The Bushid? Samurai are elite masters in the art of self-defense. They are specially trained in hand-to-hand combat, but never fight unless they must. The Samurai moral code stresses mindfulness, self-control, loyalty and honor unto death. Thus, Samurai dodge confrontation whenever and wherever possible.
These same principals can easily be applied to everyday life. Think like a Bushid? Samurai and avoid unnecessary confrontation. Doing so will decrease your emotional stress and simultaneously increase your productivity.
- Be aware of your surroundings and always maintain a clear mind when you are in unfamiliar territory.
- Don’t stick out like a sore thumb, but still carve out your own path.
- Evaluate the level of risk in every situation before accepting it.
- Take control of your actions. Don’t let others steer for you.
- Keep a clear mind. Never abuse mind numbing drugs. Avoid those who do.
- Even if someone else provokes you, swiftly escape. Most fights are not worth fighting.
- Trust only those who have earned it. Be wary of those who have not.
- Don’t meddle in other people’s affairs or attempt to solve their problems unless it’s within the scope of your mission.
- Maintain a healthy body. Otherwise physical avoidance may not be an option.
- Always stay true to your purpose. Practice intelligent avoidance, escape confrontation whenever possible and defend yourself only when you must.
jean says
“The ninja is an elite master in the art of self-defense. He is specially trained in hand-to-hand combat, but never fights unless he must.”
Excuse me? Something must have gone lost in translation there. Ninja were extremely effective offensive tools for their bread masters. They were hired assassins, they went out of their way to find their mark.
Were you perchance thinking about the code of Bushido?
Marc says
@jean:
You are absolutely correct. I totally got the analogy mixed up. I have made the correction. Thanks for pointing it out.
Jon says
While your ideas are interesting the idea pinning them together is a little silly. I like a lot of what you are saying and feel like you have something worth thinking about but, you’re reaching….
Not to be a jerk, but there is no such thing as a “Bushido Samurai.” Samurai practiced Bushido, which roughly translates to the ‘way of the warrior’ (bushi = warrior; do = road or way). Bushido isn’t a kind of person. And samurai weren’t trained for self-defense. They were first trained to be powerful warriors, and later powerful warriors with a high sense of honor. And after that powerful nobles with a sense of honor.
Bushido is first and foremost about honor. Inazo Nitobe wrote a nice book in English about Bushido.
For example, in his book Nitobe writes about things like benevolence and how it was the duty of the powerful to use their power to help others. Nitobe points to the saying “Bushi no nasake” which means “a warrior’s compassion” and writes that, “Benevolence to the weak, the down-trodden or the vanquished, was extolled as peculiarly becoming to a samurai.” This of course contradicts point eight.
Being distrustful isn’t really very Bushido either. In reality, from my very cursory reading on Bushido, it seems at most half of your points could be loosely associated with Bushido.
For me your interesting ideas are being weakened by a sort of fetishizing of Japanese culture. The image especially points towards an uniformed fetishizing, samurai didn’t dress like ninjas.
Nestor says
You forgot “Carry a big extremely sharp sword wherever you go”
ED says
or, 3 ‘swords’ so you have one for any situation.
two of which would be removed upon entering a residence(the third not really as swordy as the shorter and longer sword).
Taylor says
The Katana, Tanto, and Wakizashi were the three swords carries by the samurai class, listed from largest to smallest.
Sasuke Kimochi says
@Taylor… Actually the order from largest to smallest would be: 1-Katana(75-80cm), 2-Wakizashi (30-60cm), 3-Tanto(15-30cm).
Lydieboo says
Wow, re-read that list as if it is relationship advice. Applies remarkably well!