The Kamakura Era

Birth of the Shogunate: Kamakura

With the fall of the Aristocracies during the Heian period, the first establishment of a Shogunate system was created. The Kamakura Era of Japan “takes its name from the garrison town of Kamakura on Sagami Bay in central Honshu, not far from modern Tokyo.” (Colcutt). The Kamakura Era lasted from 1192 until 1333 C.E. and began what is referred to as Japan’s 700 year medieval period. This era defined the foundation of the hierarchical Shogunate system and the role of the legendary samurai warriors. Founded by Minamoto no Yoritomo, the Samurai were part of the warrior government system known as Bakufu. This historically famous system was established after the Genpei War. “The war between [the] Minamoto... and Taira

forces were a major civil war that [lasted] for five years from 1180 to 1185” (Ron). During this period, the importance of warriors had become deeply rooted in their culture. Likewise, Buddhism had also become more popular and was another main influence on popular culture of the time period. Hard times were wrought by the Mongols who had attempted to invade Japan during this period. Their efforts may not have ended the Kamakura rule single-handedly, but it certainly played a role that led to their demise.
The Shogunate system was run by a hierarchical system that resembled that of many other Hierarchies throughout history. The main difference is that the top class in this system did not hold the most power. Starting at the top, Japan had an emperor. Under the Emperor was the Shogun who had almost absolute power. Following the Shogun were multiple Daimyo who were in charge of ruling different regions of Japan. They were also known as feudal landowners they served as authority in different regions of Japan (Smyth). Under the Daimyo were the Samurai. The Samurai swore absolute loyalty to their respected Daimyo and were the warrior class in this society. In exchange for swearing their loyalty to their Daimyo, Samurai were granted “land and position” (McGee). Beneath the Samurai were farmers, merchants, artisans and peasants. The odd category of Shikken fits in right underneath the Shogun. They served as regents for the Shogun who were not yet fit for the full authority. Throughout the era, The Hojo clan held this position (Colcutt). The military governance of Bakufu as opposed the Heian period of Japan was a more stable way of running the Feudal Empire of Japan.
The Kamakura Era arguably began in 1185 when Minamoto defeated the Taira clan. However, the establishment and foundation of Kamakura rule did not begin until 1192. Before Minamoto gained power, Japan had been in a state with questionable authority. Multiple families ran different areas of Japan with the Taira clan at the head. This era was known as the Heian period and would be brought to an end after a civil war between two rival clans. This war is known as the Genpei war and lasted five years. The struggle for power ended when Yoritomo no Minamoto defeated the Taira clan at sea, during the battle of “Dannoura” (Ron). Yoritomo established the military Shogunate system only to die shortly after. He was said to have died due to an illness, however this is not confirmed (Ron). Before his death, he decided to keep the Emperor at the top of the hierarchical chain and was appointed Shogun. As Shogun he held much power and used the Emperor, Go Toba, as a puppet for political affairs. Yoritomo had three heirs. The first heir to take the position of Shogun was Yoritomo's eldest son named Yoriie. Yoriie died shortly after his appointment as well and this trend continued with the third Shogun. The third Shogun was Yoritomo’s second son Sanetomo. Sanetomo was assassinated by his nephew who thought Sanetomo had something to do with his father’s, Yorrie’s, death. He was then sentenced to death and the Minamoto lineage ended there. During Sanetomo’s reign The Hojo family had used him as a puppet just as Yoritomo had intended to use the Emperor (Toshiko). The Hojo clan had much political influence because of their direct marital relation with the Minamoto family (Toshiko). This status was further increased when they took the rank of Shikken. The Shikken title was immediately made hereditary and continued to exist up until the downfall of the Kamakura rule (Colcutt). Moving down the political ladder, the Samurai were a relatively new class of warrior that had some interesting traditions
Some of the more interesting practices from this era stem from the traditions of the Samurai. For example, samurai swords were ranked by how many human bodies they could chop through in one swing (McGee). Samurai, under certain conditions would perform the Seppuku. The Seppuku was a form of honorable ritualistic suicide that was particularly gruesome. Under the circumstances that a samurai would be captured or killed by the enemy, the warrior would use a short sword called a “tanto” and slice open their own abdomen from side to side (Corcoran). Even if they were to simply dishonor themselves and/or their families, their designated Daimyo would order them to perform this. This practiced was no longer expected of Samurai following the Kamakura era, however that did not stop many honorable soldiers in the future from doing the very same. Honor within Japanese culture is very important, and many thought what better way to end your life than the most honorable way possible. With regard to culture, the Kamakura era was certainly a step forward since most of what was previous an offshoot of outdated Chinese practices (Green).
The Kamakura era was the next step in evolution culturally for the individuality of what has become Japan today.

