When Akodo Kaneka created the title of Shogun in the twelfth century, he hoped to weild temporal power and protect the Emperor from the burden of government. Unfortunately, that meant taking upon himself that same burden. To govern effectively from the Shogunal seat, an administrative apparatus was needed to connect the Imperial Court with the Shogun. The liaisons would be composed of the Shogun's most trusted advisors - and most effective spies. This group became known after the end of the Shogunate as the Bakufu, or "tent government", in reference to the military camps where the first Shogun spent most of his time.

During the second Shogunate, the Bakufu became even more powerful. Moto Shojiro was even more ruthless and autocratic than Kaneka - a ruthlessness, his advocates argue, that was necessary in the difficult situation he was in. Under his rule, the Bakufu commanded over the whole of Rokugan, sealing the Imperial Court away from any true decisions. When his dynasty lost power, the Imperial Court ensured that they would retain effective power, by developing a large apparatus of administrative government. Offices were created for all imaginable purposes, from the Roads Office to the Imperial Legion Armor Design Office , and the intrigues necessary to fill all of those positions kept the Imperial Court busy for a long time.

Seppun Morito took power during the crisis of 1863. The gaijin fleet was occupying the Mantis islands, the court had been in disarray for years already and the Emperor (the late father of the current Emperor) was afflicted with bouts of dementia. Morito had been Chamberlain of the Imperial Court for twelve years already and was already an old man. He had become remarkably popular when, as a palliative to the rapid dearth of magic that happened after 1859, he had created the Imperial Scholar School. The gaijin crisis needed to be solved and Morito decided that it would be his last great political act. In less than seven months, he gained the support of most Clan champions, of the Legions and of a large part of the Court. He took the title of Shogun and sent a fleet to the Mantis islands which escorted the gaijin ambassadors back to the mainland. Under his command, Rokugan opened to trade with the outside world. An Imperial order to that effect was produced - an order that the Shogunate's opponents still imply was forged. It had always been Morito's intent to reduce the presence and influence of the gaijin as much as possible within the court and the Empire. Unfortunately, a surge of Shadowlands activity in the following years meant that the gaijin had a perfect opportunity to send troops and machines on the battle front, and that the worth of gaijin technology was plainly demonstrated for all to see.

Seppun Hashida is Morito's son. He rose to power upon his father's death, six years ago. He inherited a government that is heavily dependent on the Offices of the Imperial Court, itself now heavily dependent on gaijin influence. Within six months of Seppun Hashida becoming Shogun, the Emperor had died and his son succeeded him. Hashida and the current Emperor are childhood friends, but this could not be guessed by watching them day-to-day. They have practically no more contact than is absolutely necessary for ceremonial occasions. Ironically, Hashida now finds himself in what should be the position of the Emperor: officially wielding the power, but in fact dependent on others' whim.

The Seppun family forms the backbone of the Bakufu. They are its visible face, its soldiers and servants. Most of the (still relatively small) family answers directly to Hashida or his personal aides and filter the rest of the Empire's requests to him. Being the open face of the Shogunate, most young Seppun samurai are indoctrinated with a deep and powerful worship of the Emperor - a worship that ignores the Emperor's ruling abilities and concentrates on his religious position.

The Otomo remain a family predominantly made up of courtiers. Very few of them are at the head of any offices or services of the Imperial Court. Instead, the Otomo act as liaisons, ensuring that the fragmented administration of the Court runs as well (or as poorly) as the Shogun needs. On the other hand, dealing with the gaijin ambassadors is almost the sole province of the Otomo, and daimyo Otomo Mihaiko is often seen presiding at functions organised to keep the ambassadors happy and busy.

The Miya have kept a low profile since the instalment of the Shogunate, a development that they did not support. They have now officially pledged their support to the Bakufu, but are still kept at arm's lengths. The Miya and their young daimyo, Miya Kanshen, have recently taken it upon themselves to seize control of the diplomatic correspondence with the gaijin states within the Imperial Court. The Shogun has not publicly reacted to this new Office of Diplomatic Messages.