Al-Warraq Library

Home / Psychology & Society / Bushido, the Soul of Japan

Psychology & SocietyBushido, the Soul of JapanInazo NitobeBushido, the Soul of Japan

Bushido, the Soul of Japan

Inazo Nitobe

Psychology & SocietyEnglish
0 views
Read the bookGutenberg book pageInternet Archive

Al-Warraq Library does not host book files; it takes you to the copy at the original source. Public-domain status differs from country to country, so check the law where you live before downloading or republishing the book. Do you hold rights in this work? Request its removal

What did the samurai believe? Nitobe Inazō explains the unwritten moral code of Japan's warrior class, which he calls bushido, 'the way of the warrior'…

Catalogue details

Author
Inazo Nitobe
Category
Psychology & Society
Language
English
Source
Project Gutenberg

About this book

What did the samurai believe? Nitobe Inazō explains the unwritten moral code of Japan's warrior class, which he calls bushido, 'the way of the warrior': rectitude, courage, benevolence, politeness, sincerity, honour, loyalty and self-control. He traces its roots in Buddhism, Shinto and Confucianism, describes the education of a samurai, the meaning of the sword and the ritual of seppuku, and compares these ideals with European chivalry.

Context and significance

Nitobe (1862–1933), a Japanese agricultural scientist, educator and Christian, wrote the book in English, published in 1900, after a Belgian scholar asked him how Japanese children were taught morals without religious education in schools. It became one of the most influential books shaping Western ideas of Japan, and Nitobe later served as an under-secretary-general of the League of Nations; his portrait appeared on the Japanese 5,000-yen note.

Similar books