The Hagakure

A collection of aphorisms and meditations on the samurai code, centered on death before dishonor, loyalty to one's lord, and self-discipline — classic martial-philosophy subject matter that fits philosophy/martial-arts rather than fiction or contemporary nonfiction. The tone is austere, meditative, and uncompromisingly serious throughout; it contains no humor, violence depicted as action (it's a philosophical text, not a narrative), or romance. No tropes apply since this is a non-fiction aphoristic collection with no plot structure.