The Kamakura shogunate (1185-1333) was the first shogunate. It was founded by the Minamoto family, also known as the Genji, a provincial family of warriors who came to wield great power in the 12th century. The Kamakura shogunate was named after the site of its capital, Kamakura, which is located an hour’s train ride to the southwest of modern Tokyo. The shogunate established a new government controlled by samurai who imposed order throughout the empire and re-established contact with China. The new Chinese contacts brought in new sects of Buddhism, especially Zen Buddhism, which flourished. Kamakura is now a quiet sea-side town with large temples scattered beautifully throughout.
