They held the real power in Japan while the emperor was just a ceremonial figurehead. The shoguns were appointed by the emperor but were effectively in charge of the government, the military, and the economy. They maintained order and stability in the country and were responsible for defending Japan against foreign invaders. The shogunate system lasted for nearly 700 years, from the 12th century until the Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century. The most famous shoguns were the Tokugawa clan, who ruled Japan for over 250 years during the Edo period.
