Ethical Behavior In Ancient Japan

Brilliant Essays
Literature Review Ancient Japan showed that the Samurai lived all their lives following the ethical code of bushido "the method for the warrior". This unique philosophy valued honor, reckless bravery and selflessness, as well as duty to the warrior's master with the purpose of giving up one's life and embracing death. There was no place for fear in the way of the warrior and this conduct of self-discipline and respectful, ethical behavior was to become the role model behavior for other classes throughout Japan's history. The Samurai have helped in creating feudalism, the respecting bond between a lord and a noble, peasant or a citizen. The Samurai also created a new class in Japan and helped to increase Japan’s territory and warfare. Also, these ethics are applied by the Japanese people nowadays in all life experiences. As a matter of fact, they do apply it in their relationships, work and show as an imagery of their popular culture. For many years, people in Japan have respected their relationships with people outside their culture and each other as well, whether it was a friendship, a relationship between a couple or a family relationship. Moreover, in the field of work, Bushido codes and …show more content…
"Soul of the Samurai Modern Translations of Three Classic Works of Zen & Bushido." N.p., 11 Mar. 2014. Web. 04 Nov. 2015.

Elizabeth Kowaleski-Wallace. "The First Samurai: Isolationism in Englebert Kaempfer's 1727 History of Japan." N.p., Jan. 2007. Web. 04 Nov. 2015.

Nobuyuki Demise. "Business Ethics and Corporate Governance in Japan." Business Ethics and Corporate Governance in Japan. N.p., 1 June 2010. Web. 04 Nov. 2015.

Otmazgin, Nissim Kadosh. "Contesting Soft Power: Japanese Popular Culture in East and Southeast Asia." N.p., 18 Dec. 2006. Web. 04 Nov. 2015.

Vaporis , Constantine Nomikos. "Tour of Duty: Samurai, Military Service in Edo, and the Culture of Early Modern Japan." N.p., July 2008. Web. 04 Nov.

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    My Shogunate Investigation Throughout Japan’s history men were valued higher than woman, and men were the favoured gender. Both women and men had different traditions, roles and responsibilities in society. During the Shogunate period (1550 - 1850), Japanese women were mothers, entertainers and even samurai warriors and the social hierarchy played an important role on woman’s freedom and determined their future in society. Women had certain duties to fulfil, and served many men during their lifetime.…

    • 1144 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Chivalry Vs Bushido

    • 109 Words
    • 1 Pages

    The main parts of bushido are loyalty to their shogun, education, honor, and courage. Even though these are not all of the things the samurai strive for, they are very important to them. The main elements of European chivalry are having courage in battle, loyalty to their lord, generosity to feeble, champion a lady, and to stand by the church. Chivalry and bushido are very similar.…

    • 109 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Decent Essays

    Introduction Fukoku-Kyōhei, meaning “enrich the country and strengthen the military” quickly became the motto for a reinvigorated Japan stepping onto the global stage commanded by the West, while also acting as the mold for which they would inevitably fit through their rather abrupt transformation: The Meiji Restoration (Christensen 1). What may have ultimately began as an endeavor to modernize, may have also become the trigger for exponential societal change and an undertaking that would eventually boast Japan’s military confidence and induce drastic social change. The Meiji Restoration had significant rippling effects around the world during the late 1800’s and allowed Japan to become recognized as an influential world power, but also an…

    • 289 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Great Essays

    The Bushido was the code for the country’s samurais and warrior class. The Bushido has a profound religious affiliation with Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shintoism. The Bushido is a series of eight principles. These eight elements are rectitude, courage, benevolence, politeness, sincerity, honor, loyalty, and self-control. Even though some samurais may have accepted the Bushido code, there is one samurai that broke the code; this is the case discussed in Musui’s Story.…

    • 1352 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Samurai DBQ

    • 643 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Title: 3 major reasons why Samurai would win If Knights and Samurai engaged in a battle, who would triumph (win)? Knights are European warriors and Samurai are Japanese warriors. In a battle between Knights and Samurai the Samurai would win because of superior discipline, training and code of honor.…

    • 643 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Japan's Steel Imperialism

    • 377 Words
    • 2 Pages

    19 February 1942. A total of 365 days have passed since the Japanese bombing of Darwin. Our now heavily populated thriving city of Townsville has transformed drastically from our once only main hub of Flinders Street. Many of us repeatedly question the Japanese and their motives behind their desire to bomb our golden country. Without a doubt, Japan has one of the strongest and loyal approaches to imperialism.…

