Bushido, the samurai code, highlights the importance of 7 virtues: integrity, respect, courage, honor, compassion, honesty, and loyalty. In his account, Takehiko included details that manifested many of these traits. For example, him wanting to pardon Tajomaru for violating his wife showed compassion. Additionally, he upheld loyalty by trying to comfort Masago with a wink – but this instance conflicted with Masago’s testimony which stated that Takehiko looked at her with hatred and cruelty. Because of the importance of honor, samurais would rather commit suicide to preserve their reputation than live in dishonor. This then justifies Takehiko’s choice to kill himself after losing to his enemy Tajomaru. With Takehiko’s apparent commitment to the virtues, one can assume that his testimony would be the most honest of the three. What makes one doubt his credibility though, is that both Masago and Tajomaru described him as someone with traits opposite of that expected of …show more content…
Although parts of the truth were expressed in each testimony, most of the details presented were exaggerated and selfish in nature. As each character tried protecting their honor, they ultimately lost it in the process by being dishonest. In our own lives, we have to be aware of this danger; it may be important to be seen in a good light, but it is more important that we never sacrifice the qualities that matter in order to gain this