The way of the samurai is to hold to honor
In loyalty to a lord with truth as his crest,
Not to doubt at the crossroads,
With a sword in every direction,
With an unturning brow.

Constant resolve to cut evil short,
To feel it at your back, to keep watch in sleep,
Not to sell yourself, and to love nobly —
Of these threads the years and days are woven.

The baseness of betrayal
To manage to stand against.
Not to perish in shame,
But to truly live,
Even after death not to drop the weapon,
Not to let it go from cooling hands.