"It was considered unmanly for a samurai to betray his emotions on his face. 'He shows no sign of joy or anger', was a phrase used in describing a strong character."
—Inazō Nitobe, Bushido: The Soul of Japan
The following are my favorite selections from Inazō Nitobe’s, Bushido: The Soul of Japan. It’s not a book for adepts, in my honest opinion, compared to Book of Five Rings, Musashi, or Hagakure, Yamamoto Tsunetomo, and so forth. It was written for the West, for a Western audience. As a primer to all things bushido, or rather, to be more precise, what the people think that is bushido. What the general public thinks it is, and wants it to be. Aside from any propaganda/political incentives for writing the little novellette, it’s a cozy, taut read. Only 117 pages, within the Penguin Great Ideas series, as #110. If you’re new to anything samurai, Bushido, and want a nice pick-me up in terms of warriorism, I suggest you give it a read. Or if you just want to refresh yourself, with certain Samurai notions. Added is the version I read:
Now follows the Samurai Selections.
"For a samurai, when his stomach is empty, it is a disgrace to feel hungry."
"The spiritual aspect of valour is evidenced by composure - calm presence of mind. Tranquility is courage in repose. It is a statical manifestation of valour, as daring deeds are a dynamical. A truly brave man is ever serene; he is never taken by surprise; nothing ruffles the equanimity of his spirity. In the heat of battle he remains cool; in the midst of catastrophes he keeps level his mind. Earthquakes do not shake him, he laughs at storms."
"Death when honour was involved, was accepted in Bushido as a key to the solution of many complex problems."
Further Samurai Selections: