Contrast the Life of the Heian-Era Courtier with That of the Kamakura Samurai.
1. Compare and contrast Medieval Europe with Medieval Japan using examples from three levels of society.
• The feudal system of Japan and the feudal system of Europe shared similar structures and values.
• The two feudal systems differed in many ways. These differences can be seen in the areas of religion, literature, and the role of women.
• The impact of both Japanese and European feudalism is still felt today.
ESSENTIAL QUESTION What similarities did the feudal societies in Europe and Japan share?
Japanese and European feudalism shared a number of similarities—both in political structure and in social values.
Two Feudal Systems Both the European and Japanese feudal systems developed as a result of a weak central government. The Japanese emperor had no real power. After the Frankish king Charlemagne died in 814, most European kings did not have much power either. Because strong central governments did not exist, individual landowners were able to gain power in both regions. In Europe, these landowners were called lords. In Japan, they were called daimyo.
Similar Structures Both lords and daimyo had many peasants working for them. Farming was the main economic activity on both European and Japanese estates. In addition, the governments and landowners of both regions relied on professionally trained soldiers for protection. These soldiers were called knights in Europe. In Japan, they were known as samurai. In addition, both Europe and Japan had strong military leaders. As you recall, these military leaders were known as shoguns in Japan.
Similar Values In the feudal systems of both Japan and Europe, personal loyalty was greatly valued. The military skills of both knights and samurai were also highly valued. As you read in Lesson 2, knights were expected to follow a code of behavior known as chivalry. According to this code, knights were kind to the weak, loyal to their lord, and courageous in battle. The samurai code of behavior was known as bushido.
• The feudal system of Japan and the feudal system of Europe shared similar structures and values.
• The two feudal systems differed in many ways. These differences can be seen in the areas of religion, literature, and the role of women.
• The impact of both Japanese and European feudalism is still felt today.
ESSENTIAL QUESTION What similarities did the feudal societies in Europe and Japan share?
Japanese and European feudalism shared a number of similarities—both in political structure and in social values.
Two Feudal Systems Both the European and Japanese feudal systems developed as a result of a weak central government. The Japanese emperor had no real power. After the Frankish king Charlemagne died in 814, most European kings did not have much power either. Because strong central governments did not exist, individual landowners were able to gain power in both regions. In Europe, these landowners were called lords. In Japan, they were called daimyo.
Similar Structures Both lords and daimyo had many peasants working for them. Farming was the main economic activity on both European and Japanese estates. In addition, the governments and landowners of both regions relied on professionally trained soldiers for protection. These soldiers were called knights in Europe. In Japan, they were known as samurai. In addition, both Europe and Japan had strong military leaders. As you recall, these military leaders were known as shoguns in Japan.
Similar Values In the feudal systems of both Japan and Europe, personal loyalty was greatly valued. The military skills of both knights and samurai were also highly valued. As you read in Lesson 2, knights were expected to follow a code of behavior known as chivalry. According to this code, knights were kind to the weak, loyal to their lord, and courageous in battle. The samurai code of behavior was known as bushido.