Bashido is the code the Japanese samurai followed. There were three basic codes they were expected to follow. The biggest one was to have good virtue and morally correct thinking. This law was the basis of the others. Another law was courage. There is a difference between bravery and courage and Bushido defines the difference. Courage is worthy and it is doing what is right. Mercy is also a code in Bashido. It states that the samurai have the ability to kill and command but they also have to equally demonstrate mercy and compassion. Samurai also had to be honest and sincere. Samurai were supposed to look down on money and they were even taught to believe that talking about wealth showed poor character. Samurai also were supposed to hold great honor. They have to understand their sense of dignity and worth because the fear of disgrace was constantly on their mind. The last two are loyalty and self-control. Bushido teachings taught that you have to behave morally. They have to understand that …show more content…
Most of these codes for both centralize around respect, courage, helping those in need, and loyalty. If everyone respected one another there will be less conflicts and people would get along better. Another problem in the world is that people do not have courage to stand up for what is right. A good example is observing someone bully an innocent and not stepping in. Being courageous and standing up for what is right can change the world. There are many people who are lower class all around the world. If you helped out those in need, even just a little, it could mean the world to them. For example, giving money or food to the homeless or helping someone pay for an item if they are a few dollars off. Last but not least, people need to be more loyal. If you are in a relationship, you don’t go and cheat and lie to the person you’re with. You also need to be loyal when someone tells you a secret or trusts you with an
In medieval Europe and Japan there were warriors called samurai and knights that protected their region (Doc. 1). The samurai fought in Japan and knights fought in Europe (Doc. 1). Knights were famous for riding on horseback but the samurai would ride too (Doc.1). Samurai were mainly famous for their karate skills and acrobatic moves (Doc. C). One key characteristic for both the samurai and knights was that they were both loyal (Doc. E). They had to be because they played a big part in feudalism (Doc. A). Both warriors had a code that they abided (Doc. E). Bushido was the code for the samurai and Chivalry for the knights (Doc. E). The samurai and knights were great warriors who fought from 1000 AD to 1600 CE an their similarities are greater than their differences.
In document C1 written by the PBS series states, “Samurai were expected to live according to Bushido, a strict ethical code influenced by Confucianism that stressed loyalty to one’s master, respect for one’s superior, ethical behaviors in all aspects of life and complete self-discipline”. This quote proves that samurais were far more loyal to there code of honor (Bushido) that the knights were. Another piece of evidence that supports the claim is in “Samurai Shodown” a documentary by Terry Schappert which states “the sword symbolized the loyalty and commitment to Bushido the code of the samurai”. This quote confirms that even the sword of the samurai had a meaning that symbolizes
People say samurais are very well disciplined because of Bushido, and it is true. Bushido was the rule of the samurai code. Samurais were expected to live disciplined lives. In source 4, “The business of the samurai consists...in discharging loyal service to his master if he has one, in deepening his fidelity in associations with friends, and ...in devoting himself to duty above all” (Source 5). This statement can mean that samurais had to be devoted to being a samurai no matter what. Which meant staying true to all the rules. Also this is important because, not only did they have to be loyal to their duty, but also loyal to their friends and family. It can also be said,
From approximately 1000- 1600 CE, the knights and Samurai were the muscue and the soul of the warrior class. The warriors of Europe were called knight and the warriors of Japan were called samurai. Both of the groups were focus on the Codes , Armor and Feudalism. The Similarities between the knights and samurai were greater than the differences To begin, both the knights and samurai had armour to protect themselves in battle.
Just as European knights had a code of chivalry, the samurai had the code of Bushido (Document E). The code of Bushido, like the code of chivalry in medieval Europe, governed a samurai’s life. It called on samurai to be honest, fair, and fearless in the face of death. Samurai were expected to value loyalty and personal honor even more than their lives.
Both of these codes are a bit different. Document F states, “...to be loyal to the King, to give mercy to those asking it, always to be courteous and helpful to ladies, and to fight in no wrongful quarrel for worldly gain.” While the samurai practice the way, which is part of Bushido. Document E states about the way, “should there be someone who transgresses (does wrong) against these moral principles, the samurai punishes him and thus upholds proper moral principles in the land.” Both codes have different types of punishment inflicted on the warriors for various reasons.
