Knights and Samurai
by Rit NosotroComparative Essay
Compare the Medieval Knights of Europe with the Samurai Warriors of Japan.
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Summary:
When a boy reached seven years of age, he would then live with a noble, sometimes the boy’s uncle. His upbringing of a medieval knight is much different than that of a knight of the Rising Sun. This young boy would begin as a page, attending ladies, learning good manners, and learning to ride a horse. At the age of 14 he sought apprenticeship to a knight, now becoming a squire. He learned how to handle weapons, how to fight, and help his master put on his armor before battle. Learning how to carve meat and handle a bow became important. If all his training proved successful, he was dubbed a knight at 21 years old.
Squires practice every day, in order to become a good knight. They practiced several things, such as, throwing the javelin, acrobatics, and fighting with a quarterstaff. Sometimes practicing with their knightly masters, or other squires proved the most learned times. Practicing against a pel or a post contained the most effectiveness and accuracy. Although the squire used weapons that were twice the normal weights in order for their muscles to build up. “Squire” comes from the French word ecuyer, meaning shield bearer. Jousting practice against a wooden structure took place when his muscles were built, so he could hold the joust. This structure used a swinging arm and a shield. The jouster hit the shield and made a hasty retreat from the swinging arm. After seven or eight years of training, a squire became dubbed a knight, often dubbed by his knight, a noble, or king.
Horses are the most expensive part of a knight’s equipment. He owned several horses, the most important, the warhorse, also called the destrier. This word derived from the Latin word, dextra meaning right. Not only were these warhorses; they used them for hunting as well. Another horse a knight used for traveling was named palfrey, and sumpter horses carried baggage.
Knights of the Rising Sun, or Samurai (samurai meaning soldier) warriors, also often fought on horseback. In the 12th- century, armor developed in the O-yoroi, or great-armor style, which looks somewhat like a 1800’s Civil War ball gown, only constructed out of iron. Samurai that wore armor such described usually were mounted archers. In the early 14th-century infantry combat increased, which brought change to the armor.
Samurai warriors took pride in their swords. His most important sword of the two he carried was the katana which used a wooden sheath (saya). It’s sharkskin grip (tsuka) kept the hand from slipping. Wakizashi, (the shorter sword) stuck through his belt, which also had the sharkskin grip and had a tempered edge. Another part of the Samurai’s armor is his helmet and face guard. Helmets and face guards were often fitted with mustaches. Samurai warriors carry many weapons at battle such as a short sword, a dagger or kozuka, usually wearing two, and they carry a spear. Japanese swords are without a doubt the finest ever made.
After the Gempei War of 1180-1185 Japan served an emperor, but the real power lay with the shogun, or military leader. However, civil wars weakened the Shogun’s power by 1550, and Japan split into different kingdoms ruled by daimyo or barons. Portuguese merchants imported the first guns to Japan in 1543. In 1600 a strong shogun was received after a great victory, and the last great Samurai battle was fought in 1615. Samurai kept the code of bushido throughout the feudal period (1192-1868). Although the warrior class was formally disbanded, the tradition of the Samurai continued even into WWII and many of the military leaders traced their heritage along Samurai lines. Hara-kiri, the ritual suicide, was committed by several defeated leaders in 1945.
Buddhism teaches the reincarnation of life leading to ultimate nirvana which is a blissful release from suffering. Kamikaze pilots, and even the suicides of stressed students and failed businessmen can trace their roots to the Samurai warrior where "pride goeth before fall". What legacy did the knights of medieval Europe leave?
Both the Medieval Knights, and Samurai warriors fought for their beliefs. Knights fought for the crown and for Christ (the Crusades). Samurai warriors fought for the Shinto inspired Honor of the family and the Emperor. In other words, Knights fought for God and Samurai fought for man. But the tradition of a "Just War" precedes the Knights of Europe. It goes into the tradition of the Old Testament where God shows His chosen people that the battle belongs to the Lord despite the quality of the sword and warrior.
The Lord God told Gideon to make an army to defeat the Midianites, and God promised to be with him throughout the battle. So Gideon gathered a magnificent army of 32,000 men. As they camped on the hill of Moreh, the Lord told Gideon, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, announce now to the people, 'Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.' " So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained." But the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. ...Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink." Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink. The Lord said to Gideon, "With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place." 8 So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others. The complete story is in Judges 7:1-25.
It is the story that inspired the Knights as they defended against overwhelming forces such as the siege of Vienna. Gideon also inspired modern day Israeli warriors as they won decisive victories against Syrians and Egyptians using similar tactics. While Knights gave honor to God as part of a long history of Judeo-Christian tradition, the Samurai gave glory to their dead ancestors holding to the false promise of Buddhism. This militaristic pride ended up in the destruction of their own country after the brutalities they committed in the occupation of China, Burma, and the Philippines. The tradition of the Samurai led to death. The tradition of Knights and Biblically based Chivalry leads to life.
QuickQuiz:
How old did a boy have to be to become a squire?
(a) Eight
(b) Six
(c) Nine
(d) None of the above
Where does the word “Squire” derive from?
(a) Germany
(b) England
(c) Scotland
(d) France
What is another name for Samurai Warriors?
(a) Knights of the Setting Sun
(b) Knights of the Rising Moon
(c) Knights of the Hopping Grasshoppers
(d) Squires of the Rising Sun
(e) Knights of the Rising Sun
How many men did Gideon start with before the battle with the Midionites?
(a) 320
(b) 3,200
(c) 32,000
(d) 33,000
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