Buddhism for the first time was practiced by the masses and China was no longer an idol that they followed. The change from an aristocratic government to the Feudal Bakufu militarism was one of the main causes for transforming the culture of the Heian period. During the Heian period, “only the elite class could enjoy the grandeur of Buddhist art and ceremony” (A Brief History of Buddhism in Japan.). During the Kamakura rule, Buddhism had become widespread and everyone, no matter their rank could practice Buddhism. Another change has to do with the hierarchy system itself. During the Heian period there were many more levels to their ranking system and were very specific and many were completely exclusive to the upper class. Many of these specificities “applied to one less than one tenth of one percent of the total population” (Green). John Green describes this system as “rigidly hierarchical”. To create such specificities for such a small portion of the population is superfluous. However during the Kamakura era, the rank system became much simpler. Instead of the elite and rich ruling japan, Daimyo and their samurai ruled the regions. Honor was still important as well as their customs, at least that much stayed consistent. New artwork emerged. Much of the new artwork was inspired by the spread of Buddhism and the Bushido. Bushido simple means “The Way of the

Warrior” (McGee). Because of these two factors, many works of arts were created in dedication to idols such as Buddha and their samurai warriors. Specifically the famous Buddha statue “Kamakura Daibutsu” was constructed in “1252” (Kotoku-in). Also known as “Great Buddha of Kamakura”, it stands as a reminder of the Kamakura era and has survived for nearly 800 years (Kotoku-in). Incidentally, the Kamakura era did not last as long as the statue.
The first major incident that aided in the fall of the Kamakura rule was the invasion of the Mongols.

The Mongols were known for forcibly conquering and taking everything and they had a pretty good record of doing just that. Japan would not be conquered so easily though. The first of two attempts to invade Japan would take place in 1274 (Bowdoin). In 1266, Kublai Khan sent a letter that demanded Japan surrender to them. Japan brushed of this attempt at intimidation and refused (LIT esperan). Eight years later, The Mongols invaded with approximately 900 ships and 30,000 soldiers. “Firstly, [the] Tsushima and Iki Island were severely ravaged en route” (LIT esperan). They did not do it alone however, the Mongols already had the Chinese and Koreans under their control. The Mongols used them to create ships and lend soldiers to make this possible. (Lit esperan). The Mongols reached Hakata bay, but did not make it very far inland before they were forced to retreat. Before leaving though, perhaps in a rage of frustration, they did burn down multiple shrines (Bowdoin). Before the second invasion, Japan prepared itself in case they would ever return. Strangely, Japan, unintentionally, mimicked China again. They built a wall to protect against another Mongol invasion. Ironically though, this wall worked. In 1281, the Mongols invaded from two directions. A fleet from Korea attack the Islands of Tsushima and Iki again and eventually landed once again in Hakata Bay. The wall put them at

a severe disadvantage and were forced to retreat to the Isle of Iki. It was at this point that Japan went of the Offensive and pushed the fight to them. The second fleet that came from the shores of China arrived by this point and helped tip the odds in the Mongols favor. The battle resumed on the coast of Takashima. It was at this point that a great Tsunami, known as a “Kamikaze”, hit and sunk one of the Mongols fleets. It is unknown what happened to the other fleet (Bowdoin). Japan had successfully defended their land twice from Mongol invaders with the help of Mother Nature.
“Although the invasions failed and the Mongols took no territory, the impact on Bakufu politics of the Mongol incursions was considerable.” (Colcutt) Much of Japan’s effort for the time was focused on defending the Empire. This led to Japan becoming poorer economically since there were no spoils of war. Japan was indebted to the warrior class but had few ways to compensate. This caused problems within the warrior class. Since the Samurai were loyal to their respected Daimyo within each region, this caused regional tension. On top of that the corrupted Hojo class was not looked too kindly upon by high ranking military officials. Even Emperor Go-Daigo decided to rebel. His rebellion was put down and Japan’s Emperor was exiled to Oki Island. He was later saved by his loyalist. Go-Daigo then gain support from many military leaders who were unhappy with the Hojo rule. This birthed a civil war between the old Emperor and the Hojo clan. Fortunately, the General who once opposed him, Ashikaga defected to his side and together they brought down the Hojo clan and reestablished the Bakufu and Shogunate systems in 1333 (Perez & Colcutt). This marked the end of the Kamakura era and the beginning of the short lived Nanboku-chō period, and eventually the Muromachi Era in 1392 (Muromachi Period). Ashikaga would go on to be very influential throughout the early parts of the Muromachi era (Perez).
The Kamakura era was a fascinating time that revolutionized Japan’s culture, political standing, and religion. Japan no longer looked towards China for cultural influence. Instead, Japan forged its own unique government system known as Bakufu and expanded the role of the legendary samurai warriors. Buddhism flourished as well as new forms of art. They put the Heian Period behind them and ruled through regional military forces instead of aristocracies. Japan successfully fought off the Mongols twice and survived a civil war immediately following that. This era marked the beginning of the 700 year medieval period of Japan that goes uncontested until the 19th century.