shoguns
Feudal Japanese rulers
Shoguns were the military dictators who ruled Japan from the late 12th century until 1868, wielding power while emperors remained as ceremonial figureheads.
The title passed through hereditary dynasties, with the Tokugawa shoguns holding control for over 250 years.
In contemporary use, shogun sometimes describes any powerful behind-the-scenes leader: He was the shogun of the department, making all the real decisions.
Ruling samurai dynasty, 1600s-1800s
- sakokuTokugawa-era isolation policy
- sankin-kotaiRequired periodic capital residence
- isolationismPolicy avoiding foreign alliances
- PerryPersonal name, either position
Samurai honor system
- katanaCurved Japanese fighting blade
- daimyoJapanese feudal landowner
- roninFeudal drifter-warrior
- armorProtective combat covering
seppuku · warrior · clan · fealty · honor · swordsmanship · battlefield · horseback
Japanese feudal landowner
- KyotoJapan's former imperial seat
- NaraFormer Japanese capital
- emperorMale ruler of empire
- courtTrial venue or sports surface
fiefdom · vassals · tribute · land grants · military government
Japanese ceremonial drum
- unificationMerging into one entity
- conquestDefeating and seizing control
- campaignsOrganized efforts toward goals
- successionFollowing in order
Formal authoritative directive
- successionFollowing in order
- legitimacyLawful or rightful status
- appointmentScheduled time for something
- deposalRemoval from authority
regency · vassalage · proclamation · decree · dominion
Tokugawa
Ruling samurai dynasty, 1600s-1800s
- sakokuTokugawa-era isolation policy
- sankin-kotaiRequired periodic capital residence
- isolationismPolicy avoiding foreign alliances
Perry · ukiyo-e · kabuki · mercantilism
bushido
Samurai honor system
armor · seppuku · warrior · clan · fealty · honor · swordsmanship · battlefield · horseback · retainer
daimyo
Japanese feudal landowner
court · fiefdom · vassals · tribute · land grants · military government
taiko
Japanese ceremonial drum
- unificationMerging into one entity
- conquestDefeating and seizing control
- campaignsOrganized efforts toward goals
succession · alliance · betrayal · siege · territory
mandate
Formal authoritative directive
- successionFollowing in order
- legitimacyLawful or rightful status
- appointmentScheduled time for something
deposal · regency · vassalage · proclamation · decree · dominion
- Asian historyancient China, China, empresses, Chinese civilization, Laozi
- eliteelite, elites, aristocrats, nobility, best
- EmperorsAugustus, Nero, Caligula, Claudius, Trajan
- notable peoplepoliticians, artists, leaders, writers, scientists
- Kamakura JapanMongol invasions, military government
shogunsfoot soldiers
Ground-based military fighters
conscripts · ronin · vassals · infantry · retainers
- Tokugawa ShogunateJapan's 1600s military government
- Ashikaga shogunateMedieval Japanese military government