Literally “the way of the warrior,” Bushidō is the code by which all samurai in Kiga strive to live, yet each clan’s interpretation of the tenets of Bushidō is slightly different. All samurai are taught to embrace the ideals of Bushidō and strive ever toward them, at the expense of personal gain. Not even the Kami upheld Bushidō without flaw; the strictures put down by Akodo are nearly impossible to maintain in their entirety, and the struggle to adhere to them consumes a samurai’s existence.
Compassion (Jin)
“Through intense training, the samurai becomes quick and
strong. They are not as other people. They develop a power
that must be used for the good of all. They have compassion.
They help their fellows at every opportunity. If an opportunity
does not arise, they go out of their way to find one.”
The Celestial Heavens appointed the lords and samurai of Kiga to rule over the lower castes, but with power comes responsibility. Compassion represents the noblesse oblige of the buke and kuge toward the bonge. Most clans interpret this to mean extending physical protection over peasants, but other clans go even further.
Courage (Yū)
“Rise up above the masses of people who are afraid to act.
A samurai must have heroic courage. It is absolutely risky. It is
dangerous. Only in acceptance of one’s death may a samurai live
their life completely, fully, wonderfully. Courage is not blind; it is
intelligent and strong. Replace fear with respect and caution.”
Every samurai lives three feet from death at all times. A samurai must be prepared to give their life for their lord, their clan, and the Empire at a moment’s notice. To die in service to one’s lord furthers one’s karma, and thus samurai eagerly embrace the idea of a noble death in service to their family.
Courtesy (Rei)
“Samurai have no reason to be cruel. They do not need to
prove their strength. A samurai is courteous even to their enemies.
Without this outward show of respect, we are nothing more than
animals. A samurai is not only respected for their strength in battle,
but also by their dealings with others. The true inner strength
of a samurai becomes apparent during difficult times.”
The social order isn’t just important to Kiga—it is, in a literal manner, what the Heavens rest upon. A samurai is required to maintain appearances and withstand adversity, exhibiting courteousness even when faced with the most vile lack of it. It is for this reason that courtiers practice indirect insults and the art of the subtle insinuation.
Duty and Loyalty (Chūgi)
“For the samurai, having done some ‘thing’ or said some ‘thing,’
they know they own that ‘thing.’ They are responsible for it and all the
consequences that follow. A samurai is intensely loyal to those in their
care. To those they are responsible for, they remain fiercely true.”
Samurai are expected to do their duty to their lord and their subordinates without hesitation or reservation, no matter the cost to their own reputation. Of course, any duty given by their lord is expected to be within the bounds of Bushidō and bring honour to the samurai by obeying it. Should a samurai feel their duty conflicts with the other virtues of Bushidō, they may commit seppuku in protest, a rare exception to needing a lord’s permission to end one’s life. The sentiment is impossible to ignore: the lord has forfeited the samurai’s honour, and no one without honour is fit to serve.
Honor (Meiyo)
“A true samurai has only one judge of their honor, and that is
themself. Decisions you make and how those decisions are carried out
are a reflection of who you truly are. You cannot hide from yourself.”
Meiyo is the most subtle, yet the most basic and all-encompassing virtue. Samurai without honour cannot truly follow the other virtues of Bushidō, for they act as others expect and not as their own conscience dictates. If their own honour is intact, however, they will follow the ways of Bushidō and pursue justice without flaw or failure, even when commanded otherwise by their lord.
Righteousness (Gi)
“Be acutely honest throughout your dealings with all people.
Believe in justice, not from other people, but from yourself. A true
samurai knows in their heart that there are no shades of grey in the
question of honesty and justice. There is only right and wrong.”
Righteousness is the sunlight glinting off the katana, bright and painful to the eye. There is only truth and falsehood, justice and injustice, and it is the samurai’s job to live in accordance with justice and ensure that justice is meted out.
Sincerity (Makoto)
“When a samurai has said they will perform an action, it is
as good as done. Nothing will stop them from completing their
deed. They do not have to ‘give their word,’ nor do they have
to ‘promise.’ The action of speaking alone has set the act of
doing in motion. Speaking and doing are the same thing.”
Samurai must align intent with their word and deed, acting with complete and total conviction, whether they serve themselves or their lord. A convincing manner is more valued in Kiga than the absolute truth, for the samurai who speaks with sincerity has committed the totality of their being to the sentiment.
