What is Bushido?: The Spirit of Bushido Seen in Modern Japan

What is the Spirit of Bushido?

Bushido is an ethical framework that emerged in feudal Japan as a code of conduct for the samurai, the warrior class.
The word “Bushi” (武士) refers to the warrior themselves, while “Do” (道) signifies a way of life or philosophy.
Its origins are believed to date back to the Kamakura period, around the 12th century, when the samurai class rose to prominence.
Initially, Bushido was not formalized but permeated samurai society as an unwritten code.
However, during the Edo period (1603-1868), it evolved into a more systematized moral code, influenced by various philosophies, including Confucianism.
Although the samurai class disappeared with the Meiji Restoration, the spirit fostered by Bushido has been inherited in various forms within modern Japanese society.

Bushido was not merely a set of fighting techniques or precepts.
It was the ethical foundation that dictated the samurai’s entire way of life, pledging loyalty to their lord, valuing their honor above all else, and bravely confronting any difficulty.
For a samurai, honor was heavier than life, and if they committed a dishonorable act, there was even the concept of restoring their honor by taking their own life through seppuku.
In this way, Bushido formed the core of the samurai’s identity and played an extremely important role in regulating their social status and daily actions.

This article will focus on the spiritual aspects of Bushido, exploring its core virtues.
We will then explain how this spirit has been inherited by modern Japanese people and in what concrete forms it manifests.
Furthermore, we will consider the questions and misconceptions Westerners hold about Bushido, based on information from online blogs and social media, and attempt to answer these questions.

The Spiritual Pillars of Bushido: Exploring Its Core Virtues

While the interpretation and emphasis of Bushido vary depending on the era and literature, it is generally believed to encompass several major virtues.
In his book “Bushido: The Soul of Japan,” Inazo Nitobe proposed eight virtues. However, many texts also consider seven virtues as fundamental.

These virtues were not merely codes of conduct but deeply defined the samurai’s spirituality, containing universal values that are still relevant today.
While there may be slight differences in the number and names of the virtues across different texts, the underlying spirit is common.

For example, “Gi” (義) goes beyond simply doing what is right; it refers to the ability to judge for oneself based on reason and act without hesitation.
It was considered to provide a firm moral foundation, much like bones support the body’s structure. “Yu” (勇) is not merely the absence of fear but the strength to act based on what one believes to be right.
Failing to act when one knows what is right was considered a lack of courage.
“Jin” (仁) is not just superficial kindness but deeply understanding another’s position and feelings, possessing a compassionate heart.
It is considered one of the highest human qualities, encompassing emotions like love, generosity, and sympathy.

The spirit of Bushido was greatly influenced by three traditional Japanese religions and philosophies: Zen Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shinto.
Zen Buddhism influenced Bushido’s spirit of self-sacrifice and self-control through its view of death, the impermanence of life, meditation for spiritual concentration, and a spirit of tranquility and self-transcendence.
Confucianism impacted Bushido’s social norms and human relations through values such as loyalty to one’s lord, etiquette, morality, loyalty, and filial piety.
Shinto contributed to the formation of Bushido’s patriotism and sense of honor through ancestor worship, nature worship, and loyalty to the nation.
Thus, Bushido, as a unique ethical code nurtured on Japanese soil, must be understood by considering the influence of these religions and philosophies to grasp its multifaceted nature.

The Spirit of Bushido Alive Today: Concrete Examples in Modern Japan

The spirit fostered by Bushido is evident in various forms in modern Japanese society, even after the age of the samurai ended.
It can be said to be deeply ingrained in Japanese work ethic, attitudes in sports, values in education, and even in the subtleties of daily social interactions.

In terms of work ethic and corporate culture, the spirit of Bushido, such as loyalty to the company and dedication to work, is thought to be at the root of unique Japanese employment practices like the lifelong employment system and seniority-based wages.
Furthermore, a serious attitude towards work and a thorough commitment to product and service quality can be interpreted as manifestations of the spirit of “誠” (誠 – sincerity).
The idea of companies cherishing their employees like family likely stems from Bushido’s spirit of “仁” (仁 – benevolence).

In the world of sports, particularly martial arts like Judo, Kendo, and Karate, the spirit of emphasizing “礼” (礼 – politeness) and a deep respect for opponents is strongly rooted.
Even in sports other than martial arts, the spirit of fair play and the tenacity of never giving up are consistent with Bushido’s “義” (義 – rectitude) and “勇” (勇 – courage).
The fact that Japanese professional baseball teams are nicknamed “Samurai Japan” and the Japan national football team “Samurai Blue” also suggests how deeply the spirit of Bushido is integrated into the world of sports.

