Ancient Japan

The Kamakura period (1186 - 1333) is heralded by the location of political power in Kamakura, located about 28 miles southwest of modern-day Tokyo. The Imperial court gave recognition to the de facto rule of Minamoto Yoritomo by conferring on him the title shogun after he defeated the Taira family in 1185 decisively in the battle of Dan no Ura. Yoritomo established his base in Kamakura. The kamakura bakufu (tent government) was Japan's first military or warrior government. The …

…father") become officially charged with keeping the peace, or even providing guards for visiting dignitaries. In cases where rebellions flared up, the Otokodate were usually in the thick of it, and there are cases of them beating off samurai attacks for considerable periods of time. The Okodate were not entirely benevolent however. In many areas they became organised crime families, in some cases taking over and running towns or wards as their own petty fiefs.