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The samurai code was only written down during a time of peace - the 17th century - but its tenets were well known by the warriors raised on stories of noble warfare between the Minamoto and Taira (gempei). Stories such as the Heike Monogatari (Tales of the Heike) and Gikeiki (Annals of Yoshitsune) also told of honor and loyalty.
Jin - to develop a sympathetic understanding of people
Gi - to preserve the correct ethics
Chu - To show loyalty to one's master
Ko - To respect and care for one's parents
Rei - to show respect for others
Chi - to enhance wisdom by broadening one's knowledge
Shin - to be truthful at all times
Tei - to care for the aged and those of a humble station
Hagakure is a famous book on the subject written in 1716 - after a century of peace. In many way it glorifies the samurai of the past - promoting the lofty ideals without worrying about how things actually went.
In one section, the book says,
"It has nothing to say about either time or profit, nor does it advocate wasting time with vague contemplations of the Void. One lives in the world and reacts to things arond him. The question is where one plants his feet."
Much of the book is about common sense and humility.
"People who have an intelligent appearance will not be outstanding even if they do something good, and if they do something normal, people will think them lacking. But if a person who is thought of as having a gentle disposition does even a slightly good thing, he will be praised by people."
Takamori Saigo - the REAL Last Samurai
