Japanese Shōen System

Timeline

1. 1161–1165Kinai and the western provinces · KinkiThe Taira controlled numerous shōen through marriage, official appointments, and military intimidation, collecting annual tribute and conducting trade in the western provinces and Kinai; shōen income supported their lavish politics and armed retainers in Kyoto, tightly binding the shōen system to warrior power.
2. 1166–1170Japanese archipelago · JapanDisputes over boundaries and exemption rights between shōen and between shōen and provincial offices grew increasingly frequent, peasant burdens increased, and some shōen appointed samurai as shōkan to maintain order and collect rents; the trend toward local militarization intensified, providing social and economic causes for the Genpei War.