Imagine, more than thousands of years ago a class of professional warriors arose, who swore oaths of loyalty to noble lords and fought to the death to defend them in battle. The time was about 1000-1400 CE (Doc. 1). Both Europe and Japan have feudalistic societies at this point in time (Doc. A). Feudalism was a political, social system that controlled how the classes of people were structured. In other words, how people were respected and who they respected. During this time, in Europe, knights were the protectors who rode on horseback(OI). In Japan, samurai were the warriors and loyal servants who protected their country. The similarities between the knights and samurai warriors were greater than the differences.
To begin, Japan and Europe both had their own individual codes. Japan's code was called, the Bushido code. This code is saying that the samurai is devoting himself to his duty above all, and will be loyal to his master. Europe’s code is called, the code of Chivalry. The code of Chivalry is for the vows of
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In the samurai armor, small iron scales were tied together, then bound into armor plates with silk or leather cords. The samurai helmet bowls were made of 8 to 12 iron plates, below this was a 5-piece neck guard. The samurai did not wear armor on their right arm so that they could easily draw their bows. Lastly, when a samurai’s armor got wet it became very heavy. For the knights armor, tiny metal rings were linked together. As more powerful weapons such as crossbows and longbows became more common, the knights armor was no longer sufficient protection. The knights began to wear complete suits of plate armor constructed of metal. They also wore helmets, gloves and shoes of steel. A knight's armor could weigh up to 60 pounds. Lastly, the armor of the knights and the samurai is similar because they were made of similar material and they were both really heavy (Doc
The Knights of Europe and the Samurai of Japan shared quite a few similarities; however, they do also share many differences. One such similarity would be that both the Knights and the Samurais were brave, strong, and loyal to their cause, especially due to both of their trainings starting at a very young age. An example of a difference would be the samurais having a much lighter armor than knights. This allowed for a more agile army. They also ascended to their titles at separate ages, with samurais being at a mere 14 years of age, and knights being 21.
The codes of the samurai and knights, the code of bushido and the code of chivalry, are very different. For starters, the main characteristics of the code of bushido are loyalty, duty, and physical readiness. A samurai would have to have loyalty and he was devoting himself to duty (OI). Next, The main characteristic of the code of chivalry is courtesy (Doc. E). The code of chivalry was written first, and the difference in years between the codes are 130 years. If a conflict between dealing with a family problem and one involving involving the people he serves, the samurai would have to choose his master (Doc. E). The main similarities between them are loyalty and their duty.
Document A shows the feudal social structures in both Japan and Europe. When defining samurai and knights it read, “Warriors who owned loyalty and military service to daimyos or lord for land,” both samurai and knights were awarded for their pledged loyalty with land for them and their families. Document E states that “both samurai and knights were both expected to abide by a code of honor.” Although the honor code that Japanese warriors followed was different than the one of the European knights, they had the same general idea. A warrior had to be honest, loyal, and just and if they ever ignored or dishonored their duty as a warrior then it would bring shame, not only on them but their whole
The similarities between samurais and knights were greater than the differences due to the similarity in the hierarchy and the armor they used to protect themselves. The Samurai were “warriors who owed loyalty and military service to daimyos for land or regular payment.” They made up about 10% of Japan’s population. Similarly, knights were “warriors who owed loyalty and military service to the lord for land.” (Document A) There were about 12,000 knights in England and Normandy, France in the 12th century. Even though Japan and Europe had no communication or access to each other, both areas placed the warrior classes in the middle of the hierarchy and owed loyalty/military services. This shows that the social order of both Feudal Japan and Feudal
You are a child at the age of 17 being trained by your master. He has taught you many things. Soon you will become a samurai. How do you feel about becoming part of the Japanese army? The time of the knights and the samurai took place at the same time. These people served for their country to help provide protection from enemy armies. They both developed feudalism to keep the land in order. The three ways that the knights and the samurai are more different than the same are: Their code of honor, their type of armor, and their training.
For Japan and Europe, it was a time of trouble…Document “In the late 400’s both Europe and Japan created a feudal system in order to keep peace in the land. Lords acquired large estates of land. They granted some of their lands to lesser nobles, whom promised to fight when conflicts arose.” Background Essay DBQ. So where the similarities greater, or were the differences greater? The samurai and knights were more similar than different in three broad areas, social position, training and armor and the code of honor.
