The Bushido Code

Samurai warrior leaders had to deal with grim conditions of life, death and survival. But such men were not simply rough uneducated fighters: they often personified the Far Eastern ideal of balancing cultural awareness and artistic expertise with high martial abilities. Their sayings, precepts and the anecdotes about them are informed by a broad spectrum of interests, many of which are still of great value today. This book provides English translations of the essential thoughts and teachings of 55 great Samurai leaders—from Takeda Shingen and Oda Nobunaga to Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu—the men who unified Japan and established a system of government that survived for generations. Covering universal themes ranging from the courage and ambition to face daily affairs, the insights and strategies necessary to deal with allies and opponents, the value of art and literature, and even why and how to save money— this is a book whose ancient wisdom is still highly relevant and of great value to readers today.