hojo

Hojo, also romanized Hōjō, is a Japanese surname and place-name. In historical contexts, it most commonly refers to the Hōjō clan, a powerful samurai family that played a key role in the politics of the Kamakura shogunate.

During the Kamakura period, members of the Hōjō clan served as regents (the Hōjō regents) who controlled the shogunate’s government, while the clan’s leadership governed large areas of the Kantō region. In the Sengoku period, a cadet branch known as the Go-Hōjō established power from Odawara, and they remained a major force until their defeat by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1590, after which their rule ended.

Outside of history, Hojo is a common Japanese surname. It is also used in place names and in fiction, reflecting its broader cultural presence.

In popular culture, Hojo may refer to Dr. Hojo, a Shinra scientist in Final Fantasy VII, known for his experiments that drive elements of the game’s plot. The name appears in various media unrelated to the historical clan as well, reflecting its continued use in Japanese naming.