Japanese national team players pitching hard at the WBC

Bushido in Japanese Major Leaguers

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The Samurai Spirit Alive in Modern Times

Major League Baseball (MLB) is witnessing the remarkable success of many Japanese players, led by Shohei Ohtani.
Beyond their exceptional baseball skills, their dedication to their teams, spirit of fair play, and off-field conduct have garnered admiration from people across borders.
These aspects seem to resonate deeply with the spirit of “Bushido,” the code once valued by Japan’s samurai.
While they are not modern-day samurai, their actions and attitudes strongly reflect Bushido’s virtues, such as valuing harmony, prizing integrity, and persevering through ceaseless effort.
These values are not necessarily special; for many Japanese, they are a natural code of conduct that still breathes in contemporary society.
This article explores the spirit of Bushido alive today through the lens of Japanese Major Leaguers.

Table of Contents

What is Bushido?: Its Essence and Seven Virtues

Bushido was a moral code and standard of conduct formed among the samurai class during Japan’s feudal era.
It developed not merely as combat techniques or battlefield prowess, but as a “Way” (道 – dō) that emphasized how one should live as a human being in daily life and society, as well as spiritual forging.
Bushido became the daily guiding principle for samurai, emphasizing loyalty to one’s lord, the honor of one’s family name, and responsibility to society.

In the Meiji era, Inazo Nitobe’s English book, Bushido: The Soul of Japan, introduced this unique Japanese spiritual culture to the world, creating a significant impact.
Nitobe identified the following seven as the main virtues underpinning Bushido:

義 (Gi – Righteousness, Justice)

To follow the right path as a human being.
It’s the spirit of making fair judgments and actions, not driven by self-interest.

勇 (Yu – Courage)

The spirit to face difficulties resolutely for a just cause, without fear.
It also includes the strength not to ignore injustice.

仁 (Jin – Benevolence, Compassion)

Consideration and compassion for others.
The spirit of helping the weak and loving people.

礼 (Rei – Respect, Politeness)

An attitude of respecting others and treating them with courtesy.
It’s a code of conduct for maintaining social order and smoothing human relations.

誠 (Makoto – Sincerity, Honesty)

True-heartedness, without falsehood, with one’s words matching one’s actions.
It’s the honesty symbolized by the saying, “A samurai never goes back on his word” (武士に二言はない – Bushi ni nigon wa nai).

名誉 (Meiyo – Honor)

The spirit of maintaining one’s dignity and pursuing a life free of shame.
It values one’s character and self-respect.

忠義 (Chugi – Loyalty, Fidelity)

To serve one’s lord, organization, or society with sincerity. However, this is not blind obedience but a higher form of loyalty that includes remonstrating with one’s lord for what one believes is the right path.

Inazo Nitobe emphasized that these virtues only gain meaning when embodied through actual conduct, not merely known as knowledge.
Bushido can truly be called a “philosophy of action.”

Embodiments of Bushido: The Modern Samurai Spirit in Japanese Major Leaguers

The words and actions of contemporary Japanese Major Leaguers seem to naturally express these Bushido virtues.
They not only hone the skills to achieve results in the demanding world of professional sports but also impress many with their mentality and consideration for others throughout the process.

Shohei Ohtani: Noble “Honor,” Unceasing “Self-Control,” and “Benevolence” and “Respect”

Shohei Ohtani’s continued pursuit of the unprecedented challenge of being a two-way player is truly reminiscent of the Bushido spirit.

