Seiyoyoroku

The Seiyōyōroku (Summary of Holy Teachings) is a significant work by Yamaga Sokō, a Japanese Confucian philosopher and military strategist of the 17th century. This text is a summary of his critique of Neo-Confucianism, advocating for a return to earlier Confucian teachings that he believed were more suitable for the samurai class.1

Yamaga argued that samurai should not only be prepared for military service but also serve as moral exemplars for society, emphasizing righteousness and duty. His ideas formed a core part of Bushidō, the code of warriors that guided Japan's military through the Tokugawa period and beyond. The Seiyōyōroku was published in 1665 and, due to its challenge to Tokugawa authority, led to Yamaga's banishment. His philosophy later influenced Japanese nationalism.1