Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
FROM ARISTOCRATIC TO MILITARY RULE
Although Kyoto served as home to the Japanese imperial family from 794 to 1868, it was
not always the focus of Japanese political power. During the Kamakura period
(1185-1333), Kamakura (near present-day Tokyo) was the national capital, while during
the Edo period (1600-1868) the Tokugawa Shōgunate ruled the country from Edo (present-
day Tokyo). Still, despite the decline in influence of the imperial court, Kyoto flourished as
townspeople continued developing age-old traditions.
It is commonly believed that the attempted Mongol invasions of Japan were deterred by
typhoons before landing on Japanese soil. In fact, there was hard fighting on land (mostly in
Kyūshū) in both cases before the supporting fleets were dispersed by typhoons.
In 1192, while the emperor remained nominal ruler in Kyoto, Mina-moto Yoritomo, the
first shōgun of the Kamakura Shōgunate, set up his headquarters in Kamakura. Yoritomo
purged members of his own family who stood in his way, but after fatally falling from his
horse in 1199, the Hōjō, his wife's family, eliminated all of Yoritomo's potential suc-
cessors. In 1213 they became true wielders of power behind the shōguns and warrior lords.
During this era the popularity of Buddhism spread to all levels of society. From the late
12th century, Eisei (1145-1215) and other Japanese monks returning from China intro-
duced a new sect, Zen, which encountered resistance from the established sects in Kyoto
but appealed to the samurai class. Meanwhile, as the spiritual fervour grew, Japanese mer-
chants prospered in increased trade dealings with China.
Forces beyond the sea undermined the stability of the Kamakura regime. The Mongols,
under Kublai Khan, reached Korea in 1259 and sent envoys to Japan seeking Japanese sub-
mission. The envoys were expelled and the Mongols sent an invasion fleet which arrived
near present-day Fukuoka in 1274. This first attack was only barely repulsed with the aid of
a typhoon that destroyed up to 200 Mongol ships. Further envoys sent by Khan were be-
headed in Kamakura as a sign that the government of Japan was not interested in paying
homage to the Mongols.
In 1281 the Mongols dispatched an army of over 100,000 soldiers to Japan. After an ini-
tial success, the Mongol fleet was almost completely destroyed by yet another massive
typhoon that assaulted the shores of Kyushu for two days. Ever since, this lucky typhoon
has been known to the Japanese as kamikaze (divine wind) - a name later given to the sui-
cide pilots of WWII.
