Hagakure: FINAL POST.

While reading Hagakure: The Book of The Samurai, found similarities with other works suck as the bible as well as Buddhist teachings. Text reflects ideas like choosing the middle path, calmness, work ethic, correct mindset, and many other virtues. Hagakure could be read as philosophical text as well as a strategic text. Many of the quotations may seem silly or just plain odd but when further examined, they are filled with symbolism. The text reflects some biblical teachings such as filial piety, or commandment number five "honor your father and mother.". Hagakure has been compared to chivalry because it includes rules of conduct and greatly emphasizes politeness and appearance.


One quote that i found most interesting was "If you can understand one affair, you will understand eight.". It means that in order to understand one affair one must understand every other affair linked with it, and that there is really no such thing as "one affair". If one understands one affair then it means that he or she understands eight (or plural).


When I finished reading The Book of The Samurai, i walked away with a more mature understanding of the samurai movies i know and love, and the pop culture that surrounds feudal japan. i will keep these quotes in mind and apply them to my own life or at least think about them in certain situations. like that is something i would actually do. When i was done reading the book, i knew it wasn't something that i could just read once and be done with. the lessons could be learned and re-learned. I am glad i chose this cultural work for my independent reading.