>The Way of the Samurai is found in death. When it comes to either/or, there is only the quick choice of death. It is not particularly difficult. Be determined and advance. To say that dying without reaching one's aim is to die a dog's death is the frivolous way of sophisticates. When pressed with the choice of life or death, it is not necessary to gain one's aim.
Is that from the Hagakure?
>>595343
Many scholars do not take the Hagakure very seriously. Though it does draw somewhat on earlier thoughts, It was written after all the fighting had stopped.
Samurai who actually had enemies to fight and kill tended not to throw their lives away lightly. Even in the Edo period the 47 ronin laid low until their enemy dropped his guard. the Hagakure criticized them for not attacking immediately and throwing their lives away.
So while the Hagakure does capture a certain strain of Samurai philosophy it shouldn't be looked at as a guide to how samurai actually behaved.
>>596147
Wasn't it written by some bureaucrat who never faced death in battle?
>>596158
Basically, though I believe it was his student who actually wrote it down. He wanted to commit sepuku to follow his lord in death, but the practice was banned so he retired.
Pfft, Hagakure is only one path for a man of worth to take. It's not the only form of bushido.
