Chris Perry, Author

Tag: Hojo clan

  • Soun – Rise of the Hojo

    Soun – Rise of the Hojo

    The mon of the Hojo, and Later Hojo clans.

    Late 15th-century Japan was a chaotic place, but as we all know by now, chaos also presents opportunity. As central authority declined, local clans would move to fill the void. Some of these clans would fall almost as quickly as they had risen, others would continue to survive in one form or another throughout the Sengoku Period, and a select few would go on to be truly great.

    The focus of this post is one of them, the Hojo (hence the title). Right away, I want to be clear that this Hojo and the Hojo we looked at previously (the ones who were regents during the Mongol Invasions) were not related, despite the same name and mon. Sometimes, this second Hojo Clan is called the “Later” Hojo (Go-Hojo) in Japanese, but for our purposes, we’ll just call them the Hojo and hope you remember the distinction.

    Adding to our confusion, the founder of the clan, Hojo Soun, wasn’t actually called that. He was a member of the Ise Clan, and it was his son, the second “Lord” Hojo, who adopted the name and mon. Again, while it is technically more accurate to refer to this founder as Ise Souzui, we’ll call him Hojo Soun, because a) that’s the name he’s best remembered by, and b) it’ll get confusing if we keep changing his name.

    Hojo Soun, who wasn’t called Hojo Soun, during his lifetime.

    Side Note: Name changes were common in Japanese culture, with someone’s birth name rarely being the name they are recorded by historically. When you factor in nicknames, titles, honorifics, etc, you have individuals who may have gone by any number of names. Up until now (and continuing after this), I have always called historical characters by their most commonly used name, just in case you were wondering.

    The man who would become Hojo Soun is the subject of considerable mythologising. In the pre-modern period, it was widely assumed that he had been a poor samurai who had risen to a position of power by sheer force of will, pulling himself up by the proverbial bootstraps.

    20th-century scholarship has shed more light on his origins, however. He was a member of the Ise Clan, as we mentioned previously, and was born either in Kyoto or Ibara, in modern Okayama Prefecture. His family were not at the highest ranks, but they were administrators for the Shogun, meaning that they were often close to the centre of power and were certainly not the impoverished provincial family of later myth and legend.

    Modern Okayama Prefecture, a possible birthplace of Soun.
    By Lincun – 国土交通省 国土数値情報(行政区域), CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3916728

    Soun’s exact origins are still a little unclear (we’re not even 100% sure what year he was born, though 1456 is considered most likely), but his rise to power came during the chaotic violence of the Onin War. As we looked at previously, one of the ancillary conflicts was in the Kanto, where Ashikaga Shigeuji and the Uesugi Clan clashed violently. Officially, Shigeuji was a rebel against the Shogunate, and the Uesugi were loyal servants, although in reality, neither side paid much attention to the capital.

    One of the other clans in the Kanto at this time was the Imagawa, who remained loyal to the interests of the Shogun. In 1476, the head of the Imagawa was killed in battle, and his heir was just a boy (Ujichika). Factions quickly formed within the clan seeking to assert rival claims to leadership.

    With the clan fracturing and external rivals seeking to take advantage, Soun, who was the brother of Lady Kitagawa, Ujichika’s mother, is said to have arrived at the Imagawa home in Suruga Province (in modern Shizuoka) to negotiate a peaceful settlement at the request of his sister. An agreement was reached in which the cousin of the previous leader (Norimitsu) would stand in as acting leader until the young boy came of age, whilst the rival factions were convinced (or compelled) to withdraw.

    It is debated exactly what role Soun played in this negotiation. It is noted that he was very young (perhaps 20 or 21) to be a negotiator, and his name doesn’t appear in any official government records. The withdrawal of rival forces is also suggested to have been a reaction to problems elsewhere (the Uesugi faced rebellion at home, for example) and not a result of Soun’s negotiating prowess. While peace was certainly achieved within the Imagawa Clan, it is entirely possible that Soun’s role in achieving it was minimal, or perhaps even a later fabrication.

