Hōjō clan

Hōjō (Japanese北 条 氏, Hōjō -shi) is the name for two unspecified unrelated noble families. The Later Hōjō family here took the name of the extinct, eminent family Hōjō reasons of prestige.

The original Hōjō family was a branch of the Taira clan, which dominated the imperial court at the end of the Heian period and the policy of Japan drew from the background. With the end of the Genpei War in 1185, this political influence was indeed over, but less than 20 years later succeeded the Hōjō family also to influence the policy of Japan decisive. Their rise began in 1203, when Hōjō Tokimasa, TOKUSO (得 宗) of the Hōjō clan, and at the same time father of the first Shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo, took over the office of Shikken. He expanded the power of competence of this office, so that the Shogun similar to the emperor at that time was rather a symbol of Kamakura bakufu, during the Shikken was regent of the country in his place. In order to secure the influence of the Regent, the position of the Shogun was mostly occupied by young and impressionable descendants of the Minamoto or the imperial family. The Office of Shikken and thus also the power of government remained over 100 years firmly in the hands of the Hōjō. In addition, other family members, other occupied high offices in the shogunate, as the military governor ( shugo ) or the bailiff ( Jitō ).

Among the political achievements of the Hōjō the Joei Code, also JoEi shikimoku or Goseibai heard called shikimoku. As had soon developed under its rule a newer administrative and legal system, the Taiho Code was from the 8th century no longer appropriate and the more modern Joei Code was adopted in 1232. In 1333 Emperor Go - Daigo fell with the help of the Ashikaga bakufu Kamakura and ended the rule of the Hōjō.

Coat of arms

The coat of arms depicts three scales of a dragon dar. Hōjō Tokimasa prayed to Enoshima to a dragon to prosperity for himself and his descendants. The dragon promised this meet and had 3 scales back.

Regent ( Shikken )

Rensho

The Hōjō also featured the Rensho, the wizard of Shikken:

Other major Hōjō

In addition to the regent Hōjō following played an important role:

• Hōjō Sanetoki
• Hōjō Masako
• Hōjō Shigetoki