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h 2 >Explain the meanings and discuss the concepts and origins of Samurai and Bushido code, then relate these concepts towards the modern Japanese Soldier and Leader during World War 2 and show evidence to support that the Japanese soldier treated enemy prisoners exploiting Samurai and Bushido traditions. Bushido &# 27494; &# 22763; &# 36947; - the feudal-military Japanese code of behavior; the way of the warrior [samurai] Japanese chivalry [knighthood] In order to understand bushido and its traditions, a comparison must be made between the traditional bushido (idealistic) and the bushido code which was adopted into the Japanese military during World War II. The Japanese justified that the reason they treated the prisoners in a form of such brutality is because its a part of their way of life, the concept of no one surrenders. However if so surrendered then your life is pretty much hell, and according to the Japanese custom your family back home is brought shame. With the evidence from source material though, it seems that the Australians and very likely other nations in there prison camps understood what was going on around them.
Indeed the Japanese breached the Geneva convention but what is it exactly, did the other countries follow it accordingly? The Japanese method of dealing with Allied prisoners was seen through the western eyes as brutality, scum and inhumane. Yet by the same according to source material some Australian soldiers recognized that the Japanese did what they did, and in some cases they exploited the true meaning of bushido or did they? To understand if the Japanese soldier and leaders in particular abuse the code of bushido, the traditional bushido must be looked at. "Do not give up under any circumstances"
This way of life is known as Bushido. It basically sums up the moral and religious ideas of Japan. Also known as kosovo, "the heart within", it has been called "the soul of Japan." Bushido, which translates to "way of the warrior" in its more common form, was originally developed as a way to maintain controlled relations between a warlord and his samurai. It is difficult to describe the samurai in Western terms. The word "samurai" comes from the verb "to attend upon a noble." They were soldiers whose sole purpose in life was to serve their masters. The lord was a benefactor, provider, and protector or the samurai.
It was the duty of the samurai to, in turn, protect the glory and safety of his lord by any means necessary, even if it included sacrificing his own life for his master. When a war took place, the samurai was expected to do battle at his masters order. "A man is for one generation, honor, for all generations." This was a common Bushido belief. Acts of cowardice brought great disgrace, not only to the samurai, but to his warlord. Acts of valor earned not only praise, but also considerable material rewards. Absolute loyalty to his lord was top priority to the samurai. In battle, surrender was unacceptable.
There was no honorable way to survive a defeat. Most samurai, when faced with defeat, either faced death as inflicted by the enemy, or by their own hand. This form of ritual suicide is known as seppuku (or hara kiri), self-inflicted disembowelment. The average samurai would carry two blades. The katana, for battle, and a dagger, for seppuku.
Bushido was a way of life often fraught with tragedy. Bushido can be broken down into 7 key areas, The Empire, The Imperial Army, Discipline, Unity, Cooperation, Aggressiveness and The Conviction to Win. Each of these points are crucial in order to understand bushido and if that is achieved then it is easier to think like a Japanese person, in order to anticipate their actions. The Empire Japan is the Kokosu (Empire). The Tenno (Emperor) rules over it everlasting in a line unbroken through the ages as the successor in the high and broad cause established by the Imperial Ancestor at the time of the founding of the Empire.
Imperial benevolence is extended to all without favour, while the Imperial virtues enlighten the world. The people too, handing down the traditions of loyalty, filial piety, and valour from generation to generation, and enhancing thereby the morality peculiar to the Empire, have assisted the Throne-a perfect national unity under the Throne-which has brought about the present national prosperity. Soldiers in the field should seek to achieve, with unshakable determination, their mission of defending the Empire by laying to heart the essential character of the national polity. The Imperial Army The Army, under command of the Emperor, assists in furthering the Imperial fortunes by enhancing the glories of the Empire through the embodiment of the lofty spirit of valour. This spirit is the basic factor in realizing universal peace; for it is the spirit of justice combined with bravery and of valour tempered by benevolence, in conformity with the Imperial wishes.
Valour requires strictness, while benevolence must be universal. Should there be an enemy who dares to oppose the Imperial Army, the Army must resolutely resort to force of arms and deal him a rushing blow. However, even though force may compel the enemy to submit, should a lapse in virtue occur by striking of those who do not resist or by failure to show kindness to those who surrender, it cannot be said that such an army is perfect. Modesty in its strength, unostentatious (unaffected) in its kindness, the Imperial Army becomes the object of admiration when it quietly displays its valour and benevolence. The mission of the Imperial Army lies in making the Imperial virtues the objects of universal admiration through the exercise of justice tempered with mercy. Discipline The essence of discipline in the Imperial Army lies in the lofty spirit of complete obedience to His Majesty, the Grand Marshal.
High and low must have deeply engraved in their minds the solemnity of the right of command; those above should exercise the right in all seriousness, while those below should obey the commands in the utmost sincerity. Essential to victory and requisite for maintaining peace is the condition wherein the entire Army, united in the bonds of absolute loyalty, moves as one in response to a command. Especially on the battlefield is the utmost observance of the spirit of obedience necessary. The spirit of the soldier is best exemplified by those who silently do their duty, joyfully braving death in obedience to a command given at a time when they are undergoing great hardships. Unity The Army looks up in awe to His Majesty as its august head; it must be united in compliance with the Imperial Will, as one in spirit and in body and in single-hearted loyalty. In keeping with the basic principles of command, an army unit should form a solid yet genial group with its commander as its centre.
It is essential that each man, high and low, dutifully observing his place, should be determined always to sacrifice himself for the whole, in accordance with the intentions of the commander, by reposing every confidence in his comrades, and without giving even the slightest thought to personal interest and to life or death. Cooperation Soldiers should not only be united in mind in carrying out their tasks, but...
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Research essay sample on Order To Understand Bushido Code
