Question

Compare and contrast feudalism in Japan and Western Europe · Describe the feudal hierarchy in Japan and in Western Europe · Illustrate similarities in Japanese and European feudalism · Communicate the differences in Japanese and European feudalism

Answer 1

- Contrasting: Feudalism developed in both Europe and Japan, but at different times, since in Europe it appeared 200 years earlier than in Japan and ended 300 years earlier than in Japan, where it remained until 1868.
- Similarities: The Japanese and European feudal societies were around the nobles, who inherited power from their descendants, then the warriors (samurai and knights), and the peasants, subjects or servants at the base of the social pyramid.
- Differences: The monotheistic religion in Europe and the power that the church exercised, while in Japan the religion was polytheistic and instead of the power of the Church, the samurai had a similar domain. While the European knights, having a Catholic religion, avoided suicide, the samurai, when dishonored, saw suicide as a last resort. The Knights had lands, which were given as prizes, while the samurai were paid with rice and did not have large territories.