200 A Mother’s Strength

“A Mother’s Strength”

The author of Bushido is Inazō Nitobe.
When he was studying abroad, he was asked:
“Since there is no religious education in Japan,
How do you teach your children morals?”
Nitobe couldn’t answer right away, but then he remembered
That when he was little, his mother had taught him about samurai.

His father and grandfather were clan retainers*
And went to the castle every day,
So there was no time to learn from them.

Nitobe’s book Bushido shocked the Western World.
During the time that they governed over Asian nations,
They believed those nations to be inferior.
But later, perhaps in part because of Nitobe’s work,
The Japanese garnered respect in the international community.

When considered from the perspective of Bushido,
Issues of modern society, such as the bullying
That drives some children to commit suicide,
Could stem from a lack of righteousness and courage.

Education – intellectual, physical, and moral – is the ideal.
Unfortunately, not all morals can be learned in school.
They must be taught at home.
Therefore, we hope for attentive mothers.

Great historical figures always had wonderful mothers.
A mother’s wisdom, a mother’s strength, a mother’s kindness:
These are the keys to raising children with good hearts.

*Translator’s note: a clan retainer, or vassal, was a samurai
Who served a particular noble family.
It was a position of great honor and responsibility.