LESSON 9.4 How did the sh̄oguns take control?
LEARNING INTENTION By the end of this lesson you should be able to • outline how power passed from the emperor to the Kamakura sh̄ogunate • explain the rise of sh̄ogun power • describe the succession of sh̄ogun rule, including the rise of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Tune in The emperor, even as an adult, was never involved in physical conflict himself. He always had a group of loyal soldiers nearby to protect him. 1. Identify four different roles shown in SOURCE 1. 2. Explain how clothing, hairstyle and position in the image help you classify these roles. 3. Analyse what these roles reveal about the society during the civil war.
SOURCE1 This thirteenth-century illustration shows the escape of the Taira clan and their supporters from Kyoto during civil war.
9.4.1
Power struggles
The Heian period (794–1185) in Japanese history was named after the capital Heian-kȳo (modern-day Kyoto). This period is considered to be a golden age of classical Japanese culture. The Heian period saw power struggles between the Fujiwara, Minamoto and Taira clans. The Fujiwara dominated from the seventh to twelfth centuries, controlling key royal court offices and provincial governorships. Emperors often married Fujiwara women, and senior Fujiwara members acted as regents for young emperors, effectively ruling Japan. In 1068, Emperor Go-Sanj̄o reduced their influence by appointing Minamoto clan members to some offices. His mother and wife were Minamoto, fostering loyalty to the clan. However, in 1180, Emperor Takakura was forced to abdicate by his Taira relatives, and his 2-year-old son became emperor. The child’s Taira mother and relatives assumed control as regents . The Minamoto clan rebelled against the Taira, sparking a civil war during the years 1180–85. Minamoto no Yoritomo,
SOURCE2 Twelfth-century artwork of Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first sh̄ogun to rule Japan
leading his clan, was appointed sh̄ogun after the clan captured Kyoto and installed the young Go-Toba as emperor. Yoritomo’s rise marks the shift from the Classical period to the sh̄ogunate or feudal era, lasting 700 years. The sh̄oguns and samurai ruled, and Buddhism became the dominant religion.
220 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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