Bushido and the Samurai Spirit
Bushido: The Samurai Code of Honor

Bushido, meaning "the way of the warrior," is a code of honor, loyalty, courage, and other virtues followed by the samurai. It shaped their social, cultural, and personal lives, emphasizing discipline and ethics. Samurais fought with courage, prioritizing honor and loyalty above all.

Core Principles:

Loyalty (Chūgi): Deep loyalty to lords and noble classes. Disloyalty was the gravest crime.
Courage (Yū): Bravery in battle and in making the right decisions.
Honor (Meiyo): Personal honor was more important than life itself.
Compassion (Jin): Expected to show compassion, even to enemies.
Righteousness (Sei): Truthfulness in all actions.
Respect (Rei): Respect for superiors, equals, and subordinates.
Simplicity (Kiwotsuke): A modest lifestyle, avoiding luxury.
Seppuku (Hara-Kiri): A ritual suicide to restore honor, viewed as an act of courage and integrity.

Historical Development: Originating in feudal Japan’s Kamakura and Muromachi periods, Bushido became more philosophical during the Edo period, evolving into societal norms.

Samurai Women (Onna-Bushi): Female samurais who upheld Bushido, protecting their families or taking their male counterparts' place in battle.

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