The Seven Virtues of Bushido – Rectitude
The Seven Virtues of Bushido: Part I
Rectitude
The classical, traditional martial arts of Asia (notably Japan, China, and Korea) have for many decades of western popularity been revered as not just sports, or hobbies, or diversions. There’s something about these disciplines that set them apart from seasonal softball and gym memberships (not to discount either of these ventures). They are ancient systems of physical, mental, spiritual, and philosophical activity that have not been antiquated in the slightest, but if anything become more relevant as time goes on. Parents and independent adults alike have approached their local martial arts school to enrol their children or themselves with missions such as:
“ I want my child to learn discipline and respect.”
“ I’m looking for something that can help me become more focused and concentrated.”
“ I want my child to be part of a dedicated community”
“ I want to know how to protect myself and my friends if I ever need to.”
These are just a few common reasons for people involving themselves in the martial arts, of which there are many more.
What is the reason for these desires? Why are people so attracted to the martial ways? One could say that it is an available approach to a healthier lifestyle, where child and adult alike may immerse in training that provides scholarly discipline, humble temperance, and monk-like skill.
Over the next several weeks, the focus will be on The Seven Virtues of Bushido (way of the warrior). They are virtues that individuals of the feudal Samurai class of Japan were sworn to uphold in word and deed.
Christianity offers the Ten Commandments. Taoists (followers of the Tao) recognize eight cosmological symbols. The Japanese martial arts, though comparably secular in contemporary practice, are deeply influenced by and inseparably rooted in Zen Buddhism, and out of various tenants of that spiritual path came seven ideal attitudes of morality and character to conduct oneself by in everyday life, known as The Seven Virtues of Bushido.
Let’s examine Rectitude (gi).
The most socially lawful and civic-minded of the seven, it is about doing what is right. Not what is easy, not what’s right for one’s own self at the time, but what is just.
It is self-sacrificial, because something truly just and lawful is often done by eliminating desire, bias, and prejudice. The virtue of Rectitude does not simply apply to the law of the land. In this world, some laws exist that stifle individuals and punish self-expression, existing only to satisfy the insecurities of those in power.
Nineteenth century author and educator Nitobe Inazo had this to say of Rectitude in his 1899 publication Bushido: The Soul of Japan:
“Here we discern the most cogent precept in the code of the samurai. Nothing is more loathsome to him than underhand dealings and crooked undertakings. The conception of Rectitude may be erroneous – it may be narrow. A well-known bushi defines it as a power of resolution;
“Rectitude is the power of deciding upon a certain course of conduct in accordance with reason without wavering…”
Another speaks of it in the following terms; “Rectitude is the bone that gives firmness and stature. As without bones the head cannot rest on the top of the spine, nor hands move nor feet stand, so without rectitude, neither talent nor learning can make a human frame a samurai.”
Rectitude has much in common with the other six virtues of Bushido, as they are all noble efforts and righteous in their own respect; they are all ethical mindsets and courses of action. Most importantly, it is about developing a predisposition towards doing the right thing at the right time.
Next week, we’ll look at the bold virtue of heroic courage (yuki).
Until next time,