A shōgun was a military leader in Japan who held significant power, especially during the feudal period. The title means "general" and was originally given to commanders of military campaigns. Over time, shōguns became the de facto rulers of Japan, controlling the country while the emperor held a more symbolic role. The most famous shōgunate was the Tokugawa shōgunate, which lasted from 1603 to 1868. This period was marked by strict social order, economic growth, and isolationist foreign policies. The shōgun's authority was supported by a class of samurai, who were the warrior nobility of Japan.