Chuishingura And Samurai Culture Analysis

An easy explanation of the actions of the loyal 47 retainers in the Chushingura would be chuushin gishi. The definition given for chuushin gishi in the class materials was, “the loyal and righteous knight” who sacrifices all, including his life, for loyalty. According the slides, this sacrifice will make them worthy of being “worshipped posthumously”. This goal of the 47 retainers for their master, and themselves, drives them. While the Confucian ideology can be found throughout the Chushingura, and the samurai, culture, it is a picked over ideology. Important parts that put a “human touch” to Confucianism were put to the wayside. For example the ren, a virtue that looks at humanity and kindness, the civil service exam to make sure those in power are competent, and the more intellectual side of Confucian thought, were ignored. …show more content…
Neo-Confucianism is the name for this new controlling religion, and like in many other cultures around the world, neo-“anything” tends be a husk of what it was before. It ransacked Confucian teachings to make it more of what the ruling class needed, something to keep the samurai in check, control the commoners, and keep the Shogun in power. With such strict structure, no one could step out of their place. With such loyalty, no one would go against their master. In a way the tea ceremony is an example of that control, control of a person has of themselves. Every small detail of the ritual is one of control of movement. The Lord’s lack of control and knowledge of the ritual can bring embarrassment to their house, while their Lord’s control and knowledge could bring