Shogunate
/ˈʃoʊɡəneɪt/noun
The system of government in Japan in which a shogun held supreme political and military power.
Did you know?The title shogun began as a temporary military appointment, but it evolved into Japan’s de facto ruling office for nearly seven centuries.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Chinese
Classical Chinese
將軍
“Military commander or general”
Early Medieval Japan
Japanese
shōgun
“A commander appointed to lead military campaigns”
12th Century
Japanese
shōgun
“The supreme military ruler of Japan”
16th Century
Portuguese
xogum
“A Japanese military ruler, recorded by Portuguese observers”
19th Century
English
shogun
“The military ruler of Japan”
19th Century
English
shogunate
“The government or regime controlled by a shogun”