Bushido Illustrated: The Soul of Japan (Chinese Bound Classics)

Bushido Illustrated: The Soul of Japan merges Inazo Nitobe’s seminal work on Japanese warrior ethics and moral standards with paintings and woodblock prints. It’s one of the latest renderings of the book Bushido: The Soul of Japan, which was originally published in English in 1899. Nitobe shares his interpretation and perspective of Japan’s evolution from its indigenous, traditional life ways to a modern nation. In decoding Japanese culture for a Western audience, Nitobe draws parallels between European chivalry and Bushido, comparing and contrasting Western mores with Japanese sensibilities.

More than one hundred years since its original release, Nitobe’s timeless text remains relevant. It centers Japanese values and beliefs about politeness, self-control, loyalty, courage, and benevolence. Personally, I was fascinated by the discussion about women in Bushido, as well as the legal and ceremonial purpose of seppuku, a form of ritual suicide.

Bushido Illustrated pairs Nitobe’s musings with graphical depictions of medieval Japanese life. The book is beautiful and elegant due to its binding, layout, and quality illustrations, which feature the works of renowned artists Utagawa Hiroshige, Suzuki Harunobu, and Ryuryukyo Shinsai, among others. Aesthetics set this book apart from other renderings of Nitobe’s work. It’s a must-have book for anyone who is infatuated with Japan and its people.