Essay on Japanese Feudalism

During the middle ages both Europe and Japan experienced feudalism. The feudal system in both social structures was very similar and different. The system of feudalism in Europe and Japan was a system that had similar roles for the nobles,and the peasants.Both cultures had warriors who defended the people of our country.They follow certain codes of honor. The feudal system has many similarities but also consisted of many differences.

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

During the sixteenth century, both the Ottoman and Tokugawa Japanese empires had political and economic similarities and differences. Politically, these empires were alike because both had centralized bureaucracy but different because they had very distinct ways of keeping order within their empires. Economically, they were similar because both depended on trade yet different because of their willingness to trade. After close analysis the Tokugawa Japanese empire was more successful economically.

Political, social, and economic aspects influenced the rise of the Empire of Japan, and their effects created the ways in which Japan interacted with its people and the world around it. Politically, the Meiji Restoration of the mid-1800s to the early 1900s set the stage for the growth that took place to make Japan an Empire, including the transformation of the views on the emperor. These views on the emperor helped to create a social change: the anger of the Japanese government and people about the lack of representation for Japan in world treaties and in the League of Nations. This caused extreme patriotism. Japan was economically changed by the advancements into China after Japan’s Great Depression. This military advancement opened the door for much more and was based on the Japanese’s intense nationalistic views.

The samurai were the feudal warriors of ancient Japan. For thousands of years they upheld the code of bushido, the way of the warrior. Samurai were around for thousands of years, but when did they disappear? Does the code of bushido still exist to this day? Exploring the history of the samurai will give an explanation to what has happened to these formidable warriors.

Feudal Japan and Ming China were two times in history within these similar countries, that have been around since ancient times. These countries have similar and different traditions, a way of doing things, that have defined them as a civilization and a world power. The Japanese and Chinese had times where select families or people were in control, dynasty, because of their ranks and their abilities, in addition their social classes were similar in the way they treated people, and how people treated other people depending on their jobs and their status. There were the shoguns,a hereditary commander-in-chief in feudal Japan, and in China there were the emperors, the ones ruling the empire (land), these were the people that were at the top

starts of with the emperor. The emperor is at the top with his family. The emperor is an important religious figure, he swapped lands swapped land with nobles exchange for their support for he couldn't handle all the land far far away from him. In the shogunate period the emperor didn't have much power for the shoguns had basically controlled the government.

Social Positions: The first area of important similarities in Japan and Europe where social positions. In document A - The social pyramids showed how the societies were structured, in Japan and Europe. The samurai and the knight’s were always above the peasants and the traders/ merchants. Then on top of the samurai’s and the knights were the Daimyos or the Lesser Lords. Next in the social pyramid it has the lord or the Shogun. In Europe, they have a King then the Pope, in Japan they have an emperor. These similarities are significant because they show how feudalism is in both Japan and Europe.

Both Japan and Western Europe practiced feudalism and they were both unusually successful in industrial development. They are both also proven adept at running capitalist economies, so the political accomplishments of both Japan and Western Europe have matched their economic achievements.

For both Europe and Japan, feudalism was a social ranking where knights were middle ranking and would get land and pay from lords and daimyos. In exchange, the warriors had to fight and defend the lords and daimyos. As said before, the fighters were middle ranking so they were above the serf, or peasants, but below the lords and daimyos (Doc. A). Likewise, the samurai and knights would give the peasants and slaves food and shelter in exchange for labor services (OI). Here is another reason of why the knights and samurai’ similarities were greater than their

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

Throughout History, there have been many different groups or events that are still widely known today. Groups of people such as the Indians or Vikings are popular groups which are referenced constantly in today’s society. However, none of these groups is more known or referenced than the Japanese Samurai. Originating in 646 AD, these Japanese warriors developed from a loose organization of farmers to the dominant social class in Feudal Japan. Along with their dominant military and political standing, the samurai brought with them a unique code or moral belief that became the core of Samurai culture. Because of this, the Samurai and their principles still affect modern day Japanese society with social customs today

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

Western Influence on Japan Japan, as a nation, is a continually changing society. Ever since western nations became involved with Japan, its changes over recent times have increased at a substantial rate. Japan now faces cultural, economical and social differences as a result of the western involvement. The involvement was initiated by the Japanese themselves, beginning during the Meiji Period1 through current times.

Between 1968 and 1912, Japan was going through a reformation called Meiji Restoration in order make the country strong as western countries. It had caused changes in many parts of Japan such as society, government, military, etc. Some of these changes still can be seen in the Japanese society today such as emperors are honored by Japanese citizens and seen as a special figure. Since this reformation had a great impact on development of Japan, it can be consider as a very important part of Japanese history.This study will seek to answer the question: To what extent did the Meiji Restoration succeeded to reform and strengthen Japan? In order to answer the question, the investigation will analyze military reform and economic reform caused by