One of the most fundamental philosophies of the samurai is that of self-detachment. This detachment allows freedom from fear, which is essential for samurai warriors. In the opening of Hagakure, Tsunetomo states that "the Way of the Samurai is found in death." These are among the greatest and best known expressions of Japanese history, and indeed world history. Samurai should not fear death, it must be accepted. The relationship between the samurai and his master is of the utmost importance, and it is only through detachment that the samurai can fully and properly serve his master. These are two fundamental philosophies of bushido, and both can recall similar ideologies of Buddhism and Confucianism. In Hagakure, great importance is placed on the samurai's approach to death. The relationship between death and samurai cannot be underestimated. Death is inevitable, and an honorable death is the most desirable thing a samurai can hope for. The samurai must live his life as if his body were already dead, and through this “he gains freedom in the Way.” His entire life will be blameless and he will succeed in his vocation.” If a samurai lives his life as if his body is already dead, he will not have to worry about actually dying. Once you have conquered death, the most inevitable and invincible part of existence, then you can conquer everything. If a samurai can conquer this most fundamental thing, then he will succeed in achieving his goal. Death is omnipresent in samurai philosophy, and by understanding this we can make comparisons between the samurai and another important denomination in Japan at the time, the Buddhists. Buddhism teaches... middle of paper ... ...s being courageous, loyal and honorable. During the relatively peaceful Tokugawa period, the samurai were not as busy waging war as in the past, and as such, they had begun to devote their time to other things. Samurai devoted more time to intellectual and artistic pursuits and, thanks in part to Tsunetomo himself, Bushido culture flourished. Bushido became a formal ideology and was reconstituted by the samurai of the time (especially Tsunetomo), in the same way that chivalry had been formalized in Europe. Bushido became a properly formalized code of conduct, a philosophy of loyalty, detachment and honor in death, where death is more revered than victory. Bushido is one of the most influential schools of thought in East Asia. What would Sun Tzu, the Chinese author of The Art of War, think of this military philosophy focused on death? ??