Each nation in the world has a rich history. This history includes not just the good developments that the nation acquired through the years but also the terrible events that transpired. These terrible events include the many invasions by foreign countries in pursuit of not just increased amounts of lands but also of power. In a world where fame, power, and fortune are sought after no matter the generation, many countries have suffered while others have prospered.
One of the several countries that participated in these events in Japan. Having colonized various nations around the globe, the country of Japan is no stranger to invasions. However, despite the nation being a powerful figure during the wars, it also suffered a few invasions by others. Nonetheless, Japan was also able to thwart some attempted invasions to their lands. One of the many attempted invasions to the Land of the Sun is that by the Mongolians. Thankfully, there was Hojo Tokimune to the rescue.
Recounting the Early Life and Death of Hojo Tokimune
Born on the 5th of June in the year 1251, Hojo Tokimune was a member of the Hojo clan. He was also the eighth shikken of the Kamakura shogunate, which ruled over the country from the year 1268 to the year 1284. For those who are unware of the term, the word “shikken” officially pertains to “regent (of shogun)” but is a de facto ruler of Japan. Hojo Tokimune gained fame for having led the forces of Japan to fight against the invasion of the Mongols during his time. Another thing that Hojo Tokimune is known for is for spreading Zen Buddhism.
Hojo Tokimune also served in office from the year 1268 to the 17th of December in the year 1284. Having lived for 32 years, Tokimune eventually passed away on the 20th of April in the year 1284. His spouse went by the name of Kakusanni. With his wife, he had a child whom they name Hojo Sadatoki. Tokimune also had siblings by the name of Hojo Tokisuke and Hojo Munemasa.
Bearing the titles of Shikken, Tokuso, and Rensho, Hojo Tokimune was born under the clan name of Heishi, Hojo Clan of the Adachi House. Aside from Tokimune, his other given names were Masatoshi and Sagamitaro. His posthumous name went by Hokoji.
As the eldest son of Tokiyori, the regent and tokuso of the Adachi House, Hojo Tokimune was born with a lot of responsibilities. Since he was born, Tokimune was trained and groomed to be a tokuso and to be the next ruler of Japan. At the age of 18, Tokimune finally became the eighth shikken. Instead of cities, he was tasked to oversee certain lands in Japan.
He was also recognized as a pioneer for the establishment of Zen Buddhism and its teachings on deities in Kamakura. Tokimune also played a major role in spreading the teachings and practice of Zen Buddhism not just to Kyoto but in all of Japan. This rang especially true for the warrior class. On another note, it was in the year 1271 that Nichiren was banished by Tokimune to Sado Island.
If there was one thing that the locals at the time knew about Tokimune, it was that he ruled the nation with an iron fist. Furthermore, thanks to this strategies, he was also able to monopolize all three titles of power at a certain point in time. This included holding offices of tokus, which meant head of the clan, since birth, and rensho, which translates to Vice Regent. It was also during his rule the various seats of power were completely marginalized by the Hojo Regents. These seats include the Imperial Regent, also known as sessho in Japanese; Imperial chief Advisor, also known as kampaku in Japanese; Japanese Emperor, and the Shogun.
Leading the Japanese Forces Fight Against the Invasion of the Mongols
On the month of January in the year 1268, emissaries were sent by the Mongols to the country of Japan, along with a letter threatening the country. After a long discussion, it was decided by Tokimune to send the emissaries back to the Mongols, bearing no answer. This did not deter the Mongols even just a little bit. They continuously and relentlessly sent more emissaries to the Land of the Sun time and time again, bearing messages that contained threats. These emissaries were sent on the 7th of March in the year 1269, on the 17th of September in the year 1269, in September of the year 1271, and in May of the year 1272. However, despite the continuing harassment of the Mongols, Tokimune’s actions remained the same. He had the emissaries of Kublai Khan driven away. These emissaries were not even permitted to land a single time.
Due to the emissaries being sent back with no reply, the Mongols decided to invade Japan. The first attempted invasion occurred in the year 1274 and unfortunately for the Mongols, they failed. However, they remained unwavering and again sent five emissaries in the month of September in the year 1275 to the region of Kyushu. These emissaries refused to leave without obtaining a reply to bring back to the Mongols.
Despite their insistence, they still obtained no reply from Tokimune. Instead, they were brought to Kamakura where they were all beheaded. Up to this day, the graves of these beheaded Mongol emissaries still exist in Kamakura at Tatsunokuchi. Still unwavering despite this incident, five more emissaries were again sent by the Mongols on the 29th of July in the year 1279. These emissaries suffered the same fate as the previous ones with them being beheaded but in Hakata this time.
Because of the many threats delivered by the emissaries of the Mongols, another invasion was expected. Hence, on the 21st of February in the year 1280, all shrines and temples were ordered by the Imperial Court to pray for the country’s victory against the Mongol Empire. As expected, Kublai Khan and his troops attempted another invasion in Japan in the year 1281. Fortunately for Japan, the Mongols again failed in this attempt. A factor that played a role in Japan’s victory against the Mongols was a typhoon.
Hojo Tokimune in Relation to Zen Buddhism
The typhoon that helped stop the invasions of the Mongols was called Kamikaze, which translates to “divine wind” in English. On the other hand, what ultimately stopped the invasion of the Mongols was the forces of the new warrior class that resisted the Mongols. This new warrior class was known as samurai. It was Hojo Tokimune who planned, strategized, and led the defense of Japan against the invasion of the Mongols. However, he was worried about being a coward at the last minute, knowing just how powerful the Mongols were.
