1. Aim: to what extent were the feudal societies of Japan and Western Europe similar to each other?

2. (Suggested Writing Time – 40 minutes)
Section II
(Suggested Writing Time – 40 minutes)
Directions: The following question is based on the accompanying documents. (The documents have been edited for the purpose of this exercise).
This question is designed to test your ability to work with and understand historical documents. Write an essay that:
• Has a relevant thesis and supports that thesis with evidence from the documents.
• Uses all or all but one of the documents.
• Analyzes the documents by grouping them in as many appropriate ways as
possible. Does not simply summarize the documents individually.
• Takes into account both the sources and of the document and the authors’ point of
view.
You may refer to relevant historical information not mentioned in the documents.
Compare and contrast Post-Classical feudal systems in Japan and Western Europe.
Based on the following documents, decide to what extent feudalism was similar and different in Japan and Western Europe, and account for the differences. What types of additional documentation would be useful determine the specific rights and duties the various social classes possessed within both societies.
Historical Background: In world history, many societies have experienced feudalism. Besides Zhou China (11th to 3rd century BCE), the two most famous instances in which feudalism dominated a culture for centuries were in Western Europe and Japan. In both instances, feudalism arouse during times of political crises where regional nobles and landholders came to dominate the system.

3. Japanese Feudal Hierarchy
Document 1
Japanese Feudal Hierarchy
Daimyos

4. Document 2
Japanese Samurai
Source: hubpages.com

5. Document 3
Himeji Castle, JAPAN Source:

6. Document 4 The Seven Virtues of the Samurai’s Bushido Code:
Gi - Rectitude
Yu - Courage
Jin - Benevolence
Rei - Respect
Makoto - Honesty
Meiyo - Honor
Chugi - Loyalty
Source: Big Bear martial Arts Academy, 2009

7. Document 5
The warrior is one who maintains his martial discipline even in time of peace... The farmer's toil is proverbial...he selects the seed from last fall's crop and undergoes various hardships and anxieties through the heat of the summer until the seed grows finally to a rice plant...the rice then becomes the sustenance for the multitudes... The artisan's occupation is to make and prepare wares and utensils for the use of others... The merchant facilitates the exchange of goods so that the people can cover their nakedness and keep their bodies warm...*
* Selection taken from Ryusaku Tsunoda, Wm. Theodore de Bary, & Donald Keene, Sources of Japanese Tradition, Vol. I. (New York: Columbia University Press, 1964), pp

8. Document 6 Commoners Royalty European Feudal Hierarchy Nobles King
Lords
Nobles
Knights
Merchants & Artisans
Commoners
Serfs

9. Document 7
A brief excerpt of The Song of Roland, an epic poem from 11th century France, presenting the chivalrous duties of a knight.
To fear God and maintain His Church
To serve the liege lord in valour and faith
To protect the weak and defenceless
To give succour to widows and orphans
To refrain from the wanton giving of offence
To live by honour and for glory
To despise pecuniary reward
To fight for the welfare of all
To obey those placed in authority
To guard the honour of fellow knights
To eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit
To keep faith
At all times to speak the truth
To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun
To respect the honour of women
Never to refuse a challenge from an equal
Never to turn the back upon a foe

10. Document 8
European Knights

11. Eileen Donan Castle, Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland
Document 9
Eileen Donan Castle, Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland

12. Document 10
“There is a noble class which comprises the warriors and protectors of the churches. They defend all the people, great and small, and, incidentally, protect themselves.”
“The city of God we believe is not only one but subdivided into three parts: some pray, others fight, and still others work.… The service of each allows the contributions of the other two. Each, in turn, lends its support to all.”
Adalberon, bishop of Laon, 10th Century CE.