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 Heian culture was heavily influenced by China and was a patriarchal society. Nonetheless despite this patriarchy it was a time when Female writers flourished and had a massive effect on literature. In fact, as the Heian period ended in the face of the Samurai warrior class and the new era of Samurai Shogunate began. The literature remained.

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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