FREE ESSAY ON SAMURAI AND KNIGHTS

SAMURAI AND KNIGHTS

The Medieval Era saw the emergence of two distinct warrior classes in Europe and Japan.
These were the Samurai's and the Knights. They were marked in history as a code for
courage and sacrifice. Never had the world seen such courageous and dedicated "military
class" before them. Although, they represented two different cultures; they were similar
in several ways. 
The Samurai's were the "military class" warriors of Japan. These warriors acted as
retainers to greater lords, fighters, and the enforcers of policy and morality. Their
importance and influence grew during the Heian Period (794-1185) when the powerful
landowners hired them for the protection of their properties. The knights on the other
hand were the most significant figure of the feudal system of the European Middle Ages.
The word knight derived from the Old English word cniht, the equivalent of the Latin word
caballarius, meaning "horseman." The Knights duty was very much similar like the
Samurai's. They were hired to protect land and the people. Ironically, the Samurai's and
the Knights came from noble families, since horses, armor, and weapons were costly and
their use required long training. They stood at the top of the social hierarchy and had
many privileges. On the other hand, they was supposed to be a good example to the lower
classes and had to follow the principles of their religion. The samurai's and Knights
most important principles are unlimited loyalty to his master, extreme self-discipline,
and brave, selfless behavior. These great warriors had one aim; to serve their lord and
be successful. 
The Japanese Samurai and Western European Knights were similar in their approach to
conflict. They fought for their position status and to gain one's aim. A Knight's
appearance on a battlefield was very similar to that of a Samurai. A Knight in armor
would present a very strange appearance on a modern battlefield. His prancing steed and
metal coat of mail, the heavy iron helmet that covered his head, the shield that he
carried on his left arm, his lance and shinning sword. The Samurai had armor along with
swords, bows and arrows. Where the Samurai's followed the rules of Bushido where as the
Knights followed the rules of chivalry. Like the rules of chivalry that prevailed in
Medieval Bushido was based on sack virtues as rectitude, endurance, frugality, courage,
politeness, veracity, and especially loyalty to ruler and country. Hence both these
supreme races of warriors followed rules bounded by their religion. In a sense they were
religious military men whose aim was to serve its ruler, country, and its people. 
The Knights even looked for conflicts to engage during peacetime. Fighting was almost an
everyday occurrence. The common people in times of danger fled to the castles or
strongholds owned by nobles. The institution of knighthood was part of this feudal
system. 
The samurai on the other hand gave their society moral values and acted as sentinels of
peace. The warriors followed their own code of ethical behavior known as bushido, which
remained orally transmitted for generations. Their primary weapon was their sword
(katana) and it was the distinguishing mark of the Samurai. After losing his honor, a
samurai would rather kill himself by cutting his stomach with his sword than to continue
a disgraced life. Such suicide is called Seppuku (or Hara-kiri: to cut the stomach").
Their aim was to achieve their goal. According to them it was cowardice to continue to
live without achieving their aim. To die without gaining one's aim was a dog's death and
fanaticism. Loyalty was said to be important in the pledge between lord and retainer.