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Japan Book Club: Bushido: The Soul of Japan – Part 2

November 5, 2011

I know I’m really late getting this homework posted, so I’m only going to ask you guys to read one chapter again this week.  Try to get it done as soon as possible.

Next week we’ll have a longer assignment (but I think you guys can handle it with two shorts school days Wednesday and Thursday and the day off on Friday).

This week we’ll read the second section of  Bushido: Soul of Japan by Inazo Nitobe.  This section talks about the origin of Bushido – where the ideals of it come from.  The author gives credit to three completely different things.

It’s your job to carefully read the chapter and determine what those three things were.

When you’re done reading, come back and answer the questions below.

If you are confused by the questions or can’t figure out the answers, you may post questions to the teachers and other students in the comments section here.  This is a tough book, so let’s be sure to help one another understand it.  

  1. What was the first source of Bushido?
  2. What two things did that source bring to the table?
  3. What was the second source of Bushido?
  4. What two concepts were most important from that source?
  5. What was the third source of Bushido?
  6. What was the most critical concept that source brought to Bushido?
Every student in our Japan group is required to participate.  You must comment on this post with your thoughts, then come back and comment on what other people have said – you are required to make an effort to keep the conversation going by replying to at least 2 other students (more than just “I agree” or “you are right.” Give them reasons why you agree/disagree or what they said that was meaningful – make this a discussion). 
Next, we’ll be reading Hiroshima by John Hersey – you should begin looking for your own copy at a local library or book store soon.  Amazon.com has some cheap used copies available too.  We will start reading that book in about 4-5 weeks.   
78 Comments leave one →
  1. Blair Tuider permalink
    November 5, 2011 9:56 pm

    1) Buddism 2) the two things that source brought to the table were Buddism failed to give Shintoism offered in abundance. Two, its method is contemplation.
    3)Shintoism 4)It covered two predomintating features of the emotional life of our race patriotism and loyalty. Second, The nomenclature of their national faith.
    5)The essential principles which Bushido imbibed from them and assimilated to itself, were few and simple. 6) Theses were few and simple they were sufficient to furnish a safe conduct of life even throught the unsafest days of the most unsettling period of the nations history. As stated in the book.

    • Sydney Bebar permalink
      November 6, 2011 7:11 pm

      I like that with Buddihism leaving some things behind, they weren’t forgotten. Shintoism picked up whatever wan’t done by Buddhism

      • Nailah Fisher permalink
        November 7, 2011 4:53 pm

        1. Buddism

        2. Buddism didn’t give Shintoism in abundance, and contemplation is it’s method

        3. Shintoism
        4. Emotional life and loyalty, nomenclature of their national faith
        5. The principles in which Bushido asorbed from them and adapted itself were few and plain at the sight.

        6. The basic knowledge obligations toward getting rid of sin and all impurities as stated at he last meeting it is to find Zen and find peace.

        • Nailah Fisher permalink
          November 7, 2011 5:04 pm

          This book is helping me to realize that there is only one sin. That sin is not a bunch of never ending things. In more simple terms the Japanese culture is meant to be peaceful as stated last week for those of you who attended. From what I seemed to understand in this section is that the only sin is theft. Therefore if you steal it is considered theft. If you murder a person you are STEALING someone’s right to either a son or a daughter or to an employee whatever the case, if you are to lie you are STEALINGS a person’s right tp the truth. This book so far has broken down to me the aspects of life and has caused me to dig a little deeper and break the surface and I’m enjoying it and the journey it is taking me on!

          • Mark Burjek permalink
            November 9, 2011 9:17 pm

            Theft is a very big sin, but I personally did not see what that had to do with the story. But you may be right on the part of the Japanese people.

          • Persephone Allee permalink
            November 12, 2011 9:24 pm

            After reading what you said, I understand what you mean when you say theft is the only sin. The way you broke it down really shined some light on what it meant. I didn’t see that while reading, but good point.

          • Austin Stein permalink
            November 13, 2011 8:25 pm

            With what you have said, I have to agree you do have point. Sin is always some form of stealing, however there is something you were missing: the commiter is stealing from himself/herself too. Think about it: when you steal something from another, you’re also stealing your own innocence. When you lie and steal someone’s truth, you also steal your innocence but also begins a trail of guilt that never ends until the truth is told. This steals your iner peace and it only gets worse.

