Front: “Bushido” · Honor · Courage · Honesty · Compassion · Integrity · Loyalty · Respect
Back: “The Way of the Warrior · Seven Virtues. One Path.”
At a glance
- Theme: a personal code of honor, the seven virtues of the samurai
- Good for: setting standards for yourself, leadership, martial arts milestones
- Gift for: dojo students and instructors, black belt tests, a leader who lives by a code
- Finishes: Antique Bronze (brass alloy), Antique Copper (solid copper)
- Size: 39 mm, about 1 oz, die struck in the USA
The meaning
Bushido, the way of the warrior, is the code of conduct associated with the samurai. Nitobe Inazo's 1899 book Bushido: The Soul of Japan made it known around the world, and its seven virtues are on the front of this coin: honor, courage, honesty, compassion, integrity, loyalty and respect.
You don't need a sword to live by them. They are a checklist for an ordinary day: did I tell the truth, did I keep my word, did I treat people well?
The design
The front shows a samurai in full armor holding his katana, each virtue written in Japanese kanji with its English name beside it, and a torii gate below. On the back, a banner marked with the kanji for bushido flies beside a blossoming cherry branch, with The Way of the Warrior around the edge.
On good days and hard days
- On good days, it keeps you true to your code: honor, courage, honesty, compassion, integrity, loyalty, respect.
- On hard days, when a situation tests your character, it reminds you of the way of the warrior: seven virtues, one path.
Carry it
People keep it in a pocket through the workday to stay focused, or beside their gear at the dojo. One customer already had the seven virtues tattooed on their arm and wanted them in a pocket too.
Give it
It is a natural gift for martial arts students and teachers. One dojo ordered them for its high ranking students to hand out at the school's 30th anniversary, during a visit from the headmaster from Japan. It also suits a new team leader or anyone who values a personal code.
Specs
- Diameter: 1.54 in (39 mm), about the size of a silver dollar
- Thickness: 2.7 mm
- Weight: about 1 oz (28 g)
- Material: brass alloy (Antique Bronze) or solid copper (Antique Copper)
- Made: die struck, minted in the USA
- Each coin is antiqued with a special patina so it looks like it has already been in circulation. The patina never settles the same way twice, so no two coins look exactly alike. Small variations in color and shading are normal, and they are what make your coin one of a kind.
Questions
What are the seven virtues of bushido?
Honor, courage, honesty, compassion, integrity (rectitude), loyalty and respect. All seven are on the front of this coin.
Is this a good black belt gift?
Yes. It is a common gift for belt promotions and dojo anniversaries.
What is the difference between the Bushido and Samurai Spirit coins?
Bushido is about the code: the seven virtues. Samurai Spirit is about resilience: fall seven times, stand up eight.
Care: keep it dry and wipe it with a soft cloth. No polishing needed; the aged finish is part of the look.
Original design by EDC Reminder Coins, protected by copyright. We don't take custom orders.