FeudalismJapan & Europe Comparison

Heian Japan

• The Emperor became a symbolic ruler• Heian aristocrats ruled through political

stealth & artistic style• Japan became a hotpot of double-dealing

and intrigue

Heian Period: Cultural Heian Period: Cultural Borrowing and Flowering Borrowing and Flowering

(pre – feudalism)(pre – feudalism)

Heian Period: Cultural Heian Period: Cultural Borrowing and Flowering Borrowing and Flowering

(pre – feudalism)(pre – feudalism)1.1.Chinese writing.Chinese writing.2.2.Chinese artistic Chinese artistic

styles.styles.3.3.Buddhism [in the Buddhism [in the

form of form of ZEN].ZEN].

4.4.BUT, not the BUT, not the Chinese civil Chinese civil service system! service system!

1.1.Chinese writing.Chinese writing.2.2.Chinese artistic Chinese artistic

styles.styles.3.3.Buddhism [in the Buddhism [in the

form of form of ZEN].ZEN].

4.4.BUT, not the BUT, not the Chinese civil Chinese civil service system! service system!

• Chinese religion, philosophy and language greatly impacted early Japanese society. The lower classes were more in favor of borrowing from the Chinese than were the upper classes.

Tea ceremonies & flowers!

• Tea Ceremony was part of Wabi, meaning quiet or sober refinement, or subdued taste

• Began with Zen Buddhists

Lady Murasaki ShikibuLady Murasaki ShikibuLady Murasaki ShikibuLady Murasaki Shikibu

She contributed much to the Japanese script known as katakana, while men wrote with Chinese characters, kanji.

She contributed much to the Japanese script known as katakana, while men wrote with Chinese characters, kanji.

The Tale of Genji perhaps the world’s first novel

Noh plays• Noh plays were

religious, historical and romantic.

• They had male actors and a chorus.

Zen BuddhismZen Buddhism

• A Japanese variation of the Mahayana form of Buddhism, which came from India through China.

• It reinforced the Bushido values of mental and self-discipline.

• Inspired art & drama

Development of feudalism (Europe and Japan)

• What is Feudalism? • A decentralized social and political order

formed for reasons of protection.• Feudalism is defined by land ownership

Serfs in Europe paying their lord.

Origins of European Feudalism

•After fall of Roman Empire – no unifying force

•Kings are unable to defend their lands, lands of their nobles

•Nobles had to find way to defend own lands

Origins of European Feudalism Charles Martel(Charles the Hammer)• French “King” - won the Battle

of Tours in 732, -saved Europe from the Islamic expansionism that had conquered Iberia.

• Brilliant general, -forefather of western heavy cavalry, chivalry, founder of the Carolingian Empire (named after him), catalyst for the feudal system

Charles Martel and the Franks defeat the Arab Invaders at Poitiers

Origins of European Feudalism Charlemagne (~742-814) (Charles the Great)

Attempts to rebuild “Roman” Empire Revives art and culture• Saves the Pope (Leo III) -rewarded

with the title “Holy Roman Emperor” (Power shift from Constantinople to Northern Europe)

• Reforms: monetary, governmental, military, cultural, educational and ecclesiastical (outlaws “whoring, drunkenness, and covetousness” among the nuns and converted the Saxons.)

• After his death roads degrade and villas turn to castles.

Charlemagne

Note the symbolism in this painting

Origins of Japanese Feudalism• After the end of the Heian period the power of the emperor declined

• Rugged terrain made central control difficult

• Japan saw the rise of various military clans.

• Conflicts between these clans turned into civil war

• A society led by samurai clans under the political rule of the shogun emerged

Structure of European Structure of European FeudalismFeudalism

Structure of European Structure of European FeudalismFeudalism

A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service.

Europe:

A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service.

Europe:

King

Lord Lord

Knight Knight Knight

Peasant PeasantPeasantPeasant

Land - Fief

Land - Fief

Protection

Loyalty

Loyalty

Food

hate

youI have fiefs

I ha

ve m

an

ors

I havedebt I have Disease

Structure of Japanese Structure of Japanese FeudalismFeudalism

Structure of Japanese Structure of Japanese FeudalismFeudalismA political, economic, and social

system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service.

Japan:Japan:

A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty, the holding of land, and military service.

Japan:Japan: Shogun

Daimyo Daimyo

Samurai Samurai Samurai

Peasant PeasantPeasantPeasant

Land - Shoen

Land - Shoen

Protection

Loyalty

Loyalty

Food

Feudal Feudal SocietySocietyFeudal Feudal SocietySociety

The emperor The emperor reigned, but did reigned, but did not always rule!not always rule!

Who is really in control?

