Harmony is to be valued, and an avoidance of wanton opposition to be honored. all men are influenced by class feelings, and there are few who are intelligent. hence there are some who disobey their lords and fathers, or who maintain feuds with neighboring villages. but when those above are harmonious and those below are friendly, and there is concord in the discussion of business, right view of things spontaneously gain acceptance. from shotoku, the seventeen article constitution, 604 ce:

when you begin to think of yourself, you’ll get irritated at your parents’ concern and defy their instructions. even if your parents may be stupid, if you obey their instructions, at least you won’t be violating the principle of nature. from shiba yoshimasa, advice to young samurai, 14001.

1. the above passages reflect:

(a). the influence of confucian beliefs borrowed from china in japan.

(b). the bushido code of the samurai.

(c) the rejection of chinese influence in japanese court life.

(d) the uniqueness of japan as the “middle kingdom.”