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Hōjō Sanetoki

1224 – 1276

Japanese samurai of the middle Kamakura period; founder of Kanesawa Bunko library

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About Hōjō Sanetoki

Lived 1224 – 1276 (aged 51–52). Hōjō Sanetoki was a bushi.

, also called was the founder of the Kanazawa Bunko (Kanazawa Library). He was a member of the Kanezawa branch of the Hōjō clan. He may have been married to Mugai Nyodai.

He was born to Hōjō Saneyasu in 1224. As his talent was discovered by his uncle Hōjō Yasutoki, Sanetoki was given important posts by four shikken: Yasutoki, Tsunetoki, Tokiyori and Tokimune. He began his career as the head of Kosamurai-dokoro in 1234 and then became Hikitsukeshu in 1252 and Hyojoshu in 1253. Due to illness, he resigned from all posts and took a rest at his residence at Kanezawa (modern-day Kanazawa), Yokohama.

While attending to government affairs, he was dedicated himself to study. He studied under Kiyohara no Noritaka, who came to Kamakura in Prince Munetaka's retinue. In 1258 he established a temple called Shōmyōji at Kanazawa and put a library within the temple to house his huge manuscript collection.

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Important facts

Born
1224
Birth century
Occupation
Bushi
Nationality
Kamakura shogunate
Positions held
Hikitsuke, Hyōjōshū
Also known as
Hojo Sanetoki, Kanesawa Sanetoki, Kanezawa Sanetoki, Houjou Sanetoki

People in Hōjō Sanetoki's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Hōjō Sanetoki's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Hōjō Sanetoki?

Japanese samurai of the middle Kamakura period; founder of Kanesawa Bunko library

When was Hōjō Sanetoki born?

Hōjō Sanetoki was born in 1224.

When did Hōjō Sanetoki die?

Hōjō Sanetoki died on 30 November 1276.

What was Hōjō Sanetoki's occupation?

Hōjō Sanetoki was a bushi.

What nationality was Hōjō Sanetoki?

Hōjō Sanetoki's recorded nationality: Kamakura shogunate.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Hōjō Sanetoki

· Wikidata: Q596360

· DBpedia: Kanezawa Sanetoki

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Hōjō Sanetoki. https://biography.guide/hojo-sanetoki/

MLA: "Hōjō Sanetoki." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/hojo-sanetoki/.

Chicago: "Hōjō Sanetoki." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/hojo-sanetoki/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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