. Generally the weaker man, no longer able to withstand the strain of waiting, would eventually strike the first blow. But the instant he started to move, the other man would move, not to defend, but to strike him down. This kind of confrontation, that rewarded impatience with an instant death, required awesome patience and powers of concentration.

Over time the samurai class system faded away but the code of ethics with it stress on patience, frugality and self-improvement became an integral part of the social ethos of Japan.

Keep Thinking,

PhiloProf