Hōjō Ujimasa

Who was Hōjō Ujimasa?

Hōjō Ujimasa was the fourth head of the late Hōjō clan, and daimyo of Odawara.

Ujimasa commanded in many battles, consolidating his clan's position, and retired in 1590. His son Hōjō Ujinao became head of the clan and lord of Odawara, but later that year they failed to hold Odawara against the forces of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Ujimasa was forced to commit suicide along with his brother Ujiteru.

Like many samurai who committed seppuku in the face of shameful defeat, Ujimasa composed a death poem: