The effects of Bushido on Budo

Bushido is the code of moral principles, consisting of maxims instituted by famous warriors for their observance who were called "Samurai", and that because of their high moral and spiritual content were adapted in the Budō, Martial Arts of Japan, to achieve greater self-improvement, not only in the Dōjō but in all acts of their lives.
To talk about this subject as truthfully as possible, we have consulted Dr. Inazo Nitobe's book "Bushido, The Soul of Japan", other documents and teachings received during all the time I have been on my Path of the Dō and especially from my Master, Daishi Jorge Sosa Sr. Bushi: means Warrior and Dō: Philosophical Path for self-improvement; it is interpreted as "The Conduct of the Warrior". The Bushidō rests on the following pillars:

1. 1. Gi: Right decision, the one to be made with equanimity, right attitude, truth.
2. 2. Yu: Courage possessed of heroism.
3. 3. Jin: Universal love, benevolence towards the Human Being, much compassion.
4. 4. Rei: Correct action, Courtesy at the beginning and at the end of each action.
5. 5. Makoto: Complete and absolute sincerity, to be guided by the truth.
6. 6. Meiyo: honor and glory.
7. 7.Chu or Chugo: Devotion and loyalty.

The Samurai was a man of action, who ruled his life in" "The precepts of the dignity of a gentleman". "It is not a written code, but it was observed very rigorously by the men who chose "The Noble Path of the Samurai", cultivating to the utmost the qualities that made a Bushi, a respectable man in all fields.
The stories of warrior prowess were known to the child from the time he could remember. From an early age the future Samurai were trained in the mastery of pain, fatigue, fear and learned what the "Spirit of Sacrifice" is:
Love, magnanimity, affection, sympathy, and pity were recognized as supreme virtues: "Bushi No Nasake" (The tenderness of a warrior), which recognized the due consideration of justice that not only remained in the mind but was supported by the power to save or kill. Benevolence to the weak or the vanquished was always recognized as peculiarly suitable to a Samurai.
Politeness in its highest form: "Suffers enough and is kind, does not envy, is not boastful, solicits not for himself, is not easily provoked, takes no account of evil".
Politeness without truthfulness or sincerity is a sham and a show. Lying or deceit has been judged as cowardly. Respect for truth was so high that the word of a Samurai was sufficient guarantee for the sincerity of a statement.
To be continued....

About the author

This article was written by Jorge Sosa Jr, one of our in-house Budo historians dedicated to research and document the different ways Japanese Martial Arts came to America.