Literally translated as “tent government”, bakufu were governments which ruled Japan from 1185 until 1868. Also called “shogunate”, a bakufu was technically limited in authority to the feudal overlord’s domains and the men who owed close allegiance to him. This government did not have authority over the possessions or retainers of lords who were not the shogun’s direct vassals. In practice, however, depending on the strength of the bakufu, the authority of the government might extend deeply into the country. During the Edo period, this was especially true.