    The first ‘official’ records of Soun come from the period of 1481-87, when he is recorded as a subordinate to the Shogun, presumably taking some role in the administrative affairs of the government. It is also speculated that Soun’s later departure for Suruga Province was motivated by legal troubles surrounding unpaid debts. Again, the exact nature of this problem isn’t clear, but there was certainly a legal case involving Soun and one of his creditors dated to this period, although the outcome is apparently lost.

    In 1487, the previous agreement that had led to peace within the Imagawa Clan broke down. Norimitsu, who had been chosen to stand as ‘regent’ during the minority of Imagawa Ujichika, refused to step down. Although Soun’s role in the initial negotiation is debated, he certainly returned to Suruga Province around this time to force a settlement, apparently with the approval (or possibly at the direct order) of the Shogun and at the request, once again, of his sister, Lady Kitagawa.

    Norimitsu had once been able to call on the support of external clans, but the political situation in the Kanto had changed in the decade since the original settlement, and that support no longer existed. Soun based himself at Ishiwaki Castle (in modern Yaizu, Shizuoka) and gathered supporters of Ujichika to his banner.

    A view of Mt Fuji from a spot near modern Yaizu.
    alonfloc, CC 表示 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52973978による

    In late 1487, Soun led an attack on Norimitsu and his supporters, defeating them in a short, sharp campaign that ended with Norimitsu’s suicide and Ujichika’s confirmation as leader of the Imagawa Clan. Soun was rewarded for his actions, but the exact location of his new lands is disputed, with several possible locations including the aforementioned Ishiwaki Castle.

    Though the exact location of his base isn’t known for sure, Soun certainly remained in Suruga Province in the immediate aftermath of his success, acting as a protector for the young Ujichika. It is also suggested that during this period he acquired or was rewarded with estates in Izu Province, though again, that isn’t recorded with certainty.

    Soun’s actions following this are murky; he appears to have returned to the direct service of the Shogun in around 1491, though he seems to have remained physically in Suruga Province. In 1493, the Meio Coup changed Soun’s situation considerably, although again the exact circumstances are open to speculation.

    Suruga Province, where Soun made a name for himself. Izu Province is the peninsula to the bottom right of Suruga, and Sagami is just above that.
    By Ash_Crow – Own work, based on Image:Provinces of Japan.svg, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1691794

    What is certain is that Soun would lead an attack into neighbouring Izu Province that would eventually see him take control of the entire province. Some sources suggest that Soun was acting on the orders of Hosokawa Masatomo, the instigator of the Meio Coup; others indicate that Soun was acting on his own initiative. The situation in the Kanto was already volatile, and the coup in Kyoto had only made things worse, giving Soun a chance to improve his fortunes.

    Soun’s actual conquest of Izu is subject to considerable mythologising, with some stories telling us that he spied on the province in person, posing as a pilgrim to the area’s many hot springs, whilst others say that he was welcomed as a liberator and kept his army under tight control, preventing any pillaging. Soun is also supposed to have secured the province in under 30 days, launching a surprise attack on the residence of the previous lord of Izu, and either killing him or forcing him to commit suicide.

    The reality seems to have been a protracted campaign, with Soun trying to capture the leader of the province in a rapid advance, but failing to do so, leading to a drawn-out war that would not be finally resolved until 1498, though the historical record does seem to suggest that Soun’s victory was more or less guaranteed after around 1495.

    Despite his conquest of Izu, Soun remained a nominal vassal of the Imagawa Clan and took an active part in their campaigns in the Kanto. He would campaign on their behalf in Kai Province, and in Sagami (modern-day Yamanashi and Kanagawa Prefectures), famously capturing Odawara Castle in late 1495. The legends tell us that Soun captured the mighty fortress through trickery, convincing the lord to go hunting and then taking the castle while he was away. Modern scholars suggest that a large earthquake that year undermined the fortifications of Odawara and made holding it untenable.

