Why was bushido a significant moment?
We believe that the Bushido was important to Japanese soldiers because Bushido is a generally equivalent to a code of ethics and morals for warriors. The meaning of Bushido is basically ‘the way of the warrior’ which was used to define the Samurai way, their code. The Samurai were an evil fighting force when they first started but the Bushido very quickly created a fighting force that followed a very clear code of ethics. It created a common belief that all of the men would follow and also meant there was more order and law in Japan. As it grew, it started to influence everyone in Japan and became a common belief that everyone respected.
Some of the responsibilities are:
1. Samurai are to obey their lords
2. It is a samurai's right to speak out on bad judgments or orders, but death is the only alternative to fulfilling an order
3. Samurai must be ready to die at any time and death in the service of one's lord is the greatest service one can render
4. Dishonour to lord or family is dishonour to the samurai
5. No dishonour can go unavenged
6. All debts, both of gratitude and vengeance are repaid
7. Cowardice is dishonourable
8. The study of the martial arts and literature must be practiced at all times
9. Drunkenness, rudeness and lewd behaviour must be avoided.
10. Lawbreakers must not be hidden in any domain
11. Daimyo must expel any samurai charged with treason or murder
12. Samurai are to live a frugal and simple life.
Rights/Law
In the early days the position in Samurai was that people with a higher social rank will be able to kill people with lower social rank only if they were insulted. Eventually, Japan used the Bushido to define the Japanese feudal law. In Europe they had an equivalent Code of Chivalry that most soldiers tried to live up to. These codes provided a basis for how they would fight and live and also gave people the confidence. So, Bushido was very significant as it was the start of the law in Japan and has been used by many countries to help define code of ethics.
We believe that the Bushido was important to Japanese soldiers because Bushido is a generally equivalent to a code of ethics and morals for warriors. The meaning of Bushido is basically ‘the way of the warrior’ which was used to define the Samurai way, their code. The Samurai were an evil fighting force when they first started but the Bushido very quickly created a fighting force that followed a very clear code of ethics. It created a common belief that all of the men would follow and also meant there was more order and law in Japan. As it grew, it started to influence everyone in Japan and became a common belief that everyone respected.
Some of the responsibilities are:
1. Samurai are to obey their lords
2. It is a samurai's right to speak out on bad judgments or orders, but death is the only alternative to fulfilling an order
3. Samurai must be ready to die at any time and death in the service of one's lord is the greatest service one can render
4. Dishonour to lord or family is dishonour to the samurai
5. No dishonour can go unavenged
6. All debts, both of gratitude and vengeance are repaid
7. Cowardice is dishonourable
8. The study of the martial arts and literature must be practiced at all times
9. Drunkenness, rudeness and lewd behaviour must be avoided.
10. Lawbreakers must not be hidden in any domain
11. Daimyo must expel any samurai charged with treason or murder
12. Samurai are to live a frugal and simple life.
Rights/Law
In the early days the position in Samurai was that people with a higher social rank will be able to kill people with lower social rank only if they were insulted. Eventually, Japan used the Bushido to define the Japanese feudal law. In Europe they had an equivalent Code of Chivalry that most soldiers tried to live up to. These codes provided a basis for how they would fight and live and also gave people the confidence. So, Bushido was very significant as it was the start of the law in Japan and has been used by many countries to help define code of ethics.
How did bushido affect modern Japan?
Today wherever you look in modern Japan you will find some of the values of Bushido. Japanese have the highest value, respect and loyalty to their country and families. The idea of dishonouring a family member would not even cross their mind. If one look at the cutler or religions now a day in Japan, the two largest religions are Buddhism and Shintoism, which are, both guided form Bushido. Bushido also has a large impact on Japan’s biggest companies. For example: ‘workers believe that if an employee does well they are benefiting the whole company’ or ‘they eat very close together’ or ‘that if someone does badly it is considered shameful’. All these things are associated with Bushido values. So overall we think even though Bushido has no more military or political power, the rules are still with the Japanese everyday. We think that the bushido code has not only improved the quality of life in Japan but also the people there.
Today wherever you look in modern Japan you will find some of the values of Bushido. Japanese have the highest value, respect and loyalty to their country and families. The idea of dishonouring a family member would not even cross their mind. If one look at the cutler or religions now a day in Japan, the two largest religions are Buddhism and Shintoism, which are, both guided form Bushido. Bushido also has a large impact on Japan’s biggest companies. For example: ‘workers believe that if an employee does well they are benefiting the whole company’ or ‘they eat very close together’ or ‘that if someone does badly it is considered shameful’. All these things are associated with Bushido values. So overall we think even though Bushido has no more military or political power, the rules are still with the Japanese everyday. We think that the bushido code has not only improved the quality of life in Japan but also the people there.