Hagakure

Hagakure (1716) is a collection of insights and wisdom that serves as a guide to the way of the samurai, emphasizing honor, loyalty, and the acceptance of death. Its eleven books reflect on the virtues and ethics that governed the samurai’s life, offering advice and philosophical musings on living with integrity and courage.

• Enthusiasts of samurai lore and literature 
• Students of Japanese history and culture 
• Practitioners of martial arts

Yamamoto Tsunetomo was a Japanese samurai of the early 18th century, best known for his insights into bushido, the samurai code of conduct. After his lord passed away in 1700, Tsunetomo became a monk, retiring to a hermitage in Kurotsuchibaru. Tsunetomo’s contributions have left a lasting legacy on Japanese culture and the broader philosophical discourse on ethics and morality. 

Dr. Alexander Bennett is a professor of Japanese history and culture at Kansai University and current Director of the International Budo University’s Budo and Sports Research Institute. A prominent scholar with two doctoral degrees, Bennett previously worked at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies and Teikyo University.