    The remains of the moat at Odawara. The castle that stands on the modern site is a 20th century reconstruction of the fortress as it appeared in 1590. The castle that Soun took in 1495 would have been an formidable, but considerably smaller structure.
    By 柴錬アワー – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81578474

    In the short term, Soun would continue to support the Imagawa Clan, but as time went on, he began to take on an increasingly independent appearance, as his power grew, and the Imagawa found themselves distracted by events elsewhere. In 1507, the Eisho Disturbance (which led to the Hosokawa Rebellion we talked about previously) ended what little remained of Shogunate influence in the Kanto, and with the Imagawa distracted (or by some accounts, overstretched), Soun was able to extend his direct control of Sagami and Izu Provinces.

    Soun would clash with the Miura Clan of Sagami, who were in turn supported by the Ogigayatsu branch of the Uesugi Clan. Soun would advance on Edo Castle (on the site of the modern Imperial Palace in Tokyo) in early 1510, but a counterattack by the Miura and Ogigayatsu would drive him back as far as his base at Odawara.

    Soun would survive this crisis, and the destruction of the Miura Clan is said to have become the singular focus of his later life. Starting in the summer of 1512, Soun would make steady advances against the Miura, driving them out of Sagami Province, and defeating supporting attacks from the Ogigayatsu, until, by July 1516, the Miura had been bottled up in the eponymous Miura Peninsula (in modern Kanagawa Prefecture) before being destroyed with the capture of their final fortress at Misaki Castle.

    Soun would engage in several further campaigns, even crossing into modern Chiba, but in 1518, he handed control of the clan over to his son, Ujitsuna, before passing away in August the following year.

    Hojo Ujitsuna, who would adopt the name and symbol of the Hojo after his father’s death.

    Though Soun himself would never take the name Hojo, his actions secured the dominance of his clan in the Kanto region for most of the 16th Century. Though they would never be completely unchallenged, the clan would eventually rise to become masters of the area around modern Tokyo, until they eventually fell foul of Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s campaigns to unite the realm, with their mighty fortress at Odawara being taken, and the clan destroyed in 1590.

    In many ways, Soun is the archetype of what would become known as a “Sengoku Daimyo”, a kind of warlord who was not content with simply fighting with his neighbours, but worked to improve the lands he ruled. In 1506, Soun ordered a land survey in Sagami Province, the first of its kind in this new era, and he would introduce sweeping reforms to law and justice in his territories that would serve as inspiration for generations of Samurai that followed him, and in some cases, formed the basis for the legal system in place during the Edo Period, and even into more modern times.

    Sources
    https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8C%97%E6%9D%A1%E6%97%A9%E9%9B%B2
    https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%BE%8C%E5%8C%97%E6%9D%A1%E6%B0%8F
    https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%89%E6%B5%A6%E5%8D%8A%E5%B3%B6
    https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%AB%8B%E6%B2%B3%E5%8E%9F%E3%81%AE%E6%88%A6%E3%81%84

  • The Power in the Provinces Part One

    The Power in the Provinces Part One

    We’ve spent a lot of time talking about the breakdown of Shogunate power during the 15th Century. We’ve also discussed the three most powerful clans that were located closest to Kyoto during the Onin War. The Hosokawa, Yamana, and Hatakeyama Clans all played leading roles in the fighting, and in the aftermath, all three were seriously weakened.

    But what about the provinces? We’ve only spoken in very broad terms about what was going on out there, mostly because, to focus on it would require posts that resemble small novels, and keeping track of all those names and places is a task that is beyond most of us.

    In the interests of keeping things moving, then, I have generally neglected to go into much detail; however, since we’re now at the beginning of the Sengoku Jidai, a period of civil war lasting 120 years, we need to take a moment to look at who the main players are now that the Onin War is over.

    Central Japan

    Central Japan, corresponding mostly to the modern Kansai region, was the political and cultural heart of the nation.

    We’ve spent a lot of time looking at this region recently, so this is just a quick overview of who is still on the field in this part of Japan.

    The Hatakeyama Clan had been one of the main players, but a serious succession dispute fractured the clan and eventually led to the Onin War, as the Hosokawa and Yamana Clans supported rival claimants in a feud that would spiral out of control.

