Loyalty Spilled in Hikigayatsu — The Hiki Clan Incident and the Final Stand
In September 1203, Hojo Tokimasa lured Hiki Yoshikazu out on a pretext and had him murdered. Hojo forces immediately stormed the Hiki residence in Hikigayatsu valley, and after fierce fighting the Hiki clan and their retainers were annihilated. Mamiya Nobushige, as Yoshikazu's loyal retainer, is said to have fought to the last and shared his lord's fate. This Hiki Incident was one episode in the collapse of the council of 13 advisors, during which prominent Kamakura vassals were eliminated one by one through Hojo machinations.
Myohonji — The Kamakura Temple That Mourns the Hiki Clan and Their Loyal Retainers
Hiki Yoshikazu's youngest son Nohon converted to Nichiren Buddhism after his father's death and founded Myohonji temple on the former site of the Hiki residence in Hikigayatsu (1260). The temple has continued to this day as a place of memorial for Yoshikazu, his clan, and their retainers—including loyal figures like Mamiya Nobushige. The stone pagoda on the grounds, said to be Yoshikazu's tomb, still quietly commemorates the tragedy of the Hiki Incident.