Hojo Tokimasa as portrayed in the 2005 NHK Taiga Drama, Yoshitsune

Hojo Tokimasa (北條 時政, Hojo Tokimasa, 1138-1215) was the first Hojo shikken (regent) of the Kamakura bakufu and head of the Hojo clan. He was shikken from the death of Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1199 until his abdication in 1205. For other uses, see number 1138. ... Events June 15 - King John of England forced to put his seal to the Magna Carta, outlining the rights of landowning men (nobles and knights) and restricting the kings power. ... Shikken (執権) was the regent of the shogun in the Kamakura shogunate in Japan. ... The Kamakura shogunate (鎌倉幕府) was a feudal military dictatorship ruled by the shoguns from 1185 to 1333. ... Hojo can refer to: Hojo clan, a family of regents of the Kamakura Shogunate Late Hojo clan, daimyo in Sengoku Period Hojo, Ehime, a city of Japan Hōjō, a character in the manga and anime series InuYasha The Howard Johnsons hotel chain. ... Statue of Minamoto no Yoritomo at Nikko Toshogu; he is depicted wearing court dress typical of the Heian period. ... Events John Lackland, becomes King of England Births Isobel of Huntingdon (d. ... Events January 6 - Philip of Swabia becomes King of the Romans April 14 - Battle of Adrianople (1205) between Bulgars and Latins August 20 - Following certain news of Baldwin Is death, Henry of Flanders is crowned Emperor of the Latin Empire Births Deaths July 13 Hubert Walter Archbishop of Canterbury...

Background: The Hojo Clan

Before examining the life of Hojo Tokimasa, it is important to trace the lineage of the Hojo clan and offer a concise history of the Hojo clan prior to their call to power in the late twelfth century. This way it is easier to understand the Hojo clan and their history throughout the thirteenth and early fourteenth century. The Hojo clan was ironically descended from the Taira clan, and thus, the Hojo were a distant descendant of the imperial family. The Hojo clan were in control of the province of Izu, which was in the east and quite far away from the center of power in Kyoto and the west. Taira (平) is a Japanese surname. ... His Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan The Emperor of Japan (天皇 tennō) is arguably Japans titular head of state and the head of the Japanese Imperial Family. ... Izu may refer to. ... This page is about the city Kyoto. ...

Tokimasa's Life: Before the Call to Arms (1138-1180)

Such a large chunk of Tokimasa's life is under one chapter mainly because not much is known about Hojo Tokimasa's early life prior to Minamoto no Yoritomo's arrival to Izu. We do not have any information about his parents and early childhood, mainly because the concentration of culture was not in Izu, but rather in Kyoto. We do know that Hojo Tokimasa was born in 1138 into the influential Hojo clan in the province of Izu. For other uses, see number 1138. ... Izu may refer to. ...

In 1155, Hojo Tokimasa married Hojo no Maki, who became his official wife. Her maiden name is not known. Even the marriage date is not clear, and is based on the birth of their first child, a daughter, Hojo Masako in 1156. Hojo Tokimasa, as the head of the Hojo clan, chose to stay out of the civil strife engulfing western Japan based on court succession disputes between the Cloistered Emperor Toba, his son Cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa, and Cloistered Emperor Suzaku, as well as a rivalry between the Minamoto clan under Minamoto no Yoshitomo and the Taira clan under Taira no Kiyomori. Events Frederick I Barbarossa crowned Holy Roman Emperor. ... Hojo Masako (1157-1225) was the wife of Minamoto no Yoritomo, founder and first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate of Japanese history. ... Events Establishment of the Carmelite Order Hogen Rebellion in Japan January 20 - According to legend, freeholder Lalli slays English crusader Bishop Henry with an axe on the ice of the lake Köyliönjärvi in Finland. ... Toba can be: T. O. B. A., the Theater Owners Booking Association, a major black vaudeville circuit. ... Emperor Go-Shirakawa (後白河天皇) (October 18, 1127 - April 26, 1192) was the 77th imperial ruler of Japan, reigning from August 23, 1155 to September 5, 1158. ... Minamoto (源) was an honorary surname bestowed by the Emperors of Japan of the Heian Period to their sons and grandsons after accepting them as royal subjects. ... Minamoto no Yoshitomo (源 義朝) (1123-1160) was the head of the Minamoto clan and a general of the late Heian period of Japanese history. ... Taira (平) is a Japanese surname. ... Taira no Kiyomori (平 清盛 1118 - 1181) was a general of the late Heian period of Japan. ...

