List of Famous & Powerful Shoguns in Japanese History [Updated]

Samurai are some of the most famous fighters in world history. While samurai lords battled for more land, wealth, and power, none had as much influence as the shogun. 

The shogun acted as an ultimate ruler over Japan. He and his shogunate (government) controlled samurai lords and created policies to secure the shogunate’s power. 

A series of shoguns ruled Japan from 1185 to 1868. The hereditary title was passed down from father to son or the next closest kin. Several powerful samurai clans held the title of shogun, but all claimed descent from the Minamoto clan. 

We may think of shoguns as brave, shrewd, and physically capable. Many shoguns did possess these attributes, but many others struggled with health issues, questionable policies, failed reforms, and personal drama. 

The following are twenty of the most famous, infamous, and influential shogun in Japanese history. 

1) Otomo no Otomaro

Otomo no Otomaro is considered by some to be the first shogun in Japan’s history. He lived from 731 to 809 and was originally a Japanese general during the Nara and Heian periods. Otomaro earned the title of sei-i taishōgun, which is the first time the title is seen in Japanese history. 

The title literally translates to “barbarian subduing great general.” This early name for a shogun mostly related to the subduing of the Emishi people, whereas later shoguns conflicted with rival samurai clans. This distinction throws Otomaro’s classification as the first shogun into question. 

2) Sakanoue no Tamuramaro

Sakanoue no Tamuramaro is another individual who earned the title of sei-i taishōgun. Historians are unsure whether Tamuramaro classifies as the first Japanese shogun or not. 

He lived from 758 to 811 and rose through the ranks as a court noble and Minister of War. Tomuramaro earned the title after crushing the Emishi people. He integrated their territory into the Yamato state. 

3) Minamoto no Yoritomo

Minamoto no Yoritomo is largely considered to be the first shogun in Japan’s history. He earned the title of shogun and all of its power after defeating the rival Taira clan in the Genpei War. 

He was the first to turn the title of shogun into a political system called the shogunate. His version of the shogunate included an all-powerful shogun, private samurai armies who held some power, and an emperor who served as a figurehead. 

Yoritomo’s version of the shogunate would continue relatively unchanged until the 1800s. He based his new government in Kamakura. The Kamakura period lasted from 1192 to 1333. 

4) Minamoto no Sanetomo

Minamoto no Sanetomo was the third shogun of Japan and the second son of Minamoto no Yoritomo. His brother was placed under house arrest after their grandfather decided to usurp the shogunate and reduce its power to a figurehead. Eventually, Sanetomo’s brother was assassinated, leaving Sanetomo the shogunate. 

Sanetomo was used as a puppet in his mother Hojō Masako‘s political schemes. He had no real power as shogun so he instead put his energy into writing waka poetry. 

The young shogun wrote 700 poems between the ages of seventeen and twenty-two. Sanetomo made the most of his situation by rising through the ranks of the Imperial court. He became Minister of the Right in 1218. 

Throughout his life, Sanetomo struggled with feelings of despair, alcoholism, and fear of assassination. He was eventually assassinated by his own nephew. 

5) Ashikaga Takauji

Ashikaga Takauji was the first shogun of the Ashikaga clan. His reign from 1336 to 1358 marks the start of the Muromachi period. This shogun is remembered as being brave, merciful, and generous. 

He served as the general of the Kamakura shogunate until he decided to join Emperor Go-Daigo in his fight for the throne. After much conflict, Takauji gave himself the title of shogun. 

He installed a Northern Court emperor in opposition to the Southern Court that existed during this time and set off a conflict that would continue for almost 60 years. This Northern and Southern Court Period would come to an end with Takauji’s son. 

6) Ashikaga Yoshimitsu

The second Ashikaga shogun was Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. He ruled from 1368 to 1394 and became shogun at age ten. Yoshimitsu was the third son of Takauji but was the oldest to survive. 

He is credited with resolving the conflicts of the Northern and Southern Courts Period, which had plagued Japan for nearly 60 years. 

Yoshimitsu established his shogunate headquarters along the Muromachi Road. The period of the Ashikaga shogunate is also called the Muromachi period as a result. 

Yoshimitsu improved relations with Ming China, and the culture of China flourished in Japan. Japanese economics, architecture, and writing were all influenced by Chinese culture during this time. 

In addition to his interest in China, Yoshimitsu was a patron of the newly developed Noh theater. He retired in 1394 but continued to control the shogunate until his death at age 50. 

7) Ashikaga Yoshinori

Ashikaga Yoshinori was the sixth Ashikaga shogun and ruled from 1429 to 1441. He became a monk at age ten, but through the drawing of lots, became a young shogun. 

In 1432, Yoshinori restored trade relations with China. He instituted the tosen-bugyō system to control trade. These policies included the defense of trade ships in Japanese waters, the procuring of export goods, the mediation of the shogunate and shipping interests, and record keeping. 