Have you ever completed a puzzle? Medieval Japan and Europe were really two giant puzzles. Both of the puzzles were solved using the same cheat sheet called feudalism, Japan puzzle was solved in late 1100s’ by the first shogun, Minamoto. In Europe the Pope solved the puzzle using the feudalism cheat sheet some time before the Minimoto solved the puzzle, to better control over Europe. Each developed a warrior class that was new to the world, Europe developed the knight while, Japan created the Samurai. So were the similarities greater than the differences??? We will explore this question in three categories Social Position, Training and Armor and Honor and Death.
The 11th and 12th century was a very difficult time for Europe and Japan. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe was in trouble. Decline in population, a reduction in construction, and smaller amounts of food were only some of the negative effects. In Japan, the emperor was weakening and daimyos were rising to power. Because of these hard times, both Europe and Japan created a system. In this new feudal system, Europe and Japan each had their version of a warrior. In Japan, the warriors were called samurai, and in Europe the warriors were called knights. Surprisingly, there were extremely similar elements when it came to the two fighters. But we’re the similarities greater than the differences?
DBQ Essay: Knights and Samurai Did you know that samurai and knight have many things in common? During the feudal period in both Japan and Europe, a warrior class developed during the middle ages, despite Japan and Europe being separated by a continent and having different traditions. The similarities between knights and samurai were greater because of their military roles, social positions, and ideas of honor and death. The first similarity between samurais and knights is their social position.
One way was the armour they wore. The samurai wore iron scales tied together, lacquered and then bound into armour plates with silk or leather cords.(Doc.D) The helmet was made of 8-12 iron plates, and below it was a 5-piece neck guard. (Doc.D) If you look at the samurai armour it doesn’t have many flaws, unless you get it wet because then it gets heavy and extremely droopy. (Doc.D) Now the knights armour during the 1200s, they wore armour made of chainmail tiny metal rings linked together. (Doc.D) Chainmail was very effective against weapons like bows and swords.(OI) The knights armour had a humongous problem though, it weighed in from about 40- 60 pounds.(Doc.D) One difference between their armour was the samurai had armour everywhere, but their right arm so the could draw their swords super fast.(Doc.D) The knights on the other hand, they wore full body armour for full protection.(Doc.D) Last, is the feudal societies of Europe and
From approximately 1000-1600 ce knights and samurai existed in Europe and Asia. Although they were around the same time period they were different. Knights were the European warriors and the samurai were the Japanese warriors. Although they are both warriors their codes and the way of preparing for battle were different. The similarities may look like they are great but there are small specific differences between the knights and samurai.
There are many similarities between the samurai of medieval Japan and the knights of medieval Europe, especially considering their training, armor, and code. For example, Document A and B discuss the samurai and knights start their training at an early age, they also had training that taught loyalty, and finally they both got raked up when they were fourteen years old, but the knights became squires and the samurai in training became samurai. However, the samurai read poetry in hidden places, and they practiced Kendo and Zen Buddhism. According to Document A “The young warriors studied Kendo, the moral code of the samurai, and Zen Buddhism.” The knights learned horse skills when they were younger and how to ride a horse and pony at a young
While there are many reasons why samurais should claim victory, moral codes had effect the samurai’s life forever. In document E written by Yamaga Soko, it states, “The business of the samurai...in discharging loyal service to his master...in devoting himself to duty.” This means that they give their entire lives to their civilization and complete faithfulness. To explain the topic even more, another piece of text evidence was located in document E written by Yamaga Soko, it says “within his heart he keeps to the ways of peace, but without he keeps his weapons ready for use. So even though weapons are on the warrior at all times, he must use care and not only codes have the advantage.
Both Knights and Samurai were expected to follow abide which was a code of honor. Japan's code of honor was Bushido and in Europe there code of honor was similar and it was called Chivalry which was stated on document E.Both Samurai and Knights took some sort of vows or show their loyalty they both had to devote themselves to their duties and have no associations with friends. On the Knights side of things they had to be loyal to the king and to give mercy to those asking it they had to be helpful to ladies and to fight in no wrongful quarrel. If they were to break these rules they both could be upon
There are many similarities between the armor of the samurai and the armor of the knight, especially considering their training, code, and honor For example, Documents and B discuss how they both use fake swords for training. However knights used sticks and samurais would use bamboo instead. According to Document A,B,”There he ran errands and practiced with wooden swords”and”The young warriors studied Kendo (the art of fencing with bamboo sticks)” Another similarity in Document C and D is what the samurai's armor is made up of and what the knights armor is made up of. Although, the samurai armor is lighter and is made of iron, and the knights armor is made of steel and weighs about 40-60 lbs. Documents C,D states,”In samurai armor, small iron