The shoguns were the actual leaders of Japan. They were warlords that ran the central government. They claimed to act in the name of the emperor, but they really only acted for themselves. They also made important decisions on issues that the emperor would make normally. Daimyo were powerful landowners with armies of samurai. They paid no taxes to the government, which increased their wealth and power. Usually, the shogun is the main leader of Japan, but the Daimyo might influence his decisions.