The Kamakura shogunate was the first military government in Japan, established in 1192 by Minamoto no Yoritomo. It marked the beginning of the feudal era in Japan, where power shifted from the imperial court to military leaders known as shōguns. The shogunate ruled from the city of Kamakura, which became a center of political power. The Kamakura shogunate lasted until 1333 and was characterized by a system of vassalage, where samurai pledged loyalty to their lords in exchange for land and protection. This period also saw the rise of the samurai class and significant cultural developments, including the introduction of Zen Buddhism.