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- Herausgeber: Shinden Ediciones
- Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
- Sprache: Englisch
- Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024
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BUSHIDŌ
The Soul of Japan
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BUSHIDŌ
The Soul of Japan
Inazô Nitobe
新渡戸稲造
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Bushidō, The Soul of Japan
Author: Inazō Nitobe
Introduction and Editor's Notes: Fernando Aixa
© 2024 Shinden Ediciones, S. L.
www.shinden-ediciones.com
First edition: October, 2024
All rights reserved. Total or partial reproduction of this work in any form or by any means and the distribution of copies of it through rental or loan without the written authorization of the copyright holders is strictly prohibited, subject to the sanctions established by law.
Design and composition: Shinden Ediciones, S.L.
CONTENTS
Introduction
Inazō Nitobe: A Life Devoted to Bridging Cultures
Bushidō. The Soul of Japan
Preface
Preface to the tenth and revised edition
Bushidō as an Ethical System
Sources of Bushidō
Rectitude or Justice
Courage, the Spirit of Daring and Bearing
Benevolence, the Feeling of Distress
Politeness
Veracity or Truthfulness
Honor
The Duty of Loyalty
Education and Training of a Samurai
Self-Control
The Institutions of Suicide and Redress
The Sword the Soul of the Samurai
The Training and Position of Woman
The Influence of Bushidō
Is Bushidō Still Alive?
The Future of Bushidō
Introduction
Bushidō: The Soul of Japan by Inazō Nitobe is a seminal work that explores the ethical and moral code of the samurai, known as Bushidō, and its impact on Japanese society. This work was originally published in 1899, the text was written in English with the purpose of bringing to Western audiences the virtues and principles by which the lives of samurai warriors were governed. Nitobe, an educator and diplomat, attempted to build a cultural bridge between the two worlds, East and West, showing how the Bushidō not only shaped the behavior of the samurai, but also profoundly influenced Japan’s national identity.
Nitobe analyzes different values such as righteousness, bravery, benevolence, courtesy, sincerity, honor, and loyalty through the pages of this masterful book, presenting them as elements that are identified as fundamental to understanding the Japanese character. This work not only provides a glimpse into the past, but also provides a reflection on how these principles are still valid in modern society.
Bushidō: The Soul of Japan has become an essential text for understanding Japanese philosophy and culture, noted for its depth and Nitobe’s ability to convey the essence of the samurai spirit to readers around the world.
Fernando Aixa, Editor
Inazō Nitobe:A Life Devoted to Bridging Cultures
Early Life and Education
Inazō Nitobe was born on September 1, 1862, in the town of Morioka, Japan, into a samurai family. This warrior heritage profoundly influenced his later work, especially his world-renowned book, Bushidō: The Soul of Japan. Nitobe’s childhood coincided with the Meiji Restoration, a period of profound transformation in Japan when the country made the transition from feudalism to modernity. Despite this changing environment, Nitobe received a samurai upbringing that instilled in him a strong sense of duty, honor, and discipline—values that would later form the core of his writings on Bushidō.
Nitobe’s intellectual journey began at Sapporo Agricultural College (now Hokkaidō University), where he studied under the supervision of Dr. William S. Clark, an American educator and Christian missionary. His contact with Western ideas and Christianity profoundly shaped Nitobe’s worldview. In 1883, he converted to Christianity, a decision that placed him in an ambiguous space between Eastern and Western cultures—a place he would occupy for the rest of his life.
After completing his studies in Japan, Nitobe completed his education abroad. He enrolled at Johns Hopkins University, USA, where he studied political economy and international law. His time in the United States gave him a thorough education, exposing him to the rigors of Western academia, and he mastered English to the point of writing Bushidō in English. After his time in the United States, Nitobe moved to Germany to continue his studies at the University of Bonn, where he studied economics and social sciences, further broadening his intellectual horizons.
Career and Writings
Inazō Nitobe’s career was a decisive and multi-faceted one. He was an early academic, teaching at his alma mater, Sapporo Agricultural College, and later at Tōkyō Imperial University. His academic work was mainly in the field of agricultural economics, but his interests extended considerably into the world of education, diplomacy, and international relations.
Bushidō: The Soul of Japan was Nitobe’s most famous work. It was published in 1900 during his stay in the United States. The book, written in English, was intended to explain and make known the moral and ethical code of the samurai to a Western audience. Throughout the book, Nitobe sought to draw parallels between Bushidō and Western chivalry, emphasizing virtues such as loyalty, honor, and sacrifice. In addition to becoming a great success, the book played a crucial role in shaping Western perceptions of Japanese culture. Such success is evidenced by the fact that it has been translated into several languages and still stands today as a key text in the study of Japanese philosophy and history.
Nitobe’s writings extended beyond Bushidō. He wrote other works of renown, including The Japanese Nation: Its Land, People and Life (1912) and Japan: Some Phases of Its Problems and Development (1931), both of which provided interesting insights into Japan’s modernization and development and its position in the world. Nitobe’s works without a doubt reflect a recurring concern for building bridges between both worlds: Japan and the West, a mission to which he devoted himself for much of his professional life.
Diplomacy and Internationalism
In addition to his academic work, Nitobe was also noted for his dedication as a diplomat and voracious internationalist. A strong advocate of cultural understanding and international cooperation, this deeply held belief led him to serve as Under-Secretary-General at the League of Nations, where he worked intensively to promote peace and global understanding in the aftermath of the First World War. His tenure at the League of Nations was truly fruitful and was characterized not only by his advocacy of disarmament but also by his remarkable efforts to foster dialogue among nations. Nitobe’s roles in the League determined the natural extension of his lifelong commitment to internationalism.
Nitobe was cooperating with other international organizations such as the Institute of Pacific Relations (IPR), and the International Committee for Intellectual Cooperation (ICIC). His main goal was always to encourage mutual understanding and foster collaboration across national and cultural borders.
Later Life and Legacy
Inazō Nitobe’s final years were marked by a continuing dedication to education and internationalism. He was principal of the First College in Tōkyō and later President of Tōkyō Christian Women’s University, where he greatly influenced generations of Japanese students. Nitobe’s commitment to education strongly upheld his belief that knowledge and understanding were fundamental concepts aimed at bridging cultural divides.
Nitobe died on 15th October 1933, but his legacy lives on. His writings, particularly Bushidō: The Soul of Japan, continue to be studied and admired for their insight into Japanese culture and philosophy. Nitobe’s life and work exemplify the possibility of cross-cultural understanding and the importance of dialogue between East and West.
Today, Nitobe is remembered as a pioneer of Japanese internationalism and a bridge between East and West. His work laid the foundation for greater mutual understanding between Japan and the world, a mission that remains as relevant today as it was in his time. The whole life of Nitobe was a clear legacy of the power of ideas and the enduring value of cultural exchange.
Conclusion
Inazō Nitobe’s life was a genuine blend of East and West, tradition and modernity. His best-known book, Bushidō: The Soul of Japan, remains a classic, offering timeless insights into the samurai code and its relevance to both Japanese and world culture. The legacy we received from Nitobe is rooted in dialogue and understanding, and based on the conviction that the world is always enriched through the exchange of ideas between different cultures.
Nitobe's academic, diplomatic, and international relations contributions continue to be recognized. His efforts to introduce Japan to the West and to bring Western ideas to Japan have made him a key figure in the history of cultural exchange. In reading Bushidō: The Soul of Japan Today, we are reminded of Nitobe’s vision of a world where East and West meet not in conflict, but in mutual respect and understanding.
Fernando Aixa, Editor
