Yamamoto Tsunetomo

The principal pillars of Bushido—the Samurai warrior's code—are loyalty, filial piety, bravery and mercy. Tsunetomo Yamamoto, the author of Hagakure, lived his life based on these principles and was willing to sacrifice his own life for them when his liege and master died. However, Shogunate law forbade Samurai retainers from taking their lives in this way, so Yamamoto became a...