Author(s): Thomas Cleary

Spirituality

The philosophy and strategies of the samurai are explained in this title. "Wisdom of the Samurai" presents new translations of five classic works on Bushido, the way of the samurai warrior. These works, all authored by the scholar Yamaga Soko or his disciples, provided the core ideals and lessons that taught the samurai how to lead a proper life under the martial philosophy of Bushido. Yamaga's writings inspired the transformation of the samurai from a feudal warrior class to a group with great intellectual, political, and ethical leadership and influence. Somewhat similar to "Code of the Samurai", but much longer, more detailed, and the product of a different school of samurai thought.