Only by adhering to these principles could a Samurai maintain his honour, as straying from this predetermined path would result in irrefutable shame upon the individual and their family. In some situations the disgrace was considered so severe that the offending party was obliged to commit Seppuku; in order to regain some small measure of personal honour.  

Bushido itself contains numerous dualities that risked the very honour of those who wished to uphold it. A prime example of this duality is the adage of a Samurai commanded by his Lord, to assassinate another noble in cold blood whilst he slept. Whilst this undeniable act of cowardice would rob the obeying Samurai of his lifetime’s honour, the very fact that the individual was willing to risk such a level of personal disgrace at the bidding of his master would expunge them of any associated dishonor.   

THE LITERARY PUN: 

The multiple nuances encountered when translating Japanese words into the earlier Chinese letters is an interesting subject in its own right, and the most literal translation of the written word is often far more revealing than the modern translation. For example the literal translation of “Bushido” reads more accurately as “The Way Of Warrior, That Will Send You To The Gods”… a far more sobering translation by far. Other examples of these literary variations are found in other words of military origin such as the term “Heiho”; which when translated into Japanese reads “The Methods Of The Soldier” but when translated into Chinese reads instead “The Way Of Peace”, assuredly a joke shared by military tacticians throughout Japan for centuries. Literature has always played an important roll in societies perceptions of Bushido especially so, during Japans more peaceful eras when ancient texts regarding the subject were studied as sources of truth. However many of these early texts were grossly misinterpreted and the Bushido based upon them in turn became an altered form. Such an example can be found in the Japanese literary classic “Hagakure” penned by a Samurai named Yamamoto Tsunetomo. Although a Samurai of rank, Yamamoto lived his entire life in peace and never took part in any battles or mass conflict. Regardless of this fact Yamamoto often makes references to the mentality of combat and how Bushido should apply to it. His most famous quote regarding the Bushido code is “The Way Of The Samurai Is In Death” something which later scholars of the subject; including the Kamikaze pilots of World War Two would deliberated heavily upon. As with any literary source misconceptions are rife and to effectively state that “To be a Samurai is to die” is a narrow sighted opinion at best. In truth however it is not known whether Yamamoto ever intended his book to be Sean, read or much less followed like a religious doctrine. As the various transcriptions of the Hagakure all differ slightly in their translations we should assume the quote to read something like “To be a Samurai, is to devote your life utterly to the will of your lord and master”, as this would be far more in keeping with the early Bushido ideals assuredly taught to Yamamoto in his youth.