kampaku

kampaku, (Japanese: “white barrier”), in Japanese history, office of chief councillor or regent to an adult emperor. The post was created in the Heian period (794–1185) and was thereafter customarily held by members of the Fujiwara clan. Officially serving on behalf of the emperor, regents often acted as the real centre of authority in the government. Fujiwara Mototsune was the first to hold the title of kampaku, in 887, initiating a long period of Fujiwara control over the court which reached its peak in the 11th century under Fujiwara Michinaga. The Fujiwara were able to maintain their hold on the post of kampaku by their extensive and continuing intermarriage with the imperial line. The political power of the kampaku declined after about 1068 with the initiation of the system of rule by retired emperors.

The only non-Fujiwara to act as kampaku were Toyotomi Hideyoshi and his adopted son Hidetsugu. Hideyoshi was able to reunite feudal Japan under his control in 1590. Although he ruled as military dictator, Hideyoshi did not take the title of shogun, which was reserved for descendants of the Minamoto clan. By claiming descent from the Fujiwara, however, he was named kampaku. The office continued until the end of the Tokugawa period (1603–1867), but after Hideyoshi it had no actual authority.