Samurai Wisdom: Lessons from Japan's Warrior Culture

292 Pages·2009·1.48 MB·English

by  Thomas Cleary

SAMURAI
WISDOM
Thomas Cleary
SAMURAI
WISDOM
Lessons From Japan’s Warrior Culture
Five Classic Texts on Bushido
TUTTLE PUBLISHING
Tokyo • Rutland, Vermont • Singapore
Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd., with
editorial offices at 364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, Vermont 05759
U.S.A.
Copyright © 2009 by Thomas Cleary All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any
information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from
the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Samurai wisdom : lessons
from Japan’s warrior culture / translated by Thomas Cleary. -- 1st ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p.).
ISBN 978-0-8048-4008-8 (hardcover)
1. Bushido--Early works to 1800. 2. Military art and science--Japan--Early
works to 1800. 3. Martial arts--Japan--Early works to 1800. I. Cleary, Thomas F.,
1949-II. Tsugaru, Kodo, 1682-1729. Buji teiyo. English. III. Yamaga, Takatsune,
1650-1713. Budo teiyo. English. IV. Yamaga, Soko, 1622-1685. Selections.
English. 2009.
BJ971.B8S24 2009
170’.440952--dc22
2008036913
ISBN 978-0-8048-4008-8
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Contents
INTRODUCTION
Bushido: The Way of the Samurai Warrior ...9
BOOK ONE: The Way of the Knight
By Yamaga Soko
1. Establishing the Basis... 34
2. Aspiring to the Way ... 36
3. Striving to Put Aspiration into Practice ...37
4. Mental Techniques: Cultivating Mood and Maintaining Will...
38
5. Distinguishing Righteousness from Profiteering ...46
6. Making Peace with Destiny ...48
7. Integrity ...50
8. Honesty ...52
9. Firmness and Constancy ...53
10. Refining Character and Perfecting Ability, Devotion to
Loyalty and Filial Piety ...54
11. Rely on Humanity and Justness ...58
12. Thoroughly Understanding Things ...60
13. Broad Study ...62
14. Self-Examination and Self-Discipline ...64
15. Detailing Dignified Manners; Unfailing Respectfulness
...65
16. Circumspection in Looking and Listening ...69
17. Circumspection in Speech ...71
18. Be Careful of Appearances ...81
19. Moderating Consumption of Food and Drink ...96
20. Dignified Housing Design ...106
21. Clarifying the Uses of Implements ...116
22. Dignified Manners in Ceremonial Functions ...123
23. Circumspection in Daily Activities: General Discussion of
Everyday Affairs ...126
24. Correcting a Day’s Activities ...127
25. Use of Money; Ethics of Receiving and Giving ...130
26. Prudence at Parties ...132
BOOK TWO: The Warrior’s Rule
By Tsugaru Kodo-shi
I. The Basis of Order ...136
1. Martial Virtues ...136
2. Warrior Wisdom ...140
3. Warrior Justice ...141
4. Warriors’ Work ...143
5. Warriors’ Preparedness ...145
6. The Courage of the Warrior ...145
II. The Way of Rule ...147
1. Establishing Will ...147
2. Personal Cultivation ...150
3. Ordering the Home ...152
4. Knowing People ...153
5. Promoting People ...160
6. Ordering Offices ...162
7. Understanding Affairs and Objects ...164
8. Establishing Regulations ...165
9. Civil Administration ...166
10. Review and Perceptivity ...170
11. Studying Military Science ...171
12. Reward and Punishment ...174
13. Acculturation ...177
14. Great Government ...178
15. Transmission of Authority ...179
BOOK THREE: Essentials of Military Matters
Compiled by Yamaga Takatsune
1. The Origin of Military Education ...186
2. Transmission of the System ...187
3. The Law of the Warrior ...192
4. The Basic Aim of Leadership ...193
5. The Main Bases of Teaching and Training ...195
6. The Main Aims of Military Training ...196
7. Questions and Answers on Military Education ...200
BOOK FOUR: The Education of Warriors
By Yamaga Soko
Author’s Preface ...216
I. The Universal Sources ...216
1. The Source of Humanity ...216
2. The Source of the Way ...217
3. The Source of Phenomena ...217
II. Essentials of Leadership ...219
1. The Office of the Lord ...219
2. Three Tasks ...220
3. Admonition ...220
4. Establishing Offices ...220
5. Selection and Training ...221
6. Military Preparedness ...223
7. Rules and Regulations ...226
8. Internalization and Examination ...227
9. Reward and Punishment ...228
III. War Strategy ...228
1. Military Education ...228
2. Planning and Intelligence ...228
3. Principles of Warfare ...229
4. Battlegrounds ...229
5. The Time to Fight ...234
6. Practicalities of Combat ...235
7. Essentials of Combat ...237
BOOK FIVE: Primer of Martial Education
By Yamaga Soko
1. Rising Early, Retiring at Night ...240
2. Living at Ease ...241
3. Speech and Interaction ...241
4. Walking, Standing, Sitting, Reclining ...242
5. Clothing, Food, and Housing ...243
6. Money and Material Th ings ...244
7. Food, Drink, and Sexual Desire ...244
8. Falconry and Hunting ...245
9. Giving and Receiving ...245
10. Instruction of Heirs ...246