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Shogun

What is Shogun

Shogun is a rank of an army.
In English it can be translated as a general. But the detail meaning, Shogun’s division of the duty and division of the power are depends on the period.
There was rank of Shogun since the beginning of the history of Japan. During the Heian period, there were several General ranks depends on their division. After 1185, appeared rank of Shogun which we recognize (actual top power holder).
This Shogun’s original rank is “Seii Tai Shogun” in Japanese. The rank of Seii Tai Shogun is appointed by the Emperor of the period. Originally the rank was to remove the north area threat of imperial court.
After Kamakura period, Seii Tai Shogun is the highest rank of Shogunate and it chaged into hereditary system. In the Edo period the power of Shogunate is superior to the Emperor who was in Kyoto. This Shogunate made our image of Shogun, the power holder of Japan and kind of prosy of the emperor.
In 1867, Shogun took the plunge and returned the power and right of Shogun to the Emperor.
That means disappeared Shogunate officially and modern Japanese history started to catch up occidental advanced countries.

syougun

What is Shogunate

Shogunate often appears is an organization to have a control of Samurai. Before the establishment of the organization, samurai and army was a part of the property of each aristocrat. So they were not an army but private army. After that, samurai army was separated from the control of aristocrat, and be controlled by Shogunate. The Imperial court tried to recapture their military power but the Shogunate was organized by military power since the beginning. The Imperial court could not make any direct reaction to them. So Shogunate was a self government and the authority got by military power what they had. But well organized than the Imperial Court system at that time.

syougun

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January
Fude Hajime [2nd-4th]Kitano-tenmangu
Kemari Hajime [3rd] Shimogamo shrine
Toshi-ya [15th] Sanju-sangen-do
February
Setsubun [2nd-25th] Mibu temple
Baika Festival [25th] Kitano-tenmangu
March
Nagashi Bina [3rd] Shimogamo Shrine
April
Miyayo Odori [1st] Gion-kobu-kaburenjo
Mibu Kyogen [21st-29th] Mibu temple
May
Aoi Festival [1st] Kamigamo shrine, Shimogamo shrine
June
Kibune Festival [1st] Kibune shrine
July
Gion Festival [7th] on the corner of Shijo st. and Karasuma st.
August
Daimonji Gozan Okuribi [16th]
September
Seimei shrine Reisai [Autumnal Equinox Day] Seimei shrine
October
Mibu Kyogen [include the 2nd Mon., for 3days] Mibu temple
Era Festival [22nd] Heian Jingu
November
hitakisa [8th] Fushimi Inari Taisha
December
Joya-no Kane [31st] Kurama temple, etc.


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