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Ujiyasu, considered by some scholars to be the greatest of the [[Hojo clan|Hôjô]] Daimyô, fought his first battle in [[1530]] ([[Battle of Ozawahara|Ozawahara]]) and 15 years later won one of the great encounters of the 16th Century.  

Ujiyasu, considered by some scholars to be the greatest of the [[Hojo clan|Hôjô]] Daimyô, fought his first battle in [[1530]] ([[Battle of Ozawahara|Ozawahara]]) and 15 years later won one of the great encounters of the 16th Century.  

Ujiyasu, for years his father [[Hojo Ujitsuna|Ujitsuna's]] understudy, assumed control of the Hôjô after Ujitsuna's death in [[1541]] and faced an [[Uesugi clan]] that, while weakened, was determined to halt the Hôjô's drive into the [[Kanto province|Kanto]]. Before his death Ujitsuna had thrown up a series of forts along the Sumida River, and chief among these was Kawagoe, defended in [[1545]] by [[Hojo Tsunanari|Hôjô Tsunanari]]. The now-united branches of the Uesugi, whose forces counted those of [[Ashikaga Haruuji]] and the support of [[Imagawa Ujichika]], launched an attack on Kawagoe that year and isolated the fort. Ujiyasu came to Kawagoe's rescue, and in a brilliant night attack (one of the most notable examples of night fighting in samurai history) Ujiyasu and Tsunanari crushed the Uesugi and their allies. This victory marked the decisive turning point in the struggle for the Kanto. In the following years the Ogigayatsu-Uesugi would be effectively eliminated, and the Yamaouchi-Uesugi driven into [[Kozuke province|Kozuke]].  

Ujiyasu, for years his father [[Hojo Ujitsuna|Ujitsuna's]] understudy, assumed control of the Hôjô after Ujitsuna's death in [[1541]] and faced an [[Uesugi clan]] that, while weakened, was determined to halt the Hôjô's drive into the [[Kanto province|Kanto]]. Before his death Ujitsuna had thrown up a series of forts, chief among which was Kawagoe, defended in [[1545]] by [[Hojo Tsunanari|Hôjô Tsunanari]]. The now-united branches of the Uesugi, whose forces counted those of [[Ashikaga Haruuji]] and the support of [[Imagawa Ujichika]], launched an attack on Kawagoe that year and isolated the fort. Ujiyasu came to Kawagoe's rescue, and in a brilliant night attack (one of the most notable examples of night fighting in samurai history) Ujiyasu and Tsunanari crushed the Uesugi and their allies. This victory marked the decisive turning point in the struggle for the Kanto. In the following years the Ogigayatsu-Uesugi would be effectively eliminated, and the Yamaouchi-Uesugi driven into [[Kozuke province|Kozuke]].  

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.