The Courage of the Samurai

November 29, 2016

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Several months ago, I was asked to read a book that was recommended to me through a source that I did not know well, something that I do not normally do. However, after several inquiries and because the title and subject intrigued me, I agreed to read the book and provide my thoughts. I am so very glad I did! “The Courage of the Samurai – Seven Sword-Sharp Principles of Success.” by Lori Tsugawa Whaley is an easy to read history of the Samurai combined with how the philosophy can be applied in today’s context. The author brings in examples from business, the military and her own personal examples to highlight lessons learned from this philosophy rich in tradition. My favorite chapters covered the principles of Integrity (Gi) in Chapter 2 and Loyalty (Chuugi) in Chapter 7. The other five principles covered include Courage, Benevolence, Respect, Honesty and Honor. These two chapters on Integrity and Loyalty bring out these principles through examples that are easily understood by the reader. In the case of Integrity, the author brings forth personal examples born out of her family’s experiences in the Japanese Relocation Centers during the United States involvement in World War II. The Loyalty chapter uses several examples from the military in highlighting the most decorated fighting unit in U.S. military history for its size and tenure and made up of soldiers of Japanese ancestry! Enjoy the Book!

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