Hōjō

Hōjō refers to a prominent Japanese samurai family that rose to political power during the Kamakura period (1185–1333). Initially serving as regents for the shogunate, the Hōjō clan effectively controlled Japan’s government, managing military and administrative affairs. Their leadership began with the Hōjō regents, who maintained stability and authority behind the shogun’s facade. The Hōjō family played a significant role in shaping medieval Japan’s political landscape, establishing a feudal system that centralized power within a few noble families. Their dominance ended with the fall of the Kamakura shogunate, but their influence is recognized as a key period in Japanese history.