Final answer:
The shogun in Japan rose to power through military conquest and political strategy, ruling over lords and samurai while the emperor remained a figurehead. Shoguns like Tokugawa Ieyasu further consolidated power through land redistribution and control over the samurai class.
Step-by-step explanation:
How the Shogun Gained Power in Historical Japan
The title of shogun in Japan was established by Minamoto no Yoritomo, who, after a series of victories over rival clans and factions supported by his samurai warriors, declared himself as the commander in chief in 1192. The shogunate system, established in this manner, positioned the shogun as the military and administrative head of Japan, while the emperor was a symbolic figure. Power consolidation ensued with the shoguns rewarding loyal daimyos, implementing control measures on the samurai class, and maintaining a degree of isolationism that kept foreign influence at bay. It wasn't until the Meiji Restoration that the shogun's era came to an end and power was restored directly to the emperor.
Initially, the shogun's power was underpinned by military dominance, control of regional lords known as daimyo, and the supported samurai class, which adhered to the bushido code of conduct. Over time, however, shoguns like Tokugawa Ieyasu also used land distribution and political strategies to maintain and extend their influence. This complex feudal system of governance included multiple layers of authority, from the shogun down to local stewards, all intertwined through a network of rights, obligations, and the implementation of local laws and customs.