Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Minamoto Yoritomo
References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images
Painting by Takanobu showing Yoritomo seated in formal black robes with a tall headpiece, against a muted background with Japanese script above. Minamoto Yoshitsune
At a Glance
default image
Minamoto Yoritomo summary
Related Questions
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Painting by Takanobu showing Yoritomo seated in formal black robes with a tall headpiece, against a muted background with Japanese script above.
Minamoto Yoritomo Minamoto Yoritomo, color on silk cloth attributed to Fujiwara Takanobu; in the collection of Jingo Temple, Kyōto.

Minamoto Yoritomo

Japanese leader
Written by
Keiji Nagahara
Professor of History, Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo. Author of Minamoto no Yoritomo.
Keiji Nagahara
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History

Minamoto Yoritomo (born 1147, Japan—died February 9, 1199, Kamakura) was the founder of the bakufu, or shogunate, a system whereby feudal lords ruled Japan for 700 years. Defying the emperor, Yoritomo established shugo (constables) and jitō (district stewards) throughout the Japanese provinces, thus undermining the central government’s local administrative power, and in 1192 he acquired the title of supreme commander (shogun) over the shugo and jitō. Yoritomo was of noble and, as a descendant of...

Discover the world with Britannica

Subscribe to Continue Reading

Free Trial | No Ads | Exclusive Content
Explore Subscriptions
DNA
Right
Mobile