Hōjō Tokimune

Hōjō Tokimune (北条 時宗, 1251 - 1284) of the Hōjō clan was the eighth "shikken" (officially "regent", but "de facto" ruler of Japan) of the Kamakura shogunate (reigned 1268 - 84), known for leading the Japanese forces against the invasion of the Mongols and for spreading Zen Buddhism and by extension Bushido among the warrior class.

Life

Born as the eldest son of the regent Tokiyori of the Adachi House, Tokimune became a "shikken" at age 18.

It is due to him that Zen Buddhism became firmly established in Kamakura, then later in Kyoto, and in the whole of Japan, especially among the warrior class.

In 1271, he banished Nichiren to Sado Island.

Defiance of Mongols

The Mongols had sent a threatening letter and emissaries to Japan in January 1268, after discussing the letter, Tokimune decided to have the emissaries sent back with no answer. They resent emissaries time and time again, March 7, 1269, Sept 17, 1269, Sept 1271 and May 1272. But Tokimune had the emissaries of Kubilai Khan driven away, without even permission to land each time. Soon after came the first invasion in 1274. But even after the failed invasion, five emissaries were sent in September 1275 sent to Kyūshū, refusing to leave without reply. Tokimune responded by having them sent to Kamakura and then beheading them. [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=sYsIAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA291&lpg=PA291&dq=tokimune+behead&source=web&ots=mpnm1du2Ph&sig=nlqjbNC4hBMrZmY8NHbZGh8wsJo] ] The graves of 5 executed Mongol emissaries exists to this day in Kamakura at Tatsunokuchi. [http://www.kamakura-burabura.com/meisyoenosimajyourituji.htm] Then again on July 29, 1279, 5 more emissaries are sent, and again beheaded, this time in Hakata. Expecting an invasion, on Feb 21, 1280, Imperial Court orders all temples and shrines to pray for victory over the Mongol Empire. Kubilai gathered up troops for another invasion in 1281, which again was a failure due to typhoon.

Zen Advice

The Mongol invasion had been stopped by a typhoon ("Kamikaze" or "divine wind"), and the resistance of the new warrior class known as samurai. Tokimune planned and led the defence. Tokimune wanted to defeat cowardice, so he asked Bukko (his Zen master) for advice. Bukko replied he had to sit in meditation to find the source of his cowardice in himself.

When the Mongols invaded Japan Tokimune went to Bukko and said: "Finally there is the greatest happening of my life." Bukko asked, "How do you plan to face it?" Tokimune screamed "Katsu!" ("Victory!") as if he wanted to scare all the enemies in front of him. Bukko responded with satisfaction: "It is true that the son of a lion roars as a lion!"

When Tokimune died, Bukko said he had been a bodhisattva, looked at people's welfare, betrayed no signs of joy or anger and studied Zen so that he reached enlightenment.

Citations in modern media

NHK's 2001 taiga miniseries named Hōjō Tokimune [http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Hojo_Tokimune] highlighted the dramatic events just prior to Tokimune's birth and up to his death in 1284. Tokimune was portrayed by Kyogen actor, Motoya Izumi.

References

See also

* Taiheiki
* Mongol invasions of Japan
* Bushido