Self-Improvement Based on Honor (Meiyo) and Sincerity (Makoto)
The “Mandala Chart,” a goal-achievement sheet Ohtani created in his first year of high school, shows his high aspirations and concrete plans to achieve them.
With the grand goal “Drafted #1 by 8 teams” at its center, he broke it down into necessary elements (physical conditioning, control, mentality, character, luck, etc.) and further into specific action items.
This is not just a goal-setting tool but a comprehensive self-training plan to master his “Way,” much like samurai strove not only in swordsmanship but also in learning and spiritual cultivation.
We can see his pursuit of “Honor” as an exceptional individual and his “Sincere” approach to this difficult path.
His journals, where he recorded self-analysis from daily practices and games, also reflect this earnest attitude towards self-improvement.
The Two-Way Challenge Demonstrating Self-Control (Kokki) and Courage (Yu)
The challenge of being a two-way player, which many experts deemed “impossible,” and his continued success at it on the highest stage of MLB, is itself proof of extraordinary “Courage” and immense “Self-Control.”
Former Angels manager Phil Nevin described him as “the most focused individual I’ve ever been around in my life,” a testament to this self-discipline.
His experiences overcoming repeated injuries also speak to his mental fortitude.
Behavior Abounding in Benevolence (Jin) and Respect (Rei)
Ohtani’s humble and polite demeanor is widely praised by teammates, opponents, umpires, and fans. He is often seen picking up trash on the field and interacting courteously with fans.
A particularly “god-like response” (神対応 – kami taiō) in 2024, where he sent an encouraging message and signed memorabilia to a young fan who lost her home in a fire, was a clear expression of his “Benevolent” spirit.
Furthermore, his respectful attitude towards umpires has been noted by MLB officials.
His exceptional abilities and wonderful character have elevated him beyond the sport of baseball, perhaps making him an unintentional ambassador, conveying Bushido-like values to the world.

Ichiro Suzuki: The Solitary Seeker Who Blazed a Trail – Righteousness, Honor, Sincerity

Ichiro Suzuki, who set numerous records in MLB and paved the way for Japanese position players, is also a seeker who lived a life consistent with Bushido.

His Unique Batting Path Pursued with Righteousness (Gi) and Honor (Meiyo)
When coaches asked him to change his distinctive “pendulum” batting style early in his professional career, he famously stuck to his beliefs, saying, “I will not listen to what you say.”
This was not mere defiance but an expression of “Righteousness” in pursuing the batting style he believed was correct, and an attitude of staking his “Honor” on achieving results with his unique technique.
This resonates with the Bushido concept that loyalty doesn’t always mean blind obedience but sometimes includes advising one’s lord for their own good or sticking to one’s convictions.
Dedication to Baseball with Utmost Sincerity (Makoto)
His meticulous daily preparation, earnest approach to games, and continued performance at the top level for many years embody the spirit of “Sincerity.”
As he said, “If it weren’t for Orix, ‘Ichiro’ would not have been born,” showing his gratitude and loyalty to the team that understood his talent and provided the environment for it to blossom.

Hideo Nomo: The Pioneer’s “Courage” – The Challenger Who Overcame Adversity

Hideo Nomo, the pioneer of Japanese players challenging MLB, carved a new path with his “Courage.”

The MLB Challenge That Showed “Courage” (Yu)
In the mid-1990s, Nomo’s decision to single-handedly challenge MLB, pushing against fierce criticism and opposition from Japanese baseball circles, required immense “Courage.”
At the time, his actions were even described as “villainous” (ワル – waru) in Japanese baseball, facing significant backlash.
However, he stood by his strong will, saying, “I don’t want to spend the rest of my life regretting not trying,” and created a sensation with his “Tornado” pitching style. Nomo’s challenge and success demonstrate how “Courage” to follow one’s convictions even in difficult situations can open new paths, contrasting with aspects of Japanese society that value tradition and harmony.
Paving the Way for Successors
His success opened the door to MLB for many later Japanese players, including Ichiro, making a significant contribution by showcasing the potential of Japanese baseball to the world.
In a sense, this could be considered a broader form of “Loyalty” (Chugi) to the entire Japanese baseball community.

