Bushido: The Soul of Japan (English Edition, Large Print & Vocabulary Notes) – Inazo Nitobe

Bushido: The Soul of Japan by Inazo Nitobe is one of the most influential books ever written about Japanese ethics and cultural philosophy. First published in 1900 in English, the work was created to explain Japan’s moral foundations to the Western world at a time when international understanding of Japan was still limited.

In this classic text, Nitobe examines bushido — the moral code of the samurai — and explains how it shaped Japanese character, values, and social behavior. Drawing on Shinto, Buddhism, and Confucian thought, he compares the samurai ideal with Western philosophy and European chivalry, presenting a bridge between Eastern and Western worldviews.

This edition features large, easy-to-read text and helpful annotations explaining difficult vocabulary, making it suitable not only for international readers but also for Japanese readers studying English. The book is widely considered essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the Japanese concept of honor, duty, loyalty, and moral responsibility. Even U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt was known to have been deeply impressed after reading it.

Nitobe wrote the book himself in English while abroad, motivated by a strong desire to introduce the spirit of Japan to the world. More than a century later, it remains a key reference for understanding Japanese cultural identity.

Ideal for:

• Students of Japanese culture and history

• English learners in Japan

• Readers interested in samurai philosophy

• JLPT learners and bilingual readers

• Anyone wanting to understand Japanese values beyond pop culture

Product Details

Author: Inazo Nitobe

Publisher: IBC Publishing

Language: English (with vocabulary notes)

Format: Large-print annotated edition

Pages: 210 pages