Kamakura shogunate

Japanese dynasty

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

The Kamakura shogunate, established by Minamoto Yoritomo in 1192, marked the beginning of a feudal military government in Japan that lasted until 1333. Yoritomo, after defeating the rival Taira clan, set up his headquarters in Kamakura, creating a bakufu, or "tent government". This system placed military governors (shugo) and estate stewards (jito) throughout the provinces, effectively shifting power from the imperial court in Kyoto to the warrior class.1234

While legally subordinate to the emperor, the shogun held de facto control over the country. The Kamakura period saw the rise of samurai ideals, the influence of Zen Buddhism, and the development of military chronicles. The shogunate faced challenges, including two Mongol invasions in the late 13th century, and ultimately collapsed in 1333 due to internal weaknesses and revolts.32

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Unkei
…and was commissioned by the Kamakura shogunate (the military government with headquarters in Kamakura) to make statues for the Kōfuku Temple and Tōdai Temple in Nara. He undertook the task with the help of Kaikei, his father’s best pupil, and more than 20 assistants. Best known of their collaborative efforts…
Read More
…and was commissioned by the Kamakura shogunate (the military government with headquarters in Kamakura) to make statues for the Kōfuku Temple and Tōdai Temple in Nara. He undertook the task with the help of Kaikei, his father’s best pupil, and more than 20 assistants. Best known of their collaborative efforts…
Read More

Japanese art
Kamakura period
…bakufu, literally “tent government”) in Kamakura, a small seaside village on a peninsula to the south of present-day Tokyo. Control of the shogunate soon passed to the Hōjō family through Yoritomo’s widow, but the government did not return to Kyōto until 1333. The years from 1185 to 1333 are thus…
Read More
…bakufu, literally “tent government”) in Kamakura, a small seaside village on a peninsula to the south of present-day Tokyo. Control of the shogunate soon passed to the Hōjō family through Yoritomo’s widow, but the government did not return to Kyōto until 1333. The years from 1185 to 1333 are thus…
Read More