Hojo Shigetoki and His Precepts for the Descendants

The article introduces translation of 'The Gokurakuji Letter' (Gokurakuji-dono goshosoku) by Hojo Shigetoki in Russian. This text written in 13th century is one of the earliest extent buke kakun or warriors' family percepts. Hojo Shigetoki (1198-1261) was a top-ranking official, noble warrior and near kinsman with real rulers of this time. In some ways Shigetoki was a middleman between old aristocracy from Kyoto and newly raised warrior's class. Through 'The Gokurakuji Letter' instructions Shigetoki's views as political and religious thinker can be examined. Warrior should hallow gods and buddhas, bring up in himself "an upright and honest heart", shojiki-no kokoro. He also should be temperate in all wishes and things, respect others, be merciful and thoughtful, do not trouble somebody else and so on; thereby he will be able to make success and not to harm himself. If one lived modestly and rightful life he ipso facto makes a happy life for his descendants and could attain the mental state of "awakened mind", bodaishin. 'The Gokurakuji Letter' is not simply a collection of real-life recommendations, but one of the earliest in Japanese history attempt to define warrior by means of ethical system, uses moral concept, the chief being the terms 'duty' and 'shame'. Shigetoki's ideas had a great influence on development of later warrior's worldview, their ethics and self-determination. And this worldview during centuries played a leading role in philosophical thought and Japanese culture in whole.