The Chivalric Code

Although samurai and knights are very similar, they are two very different types of warriors. Samurai protected and served the shogun, while knights protected the peasants and served their monarch. In this essay I will be comparing the code of Bushido and the code of Chivalry, the purpose of Samurai and Knights, and their views of women.

In medieval Europe and Japan there were warriors called samurai and knights that protected their region (Doc. 1). The samurai fought in Japan and knights fought in Europe (Doc. 1). Knights were famous for riding on horseback but the samurai would ride too (Doc.1). Samurai were mainly famous for their karate skills and acrobatic moves (Doc. C). One key characteristic for both the samurai and knights was that they were both loyal (Doc. E). They had to be because they played a big part in feudalism (Doc. A). Both warriors had a code that they abided (Doc. E). Bushido was the code for the samurai and Chivalry for the knights (Doc. E). The samurai and knights were great warriors who fought from 1000 AD to 1600 CE an their similarities are greater than their differences.

From approximately 1000 C.E. to 1600 C. E. The system of feudalism was dominating both Europe and Asia. Lords would give land to warriors in exchange for military services. In Europe, these warriors were called knights, and halfway across the world, in Japan, the warriors were called samurai (Doc. 1). Both the samurai and the knights used feudalism, and both had a code that they followed. Between the codes, feudalism, and even how they prepared for battle, the warrior’s similarities were, without a doubt, greater than their differences.

In document C1 written by the PBS series states, “Samurai were expected to live according to Bushido, a strict ethical code influenced by Confucianism that stressed loyalty to one’s master, respect for one’s superior, ethical behaviors in all aspects of life and complete self-discipline”. This quote proves that samurais were far more loyal to there code of honor (Bushido) that the knights were. Another piece of evidence that supports the claim is in “Samurai Shodown” a documentary by Terry Schappert which states “the sword symbolized the loyalty and commitment to Bushido the code of the samurai”. This quote confirms that even the sword of the samurai had a meaning that symbolizes

Just as European knights had a code of chivalry, the samurai had the code of Bushido (Document E). The code of Bushido, like the code of chivalry in medieval Europe, governed a samurai’s life. It called on samurai to be honest, fair, and fearless in the face of death. Samurai were expected to value loyalty and personal honor even more than their lives.

The code of Bushido consist that the samurai must obey his master at all times. If someone goes against these moral principles the samurai has to punish them. A samurai puts his duty above all else and his association with friends. The code makes an unavoidably obligation between father and child, older and younger brother, husband and wife [Document E].

In, document D - The Way of the Samurai, 1600’s: it talks about the code of Bushido and Chivalry. It says (paragraph 1) “ Outwardly he stands in physical readiness for any call to service in inwardly he strives to fulfill the Way….” this shows just how honorable a samurai could be. In Europe it was just the same (paragraph 2) it states “give mercy in those who ask for it” These similarities are significant because loyalty between the two, shows how much they trust each other. Without this trust and loyalty , these countries would be

Bushido is said to have been created by Zen Buddhists. This code governed violent samurai under a law of courage, honor, and loyalty to the master most

Most foreigners’ images of Japan are samurai and Bushido. Bushido is the traditional code of the Japanese samurai. I will study abroad, and I want to share my own cultures. When I explain about Japan, I should compare with other countries, because it is easier for foreigners to understand. If Japanese were asked about differences of Chivalry and Bushido, most of them cannot explain them. In the past, there were knights in Europe and samurai in Japan, they were the warriors. Although Europe and Japan didn’t have direct contact, the warriors had moral codes which had similarities and differences in many aspects.

Bushido means “way of the warrior”. The Code of Bushido was followed by the ancient Japanese, which respected the ways of warrior. It was a code that taught the Japanese dedication and respect for their Emperor and their family. The code had required warriors to exhibit a strict sense of honor and self control, maintain a benevolent yet detached attitude towards life, care for the Earth and other people, and be loyal to one’s country and family. However, the Emperor had used the Code of Bushido to brainwash and control soldiers. The Emperor used it as a tool to motivate the people to murder and die for the code. According to the Japanese, if you surrendered, you would disappoint your family and country. In World War II when the Japanese were held prisoner in Cowra prison in Australia, many of them changed their names so that their parents assumed they were dead rather than disappointing them. The Code of Bushido made the Japanese treat the Americans and Filipinos in a savage and brutal manner.

By analyzing Sir Gawain’s attempts of following the Code of Chivalry and the fundamental thoughts and actions of human nature helps to further analyze Gawain’s character. The definition of Chivalry is the “set of values and code of conduct for the medieval knightly class” (Shatz) examining Gawain’s attempts to achieve his goal of being the perfect chivalric knight, the nature of his obstacles has to be determined, and the development of his character has to be analyze. In trying to live up to perfection, Gawain discovers that he is not perfect just like society today.

The term ‘Bushido’ has over the years developed from the traditional translation of ‘the Way of the Warrior’ towards the more modern notion of a “national spirit of Japan, especially the military spirit.” This paper will analyse the impacts that various religious traditions such as Shintoism, Buddhism and Confucianism have had on shaping the classical ideals of the bushido code and the influences that the bushido code played on the actions of the kamikaze fighter pilots during World War II.

Just as she lands her perfect beam routine and wins the gold medal in the 2012 Summer Olympics she reflects back on her dedication to get there, “I had to face a lot coming through this journey, a lot of sacrifices, difficulties, challenges, and injuries.” Although, she is known to be a perfect gymnast Gabby Douglas is not the first to achieve perfection. Sir Gawain, a knight from King Arthur's court Camelot, is proclaimed a perfect knight. In the well-known Sir Gawain and the Green Knight this acclaimed knight’s was tested his commitment to following the Code of Chivalry for a whole year. Remarkably, Sir Gawain proves himself to be a perfect knight through his loyalty to the Code of Chivalry.

The entire Japanese culture is based on honor. Honor extends to the nation, the family, and the individual. The samurai are no exception to a code of honor. The samurai follow the code of bushido. Bushido is closer to the western term of chivalry. Bushido places emphasis on courage, benevolence, justice, politeness, truthfulness, honor, loyalty, and most importantly is self-control. The samurai's primary religion is Zen. The samurai adapted Zen easily due to the philosophy that fits closely to Buddhism. Samurai may act in the extreme when it comes to honor. They will kill anyone who may dishonor them or their lord. Nothing is worse to a samurai than to have corrupt dealings. Some of the warriors believed, "Honor is the power of deciding upon certain course of conduct in accordance with reason, without wavering … to die when it is right to die, to strike when to strike is right." Other warriors believed that "Honor is the bone that gives firmness and stature. As without bones the head cannot rest on top of the spine, nor hands move, nor feet stand, so without honor neither talent nor learning can make of a human frame a

Yuzan Daidoji, Oscar Ratti, and Thomas Cleary. The Code of the Samurai. Boston: Tuttle, 1999. 10-44.