Bakufu
/ˈbɑː.kʊ.fuː/noun
The military government of a Japanese shogun, especially from the Kamakura period through the end of the shogunate in 1868.
Did you know?The term originally evoked the field headquarters of a military commander, reflecting how temporary battlefield authority gradually became Japan’s ruling political system.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Chinese
幕
“A curtain, screen, or military tent”
Ancient Chinese
Chinese
府
“A government office, administrative headquarters, or official residence”
8th–9th Century
Japanese
maku
“Curtain or tent; the Japanese reading of 幕”
8th–9th Century
Japanese
fu
“Government office or administrative headquarters; the Japanese reading of 府”
12th Century
Japanese
bakufu
“A military headquarters or field command associated with a shogun”
Kamakura Period
Japanese
鎌倉幕府 (Kamakura bakufu)
“The Kamakura military government, the first shogunate to rule much of Japan”
Modern English
English
bakufu
“A Japanese shogunate or military government”