shogunates

Japanese warrior governments

Shogunates were the military governments that ruled Japan for most of the period from 1185 to 1868, headed by a shogun—a hereditary military dictator who held power while the emperor remained a ceremonial figurehead.

Three major shogunates governed Japan: the Kamakura, Ashikaga, and Tokugawa.

The term now sometimes describes any regime where military strongmen rule behind nominal civilian authority.

governance

daimyo

Japanese feudal landowner

regentInterim throne holder
administrationOrganizational oversight and control
ruleGoverning principle or standard

hegemony · mandate · sovereignty · jurisdiction · autocracy · succession · legitimacy · decree · vassalage · centralization

periods

sakoku

Tokugawa-era isolation policy

unificationMerging into one entity
declineDecrease or refuse
restorationReturning something to condition

warriors

katana

Curved Japanese fighting blade

bushidoSamurai honor system
roninFeudal drifter-warrior
armorProtective combat covering

kabuto · seppuku · wakizashi · tanto · kenjutsu · loyalty · honor · dojo · sword · warfare

hierarchy

daimyo

Japanese feudal landowner

retainerUpfront professional fee
vassalLand-holding sworn subordinate
lordNobleman or ruler

fief · clan · constable · steward · bannerman · liege · fealty · loyalty · service · rank

culture

noh

Classical Japanese dramatic form

kabukiRitualistic performance for show
ukiyo-eJapanese woodblock print tradition
zenMeditative calm

calligraphy · ikebana · haiku · patronage · shinto

shogunates

daimyo

sakoku

katana

daimyo

noh

shogunates

Opposites

Phrases

Categories

Family