Feudal Japan and Europe:

A Comparison
As you go through this self guided presentations complete
the graphic organizer and answer the questions along the
way.

How are each similar and different? Why is the castle surrounded
by water and why is the Japanese palace high on a mountain?

How do you think the same type

of social
structure developed when the two

Japan and Western Europe are two

places on opposite sides of the
earth, yet both had a time period
known as the feudal period. Japans
feudal age (12th to 15th century) is
comparable in many was to
Europes feudal age (9th to 15th
century)
Which feudal system lasted
longer?

Review Feudal Japan and

Feudal Europe

Agricultural Societies
The Feudal System
Warriors
Code of Ethics
Role of Religion
Role of Women

Similarities

Feudal Japan
*Samurai
*Loyalty Bushido
*Bravery, honor
*Daimyo-Samuri relationship
*Family lineage important
Feudal Europe
*Knights
*Loyalty Chivalry
* Bravery, honor
*Lord-vassal relationship
*Family lineage important

Lifestyles

capture
or disgrace a samurai is expected
to kill
himself in a ritualistically manner
*Daimyo-Samurai relationship based
on
moral code or Bushido
*Any son was heir (person legally
appointed
in rank or wealth after a person has
died)
*Women should have a samurai
training
and attitude (protect the home
when
men are at war)

Feudal Europe

Lifestyles

*Survival, death as glory

limited to the Crusades
(Islamic and Christian wars)
*Lord-vassal relationship based on
Germanic
Laws legal code
*Only first born son was heir
*Cult of chivalry women put on
pedestal as
fragile, inferior beings
*Some contempt shown for arts and
learning

culture. The Samurai and the English Knight both

serve as a sort of mascot for their respective
cultures, and they have much in common.
*Code of Ethics An unspoken standard that of
proper behavior
called Bushido for the Japanese and Chivalry for
the European
Knights
*Samurais were very dedicated and disciplined
-Lord-vassal relationship more than a legal
contract but
based on loyalty
-Enjoyed and practiced arts and meditation
*Knights regularly broke their code of conduct
-Lord-vassal relationship closer to political
rights
-Did not think art and learning was important

Additional Research
Use the following website for additional
information
http://asianhistory.about.com/od/japan/a/Feudalis
m-In-Japan-And-Europe.htm
Watch the following video clips for additional
information
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_em
bedded&v=ytdjBDYtdMg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_em
bedded&v=Lts_1HSOQhY

WOMEN IN FEUDAL
EUROPE
It is no surprise that most women historically, whether they
were nobles or peasants, held a difficult position in society.
They were largely confined to household tasks such as
cooking, sewing, weaving, and spinning cloth.
-Other acceptable roles for women were as midwives,
working in
fields, or engaging in creative endeavors such as
writing and playing
musical instruments.
-Some did hunt for food and fought in battle, learning to use
weapons to

WOMEN IN FEUDAL
JAPAN

Samurai women were expected to exhibit loyalty, bravery,

and take on the duty of revenge. As her warrior husband
was away at war the women needed to defend and feed
their families, therefore they were trained in the art of
fighting and weaponry. Sometimes women battle alongside
men and they too were expected to commit suicide if the
family was dishonored. Samurai women oversaw the
harvesting of
crops, managed all the servants, and took over all
financial business. In matter which concerned the
well-being of the family, her advice was sought by
males. Women of Feudal Japan were also responsible
for a proper education for her children to instill the
sense of loyalty,
courage, and physical
strength.

Resources/Citations

http://www.slideshare.net/mrplough07/japan-and-europe03
http://asianhistory.about.com/od/japan/a/Feudalism-In-Japan-And-Europe.htm
goldenvalleyhs.org%2fapps%2fdownload
%2ffhpQj78SxUjLamUumtAYr6cp4dkIyUxslDF2cJRs6F3PdXHk.pdf%2fFeudalism%2520%2520Graphic%2520Organizers%2520and%2520Background%2520Info%2520-%2520Europe
%2520and%2520Japan.pdf/RK=0/RS=81Hltb42f_KkTM6AfRNF_Sqa30chttps://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ytdjBDYtdMg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Lts_1HSOQhY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCPp7XWZfHo

http://app.discoveryeducation.co
m/player/view/assetGuid/9CB31CD4-8F2D-4B0F-B965-BBC01B7A7616
http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/view/assetGuid/34FDD998-F34E-4AE7-BB94-E2DA4B0509
3B

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