Bushido: The Soul of Japan

Rating:
Summary: Interesting content, difficult read.
Review: "Bushido: The Soul of Japan" is an interesting book, outlining the codes and ethics of the Samurai warrior class of Tokugawa era Japan. Much like the code of Chivalry of European Knights (of which the book makes comparisons), Bu-shi-do (Military - Knight - Way) lays down stringent rules of behavior towards superiors and inferiors, of behavior in battle and in peace, as well as the minute of life, all as a way of taming and ordering this privileged warrior class which sprang from the most brutish, most barbarian roots.

Written in 1900, the book uses the writing style common at the times. "Bushido" was written as a means to educate an educated Western audience about the soul of Japan and eliminate common prejudices towards the Japanese civilization. As Nitobe writes for a 1900s Western educated audience, he takes it for granted that the reader is familiar with Shakespeare and often uses Shakespearian characters as mouthpieces for the Western point of view. "As Iago said...."

Nitobe does an excellent job explaining the code, and uses fables and examples to illustrate his points. He clearly sees the value in this military way of life, and waxes poetic from time to time. There are no insights into modern Japan to be gained from "Bushido," anymore than you can understand modern London by reading "Le Mort D'Arthur." It is, however, a great resource for understanding historic Japan and the Samurai cast.

Rating:
Summary: Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword
Review: "Bushido: The Soul of Japan" is an interesting book, outlining the codes and ethics of the Samurai warrior class of Tokugawa era Japan. Much like the code of Chivalry of European Knights (of which the book makes comparisons), Bu-shi-do (Military - Knight - Way) lays down stringent rules of behavior towards superiors and inferiors, of behavior in battle and in peace, as well as the minute of life, all as a way of taming and ordering this privileged warrior class which sprang from the most brutish, most barbarian roots.

Written in 1900, the book uses the writing style common at the times. "Bushido" was written as a means to educate an educated Western audience about the soul of Japan and eliminate common prejudices towards the Japanese civilization. As Nitobe writes for a 1900s Western educated audience, he takes it for granted that the reader is familiar with Shakespeare and often uses Shakespearian characters as mouthpieces for the Western point of view. "As Iago said...."

Nitobe does an excellent job explaining the code, and uses fables and examples to illustrate his points. He clearly sees the value in this military way of life, and waxes poetic from time to time. There are no insights into modern Japan to be gained from "Bushido," anymore than you can understand modern London by reading "Le Mort D'Arthur." It is, however, a great resource for understanding historic Japan and the Samurai cast.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting content, difficult read.
Review: As a martial arts student I am facinated by this topic and make a willing audience. I purchased this book as a present for my instructors and have read it myself.

Although we all enjoyed the content and found it facinating we all found the book difficult to read. It requires knowledge of literature and politics from the period in which it was written and the explanations are not as straight forward as other works on this topic.

I think it is a good book to read to gain an understanding of the code of behaviour embraced by the Samari and the reasoning behind it but only if you are prepared to persist through the more difficult parts of the book.

Rating:
Summary: This book changed my life
Review: Bushido has become my way of life because of the author and this book.The author writes with such eloquence and descriptive style that I could only hope to oe day achieve what Dr. Nitobe has written. I beleive this book should be required reading for every young warrior because its didactic tone change my life and gave me an epifany on life. This is a book that is important to all aspects of life and gives a well rounded opinion of the contrast to western thought concerning Bushido. I fully recommend this book for all young upcoming warriors and intellects.

Rating:
Summary: With ideas as relevant today as they were 100 years ago
Review: Bushido: The Soul Of Japan, A Classic Essay On Samurai Ethics by educator, cultural interpreter, and League of Nations Under-Secretary-General Inazo Nitobe (1862-1933) is the reprint of a historic and respected work originally published in 1900. Nitobe discusses the Japanese concept of "bushido", also known as "the way of a warrior" as an ethical and meaningful system which emphasizes honor, loyalty, courage, and benevolence. Nitobe's classic treatise then contemplates the future of this martial and ethical discipline. Very strongly recommended reading for students of Japanese cultural history and the martial arts, Bushido: The Soul Of Japan is a powerful presentation and a moving book with ideas as relevant today as they were 100 years ago.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful introduction
Review: Inazo Nitobe (1862-1933) was a Japanese author with a unique perspective; he was an educator and a Quaker. When queried about the basis of morality in Japan, he thought long and hard on the subject. His answer was that Bushido was the Soul of Japan, and from that idea flowed this book.

In this wonderful book, Mr. Nitobe explains Bushido to the Western observer. Using the Bible and other Western literature as examples of common points of reference, he explains 1) the origins and sources of Bushido, 2) its character and teachings, 3) its influence, and 4) its continuity and permanence.

So, if you are interested in Bushido in particular, or Japan in general, then I strongly recommend this book. Even though it was first published in 1905, it makes a wonderful introduction to the Western reader. I highly recommend this book!

Rating:
Summary: Good Primer on the Subject
Review: Nitobe has written a good and useful primer on the subject of bushido, presenting both a history and explanations into easily digestible small chapters. Although I was already familiar with some aspects of bushido of which he wrote, it is nonetheless useful to have a handy guide in which things are laid out systematically. I might suggest that this is a good guide for martial artists to help understand the culture behind their arts.

Rating:
Summary: Good Primer on the Subject
Review: Nitobe has written a good and useful primer on the subject of bushido, presenting both a history and explanations into easily digestible small chapters. Although I was already familiar with some aspects of bushido of which he wrote, it is nonetheless useful to have a handy guide in which things are laid out systematically. I might suggest that this is a good guide for martial artists to help understand the culture behind their arts.

Rating:
Summary: Putting a Name on Ideas Unnameable
Review: Nitobe Sensei did an incredible job of putting into words concepts that are very difficult for all to understand, not only foreigners (non-Japanese.) He also did it as a Christian scholar in a non-Christian land during times of great change in Japanese society. It is a wonderful cross-cultural and cross-theological comparison between Christian and non-Christian belief systems. There's a saying about being able to explain things that are Zen. "If you can explain it, it isn't Zen," if I may paraphrase. Zen and Bushido are inextricably linked and Mr. Nitobe managed to put it into some sort of framework that we could easily understand. Not all things will make sense to the first time reader. When you read it again and again, the things that are true for you, you will clearly understand. As with many discussions of Zen and/or Bushido, it has to become a part of you to be understandable. This doesn't mean you have to pick up a sword or take up calligraphy, it means that you have to see the truth of it in yourself, no matter what you do or where you are. There are universal truths here. Even when you understand, you may not be able to put into words your understanding. That is the time when this book will become most indispensible.

Rating:
Summary: Putting a Name on Ideas Unnameable
Review: Nitobe Sensei did an incredible job of putting into words concepts that are very difficult for all to understand, not only foreigners (non-Japanese.) He also did it as a Christian scholar in a non-Christian land during times of great change in Japanese society. It is a wonderful cross-cultural and cross-theological comparison between Christian and non-Christian belief systems. There's a saying about being able to explain things that are Zen. "If you can explain it, it isn't Zen," if I may paraphrase. Zen and Bushido are inextricably linked and Mr. Nitobe managed to put it into some sort of framework that we could easily understand. Not all things will make sense to the first time reader. When you read it again and again, the things that are true for you, you will clearly understand. As with many discussions of Zen and/or Bushido, it has to become a part of you to be understandable. This doesn't mean you have to pick up a sword or take up calligraphy, it means that you have to see the truth of it in yourself, no matter what you do or where you are. There are universal truths here. Even when you understand, you may not be able to put into words your understanding. That is the time when this book will become most indispensible.