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Martial Arts Ebooks Hagakure: Book of the Samurai
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Hagakure: Book of the Samurai |
Hagakure -- which can be translated as either "hidden leaves" or
"hidden by leaves" -- was published on September 10, 1716. It is
a compilation of the philosophies of Yamamoto Tsunetomo, a close retainer of Nabeshima Mitsushige, the
third ruler of what is now Saga Prefecture.
The book is interesting not so much for all of its philosophies, which run from the profound to the mundane to
the absurd, but rather for the historical context in which it was written. By the time Mitsushige passed away in
May 1700, Japan had been at peace for almost exactly 100 years. This left the samurai with the same problem
facing our modern military: how do you remain a proud, disciplined warrior in times of extended peace?
If you read the headlines today, you'll see that the military is struggling with that question. Political
correctness and budgetary concerns have eroded readiness and morale. Imagine, then, how the fanatical,
death-driven, honor-obsessed samurai of feudal Japan must have felt as they watched their profession
stagnate. Tsunetomo himself was forbidden to commit junshi, a retainer's ritual suicide in order to follow his
master into death, by the command of the Tokugawa Shogunate. No doubt, this addedNo doubt, this added to his misery and
frustration.
So, in a way, Hagakure is not just "The Book of the Samurai," but also a last bit of verbal bravado from a
dying breed. Sadly, the "cult of the warrior" would rear its head again with more tragic consequences twice in
Japan's recent history: once during the Imperial Army uprisings that led to the Manchurian Incident and
ultimately World War II; and again on a smaller scale when Japan's most celebrated author, Mishima Yukio,
committed ritual suicide samurai-style (called hara-kiri or more often seppuku) in the office of Japan Self
Defense Force General Mashita for numerous reasons including Mishima's obsession with bushido (see below),
the way of the warrior.
The philosophy of Hagakure is typical of the unique blend of Zen and Confucianism that was prevalent during
Edo Era (1600-1868) Japan. This particular social system was promulgated by the Tokugawa Shogunate
because it added to the focus of Zen the Confucian emphasis on ancestor worship, which strengthened the
status quo and the concept of feudal class systems. I.e. by preaching filial piety and devotion to one's father's
trade, it further entrenched the idea that farmers beget farmers and warriors beget warriors. To complain
about one's position would be to discredit one's parents, and to break laws would be to bring unbearable
shame upon all of one's family and associates.
Although Japan is becoming increasingly Westernized in recent times, the Tokugawa Shogunate's 268-year
rule still has a strong subconscious impact on Japanese behaviour. So, to better understand the Japanese, it is
useful to understand their socio-political history.
In addition to the historical character sketch it paints of samurai during the Edo Era, there are some gems of Eastern philosophy to be mined from the book. For example:
Having only wisdom and talent is the lowest tier of usefulness
It is difficult for a fool's habits to change to selflessness
A samurai with no group and no horse is not a samurai at all
A man exists for a generation, but his name lasts to the end of time
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| DETAILS |
| Format: | PDF
| Allows Print: | YES |
| FileSize: | 387Kb | | |
| Pages: | 55 | | |
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