Why have comparisons between European feudalism and Japanese society sometimes been misleading?

Comparisons between European feudalism and Japanese society have often been misleading because historians frequently rely on a "feudal model" that emphasizes superficial similarities while neglecting significant, unique aspects of each culture's evolution.1

When applying this Western-centric construct to Japan, scholars often highlight characteristics that appear to mirror European practices—such as the relationship between lords and vassals—while overlooking the distinct social and political realities that shaped Japanese history. For instance, during the Kamakura period, while there were connections between the shogun and his vassals, these arrangements were not identical to European fiefs. The bakufu often lacked large tracts of land to grant as fiefs, and warriors frequently operated within a complex system involving absentee proprietors, such as temples, shrines, or the aristocracy, which limited their control over the land and its people.12

Ultimately, using the feudal model creates a deceptive sense of familiarity. By forcing these diverse societies into a single, rigid framework, historians risk obscuring the specific human experiences and unique historical developments that truly defined these civilizations.13