    By the end of the 15th Century, the Hosokawa remained largely in control of Kyoto, but they were already in decline. They would remain powerful, but a succession dispute (yes, another one) would divide the clan in the early 16th Century, and they’d never recover.

    The Yamana Clan had been badly mauled by the Onin War, and from a position as one of Japan’s mightiest clans, they’d eventually lose everything but a single province, which they’d manage to hold until the end of the 16th century, when some poor political decisions would see them forfeit even that.

    The Hatakeyama, for their part, were fragmented repeatedly throughout the late 15th Century, and they’d never recover their former power. However, some descendants would hold positions of power in Kyoto until the 1580s, when they’d run afoul of Oda Nobunaga, a name you should remember.

    Eastern Japan

    Eastern Japan, centred on the Kanto. Although home to Tokyo today, in the 15th Century it was Kamakura that was the centre of power in the region.

    The power in Eastern Japan was centred mostly around the Kanto Plain, with the political capital at Kamakura. In the period preceding the Ashikaga Shogunate, Kamakura had been the de facto capital of Japan, and even after the new Shogunate relocated to Kyoto, Kamakura remained the regional capital, and holding it was a prize in itself.

    The Kanto region was the source of a lot of trouble for the Ashikaga Shoguns, as there was the legacy of the previous Shogunate to contend with, and the strong, often semi-independent Kamakura Kubo to contend with. The kubo was the head of the local government, and they often openly defied the Shogun, who had to rely on the fickle loyalty of other powerful clans in the region to enforce his will.

    The Uesugi

    The Mon (crest) of the Uesugi Clan
    By Mukai – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8629467

    The dominant power in the Kanto in the 15th Century was arguably the Uesugi Clan. Like many others, the clan claimed descent from the illustrious Fujiwara Clan, and various members of the family would become shugo in and around the Kanto. Their most important role, however, was that of Kanto Kanrei, the Shogun’s deputy in the Kanto, a position that was supposed to complement that of the kubo, but in reality, often served as a check on Kamakura’s power, and frequently, a direct rival.

    Like most clans at this time, the Uesugi were divided into branches, three in this case, that were just as likely to fight as support each other. This infighting predated the Onin War, but the outbreak of general civil war saw the destruction of one branch, and the serious weakening of the other two, so much so that, in the early 16th Century, the Uesugi would lose their position in the Kanto to another rising power, the Hojo.

    The Uesugi would survive, however, and continue to play a major role in the Sengoku Jidai. The clan’s most famous son is arguably Uesugi Kenshin, who would engage in a rivalry with fellow warlord Takeda Shingen that became the stuff of legend. Mythology aside, Kenshin would die without heirs, and a succession crisis would severely weaken the clan.

    Uesugi Kenshin became a Samurai legend, but his death would leave the Uesugi in a weak position.

    Although they would survive, they chose the losing side in the final battles of the Sengoku Jidai and would end up in Yonezawa Domain, in modern Yamagata Prefecture, where they would actually prosper until the abolition of the Domains in the 19th Century.

    The clan endured into the modern day. The current head is Uesugi Kuninori, who was a professor at the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science until he retired in 2006.

    The Hojo

    The Mon of the Hojo Clan, and the later Hojo clan, who took the name and emblem for their own.
    By Mukai – No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9416600

    The Hojo Clan, or more accurately the Go-Hojo, or Later Hojo, were relative latecomers to the scene. Although they would lay claim to illustrious ancestry (which was the style at the time), their progenitor was Ise Sozui (better known as Hojo Soun), who, despite being revered as the ancestor of the clan, never used the name Hojo himself. Traditionally, Soun was believed to have been a Ronin (masterless samurai) who rose to power seemingly out of nowhere in the aftermath of the Onin War.

    More recent scholarship, however, seems to indicate that Soun’s family, the Ise Clan, had a much longer history and would serve in the Shogun’s government in Kyoto before relocating to the Kanto later.

    Soun arguably deserves a post of his own, but the short version is that, he was originally in the service of the Imagawa Clan, another power in the region, before raising an army of his own and taking Izu Province for himself, establishing his base at Odawara Castle, which he took in 1494, some say, after tricking the previous owners, convincing them to leave on a hunting trip, and arranging their murders.

