Social Structure:
- Japanese feudalism:
Japanese society was highly stratified, with the emperor a the top, followed by the shoguns (military leaders), daimyo (feudal lords), samurai (warriors), and peasants (farmers).
-European Feudalism:
European feudal society was also hierarchical with the king at the apex, along with various ranks of nobility, including dukes, earls, barons, and knights.
Centralization of Power:
- Japanese Feudalism:
The shogun held ultimate authority and controlled the loyalty of daimyo through a complex network of alliances, marriages, and land grants.
- European feudalism:
Power was more decentralized, with local lords often wielding significant autonomy and engaging in conflicts among themselves.
Role of Samurai:
- Japanese Feudalism:
The samurai class was highly esteemed and held privileged status. They were not only skilled warriors but also literate, educated, and deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of Japan.
- European Feudalism:
Knights performed both military and administrative duties and were essential for maintaining order in their respective territories. However, they were not viewed with the same level of respect and privilege as the samurai in Japan.
Land and Inheritance:
- Japanese Feudalism:
Daimyo controlled vast territories and granted smaller portions of land to samurai in return for military service . Land ownership played a crucial role in maintaining the feudal system.
- European Feudalism:
Land was also central, but inheritance laws and practices variet regionally. In some areas, land was divided among all the sons of a noble upon his death, while in others, primogeniture applied, with the eldest son inheriting the entire estate.
Political Authority:
- Japanese Feudalism:
Political power was heavily concentrated in the hands of the shogun, who had the authority to appoint and remove daimyo could even confiscate their lands.
- European feudalism:
Authority was more distributed among various feudal lords, who enjoyed greater independence and autonomy within their domains.
Influence of Religion:
- Japanese Feudalism:
While religion did not play a direct role in establishing or maintaining feudalism in Japan, elements of Shintoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism influenced the social and moral code of samurai and feudal lords.
- European feudalism:
The Catholic Church exercised considerable political and social influence in Europe during the feudal period, influencing land ownership, law, and social norms.