Inazo Nitobe bol celoživotným propagátorom porozumenia medzi Japonskom a Západom, najmä Spojenými štátmi. Jeho dielo sa ponorilo do japonského myslenia a kultúry, aby ich predstavilo medzinárodnému publiku. Nitobe skúmal, ako sa Japonsko vyvíjalo v modernej ére a aké boli jeho vzťahy s inými národmi. Jeho písanie slúži ako most medzi kultúrami a ponúka čitateľom vhľad do japonskej duše a jej miesta vo svete.
Chivalry in Japan is portrayed as a living force, akin to the cherry blossom, rather than a relic of the past. Despite the disappearance of the societal conditions that nurtured it, chivalry continues to influence the moral landscape, reminiscent of distant stars that still shine despite being gone. The author reflects on this enduring quality, drawing inspiration from Burke's poignant tribute to European chivalry, suggesting that its essence remains vital and impactful in contemporary society.
This edition combines two pivotal works on the Samurai Way: "Bushido: The Soul of Japan," which explores the enduring beauty of chivalry, and "The Book of Five Rings," which discusses various paths, emphasizing the warrior's acceptance of death. Both texts reflect the living essence of Japanese culture.