The Bushido Code: The Eight Virtues
Blayze McKenney Mrs. Thomas World History 7 12 April 2024 The Superiority of the Japanese Samurai After 14 years of rigorous Loyalty, Combat, and Mindset Training, the young warrior is finally ready to become a Samurai at the age of 14. The Japanese Samurai and the European Knights were 2 classes of very powerful warriors during the Middle Ages. Samurai were superior because they offered protection to their masters, went through rigorous training to get better at fighting, and were incredibly loyal to their masters when it came to following their code and protecting their masters. The samurai were superior to knights because they offered protection to peasants and daimyos.
Young warriors studied the moral code of the samurai, Zen Buddhism and Kendo (Doc. C). A knight begins his journey at age four or five (DOC C). A knight would be sent at age seven or eight, he would be sent to serve as a page to his father’s overlord or to a powerful relative (Doc. C). With a blunted or wooden sword, refining his skills and receiving some religions instructions (Doc. C). Samurai were expected to live according to Bushio, a strict emony called genpuku (Doc. C).
Virtues are only acquired through the habituation of doing the right things voluntarily. Aristotle also believed that a person doing the right thing and reaching the mean of a virtue should be brought pleasure by their actions. In a class discussion we defined character as the sum of all of our virtues, combined with how we use those virtues to influence our decisions and actions. The virtues I found most applicable in this case study are: integrity, humility, and loyalty. Integrity is a very influential virtue in this case, as
They a example for the lower classes and had to follow their religion. The Samurais and Knights most important principles are not much loyalty to his master, harsh self discipline, and brave, selfless behavior. These great warriors had showed to serve their lord and be
Since the first civilizations, cultures have valued certain virtues. The dictionary defines a virtue as “a good and moral quality. ”[explain it better] Virtues are vital to every culture. They determine how people conduct themselves, what religion they follow, and how they interact with the world around them.
This shogunate started the growth of samurais which are warriors defined as “one who serves.” Samurais were hired by lords (known as daimyo) as bodyguards for protection from other lords (Beck 307). Due to all the violence going on, lords were often at war with one another, so they were always in possible danger. As well, the samurai was known to fight in wars between enemy provinces and attacks from the Mongols.
Through Bushido, it was also said that the samurai were taught to live as if they were already dead. This was so during battle, the samurai would always fight at the maximum level and not fear death. Samurai were also taught to not worry about armor on their back as they would never have their back facing the enemy, meaning they would never retreat. Though some of the Samurai may
Both knights and samurai learned the code of loyalty at a young age. In Europe, it was called, “The Code of Chivalry ''. In Japan, it was called, “The Code of Bushido ''. The Code of Chivalry, states that all knights are loyal to the king, to prove themselves worthy of knightly honor by being strong, brave, courteous, and loyal bearing under the greatest difficulties. In Japan, the Code of Bushido states that they are loyal to their master, and to stand in physical readiness for what comes his way.
Tokugawa rule brought unity and stability, but it did not prevent change. In the 1600s and 1700s, each of Japan’s main class-samurai, peasantry, and urban dwellers was gradually transformed. The samurai by custom were loyal, and proud, but two centuries of peace slowly dulled their fighting edge. As cities grew larger, Japan’s urban culture became increasingly sophisticated.
They used the “kata” as meditative practice. Samurai also believed that they should master the fear of death, because if they did not it would interfere with their ability to serve their master. They felt they would bring the whole group down if they worried about dying on the battlefield. The Samurai viewed death as honorable if they died for the right reasons. Samurai believed in seppuku, which is a ritual suicide
The Idealization of Bushido in The Hidden Blade The ancient code of honor that the samurai supposedly lived and died by was called Bushido. It emphasized eight important virtues that all samurai must live by. These virtues include Rectitude/justice, courage, benevolence/mercy, politeness, honesty/sincerity, honor, loyalty, and character/self-control. Any failure to follow these virtues resulted in the need to commit seppuku or Hara-kiri, which was honorable suicide.
Consequent to becoming a samurai, you’re initiated into the warrior class and is the fourth highest on the social pyramid. Furthermore, samurai are given more land, food, and money. However, the drawbacks of samurai are also vast. Notably, working as a samurai is dangerous and there is always a predisposition for a death from combat in this perilous profession. In addition, samurai are expected to follow the harsh code of duty, Bushido, which sets the standard of honor and discipline above all else.
Just like them mastering bows, arrows, and swords, they had to make sure their mind, body, and spirit were in condition. For the Samurai to be successful, all of his mind,body, and soul had to work together. This took many years of hard training to balance time and self- control, they were required to have this for them to be able to use the sword properly. Mental preparation was a big part in training because in the battlefield/battle, you need to learn how to have physical skills but also skills in where you can control your emotions. Since learning self- control was so important, Samurai started really early that way they wouldn’t develop any habits or patterns
The Way of the Warrior “The warrior guided by the spirit serves humanity, the warrior without, serves the ego” This quote is by Soke Behzad Ahmadi, a martial artist. The quote is describing the importance of bushido. Bushido was the code of honor, discipline, and loyalty that made up the samurai warriors. Bushido was developed from Buddhism in the period in which the shogunates took place.
The Way of the Warrior “The warrior guided by the spirit serves humanity, the warrior without, serves the ego.” (Goodreads 2) This quote is by Soke Behzad Ahmadi, a martial artist. This quote describes the importance of Bushido. Bushido was the code of honor, discipline, and loyalty that made up the samurai warriors.
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