Cultures of the World Could be Transformed
By Simple, Proven Training Method
Boyé Lafayette De Mente
(BNS) -- I believe that modern-day samurai-type training should be introduced into all public educational systems worldwide, and have published a “samurai training manual” to help achieve that goal.
On the basis of personal experience in Japan since the late 1940's and having researched and written more than 30 cultural-insight books on Japan, I have identified the principles and practices that made up the educational and training process of samurai youths and published them in a book entitled: Samurai Principles & Practices That Will Help Preteens & Teens in School, Sports, Social Activities & Choosing Careers.
The book covers all of the basics of the samurai training—setting goals, discipline, diligence, perseverance, respect for others and one’s self, personal appearance, keeping things in order, living frugally, using intuitive and emotional intelligence, and tapping into cosmic power.
Japan’s famous samurai warriors ruled the country from 1192 until 1868. During the latter centuries of their reign their training went beyond martial arts to include such cultural pursuits as poetry, painting, calligraphy, history, philosophy and social behavior, making them one of the most remarkable groups of people the world has ever seen.
Schooling in the skills and knowledge necessary to produce a samurai began in early childhood, and was a lifelong effort--a concept that has just begun to emerge into the conscious of all people everywhere as the need for ongoing training and learning becomes more and more imperative.
Training in modern-day karate, kendo (“the way of the sword”) and meditation are paths to learning the skills, morality and motivation that made the samurai so successful, and I recommend that this training be incorporated into the educational systems of all countries around the world.
The present-day systems of parenting and educating in the U.S. and elsewhere obviously fail to provide the physical, intellectual and emotional framework that youths need to even approach their full potential—and that now includes Japan.
The introduction of American culture into Japan following the end of World War II in 1945 resulted in the virtual demise of samurai-type training of the young within a single generation. The negative effects of this cultural shift were painfully conspicuous by the 1980s, prompting a growing number of Japanese to individually take up training in karate and kendo and the practice of meditation to reintroduce a sense of order and spiritual power into their lives.
It was the spirit of the samurai that made it possible for tiny resource-poor Japan to become the world’s second largest economy in less than 30 years, and if that spirit is not retained, the country will eventually become just another kid on the block.
Parents and teachers must take the lead in creating the environment necessary to build positive samurai-like qualities into the mindset and behavior of students -- as is indicated in the "kicker head" on my samurai training manual: "For Parents, Teachers, Preteens & Teens."
The book should be especially interesting to the millions of students who are into Japanese-made manga (comics), video games, super secret agent ninjas, and samurai films.
Copyright © 2007 by Boyé Lafayette De Mente
__________________________________________
Samurai Principles & Practices that Will Help Preteens & Teens in School, Sports, Social Activities & Choosing Careers, by Boyé Lafayette De Mente. Trade paperback, 6x9, 84 pages. ISBN: 0-914778-99-4. $9.95. [Trade distributors: Ingram Book Company; Baker & Taylor. Direct to consumer: Amazon.com, etc.]
For a full list of titles by the author (each one with a link to Amazon.com's buy page) see his personal website: www.phoenixbookspublishers.com.
