Daidōji Yūzan Books

The Budo Sho Shinshu was originally written by Daidoji Yuzan as a text book on warrior ethics for young people born into the warrior caste. It teaches the general tenets of bushido without going too far into any one fief's history or traditions, which is one of the reasons the original text was so widely accepted. The Code of the Warrior is a clear and easy to understand version of the Budo Sho Shinshu. Anyone who wants to understand the Japanese frame of mind or gain insight into the warrior's soul should start with this book. Although the caste system has long been abolished, the principles of bushido still influence every facet of the Japanese way of thinking. Today's warriors will find a wealth of information and guidance in the pages of this book.

A definitive treatise on the code of the samurai--revised and with a new introduction Upholding the samurai code both on and off the battlefield is one of the essential tenets of bushidō, the Way of the Warrior—and Budōshoshinshu is a definitive treatise on living in accordance with the samurai code. When it comes to books on samurai philosophy, the Edo-period classic Hagakure is iconic to contemporary readers, but Budōshoshinshu, which was written during same period, was equally influential at the time. Many scholars consider Hagakure, which was influenced by Zen, to be the most radical and romantic of samurai texts, while Budōshoshinshu is more measured and practical, owing to its heavy Confucian influence. Taken in tandem, they provide a range of insights on the role of the individual within the samurai order—both addressing the warrior’s role in times of peace and emphasizing the importance of living selflessly. Written by Daidoji Yūzan, a Confucian scholar who descended from a long line of prominent warriors, Budōshoshinshu comprises 56 pithy instructive essays for young samurai on how to live morally, with professional integrity and a higher purpose, and to carry on the true chivalrous tradition of bushidō. Budōshoshinshu is imbued with classic Confucian philosophy, centered on living one’s life with sincerity and loyalty.