Bushido: The Soul of Japan


Read by Availle

(4.6 stars; 117 reviews)

Bushido: The Soul of Japan written by Inazo Nitobe was one of the first books on samurai ethics that was originally written in English for a Western audience, and has been subsequently translated into many other languages (also Japanese). Nitobe found in Bushido, the Way of the Warrior, the sources of the virtues most admired by his people: rectitude, courage, benevolence, politeness, sincerity, honor, loyalty and self-control, and he uses his deep knowledge of Western culture to draw comparisons with Medieval Chivalry, Philosophy, and Christianity. (Summary by Availle) (3 hr 49 min)

Chapters

Prefaces 8:22 Read by Availle
Bushido as an Ethical System 10:43 Read by Availle
Sources of Bushido 13:15 Read by Availle
Rectitude or Justice 6:41 Read by Availle
Courage, the Spirit of Daring and Bearing 9:22 Read by Availle
Benevolence, the Feeling of Distress 15:02 Read by Availle
Politeness 13:25 Read by Availle
Veracity or Truthfulness 12:43 Read by Availle
Honor 11:29 Read by Availle
The Duty of Loyalty 14:01 Read by Availle
Education and Training of a Samurai 10:18 Read by Availle
Self-Control 9:30 Read by Availle
The Institutions of Suicide and Redress 24:38 Read by Availle
The Sword, the Soul of the Samurai 8:11 Read by Availle
The Training and Position of Woman 21:50 Read by Availle
The Influence of Bushido 10:44 Read by Availle
Is Bushido Still Alive? 15:47 Read by Availle
The Future of Bushido 13:58 Read by Availle

Reviews

An overview of Bushido + a Philosophy of religion


(5 stars)

The author is a Christian who is critical of institutionalized Christianity. The study of Bushido was interesting, but the unexpected philosophy of religion was, for me, the richest part of the work.

Wonderful reader


(5 stars)

Availle is one of my favorite readers on LibriVox. Her “mispronunciations” are charming- and frankly, I hear many american readers mispronounce words and it grates. Availle is an excellent reader and this book is worth the listen for content as well as another lesson on how to read out loud: something we Americans are not taught to do.

Excellent work


(5 stars)

Great historical text! Some of the views presented are no longer politically correct but gives an accurate portrayal of the old Japanese spirit. I teach traditional Shorin Ryu karate and I recommend this book for all my adult students.

Interesting and well-read


(4 stars)

It's a bit prettied up, much I suppose in the same ways as books of chivalrous manners are prettied up version of what real knights did, but its still and intriguing book, and the reading is good.


(4 stars)

This is a pleasant overview of the subject, albeit targeted as a reply for a particular New World demographic. If the archaic parlances are tolerated, it is a decent collection of knowledge for a frequently-misunderstood era.

Funny way to pronounce benevolence


(4 stars)

please redo chapter 5. many occurances of the word 'benevolence' with your own interpretation of the pronounciation. otherwise good job !!!

Outstanding narration. Superlative work.


(5 stars)

An eminent deep-dive into the heart & soul of Japan’s warrior class. Expertly and soothingly narrated. Definitely download-worthy for repeat listenings!


(2.5 stars)

Some horrendous mispronunciations. Which sadly make this audio book subpar. The voice is pleasant. But it was a challenge to enjoy due to the errors.