How were the Bushido code and code of chivalry similar?

Answer 1

Both warrior philosophies were practiced at similar times in history. While Bushido was much more codified, what was expected of a chivalrous knight was no less demanding.

Under Bushido, the warrior was expected to live his life by this code:

• Benevolence (仁, jin?) - treat all others with tenderness and love.
• Courage (勇, yū?) - to fill oneself with brave, courageous energy.
• Honesty (誠, makoto?) - display truth in all words and actions.
• Honor (名誉, meiyo?) - be honorable in everything, and all will see honor in you.
• Loyalty (忠義, chūgi?) - be faithful to the right action of the heart, you will do what you believe.
• Rectitude (義, gi?) - doing what is right in all things
• Respect (礼, rei?) - let politeness govern all actions

Chivalry at it's height established three forms:

Duties to countrymen and fellow Christians:

• Virtues contained within this form were mercy, courage, valor, fairness, protection of the weak and the poor, and service of the knight to his lord. Additionally, the idea of being willing to sacrifice one's life for another was important. This sacrifice was no less important if given for his lord or a serf.

Duties to God:

• Virtues under this form consisted of faithfulness to God, protecting the innocent, being faithful to the church, being the champion of good against evil, being generous and obeying God above the feudal lord.

Duties to women:

• This form made no distinction between the poorest widow or the highest queen and is likely the most familiar aspect of chivalry. This would contain what is often called courtly love, the idea that the knight is to serve a lady, and after her all other ladies. Most especially in this category is a general gentleness and graciousness to all women, a familiarity with writing and poetry and the acceptable forms of romantic love.