Members of the samurai class adhere to bushi traditions with a renewed interest in Japanese history and cultivating the ways of Confucian scholar-administrators, resulting in the development of the concept of bushido (the way of the warrior).

Another special way of life—chonindo—also emerges.

Chonindo (the way of the townspeople) is a distinct culture that arises in cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, and Edo.

It encourages aspiration to bushido qualities—diligence, honesty, honor, loyalty, and frugality—while blending Shinto, neo-Confucian, and Buddhist beliefs.

Study of mathematics, astronomy, cartography, engineering, and medicine are also encouraged.

Emphasis is placed on quality of workmanship, especially in the arts.

For the first time, urban populations have the means and leisure time to support a new mass culture.

Their search for enjoyment become known as ukiyo (the floating world), an ideal world of fashion and popular entertainment.

Professional female entertainers (geisha), music, popular stories, Kabuki and bunraku (puppet) theater, poetry, a rich literature, and art, exemplified by beautiful woodblock prints (known as ukiyo-e), are all part of this flowering culture.

Literature also flourishes with the talented examples of the playwright Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653-1724) and the poet, essayist, and travel writer Matsuo Basho (1644-94).