An Indepth Look at Warfare in Medieval Japan in Joseph Conlans' State of War; The Violent Order of Fourteenth Century Japan

From approximately 1000 C.E. to 1600 C. E. The system of feudalism was dominating both Europe and Asia. Lords would give land to warriors in exchange for military services. In Europe, these warriors were called knights, and halfway across the world, in Japan, the warriors were called samurai (Doc. 1). Both the samurai and the knights used feudalism, and both had a code that they followed. Between the codes, feudalism, and even how they prepared for battle, the warrior’s similarities were, without a doubt, greater than their differences.

Knights and Samurai are Far More Alike than They are Different Europe and Japan are 5,313 miles away from one another and their warriors at the time were very similar. The similarities between the two started out by both empires falling and then they both developed feudalism. I think it’s crazy that they two empires so far apart can be so similar, not only their empires but those who protect them. In this essay I will discuss the feudal system,military similarities, and their feelings about death.

Hundreds of centuries ago, in the Middle Ages, people, especially warriors, must learn to fight, dress in tons of armor, and most importantly obey similar codes. These powerful, fierce warriors fought for different empires, in different parts of the world! One group was the European knights and the other obtained the name of Japanese Samurai. Both groups must wear layers of uncomfortable armor, obey difficult codes, and most importantly take part in years of training. Although there are numerous similarities between European knights and Japanese Samurai, some differences need to be discussed.

The Japanese empire was in great power by this time period, and they thought themselves as the king of the East Asian race. Japan, the “old order”, also believed that some day Europe and America would take over their power and become the “new orders”(Doc A). Japan was one

In Giles Milton’s novel, Samurai William, the reader is taken to the other side of the globe to experience the history of old world Japan. Though out the book, Milton provides reason for complex historical events and actions, while still communicating the subtleties and mysterious customs of the Japanese. The novel also closely examines the wide range of relationships between different groups of Europeans and Asians, predominantly revolving around the protagonist, William Adams. The book documents the successes and failures that occur between the two civilizations, then links them back to either the positive or negative relationship they have. As the book goes on, the correlation is obvious. Milton shows us the extreme role that religion,

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the Chinese and Japanese faced much internal conflict, but while China faced a combination of economic setbacks and political weakness, the Japanese were riddled with wars along their countryside. First, the Chinese emperor was too weak in comparison to his bureaucracy, which ended up making most of the decisions for the last Ming dynasty emperor. This was due to the emperor’s realization that having a title as Son

Feudal Japan was a time in Japanese history that lasted from 1185 to 1603 A.D. This influential time included the rise of the bakufu, or tent government, and rule by shōgun. It also included many wars, battles, and introductions of new weapons, ideas, or religions from foreign places. The mentioned introductions included firearms, Buddhism, and Christianity.

The warring states period in Japan was one of constant military dispute. It started in 1467 and went for 136 years and only ended when all the clans unified under the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1603. This period definitely had a large effect in the making of modern Japan because it was a time of growing culture and strong economics. The economy grew despite the wars raging and trade was big this indicates the sophisticated craft and manufacturing industries in Japan. These are the main reasons for the start of the warring states period and how this era affected modern Japan.

The role of tradition within religion in medieval Japanese society was of great significance. Shinto and Zen Buddhism were two of the major religions practiced in medieval Japan. Shinto was mainly concerned with daily life, while Zen Buddhism prepared the people for the life to come. The samurai also followed an important code called Bushido, a form of warrior philosophy. The ancient Japanese religions helped people understand the universe and also provided a connection between the physical world on earth and the spiritual world.

This essay will compare and contrast the Japanese emperor to European pope and Japanese peasants to European peasants.

Lian Hearn’s 2002 “Across the nightingale floor” is set in feudal japan 1800 and displays the warrior culture and traditional artworks, it shows the context of rank and class within japan at that time with the importance of birth ranks and resistance for change in system within the culture. The context of the book shows the values of japan’s feudal era and the social hierarchy. A hierarchy of which people of higher social status were called lords and ladies and those of lower status being sent into servitude.

Heike Monogatari, with its multitude of battles and skirmishes, provides a wonderful chance to analyze the way of the warrior in ancient Japan. There aren't a great number of surviving works from this period that show in such great detail both the brute and the compassion of the Japanese warriors. They followed carefully a distinct set of principles which made up the well-rounded warrior. Loyalty to one's master, bravery and glory in any situation, strength, martial skills, compassion, and interest in the arts were all held with the highest esteem. Few warriors could become well known without possessing each of these skills. Religious beliefs shaped a warrior's behavior tremendously.

Under the dictator Toyotomi Hideyoshi, samurai power reached its most ostentatious development. Balancing progress in civility by continued practice of the military arts, the samurai engaged heavily in national and local administration- simply because they were understood by the rest of Japanese society as those who had the power to resolve conflicts and keep the peace. Himself a samurai, and successful military leader and administrator, Hideyoshi also brought his power onto the social prestige of the high nobility, eventually legitimating himself through the title of kampaku, or imperial regent. Just over four hundred years earlier, at the height of samurai power, amidst the chaos and uncertainty of civil war, the populace of medieval Japan lived under the samurai regime. For more than seven centuries Japan was dominated by this military caste, and today it still greatly influences social moral and spirit. Therefore, it is necessary to some degree to study and understand the actions of the samurai, as it is from this position that Hideyoshi ultimately succeeded in winning the tenka (the realm) and thereby serving as its ruling

The Warrior class were part of the social class in Japan that included Shoguns, Daimyos and Samurais. The Shoguns would rule the Daimyos, who had control over the Samurais. Japan’s warrior class led to a lasting effect, enhanced weapons and effect on the social class which led to the alteration of the warrior class’ roles.

Though worldwide economic depression incited the rise of Japan’s militarism, another factor that caused the militarism was that western threat to sign unequal treaties in the 1850s before the Restoration. (Pyle, 82) At the time of the West’s imperialism, Japan had lots of diplomatic disadvantages because of the West’s unequal treaties. These facts taught Japanese the realities of power politics that strong military force is necessary to strengthen the country and to enrich the colonial success. Therefore, Japan strongly advocated militarism and imperialism and practiced the West’s same imperialistic force to Asian countries such as China, Japan and Russia.