Bushido: The Samurai Code of Japan - by Inazo Nitobe (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

**Independent Publisher Book Award (IPPY) Winner**

Bushido: The Samurai Code of Japan is the most influential book ever written on the Japanese "Way of the Warrior." A classic study of Japanese culture, the book outlines the moral code of the Samurai way of living and the virtues every Samurai warrior holds dear. It is widely read today in Japan and around the world.

There are seven core precepts of Bushido:

• Rectitude: "The power of deciding upon a certain course of conduct in accordance with reason, without wavering."
• Courage: "Doing what is right."
• Benevolence: "Love, magnanimity, affection for others, sympathy and pity."
• Civility: "Courtesy and urbanity of manners."
• Sincerity: "The end and the beginning of all things."
• Honor: "A vivid conscious of personal dignity and worth."
• Loyalty: "Homage and fealty to a superior."

Together, these seven values create a system of beliefs unique to Japanese philosophy and culture that is widely followed today. Inazo Nitobe, one of Japan's foremost scholars, thoroughly explores each of these values and explains how they differ from their Western counterparts. Until you understand the philosophy behind the ethics, you will never fully grasp what it meant to be a Samurai--what it meant to have Bushido. In Bushido, Nitobe points out similarities between Western and Japanese history and culture. He argues that "no matter how different any two cultures may appear to be on the surface, they are still created by human beings, and as such have deep similarities." Nitobe believed that connecting Bushido with greater teachings could make an important contribution to all humanity--that the way of the Samurai is not something peculiarly Japanese, but of value to the entire human race.

With an extensive new introduction and notes by Alex Bennett, a respected scholar of Japanese history, culture and martial arts with a firsthand knowledge of the Japanese warrior code, Bushido: The Samurai Code of Japan is an essential guide to the essence of Japanese culture. Bennett's views on this subject are revolutionizing our understanding of Bushido, as expressed in his Japanese bestseller The Bushido the Japanese Don't Know About.

Review Quotes

"A 'must' for an understanding of the soul of Japan." -- Focus on Asian Studies

"Bennett's careful research ensures modern readers can fully appreciate a still-fascinating text on the values of the samurai, and consider how they might still apply to the present day." --Publishers Weekly

"In this 192-page book, noted Japanese scholar Inazo Nitobe examines the seven precepts of bushido and describes the role they played in the life of the samurai warrior." --Black Belt magazine

"Dr. Bennett possesses a profound knowledge of, and deep insight into, the world of Japanese bushido. This expertise has been enhanced by his extensive practical experience of the traditional martial arts of Japan, and his proficiency in this domain is highly acclaimed." -- Tetsuo Yamaori, former Director of the International Research Center for Japanese Studies

About the Author

Inazo Nitobe (1862-1933) was a prolific writer and respected Japanese statesman born into a warrior family at the end of the 750-year Samurai period. Desiring to serve as a "bridge" between his native Japan and the Western world Nitobe was educated in English and greatly influenced by his Western instructors. Through his many writings, particularly Bushido which became an international sensation, he became famous in the West and today is widely regarded as the leading authority on all things Japanese.

Alexander Bennett is a professor in Japanese history, martial arts and Budo theory at Kansai University. He cofounded and publishes Kendo World, the first English-language journal dedicated to Kendo. He holds black belts in several martial arts --Kendo Kyoshi 7-dan, Iaido 5-dan and Naginata 5-dan. His published works include Japan: The Ultimate Samurai Guide, Hagakure: The Secret Wisdom of the Samurai and The Complete Musashi: The Book of Five Rings and Other Works.