The code of Bushido and its impact
on the modern martial artist.

Bushido is the way of the warrior and dates back to the time of feudal Japan when the Emperor was protected by his Samurai. The Samurai were to Japan what the knights were to England in the 1200’s. They had a code of honour, were given higher status and were expected to behave to a  higher moral and ethical standard than the rest of the populace. They were revered not only as warriors but as people who commanded respect. In both European and Japanese cultures these men lived and died by a code of honour, gallantry, courtesy, generosity, and integrity also known as chivalry. As martial artists our history determines our future and we all have to live up to these ideals. We are not here to teach indiscriminate violence and aggression towards others, rather we have a duty to control ourselves and focus any aggression only toward those who deserve it. The samurai warriors were bound by their code of honour and integrity and were not allowed to use their superior skills and powers to the detriment of others; our modern day warriors should abide by this same code of conduct.

Values of the samurai:
Integrity, honesty, valour, compassion, manners, loyalty and honour.

Integrity
For the Samurai, moral integrity was a way of life, they were taught that it was necessary to behave correctly at all times and were prepared to live and even die for what was right and just. Dishonesty was unforgivable and would bring shame not only on the individual but also on the entire family. However, honesty was highly prized and the term gishi, or man of integrity, was the highest title, which could be bestowed upon anyone. This still holds true today.

Honesty
Honesty and the idea that “a man’s word is his bond” is a belief held particularly strongly by the samurai. Any need or request for a contract when dealing with a samurai would be regarded as a grave insult. When the feudal system was abolished in Japan, many samurai found it extremely difficult to survive when confronted with a different code of ethics and honesty in the world of trade and commerce. Honesty and truth were, in the days of the samurai and should be today, cherished commodities to be aspired to.

Valour:
Valour is not only physical courage, but is a willingness to endure hardship without complaint. Courage in the face of adversity or when faced with a burden of responsibility is the personification of valour and as such requires a degree of bravery often greater than any physical trial or tribulation. To avoid duty or obligation to family and friends is as cowardly as running away during battle. Valour, a requirement for all samurai and modern martial artists alike.

Compassion
“The true measure of a man is in how he treats someone who can do him, absolutely no good whatsoever” - Ann Lander. Compassion is kindness or generosity without a need for reciprocation. A warrior’s true strength lies in his ability to demonstrate restraint rather than punitive action, and the worth of showing tenderness and love, unlike the coward who relies heavily on fear and bullying. Generosity, kindness and mercy, should be watchwords for us all.

Manners
Proper manners denote good upbringing and respect for others. Manners are meaningless if they are not displayed for the right reasons. Good manners and politeness are proof of caring and respect for the feelings of others. These qualities should be cultivated as a means and measure of self-improvement. Manners and politeness, like respect, need to be shown before they can be expected in return.

Loyalty
For the samurai, loyalty to their master was throughout their life until their death. To die in the service of their master was the highest testimony to the samurai’s allegiance. In feudal Japan there was a definite order to the hierarchy of loyalty, firstly there was the emperor who was regarded as the embodiment of God on earth, next came the feudal lord followed by family and last were the general populace. Loyalty is a two-way street, consequently, that which you show to others will be returned in equal measure.

Honour
Honour can be described as justified credit or respect, public admiration or standing. Dishonour, for the samurai, was the firmly held belief that one had failed in their duty or in a given task. To avoid this dishonour or shame encompassing the samurai’s family, he or she would often commit suicide, by way of the ritual seppuku or disembowelment. For the female samurai dishonour often took the shape of physical violation and rather than allow that, they would bind their feet together as a symbol of chastity before taking their own lives. These days although honour is still a highly prized virtue, dishonour no longer brings with it the same need for ritualised suicide.