    • 377 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    During the period between 1600 and 1900 in Japan, regarding cultural and political changes and continuities, the ideology of kokutai remained constant while there were significant changes in their militarily weak country and isolated nation. Japan changed from being a weakened isolated nation to a modern imperialist country. Before this big change, Japan was under the rule of Tokugawa Shogunate. Japan did not associate with any other country because they believed foreign influence was a undermining factor. The result of this was overcrowded farms and scarce minerals.…

    • 397 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Bushido Code Analysis

    • 1175 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Musui’s Story The Bushido code can be witnessed in Musui’s Story, which is an autobiography of Tokugawa Samurai. This autobiography documents the life of Katsu Kokichi, who was a samurai in Japan’s late Tokugawa period. This story gives excellent examples of how Katsu Kokichi broke and disrespected the Bushido code along with disrespecting himself from early childhood till his death. Some of the behavior that Kokichi did to disrespect the Bushido code was lying, cheating, and stealing.…

    • 1175 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Decent Essays

    The civil wars that broke out in central Japan in 1467 spread to most of the country in the next hundred years. As a result, all but a handful of those families that were great names in the land in 1450 were gon two centuries later. The Shimazu were the most notable survivors. By 1500, in fact, a new generation of leader had begun to emerge, men of ta different stamp from those they had overtthrown: able, bold, ruthless, tas to be successful at such as time they had to be, but aware, too that in order to lead large armies, better organized and equipped.…

    • 176 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Great Essays

    Causes Of Ww2

    • 1400 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The end of the first world war was not as fulfilling as one might have initially thought. The so called “War to end all wars” as stated by Margaret MacMillen, was just a ripple before the tidal wave. World War I was successful only at forming new problems and expanding others. Firstly, WWI was caused by Nationalism, Imperialism, Militarism, Industrialism, and Alliances that were governing powerful countries across the world. These drove the globe into its first World War and in return led to World War II as well.…

    • 1400 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Pecuniary or industrial considerations were awakened later in the process of transformation” (Bushido: The Soul of Japan, p.54)The honour of bushido creating a utmost loyalty to the country formed the Japanese nationalism ."Is there any nation more loyal and patriotic?" is a question asked by many; and for the proud answer, "There is not," we must thank the Precepts of Knighthood.(Bushido: The Soul of Japan, p.54) There are yet defect of the character shaped under bushido. “Our lack of abstruse philosophy—while some of our young men have already gained international reputation in scientific researches, not one has achieved anything in philosophical lines—is traceable to the neglect of metaphysical training under Bushido's regimen of education.…

    • 822 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Throughout history, an emphasis on collective thought over a singular mindset has been viewed negatively by American textbooks written a country where individual success is paramount to almost everything else. The western culture present in every aspect American society dictates that conformity and communal thinking are harmful: although the media may convince the public to try to fit a certain mold, in reality the necessity of being different and achieving individual success is widely known and accepted. Although modern Japan is similarly focused on individual success, elements of their culture still have some influence over their values: from the determined loyalty to their country that the samurai held, to the influence of neo-Confucianism…

    • 1978 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Great Essays

    The Plague of Progress: Mishima’s Characterization and Views of Westernization A common misconception is that change always equates to progress, yet sometimes change can strip a society of its fundamental characteristics. Japan endured similar events, surrounding World War II that resulted in an increasingly Westernized country that lost it’s integrity and beliefs. In this allegorical novel, The Sailor who fell from Grace with the Sea, Yukio Mishima uses the characters Fusako, Ryuji and Noboru whom symbolize the different states of Japan to illustrate the plague of Westernization and convey the value of tradition in Japan. Primarily, Fusako embodies modern Japan with her obsession with foreign goods and focus on economic growth, which conveys…

    • 1444 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The ascension of the Samurai code changed the place of women in Japan. Before the advent of the Samurai, Japanese society had been ordered largely on matrilineal lines. The influences of Confucianism, Buddhism and Samurai culture changed the place of women in Japan’s society. All of the influences were discriminatory to women. Bushido meaning is "the way of the warrior".…

    • 869 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Japanese Popular Culture Japanese culture, particularly traditional Japanese culture has plenty of roots in traditional Chinese culture. However, Japanese culture is rich and diverse, dating back to 10,000 BC when the Jomon people first settled in Japan. It is widely known for its traditional arts and its contemporary pop culture. Nowadays in Japan it is still possible to notice kimono-clad women shuffling down the street with umbrellas overhead and oversized sumo wrestlers battling competitors out of the ring. Moreover, a sophisticated cuisine, unique social customs and refined performing and visual arts also contribute to a culture which has become attractive and sometimes fashionable for plenty of foreigners.…

    • 1721 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Superior Essays