Remember Death All Year Long

The man who would be a warrior considers it is the most basic intention to keep death always in mind, day and night, from the time he first picks up his chopsticks in celebrating his morning meal on New Year’s Day to the evening of the last day of the year. -Daidoji Yuzan

Remembering death sits as the cornerstone of Bushido philosophy. During Japan’s various warring periods, samurai had to face the reality of death on a regular basis. However, this wasn’t anything unusual at any level of society...