It is said that Japanese Culture is both Delicate and Fierce

The Samurai warrior is an interesting example of the Japanese fierceness yet they expressed its cultural beauty. From 1185 to 1868 the Samurai was the premier warrior of the Japanese. Samurai were supposed to lead their lives according to the ethic code of Bushido ("the way of the warrior"). Strongly Confucian in nature, Bushido stresses concepts such as loyalty to one's master, self-discipline and respectful, ethical behavior. After a defeat or similar event, many samurai chose to commit ritual suicide (seppuku) by cutting their abdomen rather than die a dishonorable death. Given this brief background of the Samurai, it seems odd that many Samurai “retired” to pursue other interests. Matsuo Bashô (1644-1694) stands as one of the greatest - if not greatest - of Japan's haiku composers. A samurai turned wandering priest, Bashô wrote a book called 'Narrow Road

Many Samurai took up woodblock printing as a pastime during the Tokugawa period (1603-1867). This period is known as “the Great Peace”. During this period, Japan did not have many external military conflicts, and few if any internal military conflicts. So the Samurai class found themselves with a lot of time on their hands. Many took up woodblock printing, or some other art form. Many became quite good and are more known for their art than for their military achievements. If a Samurai did not take up an art form, he would surely commission an artist to make beautiful designs for the Samurai.

The Japanese have been able to embrace the Bushido code and apply it to modern commerce. By applying Bushido to modern economics, Japan has managed to become an Economic superpower during the second half of the 20th Century. Yet during this transformation, Japan did not lose its cultural beauty. There has been a resurgence of the old art forms in modern Japanese culture.

The Japanese monarchy has been the spiritual and temporal focus of the Japanese people for over four thousand years. For a great deal of this time the Japanese emperors have reigned over rather than ruled their country. The Japanese royal house traces its beginning to A

Some topics in this essay:
Rock Garden, Presidential Seal, Samurai Japanese, Road Oku', , Strongly Confucian, Matsuo Bashô, Zen Buddhist, Japanese Samurai, Throughout Japan, japanese culture, tea ceremony, warrior class, cultural beauty, tokugawa period, economic superpower, military conflicts, art form, rock garden, art beauty,