Everything about H J Clan totally explained
See the late Hōjō clan for the Hōjō clan of the Sengoku Period.
The in the
history of Japan was a family (
shikken, officially a
regent) of the
Kamakura Shogunate. However, the family had actual governmental power, many times dictatorial, rather than Kamakura
shoguns, or the Imperial Court, who were merely legal symbols. The Hōjō are also known for their defiance of the
Mongols, and fathering the spread of
Zen Buddhism and
Bushido, but also extreme decadence and making national decisions in secret meetings at private residences.
Bloodline
The Hōjō were an offshoot of the
Minamoto's arch enemy, the
Taira of the Kammu branch, originating in
Izu Province. The Hōjō gained power by supporting the extermination of their close relatives the Taira by intermarrying with and supporting
Minamoto no Yoritomo in the
Battle of Dan-no-ura. Just 18 years after, the Hōjō ursurped power with Yoritomo's passing.
Rise to Power
Hōjō Tokimasa helped
Minamoto no Yoritomo, a son-in-law, defeat the forces of the
Taira to become Japan's first
Shogun.
Hōjō Masako, Tokimasa's daughter was married to Yoritomo. After the death of Yoritomo, Tokimasa became Regent to the child Shogun, effectively permanently transferring control of the Shogunate to his clan. The Minamoto and even Imperial Princes became puppets and hostages of the Hōjō.
Major Early Events
With the protector of the Emperor (shogun) a figurehead himself, strains emerged between Kyoto and
Kamakura, and in 1221 the
Jōkyū War broke out between the Cloistered
Emperor Go-Toba and the second regent
Hōjō Yoshitoki. The Hōjō forces easily won the war, and the imperial court was brought under the direct control of the shogunate. The shogun's constables gained greater civil powers, and the court was obliged to seek Kamakura's approval for all of its actions. Although deprived of political power, the court retained extensive estates.
Several significant administrative achievements were made during the Hōjō regency. In 1225 the third regent
Hōjō Yasutoki established the Council of State, providing opportunities for other military lords to exercise judicial and legislative authority at Kamakura. The Hōjō regent presided over the council, which was a successful form of collective leadership. The adoption of Japan's first military code of law—the
Goseibai Shikimoku—in 1232 reflected the profound transition from court to militarized society. While legal practices in Kyoto were still based on 500-year-old
Confucian principles, the new code was a highly legalistic document that stressed the duties of stewards and constables, provided means for settling land disputes, and established rules governing
inheritances. It was clear and concise, stipulated punishments for violators of its conditions, and remained in effect for the next 635 years.
As might be expected, the literature of the time reflected the unsettled nature of the period. The
Hōjōki describes the turmoil of the period in terms of the Buddhist concepts of impermanence and the vanity of human projects. The
Heike monogatari narrated the rise and fall of the Taira, replete with tales of wars and samurai deeds. A second literary mainstream was the continuation of anthologies of poetry in the
Shin Kokin Wakashū, of which twenty volumes were produced between 1201 and 1205.
Fall from Power
The Hōjō were betrayed by a vassal,
Ashikaga Takauji, ordered to defeat the forces allied with
Emperor Go-Daigo in 1333.
List of Hōjō Shikken
1
Hōjō Tokimasa (
1138-
1215) (r.
1203-
1205)
2
Hōjō Yoshitoki (
1163-
1224) (r.
1205-
1224)
3
Hōjō Yasutoki (
1183-
1242) (r.
1224-
1242)
4
Hōjō Tsunetoki (
1224-
1246) (r.
1242-
1246)
5
Hōjō Tokiyori (
1227-
1263) (r.
1246-
1256)
6
Hōjō Nagatoki (
1229-
1264) (r.
1256-
1264)
7
Hōjō Masamura (
1205-
1273) (r.
1264-
1268)
8
Hōjō Tokimune (
1251-
1284) (r.
1268-
1284)
9
Hōjō Sadatoki (
1271-
1311) (r.
1284-
1301)
10
Hōjō Morotoki (
1275-
1311) (r.
1301-
1311)
11
Hōjō Munenobu (
1259-
1312) (r.
1311-
1312)
12
Hōjō Hirotoki (
1279-
1315) (r.
1312-
1315)
13
Hōjō Mototoki (?-
1333) (r.
1315)
14
Hōjō Takatoki (
1303-
1333) (r.
1316-
1326)
15
Hōjō Sadaaki (
1278-
1333) (r.
1326)
16
Hōjō Moritoki (?-
1333) (r.
1327-
1333)
Aside from the regents above, those who played an important role among the Hōjō clan are:
References in Media
The
Taiheiki (Japanese: 太平記) is a Japanese historical epic, written in the late 14th century that details the fall of the Hōjō clan and rise of the
Ashikaga, and the period of war (
Nanboku-chō) between the
Northern Court of
Ashikaga Takauji in
Kyoto, and the Southern Imperial Court of
Emperor Go-Daigo in
Yoshino, which forever splintered the
Japanese Imperial Family. Multiple modern films have been made based on the epic novel.
Further Information
Get more info on 'H J Clan'.
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