Despite his trade reforms, Yoshinori earned a reputation as an oppressive and dictatorial figure. He was assassinated at the age of 48 while attending a Noh performance. 

8) Ashikaga Yoshimasa

Ashikaga Yoshimasa reigned from 1449 to 1473. He had no heir at first, so he decided to adopt his younger brother to secure the line of succession. When Yoshimasa did end up having his own son, conflict arose regarding which man would become shogun. 

By 1467, the issue of inheritance came to head. The Onin War between samurai daimyo marked the beginning of the Sengoku, or Warring States period of Japan’s history. This period involved almost constant conflict between samurai clans. 

While Yoshimasa’s reign included much tension, it also saw the growth of higashiyama culture and Zen Buddhist influences. The tea ceremony, flower arrangement, Noh drama, and Indian ink painting all developed and flourished during this time. Bushi samurai culture also grew. 

9) Ashikaga Yoshiteru

Ashikaga Yoshiteru reigned from 1546 to 1565 and was the thirteenth ruler of the Ashikaga shogunate. He took the title at only age eleven.

As an adult, Yoshiteru sought to solidify his authority as shogun over Japan’s daimyos. The samurai lords always wanted more power, but Yoshiteru desired to show them his strength. He used diplomacy with the top leaders and earned their respect. Yoshiteru was even visited by Oda Nobunaga and Uesugi Kenshin, two of the top daimyos in the country. 

Called the “Kengo shogun,” Yoshiteru was more samurai than shogun. He was skilled with the katana and even used the Mikazuki Munechika sword to defend himself. This sword is one of Japan’s famous Tenka-Goken blades. 

10) Ashikaga Yoshiaki

Ashikaga Yoshiaki was the final shogun of the Ashikaga clan and ruled from 1568 to 1573. He started out life as a monk until his brother was killed. Yoshiaki took up the title of shogun but had no real authority until samurai daimyo Oda Nobunaga arrived in Kyoto in 1568.

Even after Nobunaga arrived, Yoshiaki served as no more than a puppet shogun. In 1573, Nobunaga drove Yoshiaki out of Kyoto. This marked the end of the Ashikaga shogunate. 

Still, Yoshiaki did not back down without a fight. He rallied troops to defend his title with little success. Some historians believe Yoshiaki continued to vie for the shogunate into the 1590s when Toyotomi Hideyoshi gained power. 

11) Tokugawa Ieyasu 

Tokugawa Ieyasu is one of the most famous shoguns listed here. He was the first Tokugawa shogun and established the long-reigning Tokugawa shogunate. He ruled from 1603 to 1605 but continued to hold all of the shogun’s power even after retirement. 

Ieyasu is known as one of the three great unifiers of Japan along with Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. These men aimed to establish relative peace in Japan. 

Before Ieyasu was known by his now famous name, he was called Matsudaira Takechiyo. Several name changes and battles for power later, Tokugawa Ieyasu became a prominent samurai. He claimed the Mikawa Province for himself and eventually accumulated five provinces. 

The Tokugawa clan, although rich and powerful, was still subject to the more powerful daimyo Oda Nobunaga and later Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In order the change this, Ieyasu moved his clan to Edo and became the second most powerful daimyo in Japan. 

By 1600, Japan needed a new leader. Ieyasu faced off against opponents in the Battle of Sekigahara and earned the title of shogun. 

After his retirement in 1605, Ieyasu built Edo Castle. This fortress would house the Tokugawa clan for centuries to come. 

12) Tokugawa Hidetada

Japan’s second Tokugawa shogun was Tokugawa Hidetada. He was the son of Ieyasu and reigned as shogun from 1605 to 1623.

Hidetada was supposed to assist his father in the famous Battle of Sekigahara, but was confronted by the Sanada clan and arrived to the battle too late. This mistake would cause continued conflict with his Ieyasu. 

Hidetada married the daughter of samurai daimyo Oda Nobunaga. After her death, Hidetada married another member of the Oda clan. 

Ieyasu maintained his power as retired shogun until his death in 1616. After his father’s death, Hidetada worked to improve relations with the Imperial court by marrying his daughter to the Emperor. This strategy strengthened his authority as shogun. 

Hidetada is also remembered for instituting harsh anti-Christian policies that his father only ever considered. This marked the beginning of increased Christian persecution in Japan. 

13) Tokugawa Iemitsu

Tokugawa Iemitsu ruled as the third Tokugawa shogun from 1623 to 1651. His father continued to rule as shogun after his retirement, meaning that Iemitsu had little power until his father’s death. 

After assuming full power, Iemitsu enacted many anti-Christian policies that persecuted the minority population in Japan. These draconian policies led to revolt and thousands were killed. 

