Bushido

Quick Facts: Who was Bushido?

Subject:

Bushido

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The moral code governing the conduct, ethics, and lifestyle of the samurai class in Japan.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Bushidō (武士道; Japanese pronunciation: [bɯ.ɕiꜜ.doː]) is a samurai moral code concerning samurai attitudes, behavior, and lifestyle. Its origins date back to the Kamakura period, but the code was formalized in the Edo period (1603–1868). There are multiple types of bushido, which evolved significantly through history. Contemporary forms of bushido are still used in the social and economic organization of Japan. Bushido is also used as an overarching term for all the codes, practices, philosophies, and principles of samurai culture.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

It is loosely analogous to the European concept of chivalry, but with some major differences. The concept of a samurai code or codes was developed and refined centuries before the Edo period in the Kamakura period. Such ideas formalized earlier moral values and ethics, most commonly stressing a combination of sincerity, frugality, loyalty, martial arts mastery, honour until death, "bravery", and "loyalty to the samurai's lord." Bushido proper developed between the 16th and 20th centuries, but this was debated by pundits who believed they were building on a legacy dating back to the 10th century. The term bushido itself is "rarely attested in pre-modern literature", but a code of honor did exist among the writing elite and historians who were generally disgusted enough at the dishonorable activity of some fighters such as shinobi as to rarely mention them. Ideas of honor that led to bushido developed in response to the longstanding dishonorable behavior of samurai, emerging stealth and espionage techniques, and Zen Buddhist soldier tenets.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The relative peace in Japan during the Kamakura period favored ideas of honor in battle, expressed in customs such as announcing one's family name and/or lineages before fighting, attempting to limit fights among warrior nobles to horseback archery or sword duels with no subterfuge or trickery, and conducting oneself like a legendary character or renowned hero (tales of daring were popular in the Kamakura period). Pre-bushido honor codes during this time were also contributed to by commoners, who sometimes took on similar roles to samurai and often used their family names as introductions to fighting despite not being noble. However, even during the relatively small family and land quarrels of this time, as well as duels thought to be honorable, warriors often disregarded these norms of combat and the announcement of family names or lineages was mostly a way to brag and assert a right to fight and/or gain whatever a faction was looking for after a fight. Outright bragging was also known to happen. These already tenuous codes of honor were weakened when the Japanese, expecting the invading Mongols to be laid-back with their combat, humiliatingly sent an envoy that fired a noisemaker arrow to officially commence the start of what the Japanese assumed would be a series of small duels and skirmishes.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1603: 1603 Milestone — Its origins date back to the Kamakura period, but the code was formalized in the Edo period (1603–1868).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Bushido

True or False: “The concept of Bushido was fully formalized and codified during the Kamakura period (1185–1333).”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While early ideas existed in the Kamakura period, the code was formally defined and applied by the Tokugawa shogunate during the Edo period (1603–1868).

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Frequently Asked Questions about Bushido