| INTRODUCTION
Bushido, literally translated "Way of the Warrior," developed in Japan
between the Heian and Tokugawa Ages (9th-12th century). It was a code
and way of life for Samurai, a class of warriors similar to the medieval
knights of Europe. It was influenced by Zen and Confucianism, two different
schools of thought of those periods. Bushido is not unlike the chivalry
and codes of the European knights. "It puts emphasis on loyalty, self
sacrifice, justice, sense of shame, refined manners, purity, modesty,
frugality, martial spirit, honor and affection" (Nippon Steel Human Resources
Development Co., Ltd. 329).
ORIGINS AND INFLUENCES
- Bushido comes out of Buddhism, Zen, Confucianism, and Shintoism.
The combination of these schools of thought and religions has formed
the code of warrior values known as Bushido.
- 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.
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