Shōgun

The shōgun (しょうぐん or 将軍）was the military leader in charge of samurai

warriors in ancient Japan during the years 1185 to 1868. The word shōgun,
or “army commander”, was a title given by the Emperor to the top military
commander in the country.

The title of shōgun was usually passed down within families from father to son.
Sometimes the ruling family would become weak, and their power was taken
by a rebel leader, who would start a new ruling family.

Meaning of the Word Shōgun

Shōgun is derived from the word Seii Taishōgun (せいい たいしょうぐん
or 征夷大将軍).

Sei (せい or 征) means “conquer”

I (い or 夷) means “barbarian” or “savage”

Tai (たい or 大) means “great”

Shō (しょう or 将) means “commander”

Gun (ぐん or 軍) means “army”

Who Were the Shōgun?

The shōgun was usually chosen by the Emperor and
worked alongside him as the leader of the samurai
and official head of the country. The shōgun was
in control of the Japanese armies and all military
actions and decisions.

History of the Shōgun

During the Heian period (794 - 1185), members of the military eventually
took control of the government after gradually becoming more powerful than
court officials. After the death of Emperor Go Shirakawa (ごしらかわ てんのう
or 後白河天皇）in 1192, military leader Minamoto Yorimoto was appointed
as the first shōgun. He set up the first shōgunate, or shōgun government, in
Kamakura. This was known as the Kamakura Shōgunate. He controlled matters
related to taxes, land and agriculture until his death in 1199, where he was
buried near his government offices.

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 Shōgun

For almost 700 years after Yorimoto, a succession of shōguns ruled Japan
alongside the Emperor.

The Tokugawa clan were the final shōguns, coming to power in 1603. Tokugawa
Leyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate, built a new capital in Edo,
which moved the capital city from Kyoto to Tokyo. Tokugawa Yoshinobu was the
last shōgun, resigning in 1867.

Japanese Class System

The shōguns were responsible for creating and imposing a strict class system.
The shōguns were at the top, followed by lords known as daimyo (だいみょ),
who each ruled a part of Japan. They were followed by the samurai, farmers,
artisans and merchants.

Emperor (Figurehead with political power)

Shōgun (Military leader)

Daimyo (Nobility)

Samurai (Warrior)

Peasants (Farmers and Fishermen)

Artisans (Craftsmen)

Merchants (Salespeople)

Today, the head of the Japanese government is the Prime Minister. The Prime
Minister works alongside the Emperor, in a similar way to the ancient shōgun.
Sometimes, a retired Prime Minister who still maintains some power or influences
decisions behind the scenes is known as a “shadow shōgun".

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