Hōjō Ujiyasu

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Hōjō Ujiyasu

Role / Field:

Daimyō of the Sengoku period, known as the "Lion of Sagami," who stabilized the Hōjō clan.

Born:

1515

Died:

1571-10-21

Century / Era:

1515s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Hōjō Ujiyasu (北条 氏康; 1515 – October 21, 1571) was a daimyō (warlord) and third head of the Odawara Hōjō clan. Known as the "Lion of Sagami", he was revered as a fearsome samurai and a cunning man. He is famous for his strategies of breaking the siege from Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin. A son of Hōjō Ujitsuna (北条 氏綱), his only known wife was Imagawa Yoshimoto's sister, Zuikei-in. Among his sons are Hōjō Ujimasa and Uesugi Kagetora.

Career & Major Achievements

Born in 1515, his childhood name was Chiyomaru (千代丸). He fought his first battle when he was fifteen years old, facing Uesugi Tomooki of the Ōgigayatsu Uesugi clan (扇谷上杉家) at the Battle of Ozawahara in 1530. Upon his father's death in 1541, a number of the later Hōjō's enemies sought to take advantage of the opportunity to seize major Hōjō strongholds. Faced with almost endless warfare, Ujiyasu was compelled to reorganize the administration of the Hōjō lands. He had already ordered a series of aggressive cadastral surveys between 1542 and 1543, and in 1550, he overhauled the Kandaka (ja) taxation system.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Odawara, where his home castle Odawara Castle (小田原城) was located, was gradually transformed into an important trading center by modifying the region's throughways (which were hitherto designed with Kamakura as a hub) and creating an artisan's guild within the castle town. In addition, post stations and market places sprung up throughout the Hôjô's lands. Ujiyasu soon became one of the main powers in the Kantō region. In 1545, Uesugi Tomosada, of the Ōgigayatsu Uesugi clan and the eldest legitimate son of Uesugi Tomooki, attempted to regain Kawagoe Castle for the Uesugi clan. Tomosada allied himself with the Koga Kubo Ashikaga Haruuji (足利 晴氏) and Uesugi Norimasa (上杉 憲政) of the Yamauchi Uesugi clan (山内上杉家) and besieged Kawagoe Castle (Siege of Kawagoe Castle).

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1515: Birth of Hōjō Ujiyasu — Daimyō of the Sengoku period, known as the "Lion of Sagami," who stabilized the Hōjō clan.
2. 1530: 1530 Milestone — He fought his first battle when he was fifteen years old, facing Uesugi Tomooki of the Ōgigayatsu Uesugi clan (扇谷上杉家) at the Battle of Ozawahara in 1530.
3. 1541: 1541 Milestone — Upon his father's death in 1541, a number of the later Hōjō's enemies sought to take advantage of the opportunity to seize major Hōjō strongholds.
4. 1542: 1542 Milestone — He had already ordered a series of aggressive cadastral surveys between 1542 and 1543, and in 1550, he overhauled the Kandaka (ja) taxation system.
5. 1545: 1545 Milestone — In 1545, Uesugi Tomosada, of the Ōgigayatsu Uesugi clan and the eldest legitimate son of Uesugi Tomooki, attempted to regain Kawagoe Castle for the Uesugi clan.
6. 1571 (1571-10-21): Passing & Historical Legacy — Hōjō Ujiyasu passed away on 1571-10-21, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Hōjō Ujiyasu

True or False: “Did Hōjō Ujiyasu successfully prevent Takeda Shingen from ever besieging Odawara Castle?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Takeda Shingen did besiege Odawara Castle in 1569, although the siege ultimately failed to conquer it.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Hōjō Ujiyasu