In the field of education, various values consistent with the spirit of Bushido are taught through etiquette and moral education.
Bushido virtues such as the courage to face difficulties and compassion for others are considered important elements of character formation.
Education plays a crucial role not only in transmitting knowledge but also in passing on the spirit fostered by Bushido to future generations.

The spirit of Bushido is also evident in daily life and social interactions.
Polite language and meticulous consideration for others are manifestations of the spirit of “礼” (礼 – politeness).
A dislike for injustice and a respect for justice align with the spirit of “義” (義 – rectitude).
Furthermore, the awareness of taking responsibility for one’s actions and valuing honor also influences the behavioral principles of modern Japanese people.
The polite language used by convenience store clerks towards customers and the meticulous cleaning by janitors can also be seen as glimpses of the Bushido spirit.

Bridging Cultures: Addressing Western Understanding and Misconceptions

The questions and misconceptions Westerners have about Bushido can be gathered from discussions on online blogs and social media.
These seem to include questions about the historical accuracy of Bushido, the gap between romanticized images and reality, its connection to World War II, comparisons with Western chivalry, the existence of formalized codes, and its relevance in modern times.

Regarding historical accuracy, there’s a question in the West about whether Bushido is a concept invented in later periods.
In particular, Inazo Nitobe’s book “Bushido: The Soul of Japan” significantly shaped the Western image of Bushido, but its historical accuracy is debatable.
Some views suggest it was intentionally created during the Meiji era for national unity, or that Nitobe interpreted it by linking it to Christian values.

Through films and literature, samurai are often depicted with idealized images, but there are also Western critiques that actual samurai behavior was not always so.
For example, samurai during the Sengoku period sometimes used betrayal and cunning.
Acts like head-hunting and tsujigiri (辻斬り – literally “crossroads killing,” testing one’s sword on a random passerby) are also aspects of reality far removed from the idealized Bushido image.

The connection between Japanese militarism during World War II and Bushido is also a significant concern in the West.
There’s a view that Japanese militarism exploited Bushido’s spirit of loyalty and self-sacrifice to inspire the nation.
The actions of the Kamikaze special attack unit are sometimes understood in connection with Bushido’s “fearless of death” spirit.

Bushido is often compared to Western chivalry, but there’s a Western understanding that there are important differences between the two.
For example, while the object of loyalty in chivalry was often a feudal lord, in Bushido, it shifted to the nation or emperor depending on the era.
There are also differences in the values emphasized.

In the West, questions are also raised about whether Bushido was a clearly codified set of norms.
In reality, Bushido’s interpretation varied by era and school, and it had a strong element of unwritten rules.
A significant aspect of it was passed down through oral tradition and custom.

There’s also discussion in the West about Bushido’s relevance and applicability in modern times.
While attempts are made to apply it to business and daily life, values like loyalty and self-sacrifice are not necessarily universally accepted in modern society.
Blind loyalty can sometimes become a target of criticism.

Answering Western Questions: Insights from Online Discussions

Let’s attempt to directly answer the questions and doubts raised by Westerners in online forums, based on research materials.

Q: Did Bushido really exist? Or is it just a myth?
A: Bushido was not a formalized legal code created by a specific individual, but rather an ethical outlook that emerged naturally from the lives and thoughts of samurai over many years.
During the Edo period, it became systematized under the influence of Confucianism, but its essence was an unwritten spiritual guideline.

Q: How does Bushido explain Japan’s actions during World War II?
A: During World War II, the Japanese militaristic government emphasized the loyalty and self-sacrifice aspects of Bushido to heighten national morale for war.
However, this was an emphasis on only one facet of Bushido and does not reflect the entire picture of Bushido. Bushido also includes peaceful values such as compassion and politeness.

Q: Do modern Japanese people still practice Bushido?
A: Bushido is not practiced in its original form in modern Japanese society.
However, the values fostered by Bushido, such as diligence, politeness, a sense of responsibility, and loyalty, are deeply ingrained in the behavior and mindset of Japanese people.
Values consistent with the spirit of Bushido can also be seen in the worlds of sports and business.

The Enduring Legacy of Bushido

Bushido is a crucial key to deeply understanding Japanese history and culture.
It is not merely a relic of the past but continues to exert a significant influence on the spirituality of modern Japanese people.
Values such as diligence, politeness, a sense of responsibility, and compassion for others, which Bushido has nurtured, remain essential elements supporting Japanese society today.

For Westerners to deepen their understanding of Bushido is indispensable for understanding Japanese culture.
At the same time, by grasping the gap between Bushido’s ideals and reality, and the historical fact that it sometimes had negative aspects, one can gain a more multifaceted and balanced perspective.
Bushido can serve as a valuable bridge, connecting the past and present, and people of different cultures.

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