Bushido: The True Boy Scout Code?

Did you know that Bushido: The Soul of Japan written by Inazo Nitobe a study of the way of the samurai, was a major best-seller in its day, it was read by many influential foreigners, among them President Theodore Roosevelt, President John F. Kennedy and Robert Baden-Powell. It may even have shaped Baden-Powell's philoshophies on which the Boy Scouts were founded.

Hagakure: The way of the Samurai (True Bushido Code)

Hagakure: The way of the Samurai is the essential book of the Samurai. Written by Yamamoto Tsunetomo, who was a Samurai in the early 1700s, it is a book that combines the teachings of both Zen and Confucianism. Tsunetomo's views on bushido, the warrior code of the samurai. Hagakure is sometimes said to assert that bushido is really the "Way of Dying" or living as though one was already dead, and that a samurai retainer must be willing to die at any moment in order to be true to his lord.

Hagakure was not widely known during the decades following Tsunetomo's death. However, it received wider circulation at the start of the 20th century, and by the 1930s had become one of the most famous representations of bushido thought in Japan. Hagakure remains popular among many non-Japanese who are interested in samurai culture. It is also frequently referred to as The Book of the Samurai and was featured prominently in the 1999 Jim Jarmusch film Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai.

You can purchase the book through Amazon, or download the pdf here.

These philosophies are centered on loyalty, devotion, purity and selflessness, and Yamamoto places a strong emphasis on the notion of living in the present moment with a strong and clear mind. The word Hagakure literally translates as hidden beneath the leaves and also fallen leaves. Perhaps it was named this because at the time that it was written, the way of the samurai was becoming obsolete.

The Hagakure has been rewritten in modern terms by one of Japan’s famous writers, Yukio Mishima. His own views were very similar to those of Yamamoto, particularly the philosophy of cultivating the self. His characters all had self sufficiency in common, and did not rely upon anyone else for completion.

Although the Hagakure was written centuries ago for a breed of warriors that no longer exist, the philosophies and wisdom within are still practical, even in our modern times.

The importance of bushido for Japanese samurai warriors

The importance of the bushido code for Japanese samurai warriors

The Japanese samurai warriors were well known for adhering to the bushido code. The samurai valued their honor above all things, in the same way as medieval knights of Europe valued their honor.

Born and raised under the true bushido code, a samurai warrior was always alert, on guard, and ready to do battle on his master 's behalf. A samurai was prepared to give his life in his master 's service. Samurai rush into the fiercest fighting, eager for glory. A true samurai never retreats unless ordered to do so, and would never allow himself to be taken prisoner. A true samurai warrior would rather die than be ashamed as in the case of taken prisoner.

The way of the samurai warriors demanded perfection in matters of honor, both on the battlefield and in daily life. A samurai was also expected to be able to write, understand poetry and perform traditional dances.

What does Bushido mean?

The word bushido in Japanese means "the way of the warrior."

True Bushido code

The Bushi or Bushido warriors believed that they had to obey their master. This allegiance between the Bushido warriors and their masters came before anything else including friendship and family ties. This concept of honor or bushido code is sometimes difficult to understand in the western and modern civilizations since in the western teachings and in modern societies, family comes first.

The importance of Bushido for Japanese Samurai Warriors

The Japanese samurai warriors were well-known for valuing their Bushido code. Valuing their honor above all things, in the same way as medieval knights of Europe valued their honor.

Born and raised with true Bushido code, a true Bushido warrior was always alert, on guard, and ready to do battle on his master 's behalf. A bushido warrior was prepared to give his life in his master 's service. A Bushido warrior would always rush into the fiercest fighting, eager for glory. A true Bushido warrior would not retreat unless ordered to do so, and would never allow himself to be taken prisoner. A true Bushido warrior would rather die than be ashamed as in the case of taken prisoner.

The way of the samurai warriors demanded perfection in matters of honor, both on the battlefield and in daily life. A samurai was also expected to be able to write, understand poetry and perform traditional dances.

What is Bushido?

Bushido is the code of honor which true Japanese Bushi warriors value above all things. Bushido is sometimes referred to as tao of the warrior, true code of bushido, or samurai bushido code. True bushido code is adhered to by all true Bushido warriors. This warrior ethic was documented in the Hagakure: The Way of the Warrior. The term "Samurai" is often used interchangeably with Busido. The Samurai grew from the Bushido warrior class. Bushido Warriors that attained a high rank in their master's service were come to be known as "Samurai".

Bushido Code - Expanded Explanations

From Buddhism - Bushido gets its relationship to danger and death. The samurai do not fear death because they believe as Buddhism teaches, after death one will be reincarnated and may live another life here on earth. The samurai are warriors from the time they become samurai until their death; they have no fear of danger.

