The Futile Paradigm: In Quest of Feudalism in Early Medieval Japan
Karl F. Friday
Abstract How useful is ‘feudalism’ as a paradigm for understanding medieval Japan? While the construct has venerable history in application to Japanese past, it rarely invoked by specialists today, who tend focus comparative analyses on fundamental differences, rather than superficial parallels between Japan and Europe. This article examines both utility of feudal construct, discussing problems inherent definitions surveying changing scholarly perceptions late classical early Japan, particularly with regard three key processes: appearance samurai, emergence warrior‐aristocrats rulers, evolution vassalage its relationship benefice.
History Compass