The 7 Virtues of Bushido (Part 7): CHUGI (Duty and Loyalty)

Warriors are responsible for everything that they have done and everything that they have said, and all of the consequences that follow. They are immensely loyal to all of those in their care.

• Dictionary definition of Duty: Moral obligation. The compulsion felt to meet such obligation.

• Dictionary definition of Loyal: Steadfast in allegiance to one’s homeland, government, or sovereign. Faithful to a person, ideal, or custom.

Early in my training when I was first introduced to take-downs (osoto gari), I was working with someone and happened to glance up and notice Sensei across the mat on the other side of the room. I quickly turned back to my partner to receive a throw; and then suddenly Sensei was right there, correcting my stance, saving me from a very hard fall. His shout was so loud that I was forced to pay attention and correct my stance immediately.

My first reaction was shock that he had seemingly magically materialized from across a large space, and then appreciation that he had seen my error and moved instantly to help me avoid what might have been a small personal catastrophe for a beginner.

Magic tricks aside, this is an excellent example of what I think of as loyalty “to all of those in one’s care.” I knew from that moment that I could trust this man with my life. Clearly his loyalty to all his students, even one he scarcely knew, was a living force active within him. And so now this is the standard by which I measure the last of the seven virtues as demonstrated on the mat in my school.