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A review by eskay1891
Bushido: The Samurai Code of Japan: With an Extensive Introduction and Notes by Alexander Bennett by Inazō Nitobe
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.