      • Alyssa permalink
        November 14, 2011 4:00 pm

        Thats true Syd, it was picked up. It seems many religons are connected some way or another, no matter where you are.

    • Zach Ciko permalink
      November 6, 2011 9:17 pm

      I like how the thrid source helps provide a safer life for others even in the most unsafest times.

  2. Sydney Bebar permalink
    November 6, 2011 11:59 am

    1. Buddhism was the first source of Bushido.
    2. Two things Buddihism brought to the table was Zen teaching and its method is contemplation.
    3. Shintoism was the second source of Bushido.
    4. Two concepts most important were the nomenclature of their faith and our race loyalty and respect.
    5. The teachings of Confucious was third source of Bushido.
    6. The most critical concept brought was the five moral relations between master and servant.

    • Zach Ciko permalink
      November 6, 2011 9:21 pm

      I like how Confucious princapals help people stay connected even with a lower and superior authority.

      • Alyssa permalink
        November 14, 2011 4:01 pm

        Yeah, it kind of shows that everyone has some sort of opinion that is taken into consideration, y’know?

  3. Zach Ciko permalink
    November 6, 2011 4:09 pm

    1. The first source of Bushido came from Buddhisim.
    2. The two things that buddhisim was the feeling of calmness and a trust in fate.
    3. The second source of Bushido came from Zen.
    4. The most two important things that Zen was that it applies contemplation and the strive for exellence.
    5. The third source of Bushido is Shintoisim.
    6. The most critical source of Shintoisim to Bushido is because it is the meaning of getting rid of sin. Also one of the sayings from shintoisim is that that heart refelcts the image of deity. these principals of Shintoisimhelps a person who follows Bushido help stay focused.

    • Bobby cortesi permalink
      November 13, 2011 6:29 pm

      i agree with your thought of Shintoism’s most critical source was the thought of getting rid of sin and the thought that heart reflects the image of deity.

    • DREW BURJEK permalink
      November 13, 2011 6:47 pm

      I think it is weird how Buddhism started Bushido, and then it was so popular that two more sources came to be. And i also agree with your thought of Shintoism’s most critical source, which was the thought of getting rid of sin and the thought that heart reflects the image of deity.

      • Jacob Kosinski permalink
        November 16, 2011 5:57 pm

        Mabey part of why it became so popular is because it combined popular views from the different sources, and it appealed to many different people.

    • Cj Moody permalink
      November 17, 2011 8:53 pm

      I really like how it means get rid of sins.. That shows alot of power

  4. Zach Ciko permalink
    November 6, 2011 4:17 pm

    1. The first source of Bushido came from Buddhisim.
    2. The two things that buddhisim was the feeling of calmness and a trust in fate.
    3. The second source of Bushido came from Zen.
    4. The most two important things that Zen was that it applies contemplation and the strive for exellence.
    5. The third source of Bushido is Shintoisim.
    6. The most critical source of Shintoisim to Bushido is because it is the meaning of getting rid of sin. Also one of the sayings from shintoisim is that that heart refelcts the image of deity. these principals of Shintoisim helps a person who follows Bushido help stay focused.

  5. Zach Ciko permalink
    November 6, 2011 6:08 pm

    1. The first source is from Buddhisim.
    2. This source brought to Bushido was a sense of calmness and acceptence of fate.
    3. The second source is Zen
    4. Zen is striving to do your best and to put yourself in harmony ith absolute.
    5. The third source is Shintoism.
    6.Shintoism was a major source to Bushido because it’s principal was to get rid of sin which would in turn help people focus on other important things.

    • Hannah Schram permalink
      November 13, 2011 8:39 pm

      I find it very interesting how there are many sources that bring together Bushido. It makes it way more understandable.

  6. Meghan Moreno permalink
    November 6, 2011 7:59 pm

    1.What was the first source of Bushido?
    The first source of Bushido was Buddism.

    2.What two things did that source bring to the table?
    The first thing was Zen and the second was contemplation.

    3.What was the second source of Bushido?
    The second source of Bushido was Shintoism.

    4.What two concepts were most important from that source?
    Nomenclature of their faith and our race loyalty and respect.

