other · Korea and Japan

Kamakura shogunate

1185 CE – 1333 CE · capital Kamakura

Japan's first warrior government, which ruled from Kamakura alongside the imperial court and twice repelled Mongol invasions.

Origins

After victory in the Genpei War, Minamoto no Yoritomo won the right in 1185 to appoint military governors (shugo) and estate stewards (jito) across Japan, creating a warrior administration based at Kamakura. The court named him shogun in 1192.

Rule and society

After Yoritomo's death power passed to the Hojo family, who ruled as regents (shikken) for puppet shoguns. They defeated the retired emperor Go-Toba in the Jokyu War of 1221 and issued the Goseibai shikimoku law code in 1232 for warriors. Under Hojo Tokimune the shogunate resisted Mongol invasions in 1274 and 1281. New Buddhist movements of Honen, Shinran, Nichiren and Zen spread widely.

Decline and legacy

The cost of the Mongol defence left warriors unrewarded and resentful. Emperor Go-Daigo rose against the Hojo, and in 1333 Ashikaga Takauji took Kyoto while Nitta Yoshisada stormed Kamakura, ending the regime and opening the Kenmu Restoration.

Lineage

Ritsuryo Japan 701 CE – 1185 CEKamakura shogunateKenmu Restoration 1333 CE – 1336 CE

Connections (1)

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Kamakura shogunate. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/kamakura-shogunate
MLA
“Kamakura shogunate.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/kamakura-shogunate. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Kamakura shogunate.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/kamakura-shogunate.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Kamakura shogunate’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/kamakura-shogunate (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