Out of these two disturbances, known as the Hogen Rebellion and Heiji Rebellion, ended up with a Taira victory with Cloistered Emperors Toba and Go-Shirakawa. Minamoto no Yoshitomo of the Minamoto clan was executed in 1160, and his sons and daughters executed and sent to nuneries, respectively. Only three of his sons were spared. Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Minamoto no Noriyori were sent to monasteries, while his eldest son, Minamoto no Yoritomo, was sent to Tokimasa's domain, Izu, in exile. He was only thirteen years old. The Hōgen Rebellion (保元の乱) was a Japanese civil war fought in 1156 over Japanese imperial succession and control of the Fujiwara clan of regents. ... The Heiji Rebellion (平治の乱) was fought between rival subjects of the cloistered emperor Go-Shirakawa of Japan in 1159. ... Events Erik den helige is succeeded by Karl Sverkersson. ... Yoshitsune and Benkei Viewing Cherry Blossoms, by Yoshitoshi Tsukioka, 1885 Minamoto no Yoshitsune (源 義経) (1159 - May 17, 1189) was a late Heian and early Kamakura period general of the Minamoto clan of Japan. ... Minamoto no Noriyori (源範頼)(1156-1193) was a late Heian period general, who fought alongside his brothers Minamoto no Yoritomo and Minamoto no Yoshitsune at a number of battles of the Genpei War. ... Statue of Minamoto no Yoritomo at Nikko Toshogu; he is depicted wearing court dress typical of the Heian period. ...

Tokimasa's and Maki's next child, who became Tokimasa's eldest son and heir, Hojo Yoshitoki, was born in 1163. The two also had another son, Hojo Tokifusa, but his date of birth is not know, and it is estimated he was born in 1165. There was also apparently a daughter, probably born in 1169. Yoritomo at first was just another political exile of the Taira living in Izu, but as the Taira brutality against not only the Japanese people but also the imperial court and nobles increased, the court itself grew weary of Taira rule and the brutalities of Taira no Kiyomori which came with it. Hojo Yoshitoki (1163 - 1224, Hojo Yoshitoki) was the second Hojo [shikken]] (regent) of the Kamakura bakufu and head of the Hojo clan. ... Events Owain Gwynedd is recognized as ruler of Wales. ... Events November 23 - Pope Alexander III enters Rome. ... Events Nur ad-Din invades Egypt, and his nephew Saladin becomes the sultan over the territory conquered by Nur ad-Din. ...

In 1179, Minamoto no Yoritomo, the Minamoto exile from Kyoto, fell in love with Tokimasa's daughter, Masako. In around 1180, they wed. That same year, Prince Mochihito, a son of Cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa and a brother of Cloistered Emperor Takakura and thus an uncle of Emperor Antoku, who was half-Taira and placed on the throne by the Taira, thought the Taira had denied him the throne and called on the exiled Minamoto leaders to go to war and oust the Taira. Yoritomo declared war on the Taira, thus gaining his father-in-law, Tokimasa's support and the support of the Hojo clan. That same year, Masako and Yoritomo had a daughter, O-hime, Tokimasa's first grandchild. Events Third Council of the Lateran condemned Waldensians and Cathars as heretics, institutes a reformation of clerical life, and creates the first ghettos for Jews Afonso I is recognized as the true King of Portugal by Portugal the protection of the Catholic Church against the Castillian monarchy Philip II is... Events April 13 - Frederick Barbarossa issues the Gelnhausen Charter November 18 - France Emperor Antoku succeds Emperor Takakura as emperor of Japan Afonso I of Portugal is taken prisoner by Ferdinand II of Leon Artois is annexed by France Prince Mochihito amasses a large army and instigates the Genpei War between... Prince Mochihito (以仁王) was a son of Emperor Go-Shirakawa of Japan. ... Emperor Takakura (高倉天皇) (September 23, 1161 - January 30, 1181) was the 80th imperial ruler of Japan reigning from March 30, 1168 to March 18, 1180. ...

Tokimasa's Life: The Gempei War and its Aftermath (1180-1199)

