Foreign Student (hereinafter FS): I often hear the word “Bushido.” What does it mean? Teacher (hereinafter T): Put succinctly, it is the “samurai code.” However, there is no set way to study it, nor specific rules. Rather it refers to how a samurai ought to conduct himself. It could be said that the western code of “noblesse oblige” is similar. “Bushido” written in English by NITOBE Inazo – an educator, whose portrait appeared on the five thousand yen note – was read by many people around the world in order to gain an insight into the Japanese mentality. FS: What are the requisites for Bushido? T: Of course, bravery and manliness are important in Bushido, but sympathy towards one’s vanquished enemy is also a part of it. During the Warring States period the famed warriors TAKEDA Shingen and UESUGI Kenshin fought each other many times. Shingen’s domain was surrounded by mountains, while Kenshin’s domain faced the sea. In a well-known account, aware that Shingen was running out of salt, Kenshin sent salt to Shingen. FS: That’s a very interesting story. Do you have any others? T: In World War Two, Japan fought against the USA, Britain, and other nations. In 1942, the Japanese military waged a fierce battle off the shore of present-day Indonesia, overpowering their enemy. The British warship, the Encounter was sunk and its soldiers were jumping into the sea. After the battle the sea became calm, but no one came to help them. They were more than 200 kilometers from the shore, and one by one, the exhausted soldiers began to drown. At length a ship was spotted in the distance, and the soldier’s hopes rose. However, their hopes soon turned to despair. The approaching ship was the Japanese military battleship Ikazuchi. The British soldiers prepared themselves for death. However, to their surprise a number of ropes were thrown out to them from the ship. Some Japanese soldiers even jumped into the sea with a rope tied round their bodies in order to rescue them. Captain KUDO Shunsaku answered those who were critical of his order by saying, “It is impossible to have a fair fight if you don’t come to the aid of your weakened enemy. This is Bushido.” With this, over 400 British soldiers were rescued. It is reported that the Fleet Captain KUDO said the following words to the British soldiers: “Gentlemen, you put up a good fight. We are honored to have you as guests of the Japanese navy.” FS: Didn’t his behavior contravene military protocol? T: His commanding officer, General NAGUMO Chuichi said, “You weren’t in the wrong. But if this is reported, you will be declared a traitor.” So the truth was hidden from the Japanese public. In 1971 when Emperor Showa visited Britain, he was criticized and there was a huge demand for him to apologize for the war. At that time Mr. Samuel FALLE, one of the rescued soldier’s from the Encounter who later became a diplomat wrote an article about his experience for the British magazine “Time.” As a result, British criticism quieted down.