Feudal Japan Research Paper

Feudalism in Japan and Europe are different. Although feudalism arose because both societies were in need for security and stability, feudalism in Japan arose because of civil rivalry while feudalism in Europe arose because of invasions. The systems were the same because the lords had to lessen their responsibilities and required armies to protect them. Trust was needed between lords and their

It is an axiom of human nature that as long as there is an abundance of food, there will be class and government structures. Often, the wealthy rule over the poor and the poor work for the wealthy. Feudalism is one such governing style that bows to this truth. Feudalism was born in medieval Europe and Japan and heavily influenced their cultures and traditions. Feudalism founded itself upon the idea that the wealthy nobles owned the land and gifted it to vassals, who in turn were loyal to the nobles and allowed peasants to work the land, who then intern received protection. Because both societies circumscribed to the same form of government (that is feudalism), there will be similarities in class structure; however, European and Japanese feudalism

European feudalism was based on contract and Japanese feudalism was based on personal relationship with the lord and vassal. This helps prove that the differences between European and Japanese feudalism made limited government more likely to develop in the West because a contract limits what the lords and vassals could do. William, the king of English, said, “I command you [the vassal] to summon all those who are under your charge......and bring ready with you those five knights that you owe me[.]”1 This helps prove that European feudalism was based on contract because when you owe someone something, it implies an agreement. The key terms are I command you and owe. The vassal has to send troops because he has to. He is under the rule of

    Japan is a country of many cultures. Japan’s most renowned is the art of the samurai and currently, urbanization. Due to the American occupation in the pacific, Japanese moved from a cultural masterpiece, to an eastern constitutional monarchy. Which is generally effected by a western influence.

An argument that has been fought for hundreds of years is the idea that Japan used to be a feudal society. Along with this, historians still debate over whether comparative history is good and beneficial for human knowledge and the use of history. Both sides of each idea have facts that both support and disprove the other. Considering each side of the argument, was Japan truly a feudal society, and does comparative history matter? Feudalism was meant to sum up the historical experience of the residents of Western Europe during the Middle Ages (Farris). Japan was a feudal society because of its use of officials and their land, the lack of use of money in the economy, and the samurai, and this supports the idea of comparative history.

The element of the the existence of feudalism in Japan faces contradicting views from different historians. Some argue that this kind of system did not exist while others agree on the contrary. One of the factors that lead to contradiction is the inadequacy of historical materials related to medieval Japan (Hall, 36). A section of historians relies on materials on feudalism in medieval Europe. It is important to note that there is a different between the way feudalism took place in Europe and Japan. Note that these two regions differ in cultural and social values. In such case, there was a sharp difference between the two governing systems (Karl, 187). However, there are various elements of feudalism that were common in both regions. The existence

Many people when they are young learn about the spectacular tales of knights and samurais fighting for their lands and protecting the people. Their actions back then even inspire others to try to do the same in their everyday lives. However, many don’t know how samurai and knights came to be and their true role in society. In the middle ages starting around the 5th century both Western Europe and Japan were facing a sharp decline in power by invasions, clans, and a weaker kingdoms. To reestablish order in both societies they adopted a feudalistic system.

In Kamakura Japan, the local magnate enjoyed certain privileges since military hierarchies formed around its leadership. Clan ties and military allegiances also possessed numerous informal hierarchies. The existence of Shogun, a high military position also enjoyed certain legal powers such as grants of rights to land as well as an official title (Mass, 84). All these aspects describe feudalism which was in existence in Kamakura Japan in 1192. Establishment of Kamakura therefore provides relevant historical evidence concerning the origin of feudalism in Japan. The rise of Kamakura contributed to the dissolution of the imperial system which relied on the civil administration. It paved the way to absolute feudalism that saw the introduction of

What is European feudalism and Japanese feudalism? European feudalism involved Kings, knights, and peasants. First the King would give a part of his land to his knights in return the knights would promise loyalty and military aid to the king. Next the knights would grant peasants part of their land and in return the peasants would return loyalty and promise homage. This gave everyone a win win situation for all parties. Japanese feudalism how ever is a little different though. According to chegg study, “Japanese feudalism was organized around a four-tiered social structure, with the samurai warrior class at the top. Below them ranked farmers (including fisherman), and then artisans, with merchants and shopkeepers at the bottom. This hierarchy was due to Confucian ideals, which emphasized the importance of individuals who produced things.” Unlike European feudalism farmers were given a higher rank because they put people who produced things on top. Merchants were seen as evil, liars, and greedy therefore they were placed at the bottom. For starters European feudalism started in 800’s CE and appeared in Japan in 1100’s. European and Japanese feudalism were politically similar and different. For starters they both used the same warfare style and weaponry. According to thoughtco.com, “Both knights and samurai rode horses into battle, used swords and wore armor.” The only difference are the materials that each armor is made out of. For knights their armor is full metal which weighs them down while Samurai armor is made of leather or metal plates. The biggest difference we’re the disadvantages that knights suffered from heavy armor. According to thoughtco.com, “European knights were almost immobilized by their armor, needing help up on to their horses, from where they would simply try to knock their opponents off their mounts.” While the Japanese had a better advantage due to their lightweight armor. According to thoughtco.com, “Samurai, in contrast, wore light-weight armor that allowed for quickness and maneuverability, at the cost of providing much less protection.” Even though both are very different each had their of advantages as well the knights were more protected while Samurais were faster. Another major

Many factors tie together to form Japan’s climate. The latitudinal extent of Japan is one of the main influences of the half cold half hot climate of Japan. The mountainous backbone of the islands is the physical feature that affects

The start of feudalism in Japan is widely debated as some historians argue that it started when the government was controlled by the military class, which would be at the end of the Heian period in 1185. Others consider the true beginning of feudalism in Japan to be in 1192 at the beginning of the Kamakura Period but the common consensus is that it consists of four main time periods, the Kamakura, Muromachi, Azuchi and the Edo period which also marks the end of the

Because of the limited amount of Japanese land, the richer people of Japan began to pay for land reclamation projects. They began to gain more land, which also gave them more power. The land needed to be protected, so they hired samurais to guard the land and peasants to farm it. This resulted in the feudalism system.

“Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace,”(12 famous Confucius quotes on education and learning, 1). This quote is a good representation of the benefits of education. In medieval Japan, education started to take center stage. First, this essay will focus on why education was needed at that time. Second, it will state how it transformed over many centuries. Finally, it will provide information of education’s impact on society. Without the help of education, people would not have been able to progress in many ways.

Imagine being a samurai or a warrior you're receiving the samurai training and you want to help your community. The samurai was around 1603, since he was a samurai they get their training from their families especially from their parents. The samurai was important because they help and protect their kingdoms because they are warriors.

Japan is located in East Asia. It is an Archipelago, or group of islands, that extends into the Pacific Ocean. It lies between 24 degrees to 46 degrees north latitude and from 123 degrees to 146 degrees east longitude. It is East of Korea and separated by the Sea of Japan and East-Northeast of China and Taiwan, separated by the East China Sea. Japan’s territory is approximately 377,923.1 sq mi. According to the October 2010 Census, Japan’s population was larger than it has ever been at 128,057,354. March 2012 census states that the population was approximately 157,650,000. Recently passed years, Japan has experienced population loss due to the rise of failing birth rates and decline of immigration rates.