    5.What was the third source of Bushido?
    Teaching of confusious.

    6.What was the most critical concept that source brought to Bushido?
    The most important was getting rid of sin and the relationship between master and servant.

    • Jackie Krohn permalink
      November 13, 2011 6:25 pm

      i really like how there were so many different sources that Bushido was formed from, it makes it so much more interesting!

    • November 13, 2011 6:37 pm

      I must say that I think that what was most intesting about this chapter was that the relationship between master and servant. This relationship almost played right into the hands, or sounded exactly like what the samuri needed in a doctrine. I also find it interesting how the teachings of Confucius came at the right time. To influence Bushido.

    • DREW BURJEK permalink
      November 13, 2011 6:42 pm

      I find it cool that there are three different sources that aren’t the same in anyway, but are all still a part of Bushido.

    • Cj Moody permalink
      November 17, 2011 8:51 pm

      Its crazy how the japanese can mix their religions to make something so great

    • Blair Tuider permalink
      January 4, 2012 2:09 pm

      I agrre with you that you said gettign rid of sin between a master and ouple because no one likes to have tenison between each other

  7. Austin Stein permalink
    November 6, 2011 8:15 pm

    The first source that Bushdio arose from was Buddhism. With this came the teachings of the art of Zen and contemplation that was then brought into the life asepect of Bushdio. The second source of Bushido was Shintoism. Shintoism gave Bushido the asepects of godlike purity, meaning no sin within one, and to know the true internal workings of yourself and your knowledge. However, the second asepect could of been the sense of patrioism and loyalty towards a deitiy or god. The third source of Bushio was the teachings of Confucius. This brought forth to Bushido to obtain wisdom and gave to the samurai the ruling system. Another was the moral relations between the master and the serverant. I like to represent this with the mad scientist and his igor.

    • Jessica Sherwin permalink
      November 8, 2011 9:14 pm

      I like how it took only one source of Bushido to make them want to obtain wisdom and make a samurai system.

    • Mark Burjek permalink
      November 9, 2011 9:10 pm

      I think you are right with both godlike purity and patriotism/loyalty, as they both contributed towards Shintoism.

    • Persephone Allee permalink
      November 12, 2011 9:14 pm

      I see what you mean when you referance the moral relations between master and servant with a mad scientist and his igor. When I read this, I thought of something similar. Good connection.

    • Jackie Krohn permalink
      November 13, 2011 6:23 pm

      I agree with you completely overall, and i like that you put it into paragraph form, and how you put so much info in it.

  8. nate zurawski permalink
    November 7, 2011 3:40 pm

    1) Bushido first came from Buddhism.

    2) That source brought Zen and contemplation.

    3) The second source of Bushido was from Shintoism

    4) The two most important concepts from shintoism were the nomenclature of their face and our race loyalty and respect.

    5) The third source of Bushido were from the teachings of Confucius.

    6) The most important concept was getting rid of sin and the relationship between master and servant.

    • Sydney Bebar permalink
      November 9, 2011 5:15 pm

      I like how when Buddhism started Bushido, suddenly everyone else wanted to take part in it.

    • Bobby cortesi permalink
      November 13, 2011 6:26 pm

      i definitely agree that the most important concepts were the nomenclature of their faces and our races loyalty and respect.

    • Blair Tuider permalink
      January 4, 2012 2:11 pm

      I like how you get to the point with your answers, no “fluff” so to speack it shows how you know the answers and how to answer them correctly

  9. Mark Burjek permalink
    November 7, 2011 9:56 pm

    Bushido’s first source was Buddhism. Buddhism brought Zen into the picture and followed the method of contemplation. The second source was Shintoism. The tenets of Shintoism cover Patriotism and Loyalty. The third and most prolific source of Bushido were the teachings of Confucius. He brought forth the five moral relations between master and servant.

  10. Bobby cortesi permalink
    November 8, 2011 6:25 pm

    1) Buddhism was the first source of Bushido.
    2) Zen and contemplation where brought to the table by that source.
    3) The second source of Bushido was Shintoism.
    4) Two concepts that were important to that source were the respect and loyalty of our race and the nomenclature of their face.
    5) The third source of Bushido was Confucianism or the teachings of Confucius.
    6) The most important concept to Confucianism was to get rid of sin and know the five moral relations between master and servant.