To defeat cowardice, Tokimune seeked the advice of his Zen master who went by the name of Mugaku Sogen. The advice that Tokimune received was for him to sit in meditation. Through this, he would find the source of his cowardice himself. When he finally found the source of his cowardice, only then would Tokimune be able to defeat it and eventually face his fears.
It was said that when the Mongols again invaded the Land of the Sun, Tokimune went to his Zen master and expressed that this was to be the greatest event of his life. Mugaku responded by asking how Tokimune plans to face the Mongols. With conviction, Tokimune responded with the word “katsu,” which translates to “victory” in English. This demonstrated Tokimune’s conviction to win over the invaders. With pride and satisfaction, it was believed that Mugaku responded with the statement, “It is true that the son of a lion roars as a lion!”
The Story of Hojo Tokimune in the NHK Drama Series in 2001
Because of the popularity of Hojo Tokimune and his major contribution to the country of Japan, a taiga miniseries of the same name entitled “Hojo Tokumune” was produced by broadcast network NHK in the year 2001. This drama series tells the story of the life of Tokimune, since his birth to his death in the year 1284. To give a brief background to the story, the series also highlights the dramatic events that occurred just before Hojo Tokimune was born. The main character Tokimune was portrayed by Motoya Izumi, a well-known kyogen actor.
With 49 episodes in the series, “Hojo Tokimune” was of jidaigeki genre. Its first episode had a viewership rating of 19.6, with the highest rating being 21.2 and the average rating being 18.5. The broadcast period of this series lasted from the 7th of January in the year 2001 to the 9th of December of the same year. It was aired every Sunday at 8 in the evening.
This series was the 40th NHK Taiga drama. The main highlight of the series was Tokimune’s successful plan and defense of Japan from the attacks of Mongolia that occurred in the 1200’s. The series also revolves around wars among clans and betrayal with Tokimune being the at the center of all these events. Not only was Tokimune the focus of the story but also Hojo Tokiyori’s other son, Tokimune’s brother, Hojo Tokisuke. The show highlights their relationship with each other, their perspectives on different matters, and their actions regarding the attempted invasion of Kublai Khan and his troops. Despite being brothers by blood, the brothers Tokimune and Tokisuke are torn apart by the complicacies of politics.
The following is a list of episodes in the series with their corresponding titles, TV Network Japan English-subtitled versions:
01 – The Kamakura Shock
02 – Two Mothers
03 – Confrontation of the Brothers
04 – Resistance
05 – A Turbulent Trip
06 – Love in Hakata
07 – Regent-in-Training
08 – The Missing Bride
09 – Duel
10 – On One's Own
11 – Tokiyori's Death
12 – Assassination
13 – A Huge Crossroad
14 – Tokisuke's Banishment
15 – Mother's Insanity
16 – A New Shogun
17 – Kublai's Shadow
18 – Kublai's Correspondence
19 – To Fight or Submit
20 – The Young Regent
21 – The First Battle
22 – Darkness in Kyoto
23 – The Hostages
24 – A Letter from Korea
25 – Final Warning
26 – A Brothers' Bond
27 – Treason Unforgiven
28 – Kill My Brother!
29 – Farewell Brother
30 – An Elder's Death
31 – Order to Attack
32 – To Hakata
33 – The Night Before the Attack
34 – Mongol Invasion, Part I
35 – Mongol Invasion, Part II
36 – Mongol Invasion, Part III
37 – Mysterious Retreat
38 – Offense or Defense
39 – The Targeted Princess
40 – The Missing Messengers
41 – Thou Shall Not Kill
42 – As Long As I Live
43 – Two Factions
44 – A Wife's Tears
45 – My Homeland
46 – Kill Kublai
47 – The Koan Era
48 – The Fateful Storm
49 – An Eternal Journey
Hojo Tokimune in Movies and Games
Various movies have also incorporated the character of Hojo Tokimune as seen apt in certain scenes. These movies are usually historical ones that depict what truly happened in the history of Japan. Typically, movies that incorporate the character of Hojo Tokimune also depict the wars that he was a part of.
Aside from movies, there are also characters in video games that were based on Hojo Tokimune. A primary example of this is the 4X video game Civilization VI. Developed in the year 2006 by Firaxis Games, the character in the game is also called Hojo Tokimune. His character in the video game leads the Japanese civilization.
A specific but unique agenda of Hojo Tokimune in the video game is called “Bushido.” The civilizations that he likes are those with not just a strong military power but also with Civ6Culture Culture or Civ6Faith Faith. On the other hand, the civilizations that he particularly does not like are those that even though they have a strong military power, they have weak Civ6Culture Culture or Civ6Faith Faith.
His leader ability in Civilization VI is known as “Divine Wind.” His land units attain +5 Civ6StrengthIcon Combat Strength in land tiles that are next to Coast while his naval units attain +5 Civ6StrengthIcon Combat Strength in shallow or low water tiles. Another one of his abilities is being able to build Holy Site, Theater Square, and Encampment district at a faster pace. Hojo Tokimune is indeed a formidable man whether it is in video games or in real life.