Europe• Pope (Catholic

Church!!!) is head of Roman Catholic Church

• Early popes seen as spiritual leaders

• During Middle Ages, they became powerful political figures

Japan• Emperor holds the

highest rank, but no real power. -Head of Shinto religion and “revered.”

• Shogun REALLY in charge

Lords in Europe• The king would give out

grants of land to his most important noblemen (barons and bishops),

• A lord granted land (a fief) to his vassals.

• Vassal would provide military service to the lord. Land for loyalty is the basis of feudalism.

• The vassal pays homage and swears fealty

Roland swears fealty to Charlemagne

Daimyo in Japan

• Shoguns appoint loyal Daimyo to be local administrators:

• Daimyo are wealthy landlords who are: Judges, tax collectors, military leaders and are in charge of road construction and maintenance.

Samurai

Daimyo

Knights in Europe• Had a duty to learn how to fight and so serve their

liege Lord according to the Code of Chivalry• Weapon practice included two-handed sword,

battle axe, mace, dagger and lance.• Expected to guard a castle and support his liege

lord in Medieval warfare• Granted land with serfs to tend it• To become a knight took years of training

• Page→ esquire → knight

Samurai in Japan• Samurai were warriors -

granted position and land in exchange for military service.(also rice)

• Duty to maintain peace in the provinces

• lived by an honor code called Bushido

• would rather commit suicide than live without honor.

Code of Code of ChivalryChivalryCode of Code of ChivalryChivalry* Justice

* Loyalty

* Defense

* Courage

* Faith

* Humility

* Nobility

* Justice

* Loyalty

* Defense

* Courage

* Faith

* Humility

* Nobility

Code of Code of BushidoBushidoCode of Code of BushidoBushido

* Fidelity

* Politeness

* Virility

* Simplicity

* Fidelity

* Politeness

* Virility

* Simplicity

Seppuku: Seppuku: Ritual SuicideRitual SuicideSeppuku: Seppuku:

Ritual SuicideRitual Suicide

Kaishaku – his “seconds”

Kaishaku – his “seconds”

It is honorable to die in this way.

It is honorable to die in this way.

http://www.theonion.com/video/ninja-parade-slips-through-town-unnoticed-once-aga,14181/

• appeared in 14th century • roles included sabotage, espionage &

assassination • cause social chaos• At least one ninja academy for girls

Ninjas –Just For Fun

Manorialism in Europe• the economic portion of feudalism • life was centered on the lord’s manor• included the village, church, farm land and mill.• involved a hierarchy of reciprocal obligations that

exchanged labor or rents for access to land.• encompassed the political relations between the Lord

of the Manor and his peasants• sometimes referred to as the seignorial system, or

Seigneurialism.

The Reciprocal obligations of manorialism

• Peasants paid the lord of the manor certain dues in return for the use of his land

• The Lord of the Manor was expected to provide protection for his peasants

• He also provided 'Banalities‘ – use of oven & mill• Lord had judicial power and could gain revenue

by the payment of fines• Lord could claim the goods of a person who

died on their lands and had no direct heir

Feudal Japanese Economics• Japan was an agricultural society based on

the production of rice. Terraces were created to increase the amount of arable land.

• There was little trade; it was mostly local with few or no contacts with Korea or China.

Commoners in Japan • Japanese peasants were

reduced to the status of serfs.

• They were bound to the land and treated as property.

• made up 75% of the population.

• not allowed to ride a horse or carry a sword.

• Social Mobility: In times of war, a peasant who fought well could rise in status in the society.

Farmer’s wifeNoble occupation

Farmer with Hoe(Ivory)

Europe Mostly Isolated in Feudalism

• Little long distance trade• Northern Hanseatic League

• Education declined - controlled by Church

• Art and architecture less sophisticated

• Christianity spreads to Scandinavia and Baltic regions

• Islam seen as a threat to Europe

Threats to Japan: Mongol attempted invasions of Japan

Threats to Japan: Mongol attempted invasions of JapanKublai Khan sends two invasion forces• 4,400 ships and

140,000 men• kamikaze winds stop

them.• Mongols lose up to 75%

of men

Threats in Europe:• Vikings

• Seamen and warriors

• Why migrate • Technology• Convert to

Christianity• Places of

settlement• Magyars• Muslims

Castles in Europe• castles helped a king

or a vassal defend the land around

• provided homes for the nobles and their families and servants.

• outer walls could be up to 33 feet thick

• by 1500, became much less important (cannons invented)

Castles in Japan• In 12th and 13th centuries castles

were built by Samurai and Daimyo.• Built mostly of wood, they were

easily destroyed in sieges.

Comparative thesis

Compare the (1st & 2nd period social, 3rd & 5th period economic, 6th &7th period political) aspects of the feudal systems of Japan and Europe between 1000 and 1450 C.E.