Yoritomo created his base and capital at Kamakura, in Izu. Hojo Tokimasa became his de-facto advisor on affairs. The Gempei War between Minamoto and Taira had begun. In 1181, Taira no Kiyomori died, leaving the Taira family in the hands of Taira no Munemori, his son and a hothead who had no knowledge of military matters. In 1182, Tokimasa's son, Yoshitoki, wed. That same year, Masako and Yoritomo had a son, Minamoto no Yoriie, Yoritomo's heir. This would also become Tokimasa's first male grandchild. The next year, Yoshitoki and his wife had their first child, a son, Hojo Yasutoki, who would become heir to the Hojo after Yoshitoki's death. Kamakura can refer to: The city of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan The Kamakura Shogunate period in the History of Japan The Kamakura family name in Japan This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... The Genpei or Gempei War (源平戦争)(1180-1185) was a war of ancient Japan, fought between the Taira and Minamoto clans. ... Events Jayavarman VII assumes control of the Khmer kingdom. ... Taira no Munemori (平 宗盛)(1147-1185) was heir to Taira no Kiyomori, and one of the Taira clans chief commanders in the Genpei War. ... Events Canute VI crowned king of Denmark Serbia allies itself with Hungary to gain independence First Sejm, or Polish Parliment, convenes at Łęczyca Jews expelled from Paris by Philip Augustus Maronites reestablish their affiliation with Catholicism Venetians massacred during a riot in Constantinople Raynald of Chatillon instigates another war between... Minamoto no Yoriie 源頼家 (September 11, 1182–August 14, 1204) was the second shogun (1202–1203) of the Kamakura shogunate of Japan. ... Hojo Yasutoki (北条 泰時 Hōjō Yasutoki; 1183-1242, r. ...

Things were going well for the Minamoto against the Taira. Nonetheless, in 1183, Minamoto no Yoshinaka, Yoritomo's cousin took Kyoto before Yoritomo. That same year, Yoshitsune and Noriyori, Yoritomo's brothers, arrived in Kamakura and joined the Gempei War on the side of Yoritomo. In 1184, Minamoto no Yoshitsune took Kyoto in the name of Yoritomo, had Yoshinaka executed. By this time, the Taira had fled with the Emperor Antoku to Shikoku, and in his place, the Minamoto (with the support of Cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa) enthroned Emperor Go-Toba, a younger brother of Antoku. In 1185, Yoshitsune defeated the Taira at the Battle of Ichi-no-tani. Taira no Munemori and Taira no Shigehira were executed in Kyoto and Nara] respectively, while the rest of the Taira, including Kiyomori's widow Taira no Tokuko and Emperor Antoku drowned. Events Three-year old Emperor Go-Toba ascends to the throne of Japan after the forced abdication of his brother Antoku during the Genpei War William of Tyre excommunicated by the newly appointed Heraclius of Jerusalem, firmly ending their struggle for power Andronicus I Comnenus becomes the Byzantine emperor Births... Minamoto no Yoshinaka (Ja: 源義仲, 1154-1184) was a general and last shogun of the late Heian Period of Japanese history. ... Events Abbeville receives its commercial charter. ... Shikoku (四国, four provinces) is the smallest and least populous of the four main islands of Japan. ... Emperor Go-Toba (後鳥羽天皇) (August 6, 1180 - March 28, 1239) was the 82nd imperial ruler of Japan. ... Events April 25 - Genpei War - Sea Battle of Dan-no-ura leads to Minamoto victory in Japan Templars settle in London and begin the building of New Temple Church End of the Heian Period and beginning of the Kamakura period in Japan. ... Taira no Munemori (平 宗盛)(1147-1185) was heir to Taira no Kiyomori, and one of the Taira clans chief commanders in the Genpei War. ... Taira no Shigehira (平 重衡)(1158-1185) was one of the sons of Taira no Kiyomori, and one of the Taira Clans chief commanders. ... Nara can refer to: The city of Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan The Nara Period of the History of Japan Nara prefecture, part of the Kansai region of central Honshu, Japan Nara is a major Manchu clan. ...

Minamoto no Yoritomo was now the undisputed ruler of Japan, and the Gempei War was over with a Minamoto victory. Hojo no Tokimasa was now in a very good position. Yoritomo did not move to Kyoto, but remained in Kamakura with Tokimasa. That same year, Tokimasa was sent to Kyoto and the court of Emperor Go-Toba and Cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa. When he returned, the first appointments of shugo and jito, the stewards and constables of the Kamakura bakufu, were apparently granted. In 1189, Yoritomo consolidated his power, executing his half brothers Yoshitsune and Noriyori. Shugo (守護) is an official post named by the Shogun, which oversees a province (kuni) in Japan. ... For the empress, see Empress Jito of Japan Jito (地頭 Jitō) were medieval land stewards in Japan. ... Events January 21 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade September 3- Richard I of England is crowned as king of England. ...

In 1192, after the birth of Yoritomo's and Masako's second son, Minamoto no Sanetomo, Minamoto no Yoritomo was granted the title of shogun by Cloistered Emperor Go-Shirakawa, who died later that year. Hojo Tokimasa, as the head of the Hojo clan, had thus become the head of one of the most powerful families in Japan - he was the father in law of the shogun, and his daughter the wife. Events The Third Crusade ends in disaster. ... Tree at Hachiman Shrine. ... In Japanese history, a shōgun (将軍) was the practical ruler of Japan for most of the time from 1192 to the Meiji Era beginning in 1868. ...

