義
righteousness · justice · morality · honor · loyalty · meaning
Details
Description
Justice/Righteousness - moral principle of samurai, honor.
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
Sheep + I/self
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of sheep and self. Self as pure as sheep.
Symbolism
Righteousness, morality, loyalty. Represents Confucian ethics and proper conduct.
Spiritual Meaning
Represents righteous conduct and moral duty, core bushido value. High spirituality willing to sacrifice self.
Anime & Manga
鋼の錬金術師
はがねのれんきんじゅつし
Fullmetal Alchemist(2009)
Depicts brotherhood bonds and 'equivalent exchange' justice
View on Amazon →BLEACH
ぶりーち
Bleach(2004)
Byakuya Kuchiki's conflict between duty and emotion
View on Amazon →キングダム
きんぐだむ
Kingdom(2012)
Chinese Warring States epic with honor-bound warriors
View on Amazon →Games
龍が如く 維新！極
Like a Dragon: Ishin!(2023)
Story of honor and friendship among Bakumatsu patriots
View on Amazon →Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
人道主義
じんどうしゅぎ
humanism; humanitarianism; humanism
大義名分
たいぎめいぶん
just cause; good reason; pretext; just cause
博愛主義
はくあいしゅぎ
philanthropism; philanthropism
利己主義
りこしゅぎ
egoism; egotism; selfishness; egoism
敵本主義
てきほんしゅぎ
diversionary tactics; concealing one's true motives until the last moment; diversionary tactics
耽美主義
たんびしゅぎ
aestheticism; aestheticism
温情主義
おんじょうしゅぎ
paternalism; paternalism
独善主義
どくぜんしゅぎ
self-righteousness; self-righteousness
義理一遍
ぎりいっぺん
perfunctory; going-through-the-motions-sort of (invitation, gift, etc.); perfunctory
義理人情
ぎりにんじょう
duty and humanity; (a sense of) moral obligation and humane feelings; duty and humanity
主義主張
しゅぎしゅちょう
one's principles and position; one's principles and position
断章取義
だんしょうしゅぎ
interpreting (and using) a passage without regard to its context; interpreting (and using) a passage without regard to its context
Proverbs & Idioms
義を見てせざるは勇なきなり
ぎをみてせざるはゆうなきなり
To see what is right and not do it is lack of courage
Knowing what's right but failing to act is cowardice
仁義礼智信
じんぎれいちしん
Benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, trust
The five Confucian virtues that guide human conduct
Related Figures
上杉謙信
(うえすぎけんしん)Sengoku daimyo known as warrior of 'righteousness'
Dragon of Echigo. Famous for sending salt to his enemy