The key difference between the power of the shogun and that of the emperor in feudal Japan lies in their sources of authority and the nature of their rule:
- The shogun came to rule through military power, while the emperor had an inherited title. This statement accurately captures the distinction. The shogun was often a military dictator who held de facto power over the country, controlling the samurai warriors and managing the military government (shogunate). In contrast, the emperor held a ceremonial and symbolic position, with authority largely based on a long-established hereditary lineage. The emperor's power was more spiritual and traditional, while the shogun's power was practical and based on military strength.
Therefore, the most correct characterization of the difference in power between the shogun and the emperor is that the shogun came to rule through military power, while the emperor held an inherited title.
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