Hojo Ujimasa (1538 – August 10, 1590) was the fourth leader of the later Hojo clan and the daimyo of Odawara. He continued his father Hojo Ujiyasu's policy of territorial expansion, achieving the largest territorial holdings in the clan's history.
Born in 1538 as the second son of Hojo Ujiyasu, Ujimasa's childhood name was Matsuchiyo-maru. After his elder brother Shinkuro passed away at a young age, Ujimasa became the heir apparent. In 1554, during an alliance formed by Ujiyasu with Takeda Shingen and Imagawa Yoshimoto, Ujimasa married Shingen's daughter, Obai-in.
Around 1559, Ujimasa assumed formal leadership of the family upon Ujiyasu's retirement. The Hojo clan expanded its control significantly under his leadership, including the capture of Iwatsuki Castle in 1560, which brought most of the Musashi Province under their control. Ujimasa participated in several key battles, such as the Battle of Konodai (1564) and the Siege of Odawara (1569).
In 1574, Ujimasa secured the surrender of Sekiyado Castle in Shimosa Province from Yanada Harusuke and gained the allegiance of Yuki Harutomi, a vassal of the Uesugi clan. The following year, Gion Castle in Shimotsuke Province, held by Oyama Hidetsuna, also surrendered. In 1577, Ujimasa invaded Kazusa Province and reconciled with his long-time adversary, Satomi Yoshihiro. This conflict marked the first battle for his heir, Hojo Ujinao.
By 1580, after Takeda Katsuyori's intervention in the Uesugi conflict and the death of Uesugi Kagetora, Ujimasa forged a new alliance with Oda Nobunaga and Tokugawa Ieyasu. The Hojo clan, alongside these allies, launched an attack on Takeda territory in Suruga, leading to the Battle of Omosu and participation in the Conquest of Koshu, culminating in the Battle of Tenmokuzan in 1582.
After Oda Nobunaga's unexpected death in 1582, Ujimasa seized the opportunity to attack Oda clan territories at the Battle of Kanagawa. Subsequently, the Hojo and Tokugawa clans settled their territorial disputes by exchanging Kai and Shinano Provinces for Kozuke Province.
In 1588, as Toyotomi Hideyoshi succeeded in unifying Japan, he invited Ujimasa and his son Ujinao to an imperial visit at the Jurakudai in Kyoto. However, Ujimasa declined the invitation, proposing a delay until the spring or summer of 1590, which Hideyoshi refused, straining their relations.
By 1590, Ujimasa had consolidated the clan's position and retired, passing leadership to his son Hojo Ujinao, who became the head of the clan and lord of Odawara. That same year, Hideyoshi launched the Odawara Campaign against the Hojo clan.
See also
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Shimazu Toyohisa
Shimazu Toyohisa (July 1570 – October 21, 1600), also known as Shimazu Tadatoyo, was a samurai of the Shimazu clan and the son of Shimazu Iehisa. He was the nephew of Shimazu Yoshihiro and held command over Sadowara Castle. Known for his valor, Toyohisa participated in numerous key battles of the late Sengoku period, earning recognition for his bravery and tactical acumen.
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Ikeda Terumasa
Ikeda Terumasa (January 31, 1565 – March 16, 1613) was a Japanese daimyo of the early Edo period, recognized by his court title, "Musashi no Kami," and known as the "Shogun of Western Japan." Terumasa, a distinguished military leader, participated in numerous significant battles during the late Azuchi-Momoyama period. His service at the Battle of Sekigahara earned him control over the Himeji domain. Originally named Araokojimaru, he was the son of Ikeda Tsuneoki and the brother of Ikeda Sen. He later became the heir to Ikeda Nobuteru and held Ikejiri Castle in Mino Province.
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Mori Tadamasa
Mori Tadamasa (1570 - July 31, 1634) was a notable military commander during Japan’s Warring States period and an early Edo-period daimyo. Initially, he governed Kawanakajima Domain in Shinano Province (modern-day Nagano Prefecture) and later became the first lord of Tsuyama Domain in Mimasaka Province (now northern Okayama Prefecture). He founded the Mori family line of the Ako Domain. Tadamasa’s family origins trace back to the Genji (Minamoto) clan, specifically the Kawachi-Genji branch from Kawachi Province (in present-day southeastern Osaka Prefecture), a lineage tied to Emperor Seiwa through his ancestor Yorisada Mori, a great-grandson of the famed Minamoto no Yoshiie.
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Sanada Masayuki
Sanada Masayuki (1547 – July 13, 1611) was a daimyo and prominent lord of Japan's Sengoku period. Head of the Sanada clan from Shinano Province, he served the powerful Takeda clan of Kai Province alongside his father and brothers during Takeda Shingen’s leadership. Following the Takeda clan's decline, Masayuki took charge of the Sanada, and despite limited resources, he established his clan as an independent power under the Toyotomi regime by navigating alliances with dominant clans such as the Tokugawa, Hojo, and Uesugi. Renowned as one of his era's greatest strategists, Masayuki achieved notable victories against the Tokugawa forces in the Battle of Kami River and the Siege of Ueda.
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Sanada Nobuyuki
Sanada Nobuyuki was a renowned samurai of the Sengoku period and the eldest son of daimyō Sanada Masayuki. He was the elder brother of the famous warrior Sanada Yukimura. Nobuyuki’s mother was Kansho-in, Masayuki's wife, and he was married to Komatsuhime (Inahime), the daughter of Honda Tadakatsu and the adopted daughter of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Nobuyuki also had two other wives: Seiin-in, his cousin, and Ukyo, the daughter of Tamagawa Hidemasa.
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Date Hidemune
Date Hidemune was a Japanese daimyō during the early Edo period, born in 1591 as the eldest son of Date Masamune, one of Japan’s most prominent feudal lords. His mother was Shinzo no Kata, a concubine, which affected his future prospects. As a young man, Hidemune lived under the care of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and was given the adult name "Hidemune," adopting one character from Hideyoshi's own name. Hideyoshi granted Hidemune the court rank of junior 5th, lower grade, along with the title of ji-jū, and appointed him as a page to his son, Toyotomi Hideyori.
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Tsutsui Junkei
Tsutsui Junkei (March 31, 1549 – September 15, 1584), the son of Tsutsui Junsho, was a daimyo who ruled over Yamato Province. In 1571, through the mediation of Akechi Mitsuhide, Junkei pledged his service to Oda Nobunaga.
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Oda Nobutada
Oda Nobutada (1557 – June 21, 1582) was a samurai and the eldest son of Oda Nobunaga, known for his active role in several battles during Japan's Sengoku period. He led armies under his father's command in campaigns against Matsunaga Hisahide and the Takeda clan.
