Investigating the spiritual journey of the samurai
Investigating the Spiritual Journey of the Samurai For centuries, the samurai were the warriors and protectors of Japan. Their code of behavior was known as bushido, or “the way of the warrior” and they followed it strictly. Many modern scholars still refer to samurai as “the knights of Japan” because of their similar mindset and training methods. But what many don’t know is that the samurai weren’t just warriors; they also had a spiritual side as well. Let’s explore the spiritual journey of this unique group of soldiers and discover the importance of their philosophy and lifestyle to the samurai of old. The samurai were part of a unique religion known as Shinto. This faith was based around the natural world and its various forces, with each element representing different spiritual principals. These forces were viewed through a spiritual lens and the samurai viewed nature as a symbol of the divine. They would often visit shrines and bow in reverence to the gods, believing that they co...