Shogun

Castles were used in feudal Japan and medieval Europe as homes for the noble classes and as defensive fortresses. They were both very effective at protecting the inhabitants and stop attacking forces however, there are a few important differences. Japanese castles were not just used for defensive reasons they are also artistic and beautiful through the architecture and surrounding environment while European castles focussed more on defensive capabilities and functionality. In feudal Japan…

Samurai and Knights: Were the Similarities Greater Than the Differences? When comparing two things you must really put into perspective the little things that they are made up of. Two things can seem similar but that will never mean that they are exactly the same. For example, some of the things that Knights and Samurai had in common were: they both must obeyed their code of honor and stayed loyal to their king, both got paid in land, both were willing to do anything for their ruler. But what…

Swords clash and bang. The sound of war rings throughout the battlefield. Samurai and knights make this booming noise, fighting for their daimyos and lords. Thousands of miles apart, similar feudalistic societies arose, developing their own elite warrior classes. In Japan, samurai protected the peasants, their lords, and especially the Emperor. They went to war to defend the people selflessly. Knights were the Medieval warriors of Europe. These soldiers went to war on horseback and defended…

Absolutism means that the sovereign power or ultimate authority in the state rested in the hands of a king who claimed to rule by divine right the idea that kings received their power from God and were responsible to no one but God. Catherine The Great and Tokugawa Ieyasu were both known as prominent absolute rulers but, Ieyasu was a more effective absolutist ruler. Tokugawa controlled his country by reasonable means that wouldn’t cause uprisings and distrust while still being the only one to…

The Significance of Sakamoto Ryoma Sakamoto Ryoma, born in 1835 and died in 1867, was an anti-tokugawa samurai who revolutionarily influenced not only the nation but, societal beliefs, values, cultural behaviours, political endeavours and Japan itself. The significance of his legacy continues to inspire and express the importance of equality and pride for the country he belonged to. His outspoken actions and decisions throughout his life go on to modify modern day Japanese society and make him…

Many social and economic changes took place in the middle and late Edo period that gave rise to such developments as “Pictures of the Floating World.” The steady commercial growth, albeit an entirely domestic one as a result of Japan’s isolationist policy, and peace that were established by the Tokugawa shogunate eventually led to a highly prosperous merchant class. Regarded as the lowest rank in the social hierarchy, some of the townspeople were even more affluent than the samurai, who occupied…

Many people, events, and wars have made their mark. But there were certain individuals that made their mark on history that will be remembered for centuries to come. Samurai’s played an important role for Japan's history. From their fashion style to the way they battle, and ways to gain and overpower the government and their ruler. While seeing how the era for Samurai and knights had some common interest, but also not even some…

In 1868, Japan appeared to be period of triumph of tradition over change, but Japanese leaders realized that Japan needed to modernize to survive (pg. 652). They begin enforcing a policy of comprehensive reform that would lay the basis for a modern industrial nation within the generation (pg. 652). A new young emperor by the reign name of Meiji symbolized the new era that was beginning (pg. 652). Meiji, (which means “enlightened rule”), took the throne in 1867 after the death of his father…

Japan Japan first became a unified country by the year 300 A.D., however Japan had many different forms of government before it became unified. For most of its history, Japan was feudal country, with a strong central government and multiple rural towns spread around the country. The exact form of the Japanese government has changed over the years. During the Heian period, which was between 794 and 1185 A.D., there were four major groups that held government power. These groups were the emperor…

Medieval Europe vs Feudal Japan Having extensively researched both Medieval Europe and Feudal Japan, I conclusively maintain a preference to live in Feudal Japan. This is due to Japan’s superior social, military and medical frameworks as opposed to Medieval Europe's underdeveloped and primitive society. It is because of Feudal Japan’s pragmatic and intuitive societal construct that makes it my undeniable choice of residence. Feudal Japan's healthcare and sanitation system was far more…