Particularly after the Kamakura Bakufu (Japanese feudal government headed by a shogun) was established, the head family of the samurai families inheritably succeeded the position of Seii Taishogun (literally, "great general who subdues the barbarians"), and at least in basic domestic affairs and diplomatic affairs, they reigned as the highest authority.
とりわけ鎌倉幕府成立以後は武家の棟梁の一族が代々世襲で征夷大将軍に就任し、少なくとも基本的に内政や外交では日本の最高権力者として君臨してきた。