The bushido code 

                              The Bushido Code 

One of the most well-known aspects of samurai culture is their code of honour, known as Bushido or "the way of the warrior." Now, people may think that it's a written document that tells samurai how they should act. But this is not the case. Bushido is an unwritten, oral code that was passed down generations as a guide and code of conduct for Japanese samurai. The code held honour, bravery and personal loyalty about life itself. This set of principles shaped the way they lived and guided the samurai through their roles in ancient Japan. 

There are eight traditional principles of the Bushido code: rectitude, courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, honour, loyalty and self- control. However, some sources do say that there are only seven as self- control is seen as an optional virtue. Additionally, some of the names of the virtues can vary as honesty can sometimes in some scenarios be referred to as integrity and some words may be worded differently in different sources or depictions., like in images or videos. However, all in all in the end they all carry the same core meaning that the samurai had to uphold.