  11. Tyler Pearson permalink
    November 8, 2011 7:25 pm

    1. the first source for Bushido was Buddism.
    2 It brought Zen into the ideals
    3. Shintoism is the second source.
    4. Patriotism and loyalty were used in Shintoism.
    5. The teachings of Confucious were the third source of Bushido.
    6. it emphasized the relations between a master and his servant.

  12. Jessica Sherwin permalink
    November 8, 2011 8:46 pm

    1. The first source of Bushido was Buddhism.
    2. Buddhisim brought Zen and contemplation to the table.
    3. The second source of Buddhism was Shintoism.
    4. Nomenclature of their faith and their loyalty and respect were the two concepts that were the most important in Shintoism.
    5. The third source of Buddhisim was the teachings of Confucius, also considered the Confucianism.
    6. The most critical concept from Confucianism was finding and knowing the five moral relations between master and servant.

    • Hannah Schram permalink
      November 13, 2011 8:36 pm

      I find that knowing relationship between master and servant was very interesting because it played a very good part in Bushido, along with the act of getting rid of sin.

  13. Yazmine Thomas permalink
    November 9, 2011 3:44 pm

    1) The first source of Bushido was Buddhism.

    2) Zen and complication was two things that source brought to the table

    3)Shintoism is a second source source of Buddhism

    4) Two concepts that was Nomenclature of their faith and our race loyalty and respect

    5) The third source was teachings of Confucius.

    6)the most critical concept was getting rid of sin and the relationship between master and servant.

    • Austin Stein permalink
      November 13, 2011 8:02 pm

      I love how the Bushido warrior was suppost to always remove the sin from there lives. That means someting big inside, as guilt and regret could never enter the soul and harm the user internally and mentally. I wouldn’t be able to ever take that in all honesty.

    • Elise Vice permalink
      December 6, 2011 8:45 pm

      I like that they believed in respect.

  14. Persephone Allee permalink
    November 10, 2011 2:42 pm

    The first source of Bushido was Buddhism.
    Zen and contemplation was “brought to the table”.
    Shintoism was the second source of Bushido.
    2 concepts that were most important were the respect and loyalty of our race and nomenclature of their face.
    The teachings of Confucious was the third source.
    The most critical concept would be, both, the relationship between master and servant and getting rid of sin.

  15. Ben Trouvais permalink
    November 11, 2011 4:43 pm

    1) The first sourse of Bushido was Buddhism
    2) Zen and complication is what the source brought to the table
    3) Shintoism is the second source of Bushido
    4) The two concepts that were most important were nomenclature of their faith and their loyalty and respect
    5) The third source of Bushido were the teachings of Confucius
    6) The most critical concept from that source was the relationship that was expected between servent and master.

    • November 13, 2011 6:51 pm

      I think that the interesting part in this relationship is that the relationship between servant and master is used in everyday relationsips, not just in Bushido. It is used in classrooms, in government, and even sports.

    • Kamil Czaplinski permalink
      March 5, 2012 12:19 am

      I really like how you put that the relationship was expected, because for example now, lets say in football, everybody listens to their coach, every player. The relationship of the servant and master really reminded me of how sport’s players are today.

  16. Jacob Kosinski permalink
    November 13, 2011 1:20 pm

    1. Buddhism
    2. Zen and contemplation.
    3. Shintoism
    4. Nomenclature of their faith and our race loyalty and respect
    5. the teachings of Confucius
    6. getting rid of sin

    • Jacob Kosinski permalink
      November 16, 2011 5:35 pm

      1.What was the first source of Bushido?
      The first source of Bushido is Buddism

      2.What two things did that source bring to the table?
      It brought Zen and contemplation.

      3.What was the second source of Bushido?
      The second source of Bushido is Shintoism

      4.What two concepts were most important from that source?
      The two most important concepts were Nomenclature of their faith and our race loyalty and respect

      5.What was the third source of Bushido?
      The third source of Bushido is the teachings of Confucius

      6.What was the most critical concept that source brought to Bushido?
      THe most crucial concept that Confucianism brought to Bushido was getting rid of sin

      • November 20, 2011 7:12 pm

        I like how some people chose that getting rid of sin or the 5 relations as the most crucial concept. Shows that different people think differently.

