Offers a modern translation of the four-hundred-year-old set of rules and guidelines followed by Japanese samurai warriors, and looks at their relevance to modern life and busines A 400-year-old explication of the rules and expectations embodied in Bushido, the Japanese way of the warrior. Bushido has played a major role in shaping modern Japanese society and the modern martial arts in Japan and internationally. Introduction vii Thomas Cleary PART I General Discussion 3(3) Education 6(1) Familial Duty 7(3) Principles of Warriors 10(3) Not Forgetting Combat 13(1) Monk-Warriors 14(4) Right and Wrong 18(4) The Valiant 22(3) Courtesy and Respect 25(3) Horsemanship 28(3) Army Principles and Combat Principles 31(4) PART II Managing the Home 35(1) Relatives 36(3) Frugality 39(2) House Building 41(1) Military Equipment 42(3) Equipping Subordinates 45(1) Warriors 46(1) Modesty 47(1) Choosing Friends 48(1) Friendly Relations 49(2) Severing Relations 51(1) Fame 52(2) Big Talk and Criticism 54(1) Travel 55(2) Warning Against Backbiting 57(1) Guardianship 58(2) Facing Death 60(5) PART III Service 65(2) Vassalage 67(3) Military Service 70(2) Discretion 72(1) Verbal Expression 73(2) Family Histories 75(1) Escort 76(1) Officials 77(2) Borrowing Authority and Stealing Authority 79(3) Exactions 82(3) Watch Commanders and Superintendents 85(1) Laziness 86(1) Dealing with Emergencies 87(2) Self-Expression 89(1) Dying Loyalty 90(5) Cultural Refinement 95