List of shoguns facts for kids

A shogun was a powerful military leader in Japan. For many centuries, from 709 to 1868, shoguns were like military dictators who ruled the country. They were in charge of the army and often had more real power than the emperor. This article lists the different shoguns who led Japan during these times.

Early Shoguns (709–1184)

In the early days, the title of shogun wasn't always the same. For example, Kose no Maro was called the Mutsu Chintō Shōgun, which meant "Great General of Subduing Mutsu." This was a title for someone who helped control certain areas.

Later, Ki no Kosami held the title Seitō Taishōgun, meaning "Commander-in-chief for the pacification of the East." This was an important military role.

The first person to get the very important title of Seii Taishōgun was Ōtomo no Otomaro. This title meant "Great appeasing general of the barbarians." It was given to generals who fought against groups that were not under the emperor's control. Sakanoue no Tamuramaro was the second, and Minamoto no Yoritomo was the third to receive this special title.

No.	Portrait	Name (birth–death)	Shogun from	Shogun until
1		Kose no Maro	709
2		Tajihi no Agatamori	720	721
3		Ōtomo no Yakamochi (c. 718–785)	784	785
4		Ki no Kosami	788	789
5		Ōtomo no Otomaro (731–809)	793	794
6		Sakanoue no Tamuramaro (758–811)	797	808
7		Funya no Watamaro (765–823)	811	816
8		Fujiwara no Tadabumi (873–947)	940
9		Minamoto no Yoshinaka (1154–1184)	1184

Kamakura Shogunate (1192–1333)

The Kamakura shogunate was the first long-lasting military government in Japan. It was started by Minamoto no Yoritomo, who became the first shogun of this period. The shogunate ruled from the city of Kamakura.

No.	Portrait	Name (birth–death)	Shogun from	Shogun until
1		Minamoto no Yoritomo (1147–1199)	1192	1199
2		Minamoto no Yoriie (1182–1204)	1202	1203
3		Minamoto no Sanetomo (1192–1219)	1203	1219
4		Kujō Yoritsune (1218–1256)	1226	1244
5		Kujō Yoritsugu (1239–1256)	1244	1252
6		Prince Munetaka (1242–1274)	1252	1266
7		Prince Koreyasu (1264–1326)	1266	1289
8		Prince Hisaaki (1276–1328)	1289	1308
9		Prince Morikuni (1301–1333)	1308	1333

Kamakura Shoguns Timeline

This timeline shows when each shogun of the Kamakura period was in power.

Kenmu Restoration (1333–1336)

The Kenmu Restoration was a short period when the emperor tried to take back power from the shoguns. However, it didn't last long, and new shoguns soon took control.

No.	Portrait	Name (birth–death)	Shogun from	Shogun until
1		Prince Moriyoshi (1308–1335)	1333
2		Prince Narinaga (1326 – c. 1337–44)	1335	1336

Ashikaga Shogunate (1336–1573)

The Ashikaga shogunate followed the Kenmu Restoration. This shogunate was founded by Ashikaga Takauji and lasted for over 200 years. During this time, there were many conflicts and changes in power.

No.	Portrait	Name (birth–death)	Shogun from	Shogun until
1		Ashikaga Takauji (1305–1358)	1338	1358
2		Ashikaga Yoshiakira (1330–1367)	1359	1367
3		Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (1358–1408)	1369	officially 1395
				really 1408
4		Ashikaga Yoshimochi (1386–1428)	1395	officially 1423
				really 1428
5		Ashikaga Yoshikazu (1407–1425)	1423	1425
6		Ashikaga Yoshinori (1394–1441)	1429	1441
7		Ashikaga Yoshikatsu (1434–1443)	1442	1443
8		Ashikaga Yoshimasa (1436–1490)	1449	officially 1474
				really 1490
9		Ashikaga Yoshihisa (1465–1489)	1474	1489
10		Ashikaga Yoshitane (1466–1523)	1490	1493
11		Ashikaga Yoshizumi (1481–1511)	1495	1508
(10)		Ashikaga Yoshitane (1466–1523)	1508	1522
12		Ashikaga Yoshiharu (1511–1550)	1522	officially 1547
				really 1550
13		Ashikaga Yoshiteru (1536–1565)	1547	1565
14		Ashikaga Yoshihide (1538–1568)	1568
15		Ashikaga Yoshiaki (1537–1597)	1568	removed 1573
				stepped down 1588

Ashikaga Shoguns Timeline

This timeline shows the rule of the Ashikaga shoguns.

Azuchi–Momoyama Period (1568–1600)

During this time, Japan was unified by powerful military leaders. They acted like shoguns, even if they didn't always have the official title. They brought an end to a long period of fighting between different clans.

No.	Portrait	Name (birth–death)	Real shogun from	Real shogun until
1		Oda Nobunaga (1535–1582)	1568	officially 1575
				really 1582
2		Oda Nobutada (1557–1582)	1575	1582
3		Oda Hidenobu (1580–1605)	1582	1583
1		Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1537–1598)	1585	officially 1592
				really 1598
2		Toyotomi Hidetsugu (1568–1595)	1592	1595
3		Toyotomi Hideyori (1593–1615)	1598	officially 1603

From 1598 to 1600, a group called the Council of Five Elders had the real power, acting like shoguns.

Tokugawa Shogunate (1600–1868)

The Tokugawa shogunate was the last and longest-lasting shogunate in Japan's history. It was founded by Tokugawa Ieyasu after a major battle. This period brought a long time of peace and stability to Japan.

No.	Portrait	Name (birth–death)	Shogun from	Shogun until
1		Tokugawa Ieyasu (1543–1616)	really 1600	officially 1605
			officially 1603	really 1616
2		Tokugawa Hidetada (1579–1632)	1605	officially 1623
				really 1632
3		Tokugawa Iemitsu (1604–1651)	1623	1651
4		Tokugawa Ietsuna (1641–1680)	1651	1680
5		Tokugawa Tsunayoshi (1646–1709)	1680	1709
6		Tokugawa Ienobu (1662–1712)	1709	1712
7		Tokugawa Ietsugu (1709–1716)	1713	1716
8		Tokugawa Yoshimune (1684–1751)	1716	officially 1745
				really 1751
9		Tokugawa Ieshige (1712–1761)	1745	officially 1760
				really 1761
10		Tokugawa Ieharu (1737–1786)	1760	1786
11		Tokugawa Ienari (1773–1841)	1787	officially 1837
				really 1841
12		Tokugawa Ieyoshi (1793–1853)	1837	1853
13		Tokugawa Iesada (1824–1858)	1853	1858
14		Tokugawa Iemochi (1846–1866)	1858	1866
15		Tokugawa Yoshinobu (1837–1913)	1866	1867

Tokugawa Shoguns Timeline

This timeline shows the leaders of the Tokugawa shogunate.