Family of hereditary regents to the shogunate of Japan who exercised actual power from 1199 to 1333.
H 014D; j 014D; Tokimasa (11381215) joined the cause of Minamoto Yoritomo against Taira Kiyomori , then ruler of Japan. Together they prevailed, and Yoritomo became Japan's new ruler, taking the title of shogun . Tokimasa's daughter married Yoritomo, and when Yoritomo died in 1199 Tokimasa became regent to Yoritomo's heir, his own grandson. The position of shogunal regent became hereditary; this office oversaw the constables and tax collectors that the shogunate placed in each province. The system worked well through the first half of the 13th century; its decline came about after resources had been depleted defending Japan against two Mongol invasions and because of the personal failings of the last H 014D; j 014D; regent. H 014D; j 014D; rule ended when Ashikaga Takauji captured Ky 014D; to in the name of the emperor Go-Daigo and the Ashikaga family assumed the title of shogun. See also Kamakura period .