Hōjō Tokimasa

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Hōjō Tokimasa

Role / Field:

First Shikken of the Kamakura Shogunate and head of the powerful Hōjō clan.

Born:

1138

Died:

1215-02-06

Century / Era:

1138s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Hōjō Tokimasa (北条 時政; Japanese pronunciation: [hoː.(d)ʑoː (|) to.kʲiꜜ.ma.sa], 1138 – February 6, 1215) was a Japanese samurai lord who was the first shikken (regent) of the Kamakura shogunate and head of the Hōjō clan. He was shikken from 1203 until his abdication in 1205, and Protector of Kyoto from 1185 to 1186. The Hōjō clan is alleged to have been descended from the Taira clan. The Hōjō clan based themselves in a northern part of the Izu Province, which was in the east (Kanto region) and quite far away from the imperial center of power in Kyoto. Not much is known about Hōjō Tokimasa's early life prior to Minamoto no Yoritomo's arrival in Izu.

Career & Major Achievements

There is no information about his parents and early childhood, mainly because culture was not concentrated in Izu, but rather in Kyoto. Tokimasa was born in 1138 into the influential local magnate Hōjō clan in the province of Izu. It is believed that his father was either Hōjō Tokikata or Hōjō Tokikane. Tokimasa, as the head of the Hōjō 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 Emperor Sutoku--who would be deposed in the fallout of the Hōgen Rebellion. This also facilitated the rivalry between the Minamoto clan under Minamoto no Yoshitomo and the Taira clan under Taira no Kiyomori.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

These two disturbances, known as the Hōgen Rebellion and Heiji Rebellion, ended in a Taira victory and the rule of the Cloistered Emperors Toba and Go-Shirakawa. Minamoto no Yoshitomo of the Minamoto clan was executed in 1160; all but three of his sons were also executed, and his daughters sent to convents. Of the three sons that were spared, Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Minamoto no Noriyori were sent to Buddhist monasteries, while his eldest son, Minamoto no Yoritomo, only 13 years old, was exiled to Tokimasa's domain of Izu. The name of Tokimasa's first official wife is not known. She and Tokimasa had two sons, Hōjō Munetoki (北条宗時, his first son, the date of birth is not clear) and Hōjō Yoshitoki, who became his heir later, in 1163.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1138: Birth of Hōjō Tokimasa — First Shikken of the Kamakura Shogunate and head of the powerful Hōjō clan.
2. 1160: 1160 Milestone — Minamoto no Yoshitomo of the Minamoto clan was executed in 1160; all but three of his sons were also executed, and his daughters sent to convents.
3. 1163: 1163 Milestone — She and Tokimasa had two sons, Hōjō Munetoki (北条宗時, his first son, the date of birth is not clear) and Hōjō Yoshitoki, who became his heir later, in 1163.
4. 1203: 1203 Milestone — He was shikken from 1203 until his abdication in 1205, and Protector of Kyoto from 1185 to 1186.
5. 1215 (1215-02-06): Passing & Historical Legacy — Hōjō Tokimasa passed away on 1215-02-06, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Hōjō Tokimasa

True or False: “Hōjō Tokimasa was instrumental in establishing the Kamakura Shogunate's power structure immediately after the Genpei War.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he was crucial to its stability, his primary role as Shikken came later, solidifying the Hōjō clan's regency over the Minamoto-led government.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Bolesław III Wrymouth — Contemporary (Died in 1138) (1138): Duke of Poland, known as Bolesław III Wrymouth, ruled during a period of intense political struggle.
• Kaneko Ietada — Contemporary (Born in 1138) (1138): A famed samurai of the 12th century, renowned for his prowess during the Hōgen Rebellion.
• Maimonides — Contemporary (Born in 1138) (1138): Influential Sephardic philosopher and rabbi of the Middle Ages.
• Dafydd ap Llywelyn — Contemporary (Born in 1215) (1215): Prince of Gwynedd, a key figure in the struggle for Welsh independence.
• Eisai — Contemporary (Died in 1215) (1215): Founder of the Rinzai Zen school in Japan, credited with introducing Zen and green tea.
• Gottfried von Strassburg — Contemporary (Died in 1215) (1215): Master poet of Middle High German, famed for the courtly romance Tristan.
• Aaron Burr — Shared historical date (02-06 · Born) (1756): American politician, lawyer, and statesman known for his role in the Jeffersonian era.
• Abd el-Krim — Shared historical date (02-06 · Died) (1963): Moroccan revolutionary leader who spearheaded the revolt against French and Spanish Protectorates.
• Saladin — Historical peer (Born in 1138) (1138): Founder of the Ayyubid dynasty, a pivotal Sunni Muslim ruler in the Levant.
• Ibn al-Nafis — Historical peer (Born in 1215) (1215): Pioneering Arab polymath, credited with describing pulmonary blood circulation.
• 1138 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1138
• 1215 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1215
• February 6 (02-06) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on February 6

Frequently Asked Questions about Hōjō Tokimasa