Behavioural Codes Of Japanese Samurai And European Knights

Medieval Europe and Japan developed similar feudal social systems despite their distance and independence from each other. Feudalism was characterised by a military-based power hierarchy in which people worked or fought in exchange for land or shelter, protection and food (Wheeler, 2015). In Europe, feudalism dominated from the 5th to the 15th century after the fall of Rome while in Japan it existed for a considerably shorter period lasting from the 11th to the 15th century when a new Dynasty controlled Japan. This essay will compare the behavioural codes for Japanese Samurai and European Knights who held similar positions of great importance in their feudal hierarchies. The Samurai Code of Bushido and the Knight’s Code of Chivalry had many …show more content…

They also called for complete loyalty and self-control (DeSnoo, 2015) (Johnson, 2015). However, there were differences between the codes and how they were presented in society. This essay will analyse two differences in the responsibilities of these warriors as set out in their behavioural codes and argue that Samurai warriors experienced a more fulfilling and rewarding life. Firstly it will consider religion and its role in the lives of Knights and Samurai. Secondly, it will address how the codes required different treatment of women. These two differences led to very different cultures in these societies (Szczepanski, 2015).

Religion was important for both Knights and Samurai but it had different impacts on their lives. The Code of Chivalry was underpinned by the values of the Catholic Church and required Knights to “fear God and maintain his Church” (Medieval Life and Times - Chivalry, 2014). In reality however Knights spent a large portion of their time training and practicing with minimal time devoted to spiritual practices (Medieval Life and Times – Religion, 2014). …show more content…

While the Code of Chivalry expressed clear rules for Knights to protect women who were seen as delicate and feeble (The World Book J.K., 2010), the Bushido Code expected women to train and adhere to the same ethics as men. Women learned military skills in the same way as men and while they rarely fought alongside men, they were responsible for defending their homes during almost constant battles (Samurai Women, 2015) (Szczepanski, 2015). Women also had the important role of educating children in the philosophy of Buddhism and the responsibilities of the Bushido Code (Ralf-Lewis, 1981). Women in the Samurai class were considered of equal ranking to men and received more respect than their counterparts in European society (Ralf-Lewis, 1981). Contrastingly, men dominated European society leaving women with little role to play other than supporting their husbands. Further, women in this class typically had servants to raise children and maintain their homes which diminished their importance and contribution in this society (Trueman, 2015). Although it could be stated that the responsibilities of Knights under the Code of Chivalry protected women, it is argued women contributed more value under the Bushido Code and this resulted in improved conditions for Samurai and their families in