Shogun

/ˈʃəʊɡən/

noun

A military leader in Japan from 1192 to 1867. The shogun was the most powerful person in the country.

The shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu established a long period of peace in Japan.

Often appears as...

shogun dynasty
shogun rule

Usage tips

Historical

noun

A visibly powerful figure who has not officially been given power, but behaves as if they have it.

The CEO delegated most of his authority to his assistant. She's become the shogun of the company.

Often appears as...

shogun of the boardroom
corporate shogun

Usage tips

Disapproving

Colloquial, Metaphoric

noun

A military leader in Japan from 1192 to 1867. The shogun was the most powerful person in the country.

The shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu established a long period of peace in Japan.

Often appears as...

shogun dynasty
shogun rule

Usage tips

Historical

noun

A visibly powerful figure who has not officially been given power, but behaves as if they have it.

The CEO delegated most of his authority to his assistant. She's become the shogun of the company.

Often appears as...

shogun of the boardroom
corporate shogun

Usage tips

Disapproving

Colloquial, Metaphoric

Definition 1 of 2

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Historical Role

Shogun were military rulers, not just any leaders, with strong samurai connections.

The shogun commanded armies like a general.

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Not Emperor

Shogun were distinct from emperors; they held real power, while emperors were symbolic.

Despite being an emperor, he had less influence than the shogun.

Pro Tip 3/3

Cultural Importance

Knowledge of shoguns is crucial to understanding Japanese history and literary references.

Many historical novels feature a shogun as a central figure.

Pro Tip 1/3

Historical Role

Shogun were military rulers, not just any leaders, with strong samurai connections.

The shogun commanded armies like a general.

Pro Tip 2/3

Not Emperor

Shogun were distinct from emperors; they held real power, while emperors were symbolic.

Despite being an emperor, he had less influence than the shogun.

Pro Tip 3/3

Cultural Importance

Knowledge of shoguns is crucial to understanding Japanese history and literary references.

Many historical novels feature a shogun as a central figure.

Pro Tip 1/3

Historical Role

Shogun were military rulers, not just any leaders, with strong samurai connections.

The shogun commanded armies like a general.

Pro Tip 2/3

Not Emperor

Shogun were distinct from emperors; they held real power, while emperors were symbolic.

Despite being an emperor, he had less influence than the shogun.

Pro Tip 3/3

Cultural Importance

Knowledge of shoguns is crucial to understanding Japanese history and literary references.

Many historical novels feature a shogun as a central figure.

Compare with

generalissimo

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Video examples

A day in the life of a...

and walks to school. His father is preparing to accompany the daimyo to the capital. The Tokugawa shogun, head of the Japanese military government, requires all the regional rulers to alternate years between their castle town in the home domain and the capital city.