Professional Martial Arts Instructor Anthony Whetstine of Poway Samurai Martial Arts, has used his years of study and research in the samurai martial arts and the code of Bushido, (The Way of the Warrior), to create a series of lectures that capture the “Virtues” of the code of Bushido. In these lectures, Mr. Whetstine will provide a historical look back, and a modern view, to see how the lessons of some of the most renown and enigmatic warriors of the past can offer a “code” for today that aids in rebuilding respectful disagreements, dialogue and encourages respect.

Bushido: Why the Code of the Samurai Matters Today
Our Most Popular Lecture looks at the origins of the Samurai and Bushido, examines the Seven Virtues as listed by Inazo Nitobe: Recitude, Courage, Benevolence, Respect, Honesty, Honour, and Loyalty and offers a look at them in a modern perspective. This lecture is aimed at moving Bushido back out of the dojo of Japanese martial arts schools and using them as seeds that can become the “soul” of the modern world just as it became the heart and soul of Japan.

Business and Bushido: How the Code of the Samurai Made Japan an Industrial Super Power
A must for any company that considers ethical business and responsible business practices as important as the quality of their product or service. This lecture examines how the code of Bushido gave not only a rebirth to a post-World War two Japan and built it into an economic super power but how those same virtues can help turn around a worldwide economic downturn. If your organization has an ethics department or has ethic requirements as part of its’ company handbook, then this lecture is a must!

Bushido and the Law: Restoring Ethics and Respect to the Field of Practicing Law
This lecture should be part of every law school in America. This in depth look at the code of the samurai and how it was used not only as a personal code of ethics that is nearly universally respected, but how it took common soldiers, mercenaries and warriors and turned them into a respected class of Japanese society that fought for, administered and most importantly served justice and the laws of ancient Japan and how these same virtues can help restore respect and ethics to the field of practicing law.

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The Bushido Guy

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In my life, I follow the ancient code of the samurai, know as Bushido. Bushido, or the way of the samurai warrior, was the code of moral principals the Samurai were required or instructed to observe. It is not a written code, but rather one that was handed down from mouth to mouth, and grew organically over decades.

This unspoken “code” was the instinctual sense of divine virtues that through their martial careers and practice, the samurai came to not only follow or observe, but it actually became part of them. The most common virtues of bushido: Recitude, Courage, Benevolence, Respect, Honesty, Honour and Loyalty were unuttered or written as a specific set of instructions, but were common throughout Japan and its many Samurai families.

The most common virtues show us a better way to live and interact with each other and live within modern society. In this age of technology there is a freedom of information and idea exchange that is unprecedented but, has its drawbacks. Lack of civility is the biggest problem. Too often things are said on screen or by e-mail that a person would never say to someone’s face. This behavior degrades our society and all of us.

Living the Samurai way, we can disagree and still be polite. We can interact on matters of common good and remove any hostility about the things we do not agree on. We can be of service to each other and honor and respect our differences.

Just as bushido was not forced upon the Samurai warrior or Japan but was a natural and organic way of living, so too can we find a new “code” for our modern society in the world today. The virtues are already known to us we simply have to choose to practice them. If we can do this, one at a time, we may find that just as Bushido became the heart of Japan so might this new “code” become the heart of the world. Those who learn the Samurai Way find it has a powerful effect on them. Their lives are changed as they learn things about themselves they did not even know they were looking for. I invite you to come and learn about Bushido and let it have a powerful effect on you!

Tony Whetstine (The Bushido Guy)
Owner/Instructor of Poway Samurai Martial Arts

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Traditional Samurai 1860s

Bushido is defined as a unique philosophy that spread through the warrior class during the Muromachi period. It is the code of moral principles which the samurai were required or instructed to observe, which was frequently unuttered and unwritten. It is typified by the Seven Virtues: Recitude, Courage, Benevolence, Respect, Honesty, Honour and Loyalty. Codes of conduct and moral principles, like that of the Samurai, are lacking in the youth of today. Gangs and peer pressure have a strong influence and are putting children at risk. I’ll be discussing how martial arts programs can aid in getting these kids back on the right track.

Those who learn the Samurai Way find it has a powerful effect on them. Their lives are changed as they learn things about themselves they did not even know they were looking for. Come and learn about Bushido and let it have a powerful effect on you!

Pacific Martial Arts is located at: 2266 San Diego Ave. San Diego, CA 92110 #619-299-8361 www.pmakarate.com

For more information about the instructor, call Tony Whetstine of Poway Samurai Martial Arts.
#858-486-0059. www.PowayMartialArtsSCHOOL.com.