a feudal house that held power in Japan in the 13th and 14th centuries. The founder of the house was Hojo Tokimasa, who lived from 1138 to 1215. His daughter married Minamoto Yoritomo, whom Tokimasa helped to found the first shogunate (seeMINAMOTO). The 16 Hojo regents (shikken) from 1203 to 1333 were the de facto rulers under the Minamoto Shogunate until its fall.