England Feudalism vs. Japanese Feudalism

Attribute	England Feudalism	Japanese Feudalism
Origins	Developed after the Norman Conquest in 1066	Rooted in the Kamakura period (1185-1333)
Emperor/King	Monarch had significant power	Emperor was a figurehead with little power
Warriors	Knights were the warrior class	Samurai were the warrior class
Land Ownership	Based on the feudal system with lords holding land from the king	Land was held by daimyo who granted land to vassals
Code of Conduct	Chivalry was the code of conduct for knights	Bushido was the code of conduct for samurai

Political Structure

In England, feudalism was characterized by a decentralized political structure where power was distributed among various lords who held land in exchange for military service. The king was at the top of the feudal hierarchy, but his authority was limited by the power of the nobles. In contrast, Japanese feudalism had a more centralized political structure with the emperor at the top of the hierarchy. The shogun, who was a military dictator, held real power and controlled the government on behalf of the emperor.

Land Ownership

In England, land ownership was based on the feudal system, where lords granted land to vassals in exchange for loyalty and military service. The vassals, in turn, could grant land to sub-vassals, creating a pyramid-like structure of land ownership. In Japan, land ownership was also based on the feudal system, but it was more rigidly structured. The daimyo, or feudal lords, held large estates and had control over the peasants who worked the land.

Warrior Class

In England, the warrior class was made up of knights who served their lords in exchange for land and protection. Knights were trained in combat and chivalry and played a crucial role in medieval warfare. In Japan, the warrior class was known as samurai, who served the daimyo and followed a strict code of honor called Bushido. Samurai were skilled in combat and were considered the elite class of society.

Religion

In England, the dominant religion was Christianity, which played a significant role in shaping the values and beliefs of medieval society. The Church held considerable power and influence over both the political and social aspects of life. In Japan, the dominant religion was Buddhism, which coexisted with Shintoism, the indigenous religion of Japan. Buddhism played a central role in shaping the moral and ethical values of Japanese society.

Economic System

In England, the economy was primarily agrarian, with the majority of the population engaged in farming and agriculture. The feudal system allowed for the exchange of goods and services through the manorial system, where peasants worked the land in exchange for protection and a share of the harvest. In Japan, the economy was also agrarian, with rice cultivation being the primary source of wealth. The feudal system in Japan allowed for the exchange of goods through the use of rice as a form of currency.

Art and Culture

In England, art and culture were heavily influenced by the Church, with religious themes dominating the artistic and literary works of the time. The medieval period in England produced iconic works of literature such as the Canterbury Tales and Beowulf. In Japan, art and culture were influenced by a combination of indigenous traditions and Chinese influences. Japanese art forms such as haiku poetry, tea ceremonies, and kabuki theater flourished during the feudal period.

Decline of Feudalism

In England, feudalism began to decline in the late Middle Ages due to factors such as the Black Death, which reduced the population and weakened the feudal system. The rise of a money economy and the growth of towns and cities also contributed to the decline of feudalism in England. In Japan, feudalism began to decline in the late 19th century with the Meiji Restoration, which aimed to modernize and centralize the government. The abolition of the samurai class and the introduction of Western ideas and technology marked the end of feudalism in Japan.