    It was his son, Ujitsuna, who renamed the clan to Hojo. You may remember that it was the Hojo Clan who acted as regents for the Kamakura Shoguns, rising to such power that they were effectively masters of Japan, before being overthrown by the Ashikaga.

    This new Hojo Clan was no relation to these regents, hence why they are referred to as the “Later” Hojo. Ujitsuna, apparently attempting to add some prestige to his family, adopted the name and mon (family crest) of the former Hojo, and everyone just went with it.

    Hojo Ujitsuna, who understood that there was power in a recognisable name.

    Ujitsuna wasn’t just savvy with brand recognition, however. Throughout the first half of the 16th century, he would guide the Hojo to become the predominant power in the Kanto. He would challenge and eventually drive out the Uesugi, taking control of their castle at Edo, which would eventually become the Imperial Palace in modern Tokyo.

    Throughout the Sengoku Period, the Hojo would continue to be masters of the Kanto, eventually becoming one of the greatest powers in the late 16th century, before they were eventually defeated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1590. A branch of the family would survive as the lord of Sayama Domain (near modern Osaka) until the 19th century, and members of this family would continue playing a role in Japanese politics into the 20th century.

    The Takeda

    The Mon of the Takeda

    The Takeda also claimed descent from the Minamoto Clan, and from the earliest days of the Kamakura Shogunate in the 12th Century, they had established their power base in Kai Province (modern day Yamanashi Prefecture). Though they were a relatively minor player (one amongst many, you might say), the Takeda would develop a difficult relationship with the Uesugi Clan.

    When the Uesugi rose up against the Kamakura Kubo in 1416 (the Zenshu Rebellion), some members of the Takeda sided with the Uesugi, whilst others remained loyal to the government. The Uesugi were eventually defeated, but there was now bad blood between the Takeda and Uesugi that would last for another 120 years.

    The best known Takeda was certainly Takeda Harunobu, better known to history as Takeda Shingen. He is widely regarded as one of the best leaders of the Sengoku Period; indeed, some scholars have speculated that, had it not been for his sudden death in 1573, we might now be talking about Shingen as one of the great unifiers of Japan.

    Takeda Harunobu, better known as Shingen. Arguably one of the Sengoku Period’s best leaders, his sudden death brought an end to his ambition and seriously weakened the Takeda Clan.

    Alas, it wasn’t to be. Shingen was succeeded by his far less capable son, Katsuyori, who would lead the Takeda to disaster at the Battle of Nagashino in 1575, and the clan would cease to have any meaningful power after a final campaign led by Oda Nobunaga in 1582.

    Much like other major clans of the era, the Takeda Clan would live on in much reduced straits, eventually becoming direct vassals of the Tokugawa Shoguns, receiving a stipend of just 500 Koku a year. For reference, a Daimyo (great lord) could only claim that rank if he controlled lands worth 10,000 Koku a year or more. The Takeda had once controlled lands that were estimated to produce 1.2 million Koku, which gives you some idea of how far they had fallen.

    The Rest

    There are still several other regions to cover, and many more clans, but we’ll cover them next time.

    Sources
    https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%8A%E6%9D%89%E9%82%A6%E6%86%B2
    https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%B8%8A%E6%9D%89%E6%B0%8F
    https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8C%97%E6%9D%A1%E6%97%A9%E9%9B%B2
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C5%8Dj%C5%8D_S%C5%8Dun
    https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%BE%8C%E5%8C%97%E6%9D%A1%E6%B0%8F
    https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%AD%A6%E7%94%B0%E6%B0%8F

  • Kamakura II – Rise of the Hojo

    When Minamoto no Yoritomo died in 1199, he left an impressive legacy. From a boy of 12, exiled to a far-flung province after a failed rebellion, to effective master of Japan in less than forty years.

    Unfortunately, as is so often the case, those who came after him would not live up to his example. As we mentioned briefly last time, one of the main pillars of Yoritomo’s support had been his marriage to Hojo Masako, and through her, the support of the powerful Hojo Clan.

