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akooda7's review against another edition
3.0
A comparative religious study with interesting points for perspective and consideration. Some moments the author conveniently forgets history.
eskay1891's review against another edition
3.0
How do you raise kids with values but without religion ? This was in the first page and made me read the book. Written(published) in 1900, when East meets West, the author starts with explaining Samurai code is similar to Knight's Chivalry code of honour. The breadth and depth of Author's knowledge is beyond any doubts, but his interpretation isn't.
This is one of the book that has not aged well, given the current state of affairs in Japan. Given the brutality during occupation of Korea and China by Japanese in the year following 1900s, none of the values/virtues of Bushido were transformed from Samurais to Japanese military as the author claims .The Eight virtues of bushido are viewed in the lens of the Christianity wherever possible and author keeps reiterating Japanese culture is same as Western and actually better. It's interesting to note that nothing about women is mentioned until the last but one chapter and that too justifying the women's role restricted to home and immediately draws parallel to "Kinder, Küche, Kirche", women's role defined during the German Empire. Another quote, "When Mahomet proclaimed that “the sword is the key of Heaven and of Hell,” he only echoed a Japanese sentiment.". And the whole chapter on explaining(justifying/rationalizing) suicide (harakiri / seppuku), not sure what to take out.
Though we dont have to agree with (almost any)opinion of the author, it's still a worth read. And without extensive (foot)notes by Alexander Bennett, it's almost impossible to understand this book.
This is one of the book that has not aged well, given the current state of affairs in Japan. Given the brutality during occupation of Korea and China by Japanese in the year following 1900s, none of the values/virtues of Bushido were transformed from Samurais to Japanese military as the author claims .The Eight virtues of bushido are viewed in the lens of the Christianity wherever possible and author keeps reiterating Japanese culture is same as Western and actually better. It's interesting to note that nothing about women is mentioned until the last but one chapter and that too justifying the women's role restricted to home and immediately draws parallel to "Kinder, Küche, Kirche", women's role defined during the German Empire. Another quote, "When Mahomet proclaimed that “the sword is the key of Heaven and of Hell,” he only echoed a Japanese sentiment.". And the whole chapter on explaining(justifying/rationalizing) suicide (harakiri / seppuku), not sure what to take out.
Though we dont have to agree with (almost any)opinion of the author, it's still a worth read. And without extensive (foot)notes by Alexander Bennett, it's almost impossible to understand this book.
nobe4's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
Insights into the Japanese culture worth knowing.
chluless's review against another edition
An interesting and insightful but - at times - undeniably dry and dated read
sammyantha's review against another edition
This book is dense. I’m not in the right head space to read academics currently. I want to enjoy the book and learn but the words went right through me so I’m gonna hold off
darkstar_pl's review against another edition
3.0
Interesująca książka, chociaż ja czuję niedosyt, jak na mój gust za dużo filozofii, cytatów z ludzi żyjących w XIX wieku i odwołań do religii, a za mało konkretów. Można znaleźć perełki w postaci anegdot. Niestety napisana stylem lekko archaicznym, bo wydana ponad 100 lat temu, ale nie jest źle. No i ładne ilustracje, szkoda że w tym wydaniu czarno-białe.