The lower region (shimokata) of Fuji District, located at the southern foot of Mount Fuji was the first stewardship territory that Houjyo Tokimasa received from Minamoto Yoritomo reward after the First Battle between the Minamoto and Taira clan in 1180. This paper elucidates the process through which Houjyo Yasutoki –Tokimasa’s grandson, and the third regent(shikken) of the Kmakura shogunate – changed shimokata region of Fuji District from being a simple land stewardship territory into a kingdom where a medieval feudal lord completely dominated the peasants and land. Houjyo Yasutoki developed policies for the livelihood of the vassals, and regulated farmers in the stewardship territory through a governing body he himself established, called the kumonjho (the Tokusou’s administration for the territory dominated). He also strengthened his dominance by developing new rice fields as a plan to maintain and expand the kingdom’s reproduction.