    The Hojo

    First, it’s important to make the distinction between this clan and the later Hojo Clan, who would play an important role in the same area during the Sengoku Jidai. This later clan would take the name and symbol of the earlier clan, but they don’t seem to have been directly related.

    The original Hojo Clan came from Izu Province, in what is now Shizuoka Prefecture. Their exact origins are open to speculation, with some sources suggesting they are descended from an offshoot of one of the Taira Clans, whereas others speculate that they are named after an area in the Tagata area of modern Shizuoka.

    Izu Province, in modern-day Shizuoka, is the homeland of the original Hojo Clan.
    By Ash_Crow – Own work, based on Image:Provinces of Japan.svg, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1682541

    Whatever their exact origins, the Hojo were one of the buke or warrior families that rose during the latter years of the Heian Period, but again, scholars aren’t clear on how powerful they actually were. The size of their territory seems to have been relatively small, suggesting only limited military strength. On the other hand, it is located close to important transport links, suggesting access to wealth that went beyond mere manpower, and their later dominance of the Kamakura government suggests they were no country bumpkins when it came to the business of administration.

    Murky origins aside, we know that Hojo Masako married Yoritomo in around 1177, and initially, Masako’s dad, Tokimasa, was against it, for apparently political reasons, worrying that the Taira, who were in charge in Kyoto at this point, would have something to say about a Hojo marrying the leader of their enemy.

    Apparently, the Taira didn’t have much to say about it, however, and Tokimasa would eventually come around to the new arrangement, proving to be one of Yoritomo’s most steadfast supporters.

    Family Feud

    I’m planning to write a post about Hojo Masako herself later, so I’ll skip over the details of her marriage to Yoritomo, but suffice it to say, she proved to be not only a faithful wife but a force to be reckoned with in her own right.

    A later image of Hojo Masako as the “Nun Shogun”

    After Yoritomo died in 1199, Masako shaved her head and became a nun, though she would continue to reside in Kamakura, earning the nickname “Nun Shogun” for her political power. Yoritomo’s heir was Yoriie, and when he came to power, Masako’s father, Hojo Tokimasa, had himself appointed regent, or Shikken.

    Yoriie wasn’t thrilled about this, as he favoured his wife’s family, the Hiki Clan, and almost as soon as he was formally proclaimed Shogun in 1202, he began to make moves to replace Tokimasa, his grandfather, with Hiki Yoshikazu, his father-in-law.

    Obviously, Tokimasa and Masako weren’t just going to let that happen, and in 1203, when Masako got word that Yoriie and Yoshikazu were planning a sort of palace coup, she informed her father, and the Hojo moved first.

    Hojo forces assassinated Yoshikazu, and then had the Hiki residence burned, killing most of the extended family. They even went as far as to kill Yoriie’s son and nominal heir, Ichiman, because it had been alleged that the Hiki planned to rule as his regents, in the same way the Hojo had for Yoriie.

    Yoriie himself was exiled (then assassinated a year later), and his replacement as Shogun was his younger brother (another of Masako’s sons), Sanemoto, who was only 12 at the time. Little Sanemoto seems to have been closer to his mother than Yoriie had been, which suited Masako, but not Grandpa Tokimasa, who saw his influence over the Shogunate decline.

    By 1205, Tokimasa was the most powerful man in Kamakura, but he wasn’t unopposed. Firstly, he was widely believed to have been behind the assassination of Yoriie, which upset Masako to say the least, and not long after that, Tokimasa went even further by ordering his sons (Yoshitoki and Tokifusa) to execute his son-in-law. They protested, but Tokimasa insisted, and the boys, who had apparently quite liked their brother-in-law, began openly siding with their sister, Masako, against Tokimasa.

    Then, amidst rumours that Tokimasa planned to have the Shogun killed, and replaced with someone more pliable, Masako and her siblings went to him and told him that he’d better step down, or face open rebellion. Surprisingly, Tokimasa agreed and resigned as regent, shaving his head and becoming a monk, living out the rest of his days in relative peace before passing away in 1215, aged around 78.

