History glossary
shogun
a military ruler of Japan, and by extension the warrior government ruled through that office.
- Category
- Political office
- Region
- Japan
- Date range
- 1185-1868
What it means
A shogun was a military ruler who governed Japan in the emperor's name. A shogunate was the government built around that office, with warrior authority, officials and domain management standing at the centre of political power.
Related terms
Stories using this term
Imperial Japan
From Meiji modernisation to colonial rule, militarism, mobilisation and defeat, Imperial Japan rose as a modern empire before collapsing in 1945.
The Meiji Restoration
From Tokugawa order to imperial restoration, conscription, industrialisation and military victory, the Meiji era transformed Japan into a modern imperial power.
