Hosokawa Kazuuji (細川和氏)
Kazuuji HOSOKAWA (1296 - October 21, 1342) was a busho (Japanese military commander) from the late Kamakura Period through the period of the Northern and Southern Courts. He was a descendent of Seiwa-Genji (Minamoto clan originated from Emperor Seiwa), specifically from the Hosokawa family which was a branch family of the Ashikaga clan following Kawachi-Genji. He was a son of Kimiyori HOSOKAWA. Yoriharu HOSOKAWA and Morouji HOSOKAWA were his brothers. Kiyouji HOSOKAWA, Yorikazu HOSOKAWA, Masauji HOSOKAWA, and Ieuji HOSOKAWA were his sons. His first name is also read as "Tomouji". His another name was Michinori.
He was from Hosokawa-go in Mikawa Province (present-day Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture). He started to serve Takauji ASHIKAGA after the Genko War, and contributed to the anti-shogunate movement. After the fall of the bakufu, the Kenmu Restoration was commenced by Emperor Godaigo, and Kazuuji was appointed as Awa no kuni no kami (Governor of Awa Province). He followed Takauji in suppressing the Nakasendai War, the rebellion by the remnants of the Hojo clan. Takauji defected from the Kenmu Government and the Imperial army was dispatched. He, along with Doyo SASAKI and Noriaki UESUGI, fought against the Imperial army and kept following Takauji.
Failing to recapture Kyoto, Ashikaga group left for Kyushu in 1336. The Hosokawa family was dispatched to Shikoku, and Kazuuji, as well as his cousin Akiuji HOSOKAWA, exercised excellent leadership over territorial lords and local lords in Shikoku. At the Battle of Minato-gawa River, Ashikaga group smashed the court's side, and Takauji, taking control of Kyoto, established a new bakufu. Kazuuji became Hikitsuke tonin (chairman of the court of justice), then tonin (head) of Samurai-dokoro (board of retainers). After his retirement, he lived in Awa Province and invited Soseki MUSO to found Hoda-ji Temple. He died on October 21, 1342, at the age of forty seven.