Probably the single best introduction to the way of the samurai for
beginners, and a martial arts classic that needs to be on the reading
list of any expert. It attempts to illustrate how Bushido functioned as an
ethical system and moral fabric of Japan through both explanation and
example. Elements of Bushido that are discussed include justice, courage
and daring, benevolence, politeness, veracity, honor, loyalty, and
self-control. Elaborations on samurai training and education, lifestyle,
ritualized suicide, and the importance of the sword are also provided.
The book usually has two main criticisms from more serious scholars: that it was
written after the Meiji Restoration and is a romantic recreation of the samurai ideal
rather than an accurate portrayal of how it really was, and second, that it's author,
very much westernized himself, tries too hard to draw parallels between the samurai
code and more Western ideals and concepts. I find both points to be strengths rather
than weaknesses. Nitobe does a good job of articulating and introducing a complicated,
foreign moral ethos in a succinct manner that Westerners can appreciate. The high
degree of intellectualism coupled with the weighty Victorian language makes the book
a slow read, so the reader should avoid trying to skim but rather take his/her time
to savor and reflect on the points raised. But don’t let that scare you; it doesn’t
get any easier to gain this deep of an understanding into Bushido. The publisher's
preface explains it nicely, As one reads through his scholarly and often exhaustive
sentences, he experiences a feeling for the concept. But lasting it out is rewarding. By the
time he reaches the end of his text, he will find that the whole subject of Bushido has had a
cumulative effect. The reader actually develops a feeling for the concept. Bushido is both
educational and inspirational. For any serious student of the martial way, this book
explicitly explains how adherence to the warrior code can result in self-cultivation, which
leads us to reaffirm our commitment to that end.
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