Compare And Contrast Samurai And Japanese Feudalism

The word feudalism comes from the Latin word ‘feudum,’ meaning fief. Feudalism is a system in which nobles or lords are granted use of lands that legally belong to the king, in exchange for their loyalty, military service. The one of the king’s obligations is to protect his vassals. Although feudalism in Europe had started earlier, the feudal systems of Japan and Europe are somewhat alike. Both feudal systems were developed as a response to the need for security and stability. In Europe, the eastern part of the Roman Empire lived in continuous fear of constant invasions by Germanic, Islamic and Magyars tribes. Therefore people started to abandoned the cities and settle in the countryside where local lords started to form their own army and protect people in exchange for their loyalty and military service. In Japan, the feudal system was formed because local warlords battled with each other for territory and power and same as In Europe people needed protection. In both civilizations, because of the power and wealth of these lords, peasants were left vulnerable and dependent on them. European and Japanese feudalism were indistinguishable in the social structure. The
Both were the elite warriors of their time and place. The lives of knights and samurai were, in many ways, very similar. Both had to be loyal to their lords. These lords expected them to fight well and to be fearless in battle. The lords also expected their knights or samurai to live disciplined and honorable lives. Both European knights and Japanese samurai had to follow strict codes of honor of behavior. The Japanese code of the samurai was called Bushido and European code of the knights was called Chivalry. Both codes required knights and samurais to be brave and loyal but humble and modest at the same time. It also required them to be kind and generous when dealing with poor people, especially