Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai
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\|Hagakure ("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 posesses 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. East West Journal The most influential of all samurai treatises ever written.—Prof. Ivan Morris
Foreword7Introduction9From the 1st Chapter17From the 2nd Chapter65From the 3rd Chapter89From the 4th Chapter91From the 6th Chapter93From the 7th Chapter99From the 8th Chapter111From the 9th Chapter128From the 10th Chapter137From the 11th Chapter153Late Night Idle Talk167Notes170Names, Places and Words174Bibliography179
