Although Yoritomo never received the title of shogun from the imperial court, he held real power over the country and was posthumously recognized with this title by the Emperor Go-Daigo in 1333.
Yoritomo's Early Life:
Minamoto no Yoritomo was born in 1147 as the second son of Minamoto no Yoshitomo, a prominent samurai warrior. His mother, Tokiwa Gozen, was a daughter of the Taira clan, the main rivals of the Minamoto clan during the Heian period.
The Genpei War:
In 1180, the Genpei War broke out between the Minamoto and the Taira clans, each vying for control of the country. Yoritomo initially remained neutral, but after his father's defeat and his own exile to Izu Province in 1181, he decided to join the fight.
Rise to Power:
From his base in Izu, Yoritomo rallied support from other Minamoto clansmen and gradually gained control of eastern Japan. He appointed reliable vassals as his military governors (shugo) and established a network of alliances with local warrior families.
In 1183, Yoritomo and his allies launched a major attack against the Taira clan, culminating in the decisive naval Battle of Dan-no-ura in 1185. The Taira were annihilated, and Yoritomo emerged as the most powerful figure in Japan.
Establishment of the Kamakura Shogunate:
In 1192, Yoritomo established his military government at Kamakura, located in present-day Kanagawa Prefecture. He adopted the title of shogun, although it was not formally bestowed upon him by the emperor.
Yoritomo's shogunate marked a shift from the centralized imperial rule of the Heian period to a decentralized feudal system dominated by samurai warriors. He introduced new laws, known as the Jōei Code, which established the legal framework for the feudal society and samurai government.
Consolidation of Power:
Yoritomo further consolidated his power by eliminating potential threats, including his own relatives who posed a challenge to his authority. He also established a system of checks and balances to prevent any one vassal from becoming too powerful and challenging the shogun's control.
Yoritomo's rule laid the foundation for the samurai-dominated Kamakura shogunate, which lasted for over 150 years and shaped the course of Japanese history for centuries to come.
Yoritomo's Death:
Minamoto no Yoritomo died on February 9, 1199, at the age of 53, leaving behind a legacy of power and influence. He was succeeded by his son, Minamoto no Yoriie, who served as the second shogun of the Kamakura shogunate.