Through Zen - a school of Buddhism one can reach the ultimate "Absolute". Zen meditation teaches one to focus and reach a level of thought words cannot describe. Zen teaches one to "know thyself" and do not to limit yourself. Samurai used this as a tool to drive out fear, unsteadiness and ultimately mistakes. These things could get him killed.

Shintoism - another Japanese doctrine, gives Bushido its loyalty and patriotism. Shintoism includes ancestor-worship which makes the Imperial family the fountain-head of the whole nation. It awards the emperor a god-like reverence. He is the embodiment of Heaven on earth. With such loyalty, the samurai pledge themselves to the emperor and their daimyo or feudal landlords, higher ranking samurai. Shintoism also provides the backbone for patriotism to their country, Japan. They believe the land is not merely there for their needs, "it is the sacred abode to the gods, the spirits of their forefathers . . ." (Nitobe, 14). The land is cared for, protected and nurtured through an intense patriotism.

Confucianism gives Bushido its beliefs in relationships with the human world, their environment and family. Confucianism's stress on the five moral relations between master and servant, father and son, husband and wife, older and younger brother, and friend and friend, are what the samurai follow. However, the samurai disagreed strongly with many of the writings of Confucius. They believed that man should not sit and read books all day, nor shall he write poems all day, for an intellectual specialist was considered to be a machine. Instead, Bushido believes man and the universe were made to be alike in both the spirit and ethics.


These factors which make up Bushido were few and simple. Though simple, Bushido created a way of life that was to nourish a nation through its most troubling times, through civil wars, despair and uncertainty.

True Bushido Code - Expanded Definitions

BUSHIDO CODE - EXPANDED DEFINITIONS ==============================================================

1. Justice - Correct judgment at a time where judgment is called for, to strike when it is right to strike. To do the right thing at the right time. Crooked ways and unjust actions are thought to be lowly and inhumane.

2. Courage - Courage is a virtue only in the cause of righteousness. Sacrificing your safety for an unworthy cause is stupidity. To admit ones mistake, to sacrifice ones self in order to save someone from despair, to stand on ones right decision, are some signs of courage.

3. Benevolence - Love, affection for others, sympathy and an excellence of mind and character towards other people are the highest attributes of the soul. Love and benevolence were supreme virtues and princely acts.

4. Politeness - Politeness, courtesy and excellent manners should be a part of
your life. Politeness is a poor virtue if it is only actuated by a fear of offending. It should stem from a sympathetic regard for the feelings of others.

5. Veracity - Lying is a cowardly act, dishonorable. Your word should be able to be taken as a guarantee of truthfulness.

6. Honor - The honorable person is the humble person. Without honor you have no respect and without respect no honor. Honor is like a scar on a tree, in which time only helps to enlarge. To be honorable is to follow the Bushido Code.

7. Loyalty - You must be loyal to your family, your teachers, your fellow students the art and to those who teach you outside the dojo. You should never forget the teacher who labored for you. The teachers will not forget the labor you put in for them.

What Is The True Bushido Code

At its heart the true Bushido Code is a strict code of ethics maintained by the Samurai, of feudal Japan.
There are seven virtues that make up the Bushido Code. Although slightly different words are found in different texts... the meanings of the seven virtues are the same:

1) Justice
2) Courage
3) Benevolence
4) Politeness
5) Veracity
6) Honor
7) Loyalty

Today, many martial artists, military, security and law enforcement personnel & business people study and practice Bushido. While it's true the "suicide by hara-kiri" is a thing of the past... the seven virtues have stood the test of time.

How can you tell if you've really absorbed Bushido and live the virtues? It's simple. Step outside yourself and observe how you communicate & behave when you're at your worst.

Do you keep your composure while in a highly emotional state? When someone is verbally disrespectful - can you de-escalate the situation or do you get defensive and argue?

If you're in law enforcement - do you truly use the minimum amount of force needed to stop the threat or do you resort to unnecessary violence or abuse?

If you're in business - do you negotiate win-win scenarios or do you crush & kick the other side when they are in an inferior or weakened position?

If you're a supervisor or leader in your organization - do you lead & support your staff or do you 'boss them around' and use your title to cause fear?

Bushido is a Japanese term, literally meaning the “Way of the Warrior”, a code of chivalry for the Samurai, originating from Buddhism, Confucianism, Shinto, and Zen. It was an ethical code of conduct, developed between the 11th to 14th centuries and was formalized during the opening years of the Tokugawa Shogunate for the members of the Samurai class.

read the classic text Hagakure , which outlines the way of the Samurai and true bushido code for yourself.

According to the Japanese Dictionary Shogakkan Kokugo Daijiten: "Bushido is defined as a unique philosophy (ronri) that spread through the warrior class from the Muromachi (chusei) period."

Only through the exercise of these virtues can a Samurai maintain his honor, and one who has forfeited honor is compelled to commit suicide by hara-kiri.