from dust jacket

Code of the Samurai is a four-hundred-year-old explication of the rules and expectations embodied in bushido, the Japanese Way of the Warrior, which has played a major role n shaping the behavior of modern Japanese government, corporations, society, and individuals, as well as in shaping the modern martial arts within Japan and internationally. The Japanese original of this book, Bushido Shoshinshu, has been one of the prime sources on the tenets of Bushido, a way of thought that remains fascinating and relevent to the modern world, East and West. With a clear, conversational narrative by Thomas Cleary, one of the foremost translators of the wisdom of Asia, and powerfully evocative line drawings by master illustrator Oscar Ratti, this book is indispensable to the corporate executive, student of Asian culture, and martial artist.

Thomas Cleary is the translator of Opening the Dragon Gate by Ckhen Kaiguo and Zheng Shunchao and The Story of Chinese Zen by Nan Huai-Chin, both form Tuttle, as well as The Art of War by Sun Tzu, The Book of Five Rings by iyamoto Musashi, The Japanese Art of War, and dozens of other titles on martial philosophy, Buddhism, Taoism, religion, philosophy, and motivation. He was born in 1949, and lives in Oakland, California.

Oscar Ratti is the author, with Adele Westbrook, of Aikido and the Dynamic Sphere and Secrets of the Samurai: The Martial Arts of Feudal Japan, and a frequent contributor of artwork and essay to major publications. Born in Italy, he has for many years made his home in New York City.

Contents

Introduction by Thomas Cleary
Part I-General Discussion; Education; Familial Duty; Principles of Warriors; Not Forgetting Combat; Monk-Warriors; Right and Wrong; The Valiant; Courtesy and Respect; Horsemanship; Army Principles and Combat Principles
Part II-Managing the Home; Relatives; Frugality; House Building; Military Equipment; Equipping Subordinates; Warriors; Modesty; Choosing Friends; Friendly Relations; Severing Relations; Fame; Big Talk and Criticism; Travel; Warning Against Backbiting; Guardianship; Facing Death
Part III-Service; Vassalage; Military Service; Discretion; Verbal Expression; Family Histories; Escort; Officials; Borrowing Authority and Stealing Authority; Exactions; Watch Commanders and Sluperintendents; Laziness; Dealing with Emergencies; Self-Expression; Dying Loyalty; Cultural Refinement

Has there ever been a society more stunted and repressed than feudal Japan? The concept of 'bushido', outlined here by Taira Shigesuke (1639-1730) and translated by Thomas Cleary, was key to this retardation. It preaches complete and utter deference and obedience in both mind and body to one's betters and to one's society. A warrior, we are told, "cannot fulfil his duties as long as he considers his body and life his own" (pg. 67); a "loyal" and proper follower of the bushido code "knows he has an overlord; he doesn't know he has a self" (pg. 82). The book is not even well-written; it is an instruction manual with no poetry at all in the prose or the message it is communicating.

It is a code obsessed with how others perceive you, whether your minor error in etiquette has brought eternal shame on you, your family and your ancestors. Followers of bushido must avoid sexual feelings (pg. 23), avoid associating with others "casually just for a good time or a congenial conversation" (pg. 48) and be "ever deferential" (pg. 82). You must do your duty: you have no right to express dissatisfaction (pg. 90). And, even if you do all this, it is all for nothing if you don't die well. For on page 60, we are told:

"The foremost concern of a warrior, no matter what his rank, is how he will behave at the moment of his death. No matter how eloquent and intelligent you may normally seem to be, if you lose composure on the brink of death and die in an unseemly manner, your previous good conduct will all be in vain, and you will be looked down upon by serious people. This is a very disgraceful thing."

It is this obsession with death (right from page one, we are told that one must "keep death in mind at all times") rather than the enjoyment of life which makes the concept of bushido so contemptible. It is an uncompromisingly outward-looking philosophy, focusing on small matters of how you are perceived by others rather than on developing self-respect and contentment. It is fascistic, enforcing a strict caste system based on martial strength where a select few have complete power and other entire groups are no better than dogs: a system ripe for abuse and atrocity (as of course, history proves was the case). In one particularly appalling passage on page 90, in a section entitled 'Dying Loyally', we are informed that "Knights in service are so very favoured by their overlord that there is no way for them to requite their debt." In other words, the sun shines out of the arses of your betters, and the very fact that they have allowed you to devote yourself completely to them is an honour which you can never repay. Read this book as a curiosity, if you like, but only to realise just how willingly people can debase themselves. ( )

This English translation is a great read even for the modern warrior. As a Marine I am able to apply many of this books teachings to my every day life. Even though the way we wage war has changed dramatically over the years the heart of the individual warrior has not. I highly recommend this book to all of my Marines as well as Japanese aficionados. ( )