Hagakure: The Book of the SamuraiHagakure ("In the Shadow of Leaves") is a manual for the samurai classes consisting of a series of short anecdotes and reflections that give both insight and instruction-in the philosophy and code of behavior that foster the true spirit of Bushido-the Way of the Warrior. It is not a book of philosophy as most would understand the word: it is a collection of thoughts and sayings recorded over a period of seven years, and as such covers a wide variety of subjects, often in no particular sequence. The work represents an attitude far removed from our modern pragmatism and materialism, and possesses an intuitive rather than rational appeal in its assertion that Bushido is a Way of Dying, and that only a samurai retainer prepared and willing to die at any moment can be totally true to his lord. While Hagakure was for many years a secret text known only to the warrior vassals of the Hizen fief to which the author belonged, it later came to be recognized as a classic exposition of samurai thought and came to influence many subsequent generations, including Yukio Mishima. This translation offers 300 selections that constitute the core texts of the 1,300 present in the original. Hagakure was featured prominently in the film Ghost Dog, by Jim Jarmusch. |
Contents
Foreword | 7 |
From the 2nd Chapter | 65 |
From the 3rd Chapter | 89 |
From the 8th Chapter | 111 |
From the 9th Chapter | 128 |
From the 11th Chapter | 153 |
Late Night Idle Talk | 167 |
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Common terms and phrases
able affairs armor asked battle become beforehand bravery Buddha Buddhist castle Chapter child Chōon commit seppuku compassion courage cowardice daimyō death elders enemy feel Gorobei Gorōzaemon Hagakure head heard heart Hizen Japan kaishaku kami Kamigata Kamigata area Kazuma killed Kyūma Kyūnai later live look Lord Ieyasu Lord Katsushige Lord Naoshige Lord Takanobu man's martial valor Master Ittei Master Yagyu military mind mistake Mitsushige's Nabeshima clan Nabeshima fief Nabeshima Mitsushige Nabeshima Naoshige Nakano never night once one's oneself person province quickly reason regret replied retainer Rihei rōnin Ryūzōji Ryūzōji Takanobu Saga Saga Castle samurai saying shame Shingen shogun short sword Shōzaemon simply someone speak story struck Tadanao Takeda Shingen Taku talk things thought tion Tokugawa Tokugawa Ieyasu Tokuma Shoten Tokyo tsuifuku Tsunashige Uesugi Kenshin understand warrior wisdom words wounded Yamamoto Jin'emon Yamamoto Tsunetomo Yohei young થયે