In Japanese feudal society, the position that wielded the most power was that of the shogun. The shogun was the military dictator and ruled on behalf of the emperor, who held a more symbolic and spiritual authority. This duality allowed the shogun to exert significant control over the government, the military, and the land.
The term ‘shogun’ translates to ‘general’ in English, and the role evolved during the late Heian period into a position that ultimately oversaw the samurai class. The shogunate, especially during the Kamakura, Ashikaga, and Tokugawa periods, effectively centralized power in the hands of the shogun, allowing them to control feudal lords known as daimyō.
This power structure meant that, although the emperor remained a revered figurehead, real political and military power lay with the shogun. Their authority enabled them to govern the land, influence politics, and maintain social order through military means, which made them the most powerful figures in Japanese feudal society.