Bushido is a term given for a code of honor or a social and spiritual behavior method observed by the Bushi and the samurai, who held above all else, the highest standards of honor and loyalty until death.

The Bushido demanded from the warrior honor, justice and loyalty, the courage and disregard for one’s life, to have sympathy towards all, to have social and moral ethics, to have sincerity and the loyalty of ones word of honor and the absolute loyalty and devotion to his superiors and their honor.

 

Particularly to the samurai, he must sacrifice himself and observe severe etiquette and consecrate his life and spirit to the transcend life and death and rise above the common man.

 

Hundreds of years after its appearance, Bushido is still the core of Japanese social, political and corporate structure.

According to Taira Shigesuke, a Samurai and military strategist of Edo period:

 

"As long as you keep death in mind at all times, you will also fulfill the ways of loyalty and familial duty. You will also avoid myriad evils and calamities, you will be physically sound and healthy, and you will live a long life. What is more, your character will improve and your virtue will grow.

 

If people comfort their minds with the assumption that they will live a long time, something might happen, because they think they will have forever to do their work and look after their parents-they may fail to perform for their employers and also treat their parents thoughtlessly."