ABSTRACT
The word Bushido means, literally, "The Warrior's Way," which was the code of ethics that prevailed in Feudal Japan, and whose influence is still felt, although waning, in Modern Japan. It was the moral code of Japanese chivalry, of the knight and of the gentleman. It has not inaptly been styled "J aponicized Confucianism," for it was chiefly Confucian in its constitution. But it gathered elements from Shinto and Buddhism: from the latter it received fatalism (Stoicism); and from the former it received loyalty and patriotism, which meant practically the same thing. It ignored personal chastity (except in women); it encouraged suicide and revenge; but it emphasized justice, courage, benevolence, politeness, veracity, honor, and self-control. One of its most powerful principles was giri (right reason), which is difficult to translate or define, but comes pretty close to what we call "duty" or "the right." This still maintains a potent influence
in New Japan, and often accounts for erratic procedures. Indeed, so-called peculiarities of the Japanese cannot be understood without a knowledge of Bushido, which has been analyzed in a flattering manner in Dr. Nitobe's book, entitled " Bushido, the Soul of Japan."
