Shikken

The Shikken (執権) was the regent for the shogun in the Kamakura shogunate in Japan. The post was monopolized by the Hojo clan.

Related Topics:
Shogun - Kamakura shogunate - Japan - Hojo clan

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Hojo Tokimasa, who was the father-in-law of the first shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo, became Shikken for the first time in 1203. The Shikken was the chief of Mandokoro at that time. Replacing the second shogun Minamoto no Yoriie with Sanetomo, he became the de facto ruler of the shogunate.

Related Topics:
Hojo Tokimasa - Minamoto no Yoritomo - Mandokoro - Minamoto no Yoriie - Sanetomo

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Tokimasa's son Yoshitoki strengthened the post by integrating it with the chief of Samurai-dokoro after annihilating the powerful Wada clan, who had dominated the position. The shikken became the highest post, controlling puppet shoguns in practice. In 1224 Yoshitoki's son Hojo Yasutoki set up the rensho (cosigner) as assistant regent.

Related Topics:
Yoshitoki - Samurai-dokoro - Wada clan - Hojo Yasutoki - Rensho

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At first the post of shikken was occupied by the tokuso, the head of the Hojo clan, but Hojo Tokiyori separated the two posts. He installed Hojo Nagatoki as shikken while he made his son Tokimune succeed as tokuso. Effective power was moved from shikken to tokuso.

Related Topics:
Tokuso - Hojo Tokiyori - Hojo Nagatoki - Tokimune

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