Are they complimentary? The simple answer is no. One is steeped in pride and the other in love. Many have written books trying to amalgamate the two, but you can only take the similarities so far.
Yet, the emphasis on honor, loyalty, frugality, and courage strengthened generations of young men in the land of the rising sun. It made the Samurai the ultimate fighting machine because of their willingness to commit unto death. That is why Truman decided to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He knew the Japanese would fight unto the death and inflict a tremendous toll on the allies. Millions would have died. The Bushido Code would have caused the complete annihilation of a nation too. Thank God cooler and saner heads prevailed when the Japanese finally surrendered in the face of inevitable destruction. Today, they set the standard on how a nation can rise from the ashes and become an economic juggernaut. They transferred their martialistic energies toward business. The modern day samurai is now dressed in a business suit and carries a brief case. They show their honor by working long hours at their company, sacrificing all for its success.
The ultimate act of honor for the medieval warrior was to commit seppuku or self immolation. The samurai would take a short sword and slit open his stomach. The pain was so unbearable that he asked a friend or fellow samurai to chop off his head. This was a way for a samurai to retain his honor and even increase his stock despite the shame of defeat.
Thank goodness Jesus died on the cross so that we don't have to kill ourselves to hold on to this imaginary honor. Jesus' death bestowed on us righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor 1:30). He poured the honor of forgiveness and holy perfection on our lives through his death.
Seppuku is the ultimate form of self effort or pride to gain right standing in the eyes of the warrior class. Bushido actually breeds a culture of death. Today, the Japanese are at the top of the list, or near the top, when it comes to suicide. It's tragic.
I honor the Japanese culture and history. I value loyalty, courage, frugality, honesty, and other qualities inculcated by Bushido, but the same can be had and more through Christ Jesus our Lord. He is the ultimate Daimyo (Lord). All praise, glory, and honor belong to Him.
Thanks for the insight. This blog is awesome. Please keep it up. おねがいします。Blessings to you brother.
ReplyDeleteThanks Arlen. God bless you bro.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you can campare a viable respect for life, family, honor and tradition that spans generations for a myth about a god that impregnated a women with himself so that later he could sacrifice himself to himself to form a loop hole that he himself created? And you call their honor imaginary. I say you have no grasp on the spirit and meaning of Bushido. As always the hypocrasy of the west and of their religious beliefs are astounding.
ReplyDeleteStewpid Monkey, did you say a "viable respect for life"?
DeleteYou cant even imagine what bushido is because you have a dogmatic atheist point of view and a poor understanding of christianity
The Bushido code is honorable and go by seven virtues: rectitude, courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, honor, and loyalty. I am a christian and find no harm in practicing these virtues, as they line up with Christianity perfectly. I think it is also important to remember that Bushido is NOT a religion, but a way of life.
ReplyDeleteI think about what the Apostle Paul says: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things."---Philippians 4:8
Suppeku is something I do not agree with, but seeing it from a metaphorical standpoint, I can see some silver lining. As a warrior for Christ, particularly spiritual warfare, dying to the desires and lust of this world for my Lord is extremely important. We can paint this Christian life to be roses and marshmellows, but it's not. It is also about sacrifice sometimes too. What are we willing to give up? What are we willing to die to? Would we become martyrs for our God. No, He is not a shogun, but He, Christ, is Lord over us and we should be, if the opportunity should arise like they do all across this world daily, that we die for Him, we shall.
Yes, I am aware that seppuku is suicide, but I am not looking at it in its most base form.
At the end of the day, Bushido, in my opinion, has many similarities to Christianity.
**excuse any typos, did not proofread**
I agree with Jeremy, there are alot more similarities than you think. Post is old but people should know the truth. And to be quite frank your info on both Bushido life and Christianity are highly flawed, no disrespect. Please study things thoroughly before you give "simple answers". Thank you btw for your argument 2 points, 1 Suppeku was for regaining honor it was not a balls test, 2 Luke22:35-38. And to be honest with you Jesus willingly walked to his own death, suicide, to regain mankinds honor, the Ultimate Seppeku. Matthew 5:9, I am a Peacemaker.
ReplyDeleteInazo Nitobe, who wrote the book "Bushido:The Soul of Japan" was a Christian.
ReplyDeleteAs a Western martial artist I do not dabble in other customs influenced by religion so I do not practice Bushido, Yoga, Transcendental Mediation or even Tai Chi for that matter.
ReplyDeleteAll are incompatible with Christianity. The subconscious mind focuses on whatever you feed it.
Just another opinion.