SkillBuilder discussion Using historical sources 1. Describe who Minamoto no Yoritomo ( SOURCE2 ) was and his significance in Japanese history. 2. Define the term sh̄ogun and explain Yoritomo’s role in establishing the sh̄ogunate. 3. Explain how the Minamoto clan overthrew the Taira clan and gained control of Japan.
9.4.2 The rise of the sh̄ogun The civil war and the broader trends in Japanese society illustrate the sh̄oguns’ dominance from 1192 to 1868. The eighth-century estates given to the daimȳo brought them significant wealth and power, enabling them to hire samurai for protection. This fostered a warrior class that respected military prowess. These estates were often remote, limiting the emperor’s control and increasing the daimȳo’s bargaining power. Many emperors, including Emperor Antoku (1180) and Emperor Go-Toba (1183), were infants when they ascended the throne, allowing powerful regents to dominate. This further weakened the emperors’ authority. Leading up to the twelfth century, the emperor’s power declined while daimȳo clans gained strength. Since the sh̄ogun was the most powerful daimȳo, it was inevitable that his power would surpass that of the emperor.
SOURCE4 Fourteenth-century Emperor Go-Daigo, holding implements associated with Buddhist worship
SOURCE3 A commemorative statue of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa sh̄ogunate
SkillBuilder discussion Historical significance Look at SOURCES3 and 4 . Discuss the significance of each of these rulers. What did each achieve?
TOPIC9 Japan under the sh̄oguns 221
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