died upon his own sword, his head being sent to Yoritomo as proof that the fallen victor was no more. Yoritomo utilized this occasion to dispatch more armies to the north, thus adding vast and rich additions to his conquered territory; and from the year 1189 practically the whole of Japan lay at his feet.
Now that his supremacy was established upon a firm basis, and Yoritomo was virtual ruler of the country, his first efforts were to restore peace and prosperity to the war-devastated land. Justice was dispensed by a good and sound administrative system, and the judicious encouragement of agriculture, industry, and trade were potent factors in transforming "men's misery into happiness."
Kamakura became the finest and most flourishing city of the empire, presenting in every respect the strongest contrast to the effete and luxurious condition of society that prevailed in Kyoto, the imperial capital. Simplicity and frugality were Yoritomo's watchwords, the greatest encouragement being given to the sports that promoted manliness and physical vigor. Great hunting parties were organized—indeed proficiency in archery, swordsmanship, feats on horseback etc., were so highly estimated that instances are recorded of even criminals being occasionally granted a pardon on this account.
In the year 1192 Yoritomo was at the pinnacle of his fame. The title of sei-i-tai-shdgun (literally barbarian-subduing generalissimo) was conferred upon him by the emperor; thus the dual system of government was established by which the emperor's authority was completely overshadowed, and which lasted for almost seven centuries, until the restoration of imperial power in 1868. But now that the zenith of his ambition was attained, the first shogun only wielded the scepter for a brief seven years, his death occurring in the spring of 1199. No records regarding the mode of his demise have been preserved, the actual facts concerning the passing of this illustrious man being clouded in the mists of obscurity. But tradition credits him with a dramatic exit from the scene of his triumphs. The legend states that toward evening, as Yoritomo was returning from the function of opening a new bridge across the Sagami River—whither he had repaired with all pomp and ceremony, and attended by a regal retinue—suddenly the pallid specters of his murdered relatives appeared before him. The shogun passed this disconcerting apparition, but as his cortege was approaching Inamuragasaki, the figure of a young child arose from the sea. This phantom proclaimed itself the departed spirit of the emperor Antoku, in search of his enemy and slayer. The procession passed on, but the ghostly throng had fanned their destroyer with their shadowy wings; a few days later the great Yoritomo was dead.
This event took place January 13, 1199. He was succeeded in turn by his two sons, both meeting with violent deaths, but with the assassination of Sanetomo upon the steps of the Hachiman Shrine in Kamakura, the direct line of the Minamoto shoguns— that its illustrious founder hoped would last for all time—came to an end in the year 1219, a brief twenty years after the death of Yoritomo. Regarding his personal characteristics, Yoritomo's head is said to have been specially large in proportion to his height, his demeanor calm and suave. Profoundly penetrating, shrewd and cautious, he possessed the magnetic power of influencing others to an extraordinary degree, and was invariably magnanimous to those who served him loyally.
Many instances prove his gratitude to those who had helped him in the hour of need, but to the members of his own family falling under the ban of his suspicion and displeasure he proved merciless, and exterminated them without compunction. There is no doubt that Yoritomo was of a sincerely religious nature. It is recorded that upon the field of battle he carried a small statue of Kannon (the goddess of mercy) below his helmet, inserted in his mage, or topknot of hair, while his rosary invariably encircled his wrist. At the battle of Ishibashi-yama this latter pious emblem became detached and was lost, greatly to its owner's concern, but the beads were ultimately discovered and restored by his retainer. To his veneration for things spiritual he attributed his many triumphs, regarding the downfall of his enemies as mainly due to their disregard and contempt for the powers above, a condition specially manifested in their sacrilegious treatment of shrines and monasteries. To this attitude Kamakura owed the large number of beautiful and important temples that were erected and restored after the establishment of the military capital. Moreover, throughout the whole country Yoritomo exerted his influence as the patron of temples and shrines, thus incidentally affording a strong impetus to the development of many forms of art—painting, architecture, sculpture, etc.—a condition invariably attendant upon a religious awakening.
When the line of Yoritomo became extinct, the power was usurped by the family of his wife, the next chapter of history being known as the Hojo period. These rulers continued to reside in Kamakura, but although exercising absolute power, none of them assumed the title of shogun—they were known as the shikken, (literally power-holders) or regents.
An important event occurred under the regime of Yoshitoki, the second shikken, and son of Tokimasa. Owing to various causes the bakufu had become on strained terms with Kyoto. The emperor Go-Toba availed himself of disturbances in the military government to attempt to overthrow the usurpers and reinstate the imperial power: to that end he issued a decree denouncing the Hojo as traitors, and assembled an army with the object to destroying Kamakura (1221).
A large force was promptly dispatched from the military capital to deal with the situation; the imperial troops were speedily overthrown by the seasoned warriors of the Kanto region, and Kamakura's triumph was complete. All the nobles and courtiers that had taken part in this uprising were shown scant mercy, their estates being confiscated, and many met with violent deaths. Even the imperial family were accorded ruthless treatment; while the sacred person of the emperor Go-Toba himself was exiled to the rocky and barren island of Oki—where he suffered great hardships and died some three years later; a disloyal and sacrilegious action hitherto unheard of in Japan.
Another event of deep significance, and one that brought his rule into great prominence, occurred under Tokimune, sixth Hojo regent, in the defeat of the Mongolian invasion in 1281. This was the first occasion in her long history that Japan was attacked by a foreign foe. The huge armada arrived off the coast of Japan in May—the campaign lasting some two months, and the aggressors being finally scattered on August 14 of that momentous year.
The earlier Hojo regents ruled wisely and well. A council was organized by which strict justice was dispensed; the condition of the populace was ameliorated, their wrongs and oppressions being righted, while they enjoyed the benefits of an admirable government and kind treatment, as well as the blessings of peace and tranquillity after long devastation of war and bloodshed. However, after the death of the wise and pious Tokimune (1284) the Hojo prosperity began to wane.
The ascendancy of this family gradually dwindled until Takatoki (tenth regent, and last of the line) degenerated into a mere cipher and voluptuary, who devoted his time to the gratification of his own pleasures taking little heed of the affairs of state.
A quaint and entertaining description of this decadent condition of Takatoki's time is given in the Taiheiki, the so-called classical record of the time. On one occasion some fierce dogs started a fight in the ground adjoining the Hojo mansion. This incident afforded such gratification to the sporting instinct of the regent that he instituted dogfights as a regular pastime. Orders were issued for a vast number of powerful dogs to be collected: these huge beasts were housed in kennels richly decorated with gold and silver, fed upon dainty fare, and even carried abroad for exercise in kago, or palanquins! The number of these luxurious animals amounted to between four and five thousand: they were clad in garments of brocade and glittering tinsel, their presence causing the city of Kamakura to assume a new and unfamiliar aspect to the surprised inhabitants.
Any sort of amusement appealed to this indolent and dissipated man. Two companies of popular actors were summoned from Kyoto, and absorbed in their performances he was all indifferent to the flight of time, relegating the duties of his high position entirely to unworthy and corrupt ministers. These actors he quartered upon various noble families in Kamakura, compelling the latter to supply the mountebanks with gorgeous costumes and valuable equipment for their shows. Moreover, during the performances, the regent and the other spectators would mark their
