The Edo period in Japan was marked with Samurai and great Ninja battles. This time period is the setting for most Samurai movies such as “47 Ronin”. These Samurai had a code called Bushido, which literally translates to The Warrior Way. To most Samurai, following this code was of the utmost importance. Some even going so far as if they broke the code they had to commit seppuku (ritualized suicide). 

The principles of Bushido were justice, courage, mercy, respect, honesty, honor, loyalty and self-control. A Samurai not only practiced swordplay, but they also had to be an artist and a calligrapher. They believed that to follow Bushido truly, you must be well versed in all walks of life. Unlike in movies, Samurai were not just fighters, but they were also scholars, artists and politicians. 

Some Samurai never ended up fighting in battle, but that didn’t matter as long as they followed Bushido. Keep in mind that not all Samurai followed Bushido; there were exceptions and many different takes on the code. One take on it was written by a famous Samurai by the name of Miyamoto Musashi, and he wrote a book called “The Book of Five Rings”. In some aspects, this book is a take on Bushido.

It is helpful to think of Bushido as a philosophy that many people have tried to interpret, and, like most philosophies, no interpretation is the same as any other. In modernity, Bushido has become an overarching term used for codes of practices and philosophies of Samurai culture. It is very similar to the European concept of chivalry. Both philosophies focus on honor and honesty as well as loyalty.