Tokimasa's Life: Intrigues in the Shogual Court of Mianmoto no Yoriie (1199-1203)

In 1199, Minamoto no Yoritomo died. He was succeeded by his son and heir, Minamoto no Yoriie, who himself was considered a minor at the age of 18. Thus, his grandfather, Hojo Tokimasa, began to rule as shikken, or regent for Yoriie, ensuring his powerful position in Kamakura, Kyoto, and for the Hojo clan in general. Nonetheless, Yoriie was closer with his father in law, Hiki Yoshikazu than he was with his own grandfather, Tokimasa. In fact, he despised his mother, his uncles, and the Hojo family in general. He was thus independent and rash, unlike his father who depended on the Hojo. Events John Lackland, becomes King of England Births Isobel of Huntingdon (d. ... Minamoto no Yoriie 源頼家 (September 11, 1182–August 14, 1204) was the second shogun (1202–1203) of the Kamakura shogunate of Japan. ... Shikken (執権) was the regent of the shogun in the Kamakura shogunate in Japan. ...

In that year, a regency council was created by Hojo Tokimasa, Masako, and Yoshitoki. The person there who was most powerful (not couting the remaining Minamoto members there and the Hojo) was Kajiwara Kagetoki, the governor of Sagami. Though he was very close with Yoritomo and trusted by Tokimasa, Yoriie disliked him, and was executed in Suruga by the bakufu army in 1200. Though it is generally accepted that Yoriie was responsible for the order, it is believed Tokimasa and the Hojo might have also been behind it since the Hojo clan did gain the province of Sagami. The article incorporates text from OpenHistory. ... Categories: Japan geography stubs | Old provinces of Japan ... Events University of Paris receives charter from Philip II of France Births Matthew Paris, English Benedictine monk and chronicler (approximate date). ... The article incorporates text from OpenHistory. ...

Tokimasa's deductiveness and calculations next turned on his grandson's father in law, Hiki Yoshikazu, who his grandson listened to more than he listened to his own regent, Tokimasa. Tokimasa thus lost all hope in getting either Shogun Yoriie or Yoshikazu on his side, and placed his luck with his other grandson, Yoriie's younger brother, and Yoritomo's youngest son, Sanetomo.

In 1203, the 21 year old Yoriie became extremely ill and weak, and Tokimasa produced a plan where Japan would be divided between Minamoto no Sanetomo and Minamoto no Ichiman, who was Yoriie's son and very close with the Hojo, who was planning to become the next shogun. Yoshikazu began to suspect something based on the attitude of Tokimasa, Masako, Ichiman, and Sanetomo, and began to hatch an assasination plot to capture and assasinate Hojo Tokimasa. Events April 16 - Philip II of France enters Rouen, leading to the eventual unification of Normandy and France. ...

With the help of Oe Hiromoto, a trusted ally, Tokimasa found out the plan and invited Yoshikazu to his home in kamakura for Buddhist services. After Hiki exited the services, bakufu troops executed him. Following that, Hojo troops entered Hiki's residence and executed high ranking members of the Hiki clan, including Minamoto no Ichiman, who though close with Tokimasa, was also close with his maternal grandfather. Shogun Yoriie, bedridden, abdicated. He went to the Shuzenji temple in Kamakura but was murdered in 1204. It is thought this was calculated by Hojo Tokimasa. Events February - Byzantine emperor Alexius IV is overthrown in a revolution, and Alexius V is proclaimed emperor. ...

Tokimasa's Life: Intrigues in the Shogunal Court of Minamoto no Sanetomo (1203-1205)

After the death of Yoriie and Ichiman, Tokimasa installed Yoritomo's second son, Minamoto no Sanetomo, as the next shogun. Tokimasa began to chair the Mandokoro, while he and Oe Hiromoto exercized absolute power. In 1204, after the assasination of Yoriie, Hojo Masako lost trust of her father since she believed that he was behind the assasination of her son. It is also believed Tokimasa's wife, Hojo no Maki died in late 1204. Events February - Byzantine emperor Alexius IV is overthrown in a revolution, and Alexius V is proclaimed emperor. ...

