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In
Japan the warrior class was known as samurai, also called bushi (hence
bushido). They formed a class in and of themselves during the 9th and 12th
centuries. They emerged from the provinces of Japan to become the ruling
class until their decline and later total abolition in 1876 during the
Meiji Era.
The samurai were fighting men, skilled in martial arts. Samurai had extensive skills in the use of the bow and arrow and the sword. They could just as likely have killed you with their bare hands. Samurai were also great horsemen.
These warriors were men who lived by Bushido; it was their way of life. The samurai's loyalty to the emperor and his overlord or daimyo were unsurpassed. They were trustworthy and honest. They lived frugal lives with no interest in riches and material things, but rather in honor and pride. They were men of true valor. Samurai had no fear of death. They would enter any battle no matter the odds. To die in battle would only bring honor to one's family and one's lord.
Samurai usually would rather fight alone, one on one. In battle a samurai would call out his family name, rank and accomplishments. Then he would seek out an opponent with similar rank and do battle. When the samurai has killed his opponent he severs his head. After battle he takes the heads of his enemies back to show proof of his victory. Heads of generals and those of high ranks were transported back to the capital and displayed for the officials and others. The only way out for a defeated samurai was death or ritual suicide: seppuku.
Seppuku
or 'disembowelment' also known as hara-kiri, 'belly slicing' is when a
samurai stabs a knife into his abdomen and literally disembowels himself
by cutting out his guts. After the samurai disembowels himself another
samurai, usually a kinsman or friend, slices his head off. This form of
suicide was "performed under various circumstances: to avoid capture in
battle, which the samurai did not believe to be dishonorable and degrading,
but generally bad policy; to atone for a misdeed or unworthy act; and perhaps
most interestingly, to adonish one's lord." (Varley 32) A samurai would
rather kill himself than bring shame and disgrace to his family name and
his lord. This was considered an act of true honor.
I have no body; I make Stoicism my Body.
I have no eyes; I make The Flash of Lightning my eyes.
I have no ears; I make Sensibility my Ears.
I have no limbs; I make Promptitude my Limbs.
I have no laws; I make Self-Protection my Laws.
I have no strategy; I make the Right to Kill and the Right to Restore
Life my Strategy.
I have no designs; I make Seizing the Opportunity by the Forelock
my Designs.
I have no miracles; I make Righteous Laws my Miracle.
I have no principles; I make Adaptability to all circumstances my
Principle.
I have no tactics; I make Emptiness and Fullness my Tactics.
I have no talent; I make Ready Wit my Talent.
I have no friends; I make my Mind my Friend.
I have no enemy; I make Incautiousness my Enemy.
I have no armour; I make Benevolence my Armour.
I have no castle; I make Immovable Mind my Castle.
I have no sword; I make No Mind my Sword.
Bushido, the way of the samurai, grew out of the fusion of Buddhism and Shintoism. This way can be summarized in seven essential principles:A more detailed in's and outs guide to Bushido is writen in the Samurai manual's featured on this web site.1. Gi: the right decision, taken with equanimity, the right attitude, the truth. When we must die, we must die. Rectitude.
2. Yu: bravery tinged with heroism.
3. Jin: universal love, benevolence toward mankind; compassion.
4. Rei: right action--a most essential quality, courtesy.
5. Makoto: utter sincerity; truthfulness.
ó. Melyo: honor and glory.
7. Chugo: devotion, loyalty.
These are the seven principles underlying the spirit of Bushido, Bu--martial arts; shi--warrior; do the way.
The way of the samurai is imperative and absolute. Practice, in the body, through the unconscious, is fundamental to it, thus the enormous importance attached to the learning of right action or behavior.
Bushido has influenced Buddhism, and Buddhism has influenced Bushido; the elements of Buddhism found in Bushido are five:
Pacification of the emotions; Tranquil compliance with the inevitable; Self-control in the face of any event; A more intimate exploration of death than of life; Pure poverty.
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