Shogun 2 - stories

Hojo Clan

- A regional clan in Tokai (東海) region

- Famed for their wealth and their talent in smelting precious metals, as well as building magnificent cities and strongholds. 

- Famed for their Gunpowder Guild

- Alongside members of the Hojo family, many members of the Kasahara family were prominent clan heads, officers and captains under the banner of the Hojo Clan. 

- Loyal to the Ashikaga Shogunate. Mandated by the Ashikaga Shogunate to conquer lands of disloyal Daimyos, and bring the rebellious provinces of Japan back under the reign of the Shogunate. 

Records

- Due to local talents in weapon-smithing, Daimyo Hojo Ujiyasu designated Sagami province (Kanto (関東) region) as a hub for army recruitment and training. Many samurai dojos and army settlements were established in this province.    Eventually, the majority of the Hojo armies were 関東人々

- Musashi province, known as the Heart of Kanto, is a province with a huge population.   After conquering the province from the Ogigayatsu Clan, Daimyo Hojo Ujiyasu elected members of the Daidoji family (関東人々) as provincial administrators, advisors, captains and officers in Musashi. The Daimyo also facilitated many Hojo and Kasahara family members (東海人々) to relocate to Musashi province. The Hojo, Kasahara and Daidoji families were tasked to collaborate and administer Musashi province, under the banner of the Hojo Clan. 

- During the war between the Satomi-Hojo alliance and the Satake Clan, the Satake Daimyo ordered his armies to abandon Shimotsuke Monastery and reinforce his stronghold. The armies of Hojo Clan captured the Shimotsuke Monastery without resistance. Abandoned by their former ruler, the residents of Shimotsuke Monastery were open to integrate with the 関東人々 from Musashi province. 

Due to the local zeal in Buddhism, Daimyo Hojo Ujiyasu designated Shimotsuke Monastery as a hub for spirituality and enlightenment for his armies. A number of dojos were built around Shimotsuke Monastery to train the local Buddhists. The Daimyo himself also achieved enlightenment in Shimotsuke Monastery and developed a zeal for Buddhism. 

- During the war between the Uesugi-Yamanouchi alliance and the Takeda-Imagawa-Hojo alliance, the Yamanouchi Daimyo marched his armies out of Kozuke province, leaving it vulnerable for capture. 
During the Capture of Kozuke, the Hojo armies stormed Kozuke and raced towards its stronghold, while the Yamanouchi armies were returning. 

- After the Daimyo of the Yamanouchi Clan was killed during the First Defence of Kozuke, the remaining Yamanouchi armies wandered the province, scattered, disorganised and leaderless. A prominent advisor from the Kasahara family (loyal to the Hojo Clan) made contact with several clan heads and captains, who were formerly under the Yamanouchi Clan.  An agreement was sealed, where the former clan heads and captains would be restored to their titles and positions, in exchange to swearing loyalty to the Hojo Clan and the Ashikaga Shogunate. 
The restoration of the clan heads and captains in Kozuke, eased the integration of the Kozuke residents with the 関東人々 from Musashi province. 

- Over time, the residents of Musashi, Shimotsuke and Kozuke provinces became more loyal to the Hojo Clan, as the Daimyo elected to develop and raise the wealth and livelihoods in these provinces. 

- During the war between the Imagawa-Hojo alliance and the Tokugawa Clan, Hojo Ujiteru (the second son of Daimyo Hojo Ujiyasu) led his army and recaptured Suruga province from Tokugawa occupation. 

As part of the agreement between Imagawa and Hojo Clans, administration of Suruga province was transferred to the Hojo Clan. It was relatively easy for the 東海人々 in Suruga province to align with those in Izu province, given that much trade had frequently occurred between these two neighbouring provinces. 

- Daimyo Hojo Ujimasu passed an edict to reform trade in its provinces, increasing trade income and city growth. 

- During the war between the Imagawa-Hojo alliance and the Takeda Clan, Hojo Ujikuni (the third son of Daimyo Hojo Ujiyasu) and his elite army defeated the greater army of the Takeda Daimyo. Then, Hojo Ujikuni and his men proceeded to capture Owari province, securing the Throne of Amaterasu. 

At this time, Owari was in a state of ruin from the countless wars and raids, dating back to the last war between the Imagawa and Tokugawa Clans. The stronghold was deserted and abandoned by its former residents. Hojo Ujikuni declared that he will rebuild Owari province to its former glory, with the intention to be holder of the Throne of Amaterasu, and the Gatekeeper of 東海

- When Hojo Fusanari and his men captured Hida province, it was revealed that Hida province was poorly administered by the Baba [Takeda] Clan. The stronghold was deserted, and overgrown from the nearby forests. Hojo Fusanari vowed to build up Hida province and establish a hub for the Hojo Gunpowder Guild.