Compare And Contrast European And Japanese Feudalism

Tokugawa Japan + Medieval Europe Medieval Europe and Tokugawa Japan lived in seclusion to each other, and yet there were many uncanny similarities between Tokugawa Japan and Medieval Europe. In Medieval Europe there were many key features of the social system that were introduced at the time. The social system of Medieval Europe was called Feudalism. Feudalism puts the King in charge of everything and everyone, with barons and nobles underneath him. The nobles provide loyalty and knights to the king in return for land to control.

The societies of Tokugawa Japan (c.1603-1867C.E.) and medieval Europe (c.1000-1500C.E.) had two things in common; a feudal system. A feudal system is something that features hierarchies or social structures. The feudal system normally starts with a religion, which is at the very top of the social pyramid, then it’s the King or monarch for Europe and the shogun for Japan, then there are the nobles for Europe and the daimyos for Japan. As we go down the pyramid there are the warriors, like the knight in Europe and the samurai in Japan, then there are the peasants. The peasants were included in both eras and are at the lowest part of the pyramid.

Feudalism was a key component of life for those in both Western Europe and Japan. The two systems developed independently from each other yet still held a multitude of similarities. However, their many differences out shadow the unique parallels they shared. The major discrepancies between the two are found in each’s code, structure and regulations.

Warfare affected the development of the medieval Japanese state by creating and sustaining a hierarchy of powerful elites that would later form the basis of medieval Japanese statehood which was largely based on relationship to the top of the hierarchy, preservation of peace, loyalty and defence against external aggressors. The existing, more stable formation was more open to foreign ideas and also fought wars in defence of the medieval Japanese population. Chronic warfare led to the ruling elite factions realizing that much more needed to be done to ensure a stable society and also to protect their interests. With establishment of armed forces fighting for the imperial court such as the Samurai, a new consciousness emerged with warriors at the centre of it, leading to some nationalist pride and patriotism that led to the formation of the mediaeval Japanese

The following is a compilation of the two countries, and their versions of the feudal system. Feudal Japan and feudal Europe had contrasting social hierarchies. Feudal Europe’s hierarchy was based on religion and wealth, whereas feudal Japan’s hierarchy was based on military and necessities (Doc A). Lords in Japan were not a

(Carrol) Japan was very traditional during the Tokugawa Shogunate; there were a number of changes under the shogun rule in Japan which were very similar to those seen in the industrial revolution in England. The shogun also tried to close japan to western influence, by prohibiting things such as Christianity

Since Europe was in a such a bad state and there was no social order leading to the creation of feudalism. Feudalism was a social, political, and economical system in which nobles were granted the use of land that legally belonged to the kings in return for giving loyalty and military service for the king, which is evidenced in document #1. The Age of Feudalism helped to bring the society together after its fall. With feudalism, the people of the Medieval Europe would be provided with protection and security in return for the use of the granted land. This shows how feudalism allowed for people to rely on each other.

Youssef Marakby ID:900130817 Instructor: Richard Byford Rhet 1020 The Samurai’s affect on Japan’s culture For many years, the legendary Japanese samurai warriors showed that they are the most well known class of ancient Japan and also known with their supremacy of honor, service, and duty which the Japanese society still have today. The samurai helped lay the foundations of Japan 's culture.

Samurai and Knights: Were the Similarities Greater Than the Differences? Japan and Europe had unique lifestyles, one part being its military. It consisted of archers, who wielded bows and skilled swordsmen, called samurai. In Europe however, their military consisted of archers and swordsmen called knights. These two military figures share many similarities between each other, outweighing the differences.

Japan’s rich history of power, wealth, and influence had many remarkable eras. One of the more notable periods in Japanese history was that of the Tokugawa Period (1600-1868). The Tokugawa Period was talked about in Musui’s Story, an autobiographical book, written by Kokichi Katsu. (Katsu ix) Katsu wrote Musui’s Story for three main reasons: to share how he had transformed from a low-ranking samurai to a well-known hero, to show his sense of self, and to serve as a cautionary tale for his descendants. He showed his sense of self when he became his own person with spirits, shrewdness, and imagination. (xviii) His transformation was proven in his journey of risk taking, danger, family, and friendships that can be told the next generation as well

In terms of political and social structures, manorialism and feudalism were two major ones in Western Europe. Manorialism was a system of reciprocal economic and political obligations between landlords and peasants. Most individuals were serfs living on self-sufficient agricultural estates, also known as manors. In return for protection, they gave lords part of their crops and provided labor services. (p.215) Years later, Western Europe became very prosperous, and this prosperity promoted political change, influenced by structures established in more unstable times.

Measuring the similarities and differences of knights and samurai is difficult, but the differences far out way the similarities. The homes of the samurai and the knights have a different social order. According to Document A, feudal Japan had seven classes. At the very bottom were the merchants, then the artisans and trade people. About 80% of the population was made up of the next class, peasant farmers.

Samurai were warrior class who lived by an unwritten code called “Bushido.” They fought for the large landowners called Daimyo, they worked for the Daimyo’s protection and against other powerful landowners. The Samurai was taught the values and traditions, and had to be educated in literature and writing. Therefor samurai were also trained in meditation and fighting techniques such as archery, swordsmanship, and martial arts.

The Tokugawa Shogunate (leaders) were fearful of foreign aggression and the spread of Christianity. Most foreigners and all priests were expelled from the country, and the citizens of Japan were forbidden

The importance of Tokugawa Leyasu taking control included the fact of the Tokugawa shogonate being established bringing along with it 264 years of peace and order. Huge changes which occurred during the reign of the tokugawa family including the introduction of a strict class system and the control of the ruling daimyo families which also made maintaining peace in Japan very easy. Japan 's increased trade and tourism contributed positively to the wealth and success of Japan. These rapid economical and social changes in Japanese society helped to prepare for fast modernization in the following time period. Tokugawa Leyasu had a significant impact on Japan as he established the tokugawa shogunate which brought wealth, peace and education to Japan.