The Kamakura period (1185-1333) was the first period in which the samurai took power in Japan. The Kamakura shogunate, a warrior government, was established in Kamakura and controlled all samurai throughout Japan. During the Kamakura Period, new cultures and religions spread among the samurai and common people, despite facing difficulties such as conflicts with the Imperial Court, foreign invasions, and natural disasters. Below is a brief introduction to the history and characteristics of the Kamakura Period.
Beginning of the Kamakura Period
The Kamakura Period began with a war called the Genpei Kassen, which took place at the end of the Heian Period. Two warrior clans, the Minamoto and Taira clans, fought over the succession of the emperor and political power. Minamoto no Yoritomo, the leader of the Minamoto clan, led the warriors of the eastern provinces (Kanto region) to destroy the Taira clan. He was then entrusted by the Imperial Court with the posts of governor and chief of the provinces, and gained authority over all the samurai throughout the country. This is considered to be the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate. Yoritomo himself received the title of “Seiin Taishogun” (barbarian general) and established the headquarters of the shogunate in Kamakura. Yoritomo established a master-servant relationship between the samurai, who were indebted to him for giving them land, and the samurai, who fought to protect that land. This was the beginning of the feudal system in Japan.
Politics in the Kamakura Period
Politics in the Kamakura period (1185-1333) started with the dictatorship of Yoritomo, but later a family called the Hojo clan came to hold the real power of the shogunate. The Hojo clan served as the regent, an assistant to the shogun, and established a council system of government called the council of councils to decide policy. The Hojo also established three offices, the Samurai Office, the Masasho Office, and the Insho Office, which were responsible for the leadership of the samurai, government affairs, finances, and judicial decisions. In the provinces, officials called gōgo and jitō were appointed to manage the land, collect tribute, and maintain public order. However, the guardians and jichigashira gradually came to think of the land as their own and began to rebel against the rule of the shogunate.
Society and Culture in the Kamakura Period
The society and culture of the Kamakura period saw a new wind blowing among the samurai and common people. Unlike the aristocratic culture of the Heian period (794-1185), the Kamakura culture, which was characterized by a simple and sturdy character, flourished. Samurai honed their martial arts, such as horseback riding and archery, and emphasized the spirit of bushido. The common people worked hard in agriculture and commerce, and markets and port towns developed. In addition, during the Kamakura period (1185-1333), Buddhism underwent major changes. It changed from Buddhism for the nobles to Buddhism for the warriors and common people. This is called Kamakura Buddhism. In Kamakura Buddhism, new sects such as Jodo-shu, Jodo Shinshu, Zen-shu, Nichiren-shu, and Toki-shu were born. These sects preached salvation through simple methods and attracted many followers.
Events in the Kamakura Period
The Kamakura period was marked by significant events such as conflicts between the Shogunate and the Imperial Court and foreign invasions. The following is a chronological table of major events.
- 1221: Emperor Go-Toba unsuccessfully rebelled against the Shogunate. This is called the Jokyu Rebellion.
- 1249: Hojo Tokiyori assumed the regent’s office and established the council of reviewers. This marked the beginning of regency rule.
- 1252: The Onjosei Shikimoku, a set of samurai laws, is enacted.
- 1274: Yuan (Mongol) troops invade Japan, but are driven back by a typhoon. This is called the Bun’ei no Yaku.
- 1281: Yuan’s army invades Japan again, but is forced to retreat by a typhoon. This is called the Koan War.
- 1285: Hojo Tokimune is appointed regent and becomes the supreme power, known as Tokimune. This marks the beginning of the Tokumune monarchy.
- 1318: Emperor Godaigo ascends to the throne and begins to move against the Shogunate.
- 1333: Nitta Yoshisada, under the order of Emperor Godaigo, attacked Kamakura and destroyed the Kamakura Shogunate. The end of the Kamakura period.
Summary
The Kamakura period (1185-1333) was the first time that samurai took power in Japan. The Kamakura shogunate, a samurai government, was established in Kamakura and controlled all the samurai throughout the country. During the Kamakura period, new cultures and religions spread among the samurai and common people, despite facing difficulties such as conflicts with the Imperial Court, foreign invasions, and natural disasters. The Kamakura period is one of the most important periods in Japanese history. If you are traveling to Japan from abroad, please try to learn more about the Kamakura period.
