Background
Takatoki Hōjō was born in 1303.
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Takatoki Hōjō
Edit Profile北条高時
Career
In 1316, while still in his teens, he was raised to the highest position of power in the Kamakura shogunate, that oishikken (regent), the shogun at this time being a mere figurehead. This unusual situation came about because the members of the Hojo family who had previously held the position of shikken had one after another died of sickness. Because of his youth, the actual power of government was wielded by Nagasaki Takatsuna and his associates, and it is said that Takatoki devoted himself entirely to a life of pleasure and took no cognizance of political affairs. As a result, the authority of the shogunate waned until 1325, when Emperor Godaigo felt confident enough to plan its overthrow. Takatoki was able to frustrate his plans, but in 1331 Emperor Godaigo made a second attempt, which proved successful.
In 1333 the forces of Nitta Yoshisada and the other leaders who were loyal to the emperor attacked Kamakura, and Takatoki and his family were obliged to commit suicide. At one point, in 1326, Takatoki, because of illness, became a monk, but up until the time of his death he retained his authority in the government.