Soon afterwards, Tokimasa was convinced by one of his allies, Hiraga Tomomasa, that Hatekayama Shigetada, who was the husband of Tokimasa's youngest daughter, was inciting rebellion in Kyoto against the Hojo. Tokimasa, angered, ordered his two sons, Hojo Yoshitoki, his heir, and his other son, Hojo Tokifusa, to execute Hatekayama. Yoshitoki and Tokifusa, who were in a good relationship with their brother in law, protested, but Tokimasa ordered the execution of Hatekayama himself. From here on, Yoshitoki, Tokifusa, and their younger sister lost trust in their father and his meddling. It is believed Hatakeyama was a rival power-holder to Tokimasa. Hojo Yoshitoki (1163 - 1224, Hojo Yoshitoki) was the second Hojo [shikken]] (regent) of the Kamakura bakufu and head of the Hojo clan. ...

Tokimasa's Life: The Last Years (1205-1215)

However, Tokimasa's career was coming to an end. In 1205, Yoshitoki heard rumors from samurai that Tokimasa was planning to have Shogun Sanetomo assasinated. He heard that the heir was none other than Hiraga, who was responsible for the death of Hatakeyama. Yoshitoki, furious, and Masako, who was also scared at the fate of her last son, had Sanetomo under protective guard and Hiraga executed in Kamakura in 1205. Yoshitoki then threatened to rebel against his father.

Tokimasa realized that Shogun Sanetomo was under protection, and, since Oe Hiromoto died in 1204, he had no more allies left. He thus shaved his head, became a Buddhist monk, and retired from his post of shikken and head of the Hojo family. He was succeeded by his eldest son and heir, Hojo Yoshitoki, who became regent for Shogun Sanetomo and thus the second Hojo shikken. Hojo Yoshitoki (1163 - 1224, Hojo Yoshitoki) was the second Hojo [shikken]] (regent) of the Kamakura bakufu and head of the Hojo clan. ...

Hojo Tokimasa retired to a Buddhist monastery in Kamakura where he lived out the remaining years of his life, dying in 1215 at the age of 78. Kamakura can refer to: The city of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan The Kamakura Shogunate period in the History of Japan The Kamakura family name in Japan This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Events June 15 - King John of England forced to put his seal to the Magna Carta, outlining the rights of landowning men (nobles and knights) and restricting the kings power. ...

For More Information

• Hojo clan
• Kamakura shogunate
• Hojo Masako
• Minamoto no Yoritomo
• Minamoto no Yoriie
• Minamoto no Sanetomo
• Hojo Yoshitoki
• Emperor Go-Shirakawa
• Emperor Antoku
• Emperor Go-Toba
• Taira no Kiyomori
• Kamakura
• shikken

Samurai Archives: Hojo Tokimasa The Hojo clan (北条氏) in History of Japan is a family of regents of the Kamakura Shogunate. ... The Kamakura shogunate (鎌倉幕府) was a feudal military dictatorship ruled by the shoguns from 1185 to 1333. ... Hojo Masako (1157-1225) was the wife of Minamoto no Yoritomo, founder and first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate of Japanese history. ... Statue of Minamoto no Yoritomo at Nikko Toshogu; he is depicted wearing court dress typical of the Heian period. ... Minamoto no Yoriie 源頼家 (September 11, 1182–August 14, 1204) was the second shogun (1202–1203) of the Kamakura shogunate of Japan. ... Tree at Hachiman Shrine. ... Hojo Yoshitoki (1163 - 1224, Hojo Yoshitoki) was the second Hojo [shikken]] (regent) of the Kamakura bakufu and head of the Hojo clan. ... Emperor Go-Shirakawa (後白河天皇) (October 18, 1127 - April 26, 1192) was the 77th imperial ruler of Japan, reigning from August 23, 1155 to September 5, 1158. ... Emperor Antoku (安徳天皇) (December 22, 1178 - April 25, 1185) was the 81st imperial ruler of Japan, ruling during the late Heian period from the fourth month, 22nd day of 1180 to April 25, 1185. ... Emperor Go-Toba (後鳥羽天皇) (August 6, 1180 - March 28, 1239) was the 82nd imperial ruler of Japan. ... Taira no Kiyomori (平 清盛 1118 - 1181) was a general of the late Heian period of Japan. ... Kamakura can refer to: The city of Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan The Kamakura Shogunate period in the History of Japan The Kamakura family name in Japan This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Shikken (執権) was the regent of the shogun in the Kamakura shogunate in Japan. ...

Shikken (執権) was the regent of the shogun in the Kamakura shogunate in Japan. ... Hojo Yoshitoki (1163 - 1224, Hojo Yoshitoki) was the second Hojo [shikken]] (regent) of the Kamakura bakufu and head of the Hojo clan. ...