Background
Tokiyori Hojo was born in 1227. He was the son of Tokiuji and his wife, Matsushita-Zenni.
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Tokiyori Hojo
Edit Profile北條 時頼
Career
He was Shikken (Prime Minister) of the Kamakura Shogunate. He assumed the post in 1246 and suppres-sed a plot of Mitsutoki Nagoshi to restore ex-Shogun Yoritsune Fujiwara, thereby consolidating the position of the Hojos. Also destroyed the powerful Miura family in the Kanto area. In 1251, he unseated Yoritsugu from the Shogunate and gave the title to Prince Munetaka, son of ex-Emperor Gosaga. In 1256, he handed over the Prime Ministership to his son, Tokimune, and became a priest.
Personality
It is said he travelled widely incognito to inspect the condition of the masses. Various benevolent acts are attributed to Tokiyori, who promoted thrift, benevolence and fair administration. Because of his priesthood. Tokiyori is well-known for his anecdote of hachi-no-Kit or potted tree. According to legend, one snowy night, Tokiyori, disguised as a monk, asked for a night’s lodging at the home of Genzaemon (Tsuneyo) Sano, a poor samurai. Because Tsuneyo had no firewood to warm his cottage for the guest he burned his cherished potted tree. Later, when Shogunate warriors were called up to Kamakura at an emergency, Tsuneyo hurried there. Tokiyori, remembering the incident of the potted tree, rewarded him with a large net.
