Background
Tokimasa Jo was born in 1138. He was the son of Tokikata.
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Tokimasa Jo
Edit Profile北條 時政
Career
When the Taira family exiled Yoritomo Minamoto to Tzu, he was ordered to keep watch over Yoritomo. Tokimasa secretly protected Yoritomo and gave Masako, his daughter, to him in marriage. When Yoritomo rose in revolt against the Tairas (1180), Tokimasa assisted him. He participated in many of Yoritomo's campaigns, including his expedition in Kai Province (Yamanashi Prefecture). At the battle of the Fuji River, he spearheaded the Minamoto forces. After Yoritomo established his government in Kamakura, he engaged in controling the Kanto district. When Yoritomo fell out with his brother Yoshitsune, Tokimasa commanded the army sent to Kyoto to capture Yoshi- tsune (1185). On behalf of Yoritomo, he sought and obtained the Imperial Court’s permission to create the posts of Shugo (military commissioner) and Jiid (Administrator) in Kyoto. Returning to Kamakura the following year, he wielded strong power as Shogun Yoritomo's father-in-law. After Yorne succeeded his father, Yoritomo, as Shogun, Tokimasa competed for power with Yoshikazu Hiki, father-in-law of Yoriie. In 1203, Tokimasa tried to divide the Shogunate authority between Ichiman (son of Yorne) and Semman (brother of Yoriie). Yoshikazu opposed this attempt and Tokimasa killed Yoshikazu and Ichiman. He made Semman (Sanetomo) Shogun and himself became Shikken. In 1204, he assassinated Yoriie at Shuzenji in Izu. In 1205, he assassinated Shigetada Hatakeyama with the intention of giving the Shogunate to Tomomasa Hiraga, the son-in-law of his second wife. His plan, however, was thwarted by his daughter, Masako, the widow of Yoritomo, and Yoshitoki Hojo. Tokimasa then retired to Izu and, became a priest.
