Shogun facts for kids
Shogun (将軍) was a very important military title in old Japan, before the Meiji period (which started in 1868). The word "Shogun" simply means general in Japanese. The full, longer title was Seii Taishogun, which meant "Great General who fights against the Eastern barbarians and will win."
At first, shoguns were just generals who worked for the emperor. The emperor had all the power and chose who would be shogun. But over time, the shoguns became much more powerful. In 1192, a strong samurai leader named Minamoto no Yoritomo received the title of Shogun from Emperor Go-Shirakawa. From that point on, the Shogun was usually the real ruler of Japan, not the emperor. This system lasted for many centuries.
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What Was the Shogunate?
The office or government of the Shogun was called the shogunate. In Japanese, it was known as bakufu, which means "office in a tent." This name came from a time when military leaders, like the Shogun, would set up their command center in a tent on the battlefield.
Japan's Three Main Shogunates
Throughout history, there were three main shogunates that ruled Japan for long periods:
Kamakura Shogunate (1192–1333)
- This was the first shogunate.
- It was started by Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1192.
- This period is named after the city of Kamakura, where the government was based.
Muromachi Shogunate (1338–1573)
- Also known as the Ashikaga shogunate.
- It was founded by Ashikaga Takauji.
- This shogunate was named after the Muromachi district in Kyoto.
Tokugawa Shogunate (1602–1868)
- Also known as the Edo shogunate.
- This was the last and longest-lasting shogunate.
- It was founded by Tokugawa Ieyasu.
- This period is named after the city of Edo (now Tokyo), where its government was located.
The End of Shogun Rule
In 1868, the last Shogun of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Tokugawa Yosinobu, gave up his position. This event marked the end of the Shogun's rule and the end of Japan's feudal period, where powerful military lords controlled the country. After this, the emperor once again became the true ruler of Japan.
Images for kids
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Sakanoue no Tamuramaro (758–811) was one of the first shoguns of the early Heian period
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Ashikaga Takauji (1336/1338–1358) established the Ashikaga shogunate
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Ukiyo-e of Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate
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Shogun hearing a lawsuit at Fukiage (of Edo Castle) by Toyohara Chikanobu
See also
In Spanish: Shōgun para niños
