key term - Kamakura Shogunate

Definition

The Kamakura Shogunate was the first military government in Japan, established in 1185 and lasting until 1333. This period marked the rise of the samurai class and a shift in power from the imperial court to military leaders known as shoguns. It also established a new political order in Japan, characterized by feudalism, which had lasting impacts on Japanese society and governance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Kamakura Shogunate was founded after the Genpei War, which saw the Minamoto clan emerge victorious against the Taira clan.
2. Minamoto no Yoritomo became the first shogun and established a government centered in Kamakura, which marked a shift from imperial rule.
3. The period saw the emergence of a distinct samurai culture, emphasizing loyalty, honor, and martial prowess.
4. The shogunate faced challenges such as internal conflicts among samurai factions and external threats like the Mongol invasions in the late 13th century.
5. The Kamakura Shogunate ended when it was overthrown by the Ashikaga clan during a period of instability known as the Nanboku-chō period.

Review Questions

• How did the establishment of the Kamakura Shogunate change the political landscape of Japan?
  • The establishment of the Kamakura Shogunate shifted power away from the imperial court to military leaders known as shoguns. This change created a new political structure that prioritized military governance over aristocratic influence. The shogunate also introduced feudalism, which organized society around land ownership and loyalty among lords and vassals, fundamentally altering Japanese governance and social organization.
• Evaluate the impact of the samurai culture on Japanese society during the Kamakura Shogunate.
  • The samurai culture significantly impacted Japanese society during the Kamakura Shogunate by introducing values such as loyalty, honor, and discipline. The samurai became not only warriors but also landowners and local leaders, shaping social hierarchies and governance. Their influence permeated various aspects of life, including art, literature, and even political strategies, thereby establishing norms that persisted in later periods of Japanese history.
• Discuss how external threats during the Kamakura Shogunate influenced its stability and eventual decline.
  • External threats, particularly the Mongol invasions in 1274 and 1281, played a crucial role in testing the stability of the Kamakura Shogunate. Although Japan successfully repelled these invasions with the aid of typhoons known as 'kamikaze' or divine winds, these events strained resources and heightened internal dissent among samurai factions. The resulting pressure contributed to weakened leadership and discontent that ultimately led to the downfall of the shogunate when it was overthrown by internal conflict and rival clans during a time of upheaval.

Related terms

Shogun:

A shogun was a military ruler in Japan, holding significant power and authority over the samurai and the land, often ruling in place of the emperor.

Samurai:

The samurai were the warrior class in feudal Japan, known for their code of honor, loyalty, and martial skills, serving as the backbone of the Kamakura Shogunate's military power.

Feudalism:

Feudalism is a social and economic system where land is exchanged for military service and loyalty, creating a hierarchy among lords, vassals, and serfs.