Second son of Hojo Tokimasa, born in 1163 in Izu. He served Yoritomo from the very start and participated in campaigns against the Taira and the Oshu Fujiwara. After Yoritomo's death he seized power with his sister Masako, then exiled his own father in 1205 to become the second regent. He crushed the Wada Uprising (1213), consolidating full control of the shogunate's two governing offices. In 1221, the Jokyu War saw him personally lead a massive army to Kyoto and overwhelmingly defeat the imperial forces—permanently establishing samurai supremacy over the court. He set up the Rokuhara Tandai and exiled three retired emperors. He died suddenly in 1224, aged 61, having laid the institutional foundation of Hojo regent rule. He is the protagonist of the 2022 NHK taiga drama "The 13 Lords of the Shogun."
人
Personality
Calm and strategic in thinking. He rarely showed emotion and eliminated political rivals with a long-term perspective. In "The 13 Lords of the Shogun" he is depicted as a man who combines kindness with ruthlessness.
義
Historical Significance
Through victory in the Jokyu War he established the superiority of the samurai class over the imperial court. He is the true founder of Hojo regency rule, laying the groundwork for over 150 years of Hojo dominance.
話
Famous Anecdotes
其 一
Exiling His Own Father
He exiled his own father Tokimasa to Izu in the Maki Incident. The protagonist of the NHK drama "The 13 Lords of the Shogun."
Hojo Yoshitoki Timeline
1163
Hojo Yoshitoki born in Izu
1180
Supports Yoritomo's uprising with sister Masako
1185
Battle of Dan-no-ura. Taira destroyed
1199
Yoritomo dies. Joins Council of 13
1203
Hiki Yoshikazu Incident. Yoriie deposed
1205
Exiles father Tokimasa. Becomes 2nd Regent
1213
Wada Battle. Destroys Wada Yoshimori
1221
Jokyu War. Defeats Imperial court
1224
Hojo Yoshitoki dies at age 62
事
Related Historical Events
1200
Fall of Kajiwara Kagetoki
In 1200, just one year after Yoritomo's death, 66 vassals jointly petitioned for Kajiwara Kagetoki's removal. Known as "the eyes and ears of Kamakura" for his surveillance role under Yoritomo, Kagetoki was despised for his habit of slandering fellow warriors. When he tried to report Yuki Tomomitsu's remark as treason, the vassals united against him. Exiled from Kamakura, he was killed with his entire clan in Suruga the following year. This was the first power struggle after Yoritomo's death.