The Ruthless Journey of Japan’s First Shōgun. Minamoto no Yoritomo’s declaration as the first shōgun in 1192 marked one of the most dramatic turning points in Japanese history. This was no simple transfer of power, but the culmination of decades of conflict, cunning political maneuvering, and a revolution that would launch centuries of samurai rule, shaping nearly every aspect of Japan’s culture, governance, and ethos. | Dark Ages History