Minamoto no Sanetomo
Tokimasa was ousted in 1205 when Minamoto no Sanetomo became "shōgun." The position of the Hōjō clan was still secure. Masako's brother, Hōjō Yoshitoki, succeeded as "shikken" for Sanetomo, and Masako herself remained in a powerful position as a negotiator with the court. In 1218, Masako was awarded the Junior Second Rank (Ritsuryō (律令)) by the imperial government. She continued to work towards the creation of an advisory council. During this time, she was sent by Regent Yoshitoki on a mission to the Cloistered Emperor Go-Toba, to ask if Minamoto no Sanetomo might adopt one of the emperor's sons as an heir. The emperor refused.