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Period: Jan 1, 1160 to Jan 1, 1185
Taira Family Siezes Control
In the early 11th century, feudal estates headed by daimyo and protected by samurai came to dominate internal Japanese politics. Two of the most powerful families, the Taira and Minamoto, fought for control over the declining imperial court. The Taira family seized control from 1160 to 1185, but was defeated by the Minamoto in the Battle of Dan-no-ura. Minamoto no Yoritomo seized certain powers from the central government and aristocracy and established a feudal system. -
Jan 1, 1192
Shogunate Yoritomomo
Yoritomo was awarded the title of Sei-i Taishōgun by the emperor and the political system he developed with a succession of shogun, at the head became known as a shogunate. -
Period: Jan 1, 1192 to Jan 1, 1333
Kamakura Shogunate
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Jan 1, 1274
Mongol Empire Invades
The Mongol Empire launches an invasion against Japan. -
Jan 1, 1281
Mongol Empire Invades
The Mongol Empire launches an invasion against Japan. -
May 16, 1331
Emperor Go-Daigo
An attempt by Emperor Go-Daigo to restore imperial rule in 1331 was unsuccessful, but weakened the shogunate significantly and led to its eventual downfall -
Jan 1, 1333
Imperial Restoration
The end of the Kamakura shogunate came when Kamakura fell in 1333 and the Hōjō Regency was destroyed. Two imperial families, Go-Saga the senior line, and Go-Daigo the junior line, had a claim to the throne. The problem was solved with the intercession of the Kamakura Shogunate, who had the two lines alternate. This lasted until 1331, when the Go-Daigo line refused to alternate with the Go-Saga line. So Go-Daigo was exiled. Then Ashikaga Takauji helped the Go-Daigo line regain the throne -
Period: Jan 1, 1333 to Jan 1, 1336
Kemmu restoration
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Period: Jan 1, 1336 to Jan 1, 1573
Ashikaga shogunate
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Jan 1, 1338
Ashikaga Takauji
In 1338 Ashikaga Takauji, like Yoritomo a descendant of the Minamoto princes, was awarded the title of sei-i taishōgun and established Ashikaga Shogunate, which lasted until 1573. The Ashikaga had their headquarters in the Muromachi district of Kyoto, and the time period during which they ruled is also known as the Muromachi Period. -
Tokugawa Shogunate
Tokugawa Leyasu seized power and established a government at Edo (now known as Tokyo) -
Period: to
Tokugawa Shogunate
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Period: to
Modern Purpose
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Modern Shogun
Although today the head of the Japanese government is called "prime minister", the usage of the term "shogun" has continued somewhat. A retired prime minister who still wields considerable power and influence behind the scenes is called a "shadow shogun" -
Period: to Jan 1, 1185
Heian Period
Originally, the title of Seii Taishōgun was given to military commanders during the early Heian Period for the duration of military campaigns against the Emishi who resisted the governance of the Imperial court based in Kyoto. Ōtomo no Otomaro became the first Seii Taishōgun in history. The most famous of these shogun was Sakanoue no Tamuramaro who conquered the Emishi in the name of Emperor Kammu. Eventually, the title was abandoned in the later Heian period.
