* Imperial Court Dominance: This highlights the power held by the Emperor and the aristocracy centered around the Imperial Court in Kyoto. While the Emperor's power was often more symbolic than actual, it was still the perceived ultimate authority.
* Fragmented Power: The period before the Kamakura shogunate (Yoritomo's rule) was characterized by significant decentralization of power. Provincial lords (shugo) and powerful clans held considerable sway in their regions, often defying or ignoring imperial commands.
* Rise of Powerful Clans: The rise of powerful clans, like the Minamoto and Taira, was a key feature. These clans exerted significant military and political influence, gradually eclipsing the Emperor's direct control.
* Frequent Internal Conflict: The period was marred by continuous warfare between powerful clans vying for influence and dominance, notably the Genpei War (between the Minamoto and Taira clans).
* Feudal tendencies: While not a fully-fledged feudal system like that which would develop later, the seeds of feudalism were evident in the relationships between the land-owning aristocracy, warriors, and peasants.
* Era of the "Rulers" and the "Ruled": Although the emperor was the nominal head, the actual power was increasingly held by a ruling elite, with less and less influence coming directly from the imperial court to the everyday people.
* Pre-Shogunal Period: A simple, descriptive term highlighting the time *before* the establishment of the shogunate.
It's important to note that these descriptions aren't mutually exclusive and often overlap to portray a complex picture of a period of transition and instability in Japan leading up to the Kamakura shogunate.