    The Nun Shogun

    Sanemoto would be confirmed as Shogun in 1205. His uncle, Yoshitoki, became regent, and Masako maintained her position as the “Nun Shogun”, the power behind the throne. Masako and Yoshitoki oversaw a period of relative peace, dominating the weak-willed Sanetomo.

    Sanetomo seems to have been a bit of a non-entity, which probably suited Masako and Yoshitoki but led to serious issues down the line. Sanemoto was a talented poet, but there is evidence that he may have been an alcoholic, and possibly homosexual as well, despite being married, it was remarked by contemporaries how he seemed to have little to no interest in women.

    Now, being a permanently pickled friend of Dorothy might sound like a grand old time, but the problem with a hereditary system of government, even one in which you are a puppet, is that you need someone to inherit the government.

    During this time, Masako went to the Imperial Court in Kyoto to see if a son of the Emperor might be available for adoption as Sanetomo’s heir. The Emperor, perhaps unsurprisingly, had little reason to do the Shogunate a favour and refused, leaving the succession in doubt.

    In 1219, Sanemoto was assassinated by his nephew, Kugyo, Yoriie’s second son, and arguably the man who would have been Shogun, had it not been for Hojo politicking. In a dramatic winter scene, Sanemoto was ambushed on the steps of a temple. As the snow fell heavily around them, Kugyo cut the Shogun down and fled the scene.

    The stairs at the Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu in Kamakura, where Sanetomo was assassinated. Some stories tell of Kugyo hiding behind the Ginkgo Tree on the left.
    By No machine-readable author provided. Abrahami assumed (based on copyright claims). – No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=863448

    Kugyo himself would be tracked down and killed later, but his exact reason for the killing has been a matter of some speculation. He was the son of the murdered Shogun Yoriie, so it might have simply been a question of revenge. Another possible explanation is a plot involving Regent Yoshitoki, who was trying to get rid of the last legitimate heir to Yoritomo, thus cementing Hojo power.

    Historians generally doubt the idea that Kugyo, who had no reason to support Hojo ambitions, was working with Yoshitoki, but regardless, Sanetomo’s death would prove highly fortuitous for the Hojo.

    Whatever his failings, Sanetomo had been the last legitimate son of Minamoto no Yoritomo, and with his death, the line of Minamoto Shoguns ended. Masako and Yoshitoki then selected Kujo Yoritsune as the next Shogun. His claim was tenuous at best; his grandmother had been Yoritomo’s niece, and what was more, he was only a year old when Sanetomo was assassinated.

    While Yoritsune came of age, the country was effectively ruled by Masako and Yoshitoki, and it was during this period that Masako would really earn the nickname “Nun Shogun”.

    It is important to note that the prejudice against female rulers wasn’t as ingrained as you might imagine. Whilst European sources tend to portray women who rule in their own right as something unnatural, Japanese sources are generally positive about Masako and her reign. Of course, it does help that most of the sources we have were written by people who had reason not to antagonise the Hojo, but still, it is an interesting side note.

    Hojo Masako would continue to be the effective ruler of Japan until her death in August 1225, but she and the Hojo would not rule unchallenged. In 1221, the Emperor Go-Toba decided he’d had enough of being a figurehead and tried to do something about it.

    Sources
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamoto_no_Sanetomo
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuj%C5%8D_Yoritsune
    https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%97%A4%E5%8E%9F%E9%A0%BC%E7%B5%8C
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kugy%C5%8D_(priest)
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamakura_shogunate
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C5%8Dj%C5%8D_Masako
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azuma_Kagami
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soga_Monogatari
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C5%8Dj%C5%8D_clan
    https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8C%97%E6%9D%A1%E6%B0%8F
    https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8C%97%E6%9D%A1%E6%94%BF%E5%AD%90
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiki_clan
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minamoto_no_Yoriie
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiki_Yoshikazu
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C5%8Dj%C5%8D_Tokimasa#Minamoto_no_Sanetomo
    https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8C%97%E6%9D%A1%E6%99%82%E6%94%BF