  17. Jackie Krohn permalink
    November 13, 2011 6:17 pm

    1) Buddhism was the source of Bushido
    2) contemplation and zen where what was brought to the table.
    3) Shintoism was the second source of Bushido
    4)Nomenclature of their faith and their loyalty as well as their respect were two important concepts.
    5)Confucianism was the third source
    6)Getting rid of impurities and the persons sin was very critical.

    • Lyssette Bedolla permalink
      November 28, 2011 3:35 pm

      I like how getting rid of impurities and the person’s sin was very critical. It shows me how badly they wanted to be pure of heart.

      • Kevin Wilson permalink
        January 3, 2012 3:03 pm

        i agree wantting to get rid of you sin so bad shows just the kind of people they are and want to be.

  18. November 13, 2011 6:24 pm

    1) The first source of Bushido was Buddhism.
    2) Bhuddism brought zen and a method of contemplation to the table.
    3) Shintoism is the second source of Bushido.
    4) Shintoism gave Bushido loyalty to the superiors of the country, and it gave Bushido and a firm patriotic love to the country.
    5) The third source of Bushido was from the teachings of Confucius
    6) The most critical concept that Confucius brought to Bushido was the relationships between two people, especially master and servant, or govered and governing.

    • Ben Trouvais permalink
      November 15, 2011 8:12 pm

      I like it how you said that the relationship between master and servant was important as well as govered and governing.

  19. DREW BURJEK permalink
    November 13, 2011 6:33 pm

    1. The first source of Bushido was Buddhism.
    2. The 2 things Buddhism brought to the table were zen and contemplation.
    3. The second source of Bushido was Shintoism.
    4. The two concepts that were most important to Shintoism were nomenclature of their faith and their loyalty and respect.
    5. The third source of Bushido was confucianism or the teachings of Confucius.
    6. The most critical concept confucianism brought to Bushido was the relationship between master and servant along with getting rid of sin.

    • Ben Trouvais permalink
      November 15, 2011 8:10 pm

      I like it how Bushido was inspired by both of Japan’s major religions. It shows how close Japan is with its religion everyday.

      • Jacob Kosinski permalink
        November 16, 2011 5:49 pm

        Yeah, Bushido combines views from different religions to create something completly different.

      • November 20, 2011 7:09 pm

        Yeah, unlike America. America isn’t as close as Spain and Japan are to their religions.

      • Kevin Wilson permalink
        January 3, 2012 2:59 pm

        Yeah, religion is extremly inportant to the japenese people.

  20. Hannah Schram permalink
    November 13, 2011 8:30 pm

    1. The first source of Bushido was Buddhism.
    2. The 2 things that Buddhism brought to the table were contemplation and zen.
    3. The second source of Bushido was Shintoism.
    4. The two concepts that were most important from Shintoism were nomenclature of their faith and their loyalty and respect.
    5. The third source of Bushido was Confucianism.
    6. The most critical concept Confucianism brought to Bushido was getting rid of sin and also the relationship between master and servant.

  21. Alyssa permalink
    November 14, 2011 4:04 pm

    1. The first source of Bushido was Buddhism.
    2. Contemplation and zen were brought by Buddhism.
    3. Shintoism was the 2nd source of Bushido
    4. nomenclature of their faith and loyalty and respect were very important from Shintoism.
    5. Confucianism was the 3rd source of Bushido
    6. Confucianism brought the concepts of getting rid of sin, and the relationship of master and servant.

    • Lyssette Bedolla permalink
      November 28, 2011 3:32 pm

      I find it interesting that there is more than one source of bushido. To me it is like a group effort.

  22. Jacob Kosinski permalink
    November 16, 2011 5:54 pm

    This is a good website about Bushido:
    http://www.japanesebushido.org/

    • Tyler Webber permalink
      November 29, 2011 6:45 pm

      This is a great website! Where did you find this?

    • Elise Vice permalink
      December 6, 2011 8:43 pm

      I like this website, it has a lot of information. It helped me understand Bushido a bit more. Thanks !

