Bushido: The Soul of Japan

Inazō Nitobe

Inazō Nitobe’s book Bushido: The Soul of Japan is a unique document created by one of the last bearers of the samurai tradition, which explains in an accessible form the peculiarities of the value system inherent in the military class of Japan. According to the author, it was the samurai ethos that helped the Japanese successfully modernise their country and avoid the sad fate of many Asian countries that became colonies. This is a penetrating, lively and emotional account by a man who was raised in the traditional samurai way and at the same time received higher education at universities in the United States and Germany. This is what enabled the author to create a book that combines a deep understanding of Japanese culture with the ability to convey it to Western readers.