Hagakure

Fallen Leaves, at the very heart of Bushido, te Way of the Warrior, was the responsibility to accept one's own death and absolute loyalty to one's lord. But the Way was one of action, and the era of domestic peace, which began in the early 17th century and lasted until modern times, made the warrior's martial skills redundant. His role in society was still important , however, for him fell the responsibility of governing. Hagakure, Fallen Leaves, was written after a century of peace. THough it was, perhaps, never intended to be read outside of Nabeshima fief in Kyushu, it came to be the guide to samurai ethics until the end of the feudal period. In one way, it is an extraordinary document that transcends time, space and the encumbrances of societal living by penetrating to the core of existence with the clarity and vividness of its insights. Softcover.