Resources for Bushido?

[Sociotard]

I'm trying to convert Dogs in the Vinyard into a 15th century Japan setting. DitV only requires that the PCs be enforcers of some absolute moral code, like Inquisitors in Spain or Untouchables in Chicago. I thought I could make a version where the PCs were the Shogun's chosen Samurai, going from one Daimyo's fiefdom, purging the land of those who have faltered in bushido to restore honor to Japan.

 

However, to make this work I need a good idea of what Bushido is, and everything I've found, like the wikipedia article, is pretty vague. It lists the seven virtues (plus three), but some of those require more explanation. "Respect for the Aged" is pretty straightforward, but what about "Honor". I can see why honor would be considered a good thing, but that word means different things in different times and places.

 

Can anyone link me to some more information about what Bushido means? Especially with examples?

[Curufea]

Re: Resources for Bushido?

 

This is quite good-

http://artofmanliness.com/2008/09/14/the-bushido-code-the-eight-virtues-of-the-samurai/

 

Bushido, the Soul of Japan by Inazo Nitobe -

http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/12096

 

Hagakure | The Way of the Samurai (Selections) 1716 | Yamamoto Tsunetomo -

http://pagesperso-orange.fr/chabrieres/texts/hagakure.html

[tkdguy]

Re: Resources for Bushido?

 

Good choices! Hagakure and Bushido are very good reading.

[Markdoc]

Re: Resources for Bushido?

 

Can anyone link me to some more information about what Bushido means? Especially with examples?

 

"Honor" in the samurai context, more than anything else means "maintaining your reputation as someone who practices the seven virtues". This has two practical consequences.

 

1) Don't let anyone talk smack about you or your family or clan. This means up to and including killing them and the bands they like, if they won't apologize

2) Be scrupulous in doing your duty, so that no-one has cause to talk smack about you or your family

 

There's a samurai proverb designed to illustrate this virtue and also the seventh (Loyalty).

Q. "Is it better to serve a good or an evil master?"

A. "An evil master."

 

The reasoning is thus: It is easy to serve a good master. However, to honorably serve an evil master is difficult and therefore puts one's honor on display.

 

Basically, all of Bushido can be summed up in two sentences.

1) Know your place.

2) Do your duty, according to your place.

 

cheers, Mark

[bubba smith]

Re: Resources for Bushido?

 

good point

[TheQuestionMan]

Re: Resources for Bushido?

 

Feudal Japan Resources

Bushido (role-playing game): produced in 1981 by Fantasy Games Unlimited.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushido_(role-playing_game)

 

GURPS Japan

http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/books/Japan/

 

Oriental Adventures: a supplement for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, produced in 1985 by Gary Gygax's TSR, Inc. and later rereleased in 2001 by Wizards of the Coast.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_Adventures

 

Legend of the Five Rings: a role-playing game and accompanying collectible card game, produced in 1995 by Alderac Entertainment Group.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legend_of_the_Five_Rings

 

Sengoku: Chanbara Roleplaying in Feudal Japan i

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sengoku_(role-playing_game)

 

Usagi Yojimbo: The Roleplaying Game:

http://www.sanguine.com/usagi/

 

Land of the Samurai for Ruequest by Mongoose Publishing

http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/home/detail.php?qsID=1443&qsSeries=39#

 

 

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Bushido - Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushid%C5%8D

 

 

 

Kampai

 

 

QM

[shadowcat1313]

Re: Resources for Bushido?

 

theres also Bushydo... the way of the shrub... BONSAI!!!!!

[bubba smith]

Re: Resources for Bushido?

 

Lol