 The most commonly used references to Confucianism in Japanese history, traditional and modern, are the terms Jugaku and Jukyō. In these, Ju is the Japanese reading of the Chinese word Ru, literally referring to “weaklings.” The latter was a reference to scholars who tended to work with their minds rather than their bodies and were, as a result, perceived as being weaker. The term was used by later scholars in explaining the teachings of Confucius (551–479 B.C.E.). Acceptance of the term partly reflected Confucius’ distaste for coercive force as opposed to the softer power of ethical examples and the allegedly irresistible efficacy of moral suasion.