Synopses & Reviews
At the turn of the 20th century, when Japan was evolving from an isolated feudal society into a modern nation, a Japanese educator wrote this book to introduce the rest of the world to his society's traditional values. Author Inazo Nitobé defines bushido, the way of the warrior, as the source of the virtues most admired by his people. In this eloquent work, he takes an eclectic and far-reaching approach, drawing examples from indigenous traditions--Buddhism, Shintoism, Confucianism, and the centuries-old philosophies of samurai and sages--as well as from ancient and modern thinkers of the Western world. Generations of scholars and other readers with an interest in sociology have turned to this classic for an understanding of the soul of Japan.
Synopsis
In this eloquent work, Nitobé eloquently explains the persistence of feudal Japan's morals, ethics, and etiquette into modern times. He takes a far-reaching approach, drawing examples from indigenous traditions — Buddhism, Shintoism, Confucianism, and the philosophies of samurai and sages — as well as from ancient and modern Western thinkers.
Synopsis
The code of ideals and manners known as bushido governs the training of Japan's samurai, or warrior class. Written by a distinguished Japanese internationalist, this volume eloquently explains the persistence of feudal Japan's morals, ethics, and etiquette into the modern era. The comparisons of bushido traditions with the religions and philosophies of other civilizations make this work extremely accessible to many cultures, and it has been translated into more than 30 languages since its initial publication in 1900.