Background
Masako Hojo was born in 1157. She was the eldest daughter of Tokimasa Hojo.
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Masako Hojo
Edit Profile北條 政子
Career
Although she became a nun after the death of her husband (1199), she looked after the affairs of the Kamakura Shogunate as virtual regent. When Sanetomo, the third Shogun of the Kamakura Dynasty, was assassinated (1219), Masako made Yoritsune Fujiwara, son of Michiie, Minister of the Left at the Kyoto Imperial Court, his successor but she continued to hold real power. She was feared and admired as Ama (Nun) Shogun.
Personality
She was a woman of strong will and quick decision.
Connections
She fell in love with Yoritomo when he was in Izu (Shizuoka Prefecture) as an exile of the Taira family. She married him after persuading her father to reject her other suitors. Yoritomo’s success in founding the Kamakura Shogunate is partially attributed to her assistance.
