Warrior vs. Warrior; Legendary Icon vs. Legendary Icon; SAMURAI VS. KNIGHTS

Japan and Europe are so far away from each other that it is hard to perceive that during the middle ages, both countries had an insanely similar feudal structure that had developed from the same reason and had resulted in the same idea. The feudal society erupted in both regions due to a hectic and chaotic, unorganized government that had lost its power. Most of the power now lied in the hands of, in Japan, "daimyo", and in Europe, lords. The daimyo and the lords both resulted in having their personal armies of professionally trained warriors due to the lord-vassal system that based feudalism. These warriors are now the face of their region today. We know them as samurai and knights and in my opinion, the fierce Japanese warriors were stronger in mentality, skill, and their weapons.

The samurai began their training from the ripe, young age of 3. Their training included the practice of Shintoism and Zen Buddhism. Their standards for loyalty, respect, and honor were so high that their main priority as a samurai was to protect their daimyo, even if it meant death. Their code of honor was known as bushido. Yes, knights had their code of honor known as chivalry and they were expected to protect the weak, children, and women. Yet, their problem is in that statement itself. Knights were expected to do all these things. They were expected to show loyalty, expected to live an honorable life, and expected to do everything right. This is why I think samurai more fit as professional warriors than the knights. The samurai were not only required to show these traits but samurai were people with these traits, take their position away or not. Samurai were generous, fearless in battle, and above all, loyal to their daimyo, or lord.

The samurai were extremely skilled warriors. They were not only taught swordsmanship but mastered archery and the yari, or "small" sword, as well. Yet, knights were trained foundationally to master the sword. Also, Japan's environment was tedious, also. With heavy rain, the soil could become soggy and muddy, making it hard for the samurai to fight. Their armor consisted of metal plates tied with silk cords that could become wet making their armor heavy. Yet, this is a disadvantage but shows how strong the samurai were. They were trained to fight these circumstances and would fight no matter what. The samurai were trained in strength, speed and accuracy. The knights did have much skill also, being that they were trained to ride the horse while fighting in battle. Yet, the samurai were so skilled in all sorts of weapons and they could fight more deftly than the knights being that their armor consisted of more flexible materials. Their armor was a fully protected armor very similar with the knights. Many people argue that the knight's armor was more protective and could withstand anything. Yet, WHILE A KNIGHT'S ARMOR WAS MADE TO WITHSTAND ALL WEAPONS, SAMURAIS' SWORDS AND WEAPONS WERE MADE TO PENETRATE ALL ARMOR. Thus, we go to our next topic.

A samurai's sword was unmatched in sharpness and cutting power, especially the katana. Their weaponary was so exquisitely, and most horrifyingly, insanely AWESOME, that it even became an art form.