幕府

• Reading: ばくふ
• Romaji: bakufu
• Kanji breakdown: 幕 (baku) — curtain, tent; 府 (fu) — seat of government, official bureau
• Pronunciation: /bakɯɸɯ/

Meaning

Shogunate; the military government established by a shogun in feudal Japan, serving as the de facto ruling administration.

A historical and political noun referring to the military governments that ruled Japan from the Kamakura period (1185) through to the end of the Edo period (1868). The term literally means 'tent government,' evoking the military field headquarters. The three major shogunates were the Kamakura, Muromachi (Ashikaga), and Edo (Tokugawa). The 幕府 system ended with the Meiji Restoration of 1868.

Examples

1. 徳川幕府は260年以上にわたって日本を統治し、厳格な身分制度と鎖国政策を維持した。 The Tokugawa shogunate governed Japan for over 260 years, maintaining a rigid social hierarchy and a policy of national seclusion.
2. 幕府の権威が次第に弱まるにつれ、各藩の有力大名たちの発言力が増していった。 As the authority of the shogunate gradually weakened, the influence of powerful domain lords grew correspondingly stronger.
3. 幕府と朝廷の二重権力構造は、明治維新を目指す志士たちの主要な攻撃目標となった。 The dual power structure of shogunate and imperial court became a primary target of attack for the activists who sought the Meiji Restoration.

Usage Guide

Context: history, politics, education, culture

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 幕 (curtain, tent) and 府 (seat of government, official headquarters). The term originated from the military convention of commanding from a curtained tent on the battlefield; it was later applied to the shogun's permanent administrative headquarters.

Cultural Context

Era: Feudal (1185–1868)

Generation: All ages

Social background: General