Following the revolt, Iemitsu enacted trade restrictions in 1637. Travel outside of Japan was also banned and anyone who did not follow the new rules faced execution. These severe travel and trade policies would not be reversed until the 1850s. 

14) Tokugawa Ietsuna

Tokugawa Ietsuna was the fourth shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate and ruled from 1651 to 1680. He became shogun at the age of ten and was the first shogun to be fully controlled by regents rather than a retired father. 

Although Ietsuna bore the title of shogun, his regents largely took over governance and Ietsuna acted as a sort of figurehead. 

15) Tokugawa Ienobu

Tokugawa Ienobu reigned from 1709 to 1712 and was the sixth shogun of the Tokugawa clan. He was not originally prepared to become the shogun and instead served as daimyo of Kōfu after his father’s death. 

Eventually, Ienobu took the title of shogun. He was educated by a ronin samurai by the name of Arai Hakuseki. Hakuseki introduced Ienobu to Chinese literature and Confucianism through 2,000 lectures. 

Influenced by his quality education, Ienobu instituted many reforms during his time as shogun. He turned the shogunate into a civilian institution rather than a military one. Ienobu discontinued censorship in Japan and allowed a range of ideas to flourish. 

His helpful judicial system reforms ended an era of persecution and strict punishments. The economy of Japan stabilized after Ienobu’s introduction of gold coin. This shogun also sought improved relations with the Imperial court, which led to further stability overall. 

16) Tokugawa Yoshimune

Tokugawa Yoshimune served as the eighth Tokugawa shogun from 1716 to 1745. He is widely considered one of the best shoguns in Japanese history. 

Yoshimune came from the Kii cadet branch of the Tokugawa clan. It was one of three branches descended from the sons of Tokugawa Ieyasu. He set up these structure to ensure the Tokugawa shogunate would continue. The families of each branch would be able to supply a shogun if the oldest Tokugawa son’s line died out. 

Yoshimune is remembered as one of the best shoguns because of his reforms and interest in traditional Japanese culture. He instituted a range of successful financial reforms throughout his tenure. 

He was also interested in reviving swordsmithing in Japan. By the 18th century, swordsmiths struggled to find work. Yoshimune created a swordsmithing contest to revive interest in the trade and recognize talented craftsmen. The four winners of the contest were considered masters. However, the contest was largely unsuccessful at boosting the influence and popularity of swordsmithing. 

Tokugawa Yoshimune was also interested in promoting new ideas across Japan. He allowed foreign books to be imported to Japan and translated for wider audiences. 

17) Tokugawa Ienari

Tokugawa Ienari reigned in Japan from 1787 to 1837 and was the eleventh Tokugawa shogun. He was the longest reigning shogun in Japanese history and is considered a controversial leader.

 Ienari’s shogunate was rife with corruption and excess. The leader had a harem of 900 women and fathered 75 children. His prioritization of sexual exploits led to mismanagement of the country and its resources. 

By the 1830s, a loss of crops and resulting rising prices led to the Tenpō Famine. Thousands of people died during this decade of hardship. 

18) Tokugawa Iesada

Tokugawa Iesada was the thirteenth shogun of the Tokugawa clan. He reigned from 1853 to 1858 and his rule marked the beginning of the Bakumatsu period. This period of Japanese history is considered to be the decline of the shogunate, as Western influences and internal demands for reform continued to alter the way in which a shogun could rule. 

Like his ancestors, Iesada was born in Edo Castle. He experienced physical weakness and may have had cerebral palsy. He suffered from smallpox as a child and bore the scars of the illness his entire life. 

Iesada’s rule is defined by natural disasters and reforms. During his reign, many earthquakes and tsunamis occurred in Japan, causing hardship for everyday people. 

The shogun’s reforms opened Japan to foreign trade and Western influence. His decision ultimately helped contribute to the downfall of the shogunate. 

19) Tokugawa Iemochi

Tokugawa Iemochi ruled as the fourteenth of the Tokugawa shoguns from 1858 to 1866. He reigned during a time of great turmoil in Japanese history, as the government and the population of the country reckoned with foreign influences. 

Iemochi was one of the youngest shoguns to rule and also died extremely young at only age twenty. Historians believe his premature death was due to a vitamin B1 deficiency and related heart issues. 

20) Tokugawa Yoshinobu

Tokugawa Yoshinobu was the fifteenth and final shogun in Japanese history. He reigned from 1866 to 1867 and tried to reform the shogunate but failed.

Yoshinobu retired after the Meiji Restoration. This event ushered in the modernization of Japan and continued Westernization. During his retirement, the former shogun took up photography, painting, archery, and cycling as his main hobbies. 

Yoshinobu’s great-grandson published the last shogun’s photography and his legacy lives on in these images.