  23. Cj Moody permalink
    November 17, 2011 8:49 pm

    1 Buddism 2 the two things were Buddism failed to give Shintoism offered in abundance. its method is contemplation.
    3 Shintoism 4 the nomenclature of their faith and race loyalty and respect.
    5 teachings of Confucious was a source of Bushido
    6 A critical concept brought was the five moral relations between master and servant.

  24. Shane Chetney permalink
    November 18, 2011 1:07 pm

    1) Buddhism
    2) Zen and complication is what the source brought to the table
    3) Shintoism is the second source of Bushido.
    4) The two concepts that were most important to Shintoism were nomenclature of their faith and their loyalty and respect.
    5) The third source of Bushido was Confucianism.
    6) The most important concept was getting rid of sin and the relationship between master and servant.

  25. November 20, 2011 7:08 pm

    1. Buddhism
    2. Zen and Complication
    3.Shitntoism
    4. Loyalty and love
    5. Confucianism
    6. the relationships between people

    • Tyler Webber permalink
      November 29, 2011 6:44 pm

      What is shitntoism ?

  26. Lyssette Bedolla permalink
    November 28, 2011 3:09 pm

    1.) The first source of Bushido was Buddhism
    2.) That source brought Zen and contemplation
    3.) Shintoism is the second source of Bushido
    4.) The two concepts that were most important from that source was Nomenclature of their faith and our race loyalty and respect
    5.) The third source of Bushido was from the teachings of Confucius, Confucianism
    6.) The most critical concept confucianism brought to Bushido was the relationship between master and servant along with getting rid of sin

  27. Tyler Webber permalink
    November 29, 2011 6:43 pm

    1. The first type of Bushido was Buddhism.
    2. The source brought Zen and Contemplation.
    3. Shintoism is the second type of Bushido.
    4. The two concepts that were most inportant were Nomenclature of their faith and loyalty and race respect.
    5. The third type of Bushido were from the lessons of Confucious or Confucianism.
    6. The hardest concept of Confucianism taken to bushido was the relationship between ther master and servant, also ridding of sin.

  28. Ebony Alvarado permalink
    November 30, 2011 7:07 pm

    1. the first source of Bushido was Buddhism.
    2.the 2 things brought to the table were zen and contemplation.
    3.the 2nd source of Bushido was Shintoism.
    4.2 important concepts from shintoism were the nomenclature of their face and our race loyalty and respect.
    5.The third source of Bushido was from the teachings of Confucius, Confucianism.
    6. the most important concept was getting rid of sin and the relationship between master and servant.

  29. Elise Vice permalink
    December 6, 2011 8:41 pm

    1. The first source of Bushido was Buddhism.
    2. It brought Zen and complication to the table.
    3. Shintoism was the second source of Bushido.
    4. Two important concepts from Shintoism are nomenclature of their faith and their race loyalty and respect.
    5. Bushido’s third source was Confucianism, the teaching of Confucius
    6. The most critical concept brought by Confucianism was getting rid of sin, and the relationship of master and servant.

  30. December 10, 2011 2:42 pm

    1.Buddhism
    2. Zen and Complication
    3. Shintoism
    4. Loyalty and love
    5. Confucianism
    6. The relastionship between the master and servent and to get rid of sin.

  31. Kevin Wilson permalink
    January 3, 2012 2:56 pm

    1. Buddism
    2. Zen and contemplation.
    3. The second source of Bushido was Shintoism
    4. Nomenclature of their faith and our race loyalty and respect.
    5. The third source of Bushido was Confucianism
    6. The most critical concept to Confucianism was to get rid of sin and know the five moral relations between master and servant.

    • Kamil Czaplinski permalink
      March 5, 2012 12:15 am

      The concept of getting rid of sin is very critical actually, since if they did, they wouldn’t be able to be one with everything around them.

  32. Kamil Czaplinski permalink
    March 5, 2012 12:13 am

    1) The very first source of Bushido was Buddhism.
    2) Buddhism brought both zen and contemplation into Bushido.
    3) The second source of Bushido was Shintoism.
    4) Shintoism brought the thought of nomenclature their faith and race, as well as loyalty and respect to others.
    5) The third source of Bushido was Confucianism.
    6) Confucianism brought the concept of not having any sin in Bushido to stay pure as well as the relationship between a master and his servants.

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