A Samurai: The First Samurai Rulers - Shogun
The Heian period was a time when the Emperor had dominance
but in reality, as a product of the Fujiwara clan intermarrying with the
imperial family. During the Heian period most of the power and regency was with
the Fujiwara clan.
The Hogen rebellion 1156 resulted in the first Samurai
rulers. The Fujiwara clan had begun to instil regents from their clan. The
Hogen rebellion was about the Japanese Imperial Succession as much as it was
about entrenching the practice of Fujiwara regency.
Headed by Taira no Kiyomori of the Taira clan during the
late period of the Heian period a bloody civil war known as the Hogen rebellion
resulted in establishing the Minamoto clan and the Taira clan as the dominant
force. Subsequently 3 years later in 1159 there was the Heji rebellion. This
was fought between the victors of the Hogen rebellion the Minamoto clan and the
Taira clan.
Eventually Taira no Kiyomori became victorious. And even
displayed benevolence and exiled the remaining sons of the Minamoto no
Yoshimoto of the Minamoto clan.
Something that would be the downfall of the Taira clan later.
Using the Taira wealth and prestige Kiyomori exerted power
over Japan. Taira no Kiyomori married
his daughter Tokuko to the emperor Takakura and forced many of the dignitaries
to resign and instilled his family and friends into positions of power.
This monopoly resulted in his downfall much of his own clan
turned against him and the brother of Emporer Takakura called on the Minamoto clan
to rally and destroy the Taira clan. In 1180 the Genpei war began just prior Kiyomori
died and did not see the grand demise of his clan.
Following the monopolisation of power by the Taira clan and
the expulsion of many government officials and the call to arms that the
Minamoto clan heeded from the Emperors brother (Prince Takakura).
The Genpei war began!
It was a national civil war that lasted 5 years starting
from 1180 and would see the Taira clan usurped from power and establish the
Kamakura Shogunate.
The Kamakura shogunate was founded by Yoritomo
Minamoto. In the year 1185. The Kamakura
period lasted from 1185-1333. Lasting 148 years. Yoritomo Minamoto ruled from
Kamakura hence the name of the Shogunate.
During this period, the Kamakura Shogunate successfully
repelled the Mongol invasions of Kublai Khan in 1274 and 1281. On both
occasions that the Mongols invaded in 1274 and 1281 there was a divine wind
that destroyed many of their ships. This divine wind came to be known as a
kamikaze.
Additionally, the Jokyu war was in 1221 in which the retired
emperor Go-Toba waged a rebellion against the Kamakura Shogunate. Yet to no
avail.
The Kamakura Shogunate was overthrown in what is known as the
Kenmu restoration in 1333 re-establishing imperial rule under Go-Daigo. This
was so very short lived and the Ashikaga Shogunate was established in 1336.
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