The term
shogun (将軍), meaning "great general' is a contraction of
seiitaishogun, meaning "the great general who overcomes the savages". Originally it was a title given to Japanese military commanders of princely rank for the duration of a campaign. However, after it had been awarded to [Minamoto Yoritomo]
? it became a hereditary title in the Minamoto lineage, indicating the
de facto ruler of
Japan, even while the
emperor remained the
de jure ruler.