Bushido Virtues Seen in Other Players

Hideki Matsui: Respect (Rei) and Sincerity (Makoto)
Hideki Matsui, who played for the Yankees among others, is known for his gentlemanly demeanor, respect for teammates, and sincere responses to the media.
He built good relationships with superstars like Derek Jeter, and his attitude of always responding earnestly to interviews, conscious that “the fans are beyond the media,” reflects his emphasis on “Respect” and “Sincerity.”
This is akin to a samurai’s responsibility to his lord and people, representing a modern athlete’s awareness of their responsibility to fans and society, and their sincere engagement—a modern interpretation of Bushido’s “Loyalty” or “Duty” (義理 – giri).
Yu Darvish: “Benevolence” and “Righteousness” in Introspection and Growth
Yu Darvish, an active MLB pitcher, is impressive for his introspective attitude and continuous pursuit of growth.
As he says, through his major league experience, “I was able to truly understand people’s suffering and pain,” deepening his empathy.
The “Darvish Cram School” (ダルビッシュ塾 – Darubisshu Juku), where he unreservedly shared knowledge and experience with young pitchers during the WBC, is an expression of his “Benevolent” spirit.
Also, his thoughtful opinions on player development and other old customs in Japanese baseball, voiced at times, may stem from a “Righteous” desire to improve the current situation.
His introspective journey of moving away from perfectionism and striving to be kinder to others, and to himself, aligns with the Bushido emphasis on lifelong self-cultivation (修業 – shūgyō).

The Spirit of Bushido Lives on in Modern Japanese People

The mental qualities seen in Japanese Major Leaguers – loyalty to the team, perseverance, politeness, and consideration for others – are by no means unique to them. As the user’s query pointed out, many of these behavioral norms are shared as a very natural, almost “taken-for-granted” sensibility among modern Japanese people.

The Spirit of Wa (和 – Harmony)

Japanese society has traditionally valued the spirit of “Wa,” or group harmony.
This can be seen as “Respect” (Rei), based on consideration for others, and “Benevolence” (Jin), the spirit of compassion, being practiced throughout society.
This spirit, nurtured by geographical conditions like being an island nation and a historical background centered on village communities, is also visible in modern teamwork and cooperative relationships in local communities.

Perseverance (Nintai – 忍耐) and the “Ganbaru” (頑張る) Culture

The values of “Perseverance” – tenaciously making efforts even when facing difficulties – and “Ganbaru” (to do one’s best, to persist) are deeply rooted in Japanese culture.
This connects with the samurai spirit of enduring rigorous training and disciplining oneself.
The history of being an agricultural people, cooperating and persevering to grow crops amidst the harshness of nature, is also thought to be a background to this spirit.

Politeness (Reigi – 礼儀) and Sincerity (Seijitsusa – 誠実さ)

Politeness, represented by bowing and the use of honorific language, punctuality, and sincerity in keeping promises, are behavioral norms that many Japanese are consciously aware of in their daily lives.
These can be seen as the result of Bushido’s “Respect” and “Sincerity” permeating society’s overall moral view.

Bushido Residing in the “Taken-for-Granted”

The fact that these values are practiced as “当たり前” (atarimae – natural, a matter of course) suggests that the spirit of Bushido is not something exclusive to a particular class but has deeply dissolved into the Japanese lifestyle and culture, passed down at an unconscious level.
Even after the samurai class disappeared, its ethics and morals are thought to have become a spiritual pillar for the entire nation during Japan’s modernization, contributing to social stability and development.

The calmness, spirit of mutual aid, and disciplined behavior shown by people in an afflicted area during national crises like the Great East Japan Earthquake drew praise from overseas, and this too may be said to demonstrate an aspect of Bushido-like values rooted in Japanese society.

Carrying the Heart of Bushido into the Future

The dedication, courage, dignity, and respect for others displayed by Japanese Major Leaguers on and off the field are not merely individual qualities but can be seen as expressions of the Bushido spirit deeply rooted in Japanese culture.
The samurai virtues of Righteousness, Courage, Benevolence, Respect, Sincerity, Honor, and Loyalty continue to offer us much guidance, even in contemporary society, transcending time.

Bushido is not a relic of the past or merely the ethics of warriors; it can be a universal guide for self-improvement, respecting others, and contributing to society.
Modern “Loyalty” (Chugi) is sublimated from feudal loyalty to a master into sincere contribution to one’s team or organization, to the path or ideals one believes in, and to fans and society as a whole.

The achievements of Japanese Major Leaguers help us rediscover the modern value of Bushido.
Like them, to sincerely pursue one’s “Way,” to have the courage to face difficulties, and not to forget respect and gratitude towards others-such a Bushido heart may become a reliable guide for us living in this rapidly changing modern society, and a quiet strength for building a richer life.
This spirit will likely continue to flow deep within the hearts of Japanese people and be passed on to the future.

References