A century ago, when Japan was transforming itself from an isolated feudal societ
y into a modern nation, a Japanese educator queried about the ethos of his peopl
e composed this seminal work, which with his numerous other writings in English
made him the best, known Japanese writer in the West during his lifetime. He fou
nd in Bushido, the Way of the Warrior, the sources of the virtues most admired b
y his people: rectitude, courage, benevolence, politeness, sincerity, honor, loy
alty and self-control. His approach to his task was eclectic and far-reaching.
