Japanese Shogun

The Japanese 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 1192 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. Their
power was taken by a rebel leader
who would start a new ruling family.

Multiple Choice

Who were the military leaders of Japan?

• Emperor

• The Shogun

• Samurai

• The Qin

Multiple Choice

How was leadership passed down?

• Combat winners

• Chosen by military leadership

• The Emperor said so

• From father to son

Who Were the Shōgun?

The shōgun was usually
chosen by the emperor and
worked alongside him as the
samurai's leader and official
head of the country.

The shōgun was in control of the
Japanese armies and all military
actions and decisions.

Multiple Choice

The shōgun was in control of the _______ and ________and ________.

• Japanese armies

• all military actions

• decisions

• All of the above

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 in 1192,
military leader Minamoto
Yorimoto was appointed as
the first shōgun.

Multiple Choice

Who was appointed the first Shogun?

• Go-Shirakawa

• Quai Gon Jin

• Hiroyuki Sanada

• Minamoto Yorimoto

Multiple Choice

During what period did the Shogun become more powerful than the Nobles?

• Zhou Dynasty

• 6th period

• Heian period

• Qin Dynasty

History of the Shōgun

“Minamoto no Yoritomo(源頼朝)'s grave in Kamakura” by [Tarourashima] is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Yorimoto established 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.

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The Kamukura Shogunate controlled ​ , ​

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,​

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& ​

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.

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taxes

land

agriculture

war

housing

trade

History of the Shōgun

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

He moved the capital city from Kyoto
to Tokyo. Tokugawa Yoshinobu was
the last shōgun, resigning in 1867.

The Tokugawa clan were the final
shōguns, coming to power in 1603.
Tokugawa Leyasu, the founder of
the Tokugawa shōgunate, built a
new capital in Edo.

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The capital moved from​

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​ to​ ​

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then to ​ ​

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Edo

Kyoto

Tokyo

Hong Kong

Japan

Washington

Multiple Choice

Who was the final clan of Shoguns?

• Edo

• Yorimoto

• Tokugawa

• Morimoto

Japanese Class System

Today, the head of the Japanese government is the prime minister.
Sometimes, a retired prime minister who still maintains some power or
influences decisions behind the scenes is known as a “shadow shōgun.”

“Shogun-Hearing-in-Fukiage-by-Toyohara-Chikanobu-1889” by [Toyohara Chikanobu}, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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

Labelling

Who was at the the of the class system (under the Emperor)

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Merchants

Samurai

Diamyos

Shogun