  The following is a portion of a University Paper I wrote comparing the values and life-styles of the Japanese Samurai and the Christian Knights of Medieval Europe. For all those interested in history, Samurai, or with a lot of time to kill. The Medieval Period of European Society saw the emergence of some of the most popular heroes in history. They were the Christian Knights: Protectors of the King and his people who fought in the name of God and His Kingdom. These righteous persons and their Code of chivalry defined their roles in society and have been the embodiment of countless artwork and literature. The era of noble crusades and courtly love was seen by many as a Golden Age, a way of life that can be viewed as both beautiful yet barbaric. Regardless of the point of view, this part of history saw an emergence of a way of life that influenced both outward behavior and an inward set of morals and virtues that set the standard for the European way of life for centuries to come. Halfway across the globe, Japan, despite having a much older society, was developing a class of warriors who also were ruled by a strong, `righteous` set of morals and virtues. These correlating members of their respectful society, despite not knowing of the other's existence, developed similar standards of outward behavior and inner virtues that even today are seen as honorable and worthy of much praise.
Of course, due to inexorable influence of the differing cultures, there arose distinctions between the two classes of people that are important in defining the role the Christian Knight and the Japanese Samurai played in their respective societies. However, the fact that these groups developed very similar beliefs and ideals within very different cultures provides an interesting study in history.
Through the study of each group's definition of love and relationships, the importance of valor in battle, and life outside the battlefield, one can see the remarkable correlation between the societies of medieval Europe and feudal Japan. The world of the Christian nobility in Europe is understood today through popular literature from the period. Such heroic tales of bravery and honor found within Arthurian legend and noble crusades are an interesting mix of fact and idealistic fantasy. In this brotherhood of virtue, religion was the key. It colored everything a knight did--it was the basis for his code of chivalry.
Then came his family. The honor of his family was crucial and could be enhanced by increasing his landholding. Being successful in battle and coming to the attention of someone higher up in the echelons of society could accomplish this. Another means was to marry the daughter of an important man or even his widow. This would increase the husband's land, therefore his wealth, and consequently his prestige. That usually was his main goal in life. But life was only a test--his religion taught him that the afterlife was more important. So while he strove to be a success on earth to be recognized on High, he had to do it in a good Christian way so he could spend eternity in Heaven.
Hence, he should be loyal, honorable, and fight for the Church when necessary. No knight would sell his soul for earthly success. The Code of Chivalry was the embodiment of this mentality. Bushido characterized the dominant trait of Samurai society. It is viewed as a result of the combining of an extremely nationalistic attitude with residual effects of Confucian doctrine imported from China. The origin of these doctrines in Japan is attributed to Yamaga Soko (1622-85)who was a profound teacher of Chinese Confucianism. He harmonized military strategy with the Chinese classics that provided a solid foundation for a moral, righteous society. Originally, the Samurai's primary responsibility was to protect his master's land, which defined the wealth of the daimyo (landowners). In return, the Samurai would often receive land of his own to manage. The Samurai Warrior's primary concern was not a long life, but rather a resolution to death and the importance of dying well. He endeavored to perfect his body and mind so to be properly prepared for death when it presented itself to him. As Daidoji Yuzan Shigesuki ( The Code of the Samurai ) said, "One who is a Samurai must before all things keep constantly in mind, by day and by night...the fact that he has to die. That is his chief business. " The Samurai was not concerned for rewards after death, only that he and others knew that he died honorably.
While the Christian Knights strove for recognition in Heaven, the Samurai Warriors, who did not share the concept of an eternal paradise, dedicated themselves to recognition on Earth, before and after death. Despite the fact that the Samurai's ultimate goal was far different than that of the Knight, the means to obtain these goals involved similar lifestyles. Both societies saw women at the lowest rank of power. A Knight was married primarily to maintain or expand his land and wealth.
The main role for the woman in a marriage was to produce an heir to the Knight's legacy. Sometimes a real love relationship developed between man and wife but because arranged marriages were the norm, adultery was quite common. The same was true for the Samurai husband who, while valuing his wife as the mother of his children, would satisfy his desires outside of his marriage. Despite not being faithful, respect for the wife was considered. A Christian nobleman would never discuss his affairs publicly because the appearance of loyalty was very important. A Samurai would show "respect" by simply not loving his mistress. Her purpose was solely for physical, not mental, satisfaction. Obviously, it is human nature to desire physical pleasure and womanly companionship. Such was the case for the Christian Knights and was exemplified by the idea of courtly love. In Chretien de Troyes' depiction of Lancelot and Guinevere's forbidden affair, Lancelot renounced his pride and allowed himself to be distracted by the wife of King Arthur.
Ignoring the manly values and honor a Knight should uphold, he, with only a slight hesitation, humiliated himself by jumping in the back of a cart to prove his love. "Reason, which dares thus speak to him, reaches only his lips, but not his heart; but love is enclosed within his heart, begging him and urging him to mount at once upon the cart. " This behavior would be unheard of in Samurai society. The man was considered weak, not strong as Lancelot was heeded, to show outward longing for female companionship.
Of course, the Samurai realized the difficulty of harmonizing their inner feelings (Ninjo) and sense of duty (Giri), but it was believed that the "spiritual love" of a Samurai towards his duties gave him enough satisfaction so as not to need a woman so desperately. One not-so-unusual similarity between these two societies was the regular occurrence and even acceptance of homosexuality. The reasoning behind the European Knights turning to male sexuality has been credited simply to a lack of sexual activity while not at home. It was also a way to bond and express the need for companionship. Samurai sometimes valued male sexual relations over female because it was seen as a way to improve one's character. Rationalized more profoundly, homosexuality was seen as a way of "obtaining a noble heart, to be both tender and noble," as well as a right of succession for adolescents. A young Samurai was almost completely raised without any female influence. 
