![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Bushido, from noaimiloa
Nov. 5th, 2006 11:09 pmTHE SEVEN VIRTUES OF BUSHIDO, from Tikan Ju-Jitsu, http://incolor.inebraska.com/markand/virtues_of_bushido.html
Literally translated, Bushido means "way of the warrior." More correctly, it was the moral code that the Samurai of Japan were supposed to live their lives by. This is not an in-depth look at the origin or nature of Bushido - that would require an article several pages long. This is simply a list of characteristics that were commonly attributed to Bushido.
What were the Rules of Bushido?
Bushido was an ethos, a philosophy, and not an edict signed by the Emperor. As such, while the concept of Bushido was congruent to all Samurai, the details of the belief differed from clan to clan, and even from person to person. These clan precepts range from the short (only three virtues are mentioned in Hagakure or "Hidden by the Leaves" by Yamamoto Tsunetomo).
So Then Why Do We Have Seven Virtues?
Although there was not set list of the rules of Bushido, there were seven characteristics that where common to most families. They are simple enough to remember, and yet provide some insight into the philosophies of the Bushi or "warrior class."
The Seven Virtues
Chu - Duty and Loyalty (Chugi) - For a Samurai, having done something or said something, he knows that he is part of a thing. He is responsible for it and all the consequences that follow. A Samurai is intensely loyal to those in his care. To those he is responsible for, he remains fiercely true.
Gi - Honesty and Justice - Be acutely honest throughout your dealings with all people. Believe in justice, not from other people, but from yourself. To a true Samurai there are no shades of gray in the question of honesty and justice. There is only right and wrong.
Jin - Compassion (Jingi) - Through intense training the Samurai becomes quick and strong. The Samurai is not like other men. He has compassion. He helps his fellow men at every opportunity. If the opportunity does not arise, he goes out of his way to find one.
Makoto - Complete Sincerity - When a Samurai has said he will perform an action, it is as good as done. Nothing on this earth will stop him from completing what he has said he will do. The action of speaking alone has set the action of doing in motion. Speaking and doing are the same action.
Meiyo - Honour - The true Samurai has only one judge of his honor, and that is himself. Decisions you make and how those decisions are carried out are a reflection of who you are truly. You cannot hide from yourself.
Rei - Polite Courtesy (Reigi) - Samurai have no reason to be cruel. They do not need to prove their strength. A Samurai is courteous even to his enemies. Without this outward show of respect we are nothing more than animals. A Samurai is not only respected for his strength in battle, but also by his dealings with other men.
Yu - Heroic Courage (Yuki) - Rise above the masses of people that are afraid to act. A Samurai must have heroic courage. It is absolutely risky, it is dangerous. Heroic courage is not blind. It is intelligent and strong. Replace fear with respect and caution.
Literally translated, Bushido means "way of the warrior." More correctly, it was the moral code that the Samurai of Japan were supposed to live their lives by. This is not an in-depth look at the origin or nature of Bushido - that would require an article several pages long. This is simply a list of characteristics that were commonly attributed to Bushido.
What were the Rules of Bushido?
Bushido was an ethos, a philosophy, and not an edict signed by the Emperor. As such, while the concept of Bushido was congruent to all Samurai, the details of the belief differed from clan to clan, and even from person to person. These clan precepts range from the short (only three virtues are mentioned in Hagakure or "Hidden by the Leaves" by Yamamoto Tsunetomo).
So Then Why Do We Have Seven Virtues?
Although there was not set list of the rules of Bushido, there were seven characteristics that where common to most families. They are simple enough to remember, and yet provide some insight into the philosophies of the Bushi or "warrior class."
The Seven Virtues
Chu - Duty and Loyalty (Chugi) - For a Samurai, having done something or said something, he knows that he is part of a thing. He is responsible for it and all the consequences that follow. A Samurai is intensely loyal to those in his care. To those he is responsible for, he remains fiercely true.
Gi - Honesty and Justice - Be acutely honest throughout your dealings with all people. Believe in justice, not from other people, but from yourself. To a true Samurai there are no shades of gray in the question of honesty and justice. There is only right and wrong.
Jin - Compassion (Jingi) - Through intense training the Samurai becomes quick and strong. The Samurai is not like other men. He has compassion. He helps his fellow men at every opportunity. If the opportunity does not arise, he goes out of his way to find one.
Makoto - Complete Sincerity - When a Samurai has said he will perform an action, it is as good as done. Nothing on this earth will stop him from completing what he has said he will do. The action of speaking alone has set the action of doing in motion. Speaking and doing are the same action.
Meiyo - Honour - The true Samurai has only one judge of his honor, and that is himself. Decisions you make and how those decisions are carried out are a reflection of who you are truly. You cannot hide from yourself.
Rei - Polite Courtesy (Reigi) - Samurai have no reason to be cruel. They do not need to prove their strength. A Samurai is courteous even to his enemies. Without this outward show of respect we are nothing more than animals. A Samurai is not only respected for his strength in battle, but also by his dealings with other men.
Yu - Heroic Courage (Yuki) - Rise above the masses of people that are afraid to act. A Samurai must have heroic courage. It is absolutely risky, it is dangerous. Heroic courage is not blind. It is intelligent and strong. Replace fear with respect and caution.
