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The Hiki Incident — Assassination and the Fall of the Hiki Clan That Transformed Kamakura

In 1203, Hojo Tokimasa used the shogunal succession as a pretext to murder Hiki Yoshikazu and annihilate the Hiki clan. The fall of the Hiki, who had supported the shogunate since its founding as adoptive kin of Yoritomo's wet-nurse, was the decisive blow establishing Hojo regency rule. Visit Myohonji and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu in Kamakura to explore this power struggle.

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Hiki Yoshikazu, a powerful Kamakura vassal adopted by Yoritomo’s wet-nurse, was murdered by Hojo Tokimasa in 1203, and his entire clan annihilated. This Hiki Incident established Hojo dominance over the Kamakura Shogunate. The temple Myohonji in Hikigayatsu was later built to memorialize the Hiki clan. Visit Myohonji, Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, and Kamakuraguu to trace the power struggles of early Kamakura.

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (Kamakura) — the center of samurai government developed by Yoritomo whom Hiki Yoshikazu served; the Hiki Incident transformed this place's power structure

Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Jufukuji (Kamakura) — the Zen temple built by Hojo Masako to honor Yoritomo, ranking third among the Five Mountains; a spiritual stronghold of the Hojo who seized power in the Hiki Incident

Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Hell Scroll (Kamakura period) — a Kamakura-era picture scroll reflecting the impermanence and Buddhist thought of an era of power struggles including the Hiki Incident

Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Shirahata Shrine (Kamakura Hokkedō Ruins) — enshrining the spirits of the Minamoto shoguns; the Hiki Incident weakened the shogunal line, ending with the assassination of the third shogun Sanetomo

Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Great Buddha of Kamakura (Kotokuin) — symbol of Kamakura, erected during the stable era of Hojo regency rule established after the Hiki Incident

Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

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Key Figures

Hiki Yoshikazu

Powerful Vassal of Kamakura Shogunate

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