武士道
In the later years of feudal Japan in the Edo Period, the Samurai weren't so much the 'hired soldiers' anymore. They had become the gentleman warrior-class. Propriety, Courtesy, Honour and Integrity were considered important traits for a Samurai to have.
In his book: "Bushido: The Soul of Japan" by Inazo Nitobe, he outlines seven virtues that were essential to the life of the Gentleman Warrior of Old Japan.
These virtues are a guide for being a better person, not just in old Japan, but even in today's society, especially for the Martial Artist and Warrior.
名誉
HONOUR:
The
integrity of one’s spirit and virtues
“Honour
is what no man can give you, and
none can take away. Honour is a man's gift to himself.” – Rob Roy
The
Samurai of old Japan believed that one’s honour is the immortal part of oneself,
in a very literal sense. The warrior’s honour is the integrity of his spirit
and virtues. Put simply our honour is intact when we stick
to our principles.
To
a warrior, his honour is very serious, it's the most important thing to him. This is
because it is the culmination of who and what he is. It is the immortal part of
a warrior because it’s the warrior’s honour that lives on in people’s memory
after death. This doesn’t simply mean that it’s what people think of a warrior
(that is only skin deep). True Honour of a real warrior goes right to the core
and radiates from there. Letting people only think your intentions are
honourable might appear to be the way but it’s not true honour of a real
warrior.
Honour
is the opposite of shame. To incur any shame was the greatest dishonour to a
Samurai and he would commit seppuku in order to restore his honour.
A
warrior’s honour influences everything that he says and does; it’s for his
honour and no other reason that he follows the other virtues.
仁
BENEVOLENCE:
A
charitable, selfless mindset. To be good.
“It is the task of good men to help
those in misfortune”-
Sophocles
The
Warrior is a good person; he can’t watch another person in need or trouble and
do nothing. The true warrior knows it is the Warriors duty to help others.
Being a good person is difficult at times, sometimes it's easier to look the other way and pretend we didn't see that person getting attacked, but this doesn't sit well with a good person. They must do something.
Being a good person is difficult at times, sometimes it's easier to look the other way and pretend we didn't see that person getting attacked, but this doesn't sit well with a good person. They must do something.
義
RECTITUDE:
Righteousness.
An adherence to justice and truth.
“To see the right and not to do it is
cowardice”
– Confucius
A
true warrior has a good sense of right and wrong, he not only listens to his
conscience but acts on it too. Just like Benevolence, doing the right thing can be difficult, but the definition of a warrior is to standing the side of what is right.
This
virtue is quite often translated as ‘justice’.
誠
SINCERITY:
Truthfulness
in thought, speech and action.
“Every single word is of great
importance to the Samurai” - The Hagakure
Many
people translate this virtue as “honesty” which is exactly true, a warrior must
be honest. It is more than this though.
A true warrior doesn’t just speak the truth, his intentions behind the words and even his thoughts should be genuine. The ancient samurai found it an insult to give their word or make a promise as EVERY word they said was the serious absolute truth.
A true warrior doesn’t just speak the truth, his intentions behind the words and even his thoughts should be genuine. The ancient samurai found it an insult to give their word or make a promise as EVERY word they said was the serious absolute truth.
勇
COURAGE:
The ability to face fear or hardship, without being incautious or inconsiderate.
The ability to face fear or hardship, without being incautious or inconsiderate.
“The warrior is not led by others; but
by remaining true to his convictions.” – F. J. Chu
Courage
is essential to a warriors spirit. Courage is not only being brave in battle.
The warrior has the courage to stick to his principles at all times and doesn’t bow to peer-pressure. This virtues is probably the one that we use the most in our daily lives.
Courage isn’t ‘not being afraid’ courage is being able to face your fears without hesitation.
The warrior has the courage to stick to his principles at all times and doesn’t bow to peer-pressure. This virtues is probably the one that we use the most in our daily lives.
Courage isn’t ‘not being afraid’ courage is being able to face your fears without hesitation.
忠義
LOYALTY:
Faithfulness
to a cause or ideal.
“Hold faithfulness and sincerity as
first principles.”
- Confucius
The
ancient Samurai were required to be fiercely to their feudal lord. They were
required to kill or be killed at their word. If it was demanded of him, a
samurai would gladly take his own life. The word ‘Samurai’ literally means ‘to
serve’.
In this day and age we live differently to the samurai in old feudal Japan. We don’t live to serve a particular lord, daimyo or shogun, but a warrior must be loyal to himself and his own conscience. Even to the point where he is willing to die for what he believes is right, just like the samurai of old.
In this day and age we live differently to the samurai in old feudal Japan. We don’t live to serve a particular lord, daimyo or shogun, but a warrior must be loyal to himself and his own conscience. Even to the point where he is willing to die for what he believes is right, just like the samurai of old.
礼
RESPECT:
Deep
feeling of admiration and trust.
“Regardless of social class, there
should be no discourteous behaviour.” – Tomida Dairai
There
is a difference between having and showing respect. To show respect is to
simply be courteous and for a warrior courtesy goes without saying. True
warriors are always courteous (even with their enemies).
Having
respect is different and more meaningful. A warrior that truly respects someone
(e.g. parents, instructor or role-model ) has a deep feeling of loyalty towards that
person. This doesn’t mean he compliments them continually or always agrees
everything they say.
It means he admires that person to his very core. It means the warrior fully trusts that person’s word and knows that he is someone to count on. For this reason a warrior is careful of who he respects as not everyone can be trusted on such a deep level.
It means he admires that person to his very core. It means the warrior fully trusts that person’s word and knows that he is someone to count on. For this reason a warrior is careful of who he respects as not everyone can be trusted on such a deep level.
Being
that a warrior understands what respect truly is, he strives everyday to be
worthy of the respect of others. He doesn’t just act worthy of respect, he
makes sure that he is worthy of
respect with his entire spirit (even when others aren’t watching).
The
warrior’s journey is a difficult one without end. It is a way of life, a way of
discipline, a way of constant unending self improvement (The Japanese call this
“Kaizen”). The true warrior knows the day will never come when he can say he is
a ‘perfect warrior’... but luckily that’s not why he lives ‘The Way of the Warrior’.
Comment below to share any thoughts or opinions you might have.
Comment below to share any thoughts or opinions you might have.
No comments:
Post a Comment