The Code of Bushido

The Code of Bushido

The Code of Bushido is how the Fey Sirona Samurai must conduct themselves. It is not an obligation but a way of life. The code is broken down into eight virtues. Above all, 'Be honourable, protect the Weak, and Defeat the Void'.

Righteousness/Rectitude -

Rectitude is one’s power to decide upon a course of conduct in accordance with reason, without wavering; to die when to die is right, to strike when to strike is right. The Samurai is expected to take the correct path even if it is not the easy path.

Courage -

The Samurai is expected to show courage in doing what is right. There is a difference between bravery and courage to the Samurai and Courage is worthy of being counted among virtues only if it’s exercised in the cause of Righteousness and Rectitude.

As the adage says ‘Perceiving what is right and doing it not reveals a lack of Courage.’ In short, ‘Courage is doing what is right.’

Benevolence/Mercy -

The Samurai should demonstrate equally extraordinary powers of benevolence and mercy. Love, magnanimity, affection for others, sympathy and pity, are traits of Benevolence, the highest attribute of the soul.

Respect -

The Samurai is expected to show respect where it is due and conduct themselves in a polite manner as such a samurai is not a brute or a bully they are expected to treat even their enemies with courtesy.

Discerning the difference between obsequiousness and politeness can be difficult for those that do not follow the code, but for a true Samurai, courtesy is rooted in benevolence. But Politeness should be the expression of a benevolent regard for the feelings of others; it is a poor virtue if it is motivated only by a fear of offending good taste. In its highest form Politeness approaches love.

Sincerity -

When the Samurai says they will do something they will. The actions and words of a samurai are as one. To ask the Samurai to promise something is an act that is considered redundant.

Loyalty -

The Samurai is expected to show loyalty and to think how his actions will effect others. Actions and consequences define those that take them and the actions of the Samurai reflect upon their clan and their lord. When the Samurai brings disgrace himself he tarnishes the reputation of others.

Self Control -

Bushido teaches that Samurai should behave according to an absolute moral standard, one that transcends logic. What’s right is right, and what’s wrong is wrong. The difference between right and wrong are given, not arguments subject to discussion or justification, and the Samurai should know the difference. Finally, it is the obligation of the Samurai to teach their children moral standards through the model of his own behaviour.

Honour -

To conduct oneself with personal dignity and worth, characterised by the Samurai. Fear of disgrace hangs like a sword over the head of every samurai, but to take offence at slight provocation was ridiculed as ‘short-tempered.’ As the popular adage put it: ‘True patience means bearing the unbearable.’

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