In, document D - The Way of the Samurai, 1600’s: it talks about the code of Bushido and Chivalry. It says (paragraph 1) “ Outwardly he stands in physical readiness for any call to service in inwardly he strives to fulfill the Way….” this shows just how honorable a samurai could be. In Europe it was just the same (paragraph 2) it states “give mercy in those who ask for it” These similarities are significant because loyalty between the two, shows how much they trust each other. Without this trust and loyalty , these countries would be
The samurai were a powerful warrior class in Japan, and were very skilled with a sword. Samurai used swords and were trained very well to do many things such as fire a bow while on horseback. The samurai practiced Buddhism, which is a religion that taught people to respect the world to reach enlightenment. When the samurai disobeyed The Bushido Code, they committed Seppuku, which is ritual suicide for the samurai. Japanese culture was influenced by the samurai warrior class.
The role of tradition within religion in medieval Japanese society was of great significance. Shinto and Zen Buddhism were two of the major religions practiced in medieval Japan. Shinto was mainly concerned with daily life, while Zen Buddhism prepared the people for the life to come. The samurai also followed an important code called Bushido, a form of warrior philosophy. The ancient Japanese religions helped people understand the universe and also provided a connection between the physical world on earth and the spiritual world.
The term ‘Bushido’ has over the years developed from the traditional translation of ‘the Way of the Warrior’ towards the more modern notion of a “national spirit of Japan, especially the military spirit.” This paper will analyse the impacts that various religious traditions such as Shintoism, Buddhism and Confucianism have had on shaping the classical ideals of the bushido code and the influences that the bushido code played on the actions of the kamikaze fighter pilots during World War II.
In school, they learned of the Kendo, which is fencing with bamboo sticks, the moral code of the samurai, and their religion, Zen Buddhism. Their code of conduct, the Bushido, demanded that a samurai must hold his loyalty, courage, honesty, compassion, and honor. According to The Way of the Samurai by Yamaga Soko, “Within his [samurai] heart he keeps to the ways of peace, but without he keeps his weapons ready for use.” As stated before, samurais have a much lighter armor. This is mainly due to They have an opening on their right arm in order for them to draw their bows faster and
The samurai had an unwritten code of honor called the bushido. Bushido means “way of the warrior” (History of the Samurai 3). This provided them with a code to help show them how to live and conduct themselves at home and in battle. One of the most important duties of the samurai was their loyalty to their lord. The samurai would defend their lord until the death. Revenge was also central in the samurai’s
At various points throughout the novel, Mishima illustrated his view on the tradition of the Bushido code by using Shinji as an example. Shinji demonstrated the aspect of politeness through the multiple times he brought part of his catch of the day to the lighthouse keepers. Since Mishima is the one who created this character, Shinji, he showed his personal views through Shinji’s actions. Politeness was one of the several aspects that Mishima supported revolving around the Bushido code. Another example of the Bushido code that is shown by Shinji’s actions is courage. Shinji was courageous enough to swim out in the rough waves to tie a lifeline to the buoy. Once again, this portrays Mishima’s view on the Bushido code. Because Mishima wrote about courageous actions, this showed that courage is a major part for one to be considered Bushido. Overall, part of Mishima’s view on Japanese traditionalism revolved around the Bushido code.
The entire Japanese culture is based on honor. Honor extends to the nation, the family, and the individual. The samurai are no exception to a code of honor. The samurai follow the code of bushido. Bushido is closer to the western term of chivalry. Bushido places emphasis on courage, benevolence, justice, politeness, truthfulness, honor, loyalty, and most importantly is self-control. The samurai's primary religion is Zen. The samurai adapted Zen easily due to the philosophy that fits closely to Buddhism. Samurai may act in the extreme when it comes to honor. They will kill anyone who may dishonor them or their lord. Nothing is worse to a samurai than to have corrupt dealings. Some of the warriors believed, "Honor is the power of deciding upon certain course of conduct in accordance with reason, without wavering … to die when it is right to die, to strike when to strike is right." Other warriors believed that "Honor is the bone that gives firmness and stature. As without bones the head cannot rest on top of the spine, nor hands move, nor feet stand, so without honor neither talent nor learning can make of a human frame a
Bushido comes from medieval Japan, but until the 1600's it was something that had to be taught by a master. It was later written down for everyone to see and understand (Hurst 16). Bushido comes from all kinds of traits. It comes from Buddhism, Zen Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shintoism. All these schools of thought and religion has formed the code of the warrior that the samurai follow in their everyday life (Clark 2). Buddhism teaches the samurai that you need to detach yourself from worldly feelings, wants, and needs. This was so that the samurai would not fear danger or death (Clark 3). Zen mediation teaches the samurai how to focus to rid themselves of unsteadiness and of all