Shogun

Definition

The shoguns of medieval Japan were military dictators who ruled the country via a feudal system where a vassal's military service and loyalty was given in return for a lord's patronage. Established as an institution by the first shogun proper, Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1192 CE, the shoguns would rule for seven centuries until the Meiji Restoration of 1868 CE. The position of shogun was held by members of certain families which gave their names to two of the three successive shogunate governments (bakufu): the Ashikaga Shogunate (r. 1338-1573 CE) and Tokugawa Shogunate (r. 1603-1868 CE). In the case of the first shogunate, the capital gave its name to the government: the Kamakura Shogunate (r. 1192-1333 CE). The other shogunates may also be referred to by their capitals: Muromachi (Ashikaga Shogunate), an area of Heiankyo/Kyoto, and Edo (Tokugawa Shogunate), the original name of Tokyo.

More about: Shogun

Timeline

  • 1147 - 1199
    Life of Minamoto no Yoritomo, clan leader of the Minamoto and first shogun of Japan.
  • 1192 - 1333
    The Kamakura Shogunate rules Japan.
  • 1192 - 1199
    Minamoto no Yoritomo is shogun in Japan.
  • 1202 - 1203
    Minamoto no Yorie is shogun of Japan.
  • 1203 - 1219
    Minamoto no Sanetomo is shogun of Japan.
  • 1203 - 1205
    Hojo Tokimasa acts as regent to Japan's shogun, the first of 16 such regents
  • 1221
    The Jokyu Disturbance - Japan's emperor Go-Toba launches a failed coup against the Kamakura Shogunate.
  • 1225
    The position of vice-regent to the shogun (rensho) is created in Japan.
  • 1327 - 1333
    Hojo Moritoki reigns as shogun in Japan, the last of the Kamakura Shogunate.
  • c. 1333
    Nitta Yoshisada attacks and destroys Kamakura, capital of Japan's Kamakura Shogunate.
  • 1333 - 1336
    The Kenmu Restoration when the Japanese emperor Go-Daigo uses rebel warlords to oust the Kamakura Shogunate.
  • 1333
    The position of deputy shogun (kanrei) is created in Japan.
  • 1338
    Ashikaga Takauji becomes the new shogun in Japan, it is the beginning of the Ashikaga (Muromachi) Shogunate.
  • 1338 - 1573
    The Ashikaga (Muromachi) Shogunate rules Japan.
  • 1338 - 1358
    Ashikaga Takauji rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1350 - 1352
    Japan's shogun Ashikaga Takauji battles his brother Tadayoshi.
  • 1359 - 1368
    Ashikaga Yoshiakira rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1368 - c. 1394
    Ashikaga Yoshimitsu rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1395 - 1423
    Ashikaga Yoshimochi rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1397
    The Kinkakuji or 'Golden Pavilion' is built in Heiankyo (Kyoto) by the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.
  • 1423 - 1425
    Ashikaga Yoshikazu rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1429 - 1441
    Ashikaga Yoshinori rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1442 - 1443
    Ashikaga Yoshikatsu rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1449 - 1474
    Ashikaga Yoshimasa rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1460 - 1483
    Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion) is built in Heiankyo (Kytoto) Japan by Ashikaga Yoshimasa.
  • 1467 - 1477
    The Onin War between rival warlords rages in Japan.
  • 1467 - 1568
    The Sengoku Period or Warring States Period in Japan.
  • 1474 - 1489
    Ashikaga Yoshihisa rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1490 - 1493
    Ashikaga Yoshitane rules in his first spell as shogun of Japan.
  • 1494 - 1508
    Ashikaga Yoshizumi rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1508 - 1521
    Ashikaga Yoshitane rules in his second spell as shogun of Japan.
  • 1521 - 1546
    Ashikaga Yoshiharu rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1546 - 1565
    Ashikaga Yoshiteru rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1568
    Ashikaga Yoshihide rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1568 - 1588
    Ashikaga Yoshiaki rules as shogun in Japan (but is exiled by Oda Nobunaga from 1573 CE).
  • 1573
    Oda Nobunaga exiles the last Ashikaga shogun, Yoshiaki.
  • 1600
    Tokugawa Ieyasu wins the Battle of Sekigahara against those generals who supported Toyotomi Hideyoshi's son. End of the Azuchi-Momoyama Period.
  • 1603 - 1868
    Edo period. The Tokugawa Shogunate rules Japan.
  • 1603 - 1605
    Tokugawa Ieyasu rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1868
    The Meiji Restoration eliminates the position of shogun in Japan, Edo is renamed Tokyo, and Edo Castle becomes the Imperial Palace.
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