Changes

Faced with almost endless warfare, Ujiyasu was compelled to reorganize the administration of the Hôjô lands. He had already ordered a series of aggressive cadastral surveys between [[1542]] and [[1543]] and in [[1550]] overhauled the [[Kandaka taxation system]]. Odawara was gradually transformed into an important trading center by modifying the region's throughways (which were hitherto designed with Kamakura as a hub) and creating an artisan's guild within the castle town. In addition, post stations and market places sprung up throughout the Hôjô's lands.  

Faced with almost endless warfare, Ujiyasu was compelled to reorganize the administration of the Hôjô lands. He had already ordered a series of aggressive cadastral surveys between [[1542]] and [[1543]] and in [[1550]] overhauled the [[Kandaka taxation system]]. Odawara was gradually transformed into an important trading center by modifying the region's throughways (which were hitherto designed with Kamakura as a hub) and creating an artisan's guild within the castle town. In addition, post stations and market places sprung up throughout the Hôjô's lands.  

By [[1560]] the Hôjô were gradually assuming the defensive posture they would become known for. To a greater or lesser extent, this was forced on them by the political situation. After [[Battle of Kawagoe|Kawagoe]] ([[1545]]) the smaller daimyo of the Kanto were all either subjects of the Hôjô or defeated, leaving only the Yamaouchi Uesugi. In [[1551]] Ujiyasu defeated [[Uesugi Norimasa]] at [[Battle of Harai|Harai]] and forced him to flee to [[Echigo province|Echigo]], where he was taken into the protective custody of his retainer Nagao Kagatora. Nagao assumed control of the Uesugi, and would in time become known as [[Uesugi Kenshin]] - the greatest of the Hôjô's opponents. The Hôjô's western borders were all but blocked by the now-powerful Takeda and the Imagawa, leaving Kozuke and the eastern Kanto provinces as viable areas of expansion. Ujiyasu was never able to bring Kozuke under his control, instead forced to 'share' it with Uesugi Kenshin and [[Takeda Shingen]]. To the east, the Satomi proved an implacable enemy. In [[1564]] [[Satomi Yoshihiro]] captured [[Konodai castle|Konodai Castle]] but was immediately and soundly defeated by Ujiyasu in the [[Second Battle of Konodai]] (a rerun of Hôjô Ujitsuna's victory over Yoshihiro's father in [[1538]]). Following this victory Ujiyasu pushed on into Shimosa and Kazusa, but was never able to destroy the Satomi, who remained a thorn in the Hôjô's side right up until 1590. Ujiyasu's eastern moves brought the Hôjô into conflict with the [[Satake  clan|Satake]] of [[Hitachi province|Hitachi]] and to the limit of their expansion. After Second Konodai the Hôjô largely contented themselves with ruling the vast tracts of land earned through 60 years of war and toil.  

By [[1560]] the Hôjô were gradually assuming the defensive posture they would become known for. To a greater or lesser extent, this was forced on them by the political situation. After [[Battle of Kawagoe|Kawagoe]] ([[1545]]) the smaller daimyo of the Kanto were all either subjects of the Hôjô or defeated, leaving only the Yamaouchi Uesugi. In [[1551]] Ujiyasu defeated [[Uesugi Norimasa]] at [[Battle of Harai|Harai]] and forced him to flee to [[Echigo province|Echigo]], where he was taken into the protective custody of his retainer Nagao Kagetora. Nagao assumed control of the Uesugi, and would in time become known as [[Uesugi Kenshin]] - the greatest of the Hôjô's opponents. The Hôjô's western borders were all but blocked by the now-powerful Takeda and the Imagawa, leaving Kozuke and the eastern Kanto provinces as viable areas of expansion. Ujiyasu was never able to bring Kozuke under his control, instead forced to 'share' it with Uesugi Kenshin and [[Takeda Shingen]]. To the east, the Satomi proved an implacable enemy. In [[1564]] [[Satomi Yoshihiro]] captured [[Konodai castle|Konodai Castle]] but was immediately and soundly defeated by Ujiyasu in the [[Second Battle of Konodai]] (a rerun of Hôjô Ujitsuna's victory over Yoshihiro's father in [[1538]]). Following this victory Ujiyasu pushed on into Shimosa and Kazusa, but was never able to destroy the Satomi, who remained a thorn in the Hôjô's side right up until 1590. Ujiyasu's eastern moves brought the Hôjô into conflict with the [[Satake  clan|Satake]] of [[Hitachi province|Hitachi]] and to the limit of their expansion. After Second Konodai the Hôjô largely contented themselves with ruling the vast tracts of land earned through 60 years of war and toil.  

Uesugi Kenshin would occupy many of Ujiyasu's remaining years. In [[1561]] Uesugi invaded the Kanto and managed to march as far as Odawara, which he besieged for two months. Running low on supplies, Kenshin burned Odawara's town and went home, returning two years later to recapture Musashi-Matsuyama (originally taken by the Hôjô in [[1537]]). Ujiyasu and Kenshin were destined to clash many times in the 1560's, but never fought a decisive or even substantial battle, confining themselves to raids and sieges-mostly in Kozuke. The Hôjô and Takeda's relationship was more complex, ranging from relative peace to all-out war. In [[1562]] The Hôjô and Takeda made an alliance and Takeda Shingen adopted Ujiyasu's 7th son; in [[1568]]-[[1569]] the Hôjô and Takeda fought a series of battles over [[Suruga province]] culminating in the brief [[Second Siege of Odawara]] and the [[Battle of Mimasetoge]] in 1569.  

Uesugi Kenshin would occupy many of Ujiyasu's remaining years. In [[1561]] Uesugi invaded the Kanto and managed to march as far as Odawara, which he besieged for two months. Running low on supplies, Kenshin burned Odawara's town and went home, returning two years later to recapture Musashi-Matsuyama (originally taken by the Hôjô in [[1537]]). Ujiyasu and Kenshin were destined to clash many times in the 1560's, but never fought a decisive or even substantial battle, confining themselves to raids and sieges-mostly in Kozuke. The Hôjô and Takeda's relationship was more complex, ranging from relative peace to all-out war. In [[1562]] The Hôjô and Takeda made an alliance and Takeda Shingen adopted Ujiyasu's 7th son; in [[1568]]-[[1569]] the Hôjô and Takeda fought a series of battles over [[Suruga province]] culminating in the brief [[Second Siege of Odawara]] and the [[Battle of Mimasetoge]] in 1569.