• • Period: Heian Period
  • Occupation: –
  • Family: Emperor Daigo (husband) Emperor Suzaku (son) Emperor Murakami (son) Fujiwara no Mototsune (father) Fujiwara no Tokihira (brother) Fujiwara no Tadahira (brother) Fujiwara no Nakahira (brother) Fujiwara no Kanehira (brother) Fujiwara no Raishi (sister) Fujiwara no Baishi (sister) Fujiwara no Onshi I (sister)
  • Birth: 885AD
  • Death: 954AD

Fujiwara no Onshi II

Fujiwara no Onshi II (藤原 穏子) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Hokke Branch of this clan, living from 885-954AD.

She was the daughter of Fujiwara no Mototsune and would go on to marry Emperor Daigo. Together she would give birth to the future Emperors Suzaku and Murakami.¹

Lady Ukon served as one of her ladies-in-waiting.²

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
2. MacMillan, P. (2018) ”One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each: A Treasury of Classical Japanese Verse”. St. Ives: Penguin Classics.

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• • Period: Heian Period
  • Occupation: Sadaijin
  • Family: Fujiwara no Mototsune (father) Fujiwara no Tokihira (brother) Fujiwara no Tadahira (brother) Fujiwara no Kanehira (brother) Fujiwara no Raishi (sister) Fujiwara no Baishi (sister) Fujiwara no Onshi I (sister) Fujiwara no Onshi II (sister)
  • Birth: 875AD
  • Death: 945AD

Fujiwara no Nakahira

Fujiwara no Nakahira (藤原 仲平) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Hokke Branch of this clan, living from 875-945AD. He was also known as Biwa no Daijin.

He was the son of Fujiwara no Mototsune and brother of Fujiwara no Tokihira.

Under the reign of Emperor Daigo and Suzaku he held the position of Sadaijin.¹

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.

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• Period: Heian Period
• Occupation: Udajin, Sessho, Dajo Daijin, Kampaku
• Family: Fujiwara no Nagara (father) Fujiwara no Yoshifusa (adopted father) Fujiwara no Tokihira (son) Fujiwara no Nakahira (son) Fujiwara no Tadahira (son) Fujiwara no Kanehira (brother) Fujiwara no Raishi (sister) Fujiwara no Baishi (sister) Fujiwara no Onshi I (daughter) Fujiwara no Onshi II (daughter) Emperor Yōzei (nephew)
• Birth: 836AD
• Death: 891AD

Fujiwara no Mototsune

Fujiwara no Mototsune (藤原 基経) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Hokke Branch of this clan, living from 836-891AD.

The son of Fujiwara no Nagara he had many children, these being Fujiwara no Tokihira, Fujiwara no Nakahira, Fujiwara no Tadahira, Fujiwara no Onshi I and Fujiwara no Onshi II,¹² Fujiwara no Kanehira, Fujiwara no Raishi and Fujiwara no Baishi. He would later be adopted by Fujiwara no Yoshifusa.²

Over his lifetime he had many promotions becoming udajin in 872, sessho in 876, dajo daijin in 880 and kampaku in 884¹ (887²). He was the first to recieve the title kampaku. Though the title was surrounded by slight controversy which became known as the Ako Incident.²

Mototsune saw to it that Emperor Yozei was deposed with Emperor Kōkō then placed on the throne. He would then depose Kōkō in 888 to place Emperor Uda on the throne.

His two daughters Onshi I and Onshi II married Emperors Uda and Daigo.

One of his literary works was called the montoku jitsuroku, which he worked on with several others. Motosune was also known as Horikawa Daijin.¹

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
2. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.

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• • See also: Sugawara no Michizane Poems
  • Period: Heian Period
  • Occupation: Udaijin, Governor, Poet
  • Family: Haji no Mimichi (ancestor) Sugawara no Koreyoshi (father) Sugawara no Fumitoki (grandson)
    
  • Birth: 845
  • Death: 903

Sugawara no Michizane

Sugawara no Michizane (菅原 道真/菅原 道眞) was a member of the Sugawara Clan living during the Heian Period who was famous for his knowledge of classical chinese literature amongst other things. Born in 845¹² he died March 26th 903.³

The son of Sugawara no Koreyoshi¹² he was also a distant decendant of Haji no Mimichi⁴ and grandfather of Sugawara no Fumitoki.⁵

He was on the 5 yen bill until its discontinuation in 1929.³

Career

In 866 we see him appointed as Governor of Sanuki Province which he held for 4 years, and in 877 he was appointed as Professor of Chinese literature,¹² a position which he held for ten years.²

During his time as minster he suggested delegations to China stop due to instability there, this was accepted in 894.

In 899 the Emperor Uda gives him the title of udaijin, but unfortunately jealousy from the Fujiwara Clan (Fujiwara no Tokihira¹) would see him banished in 901 after they accuse him of treason against Emperor Daigo. His banishment would see him sent to Dazaifu in Kyushu where he was to govern, dying here in 903 whilst still proclaiming himself innocent.¹² It is said he died from malnutrition.³

Poetry and Literature

His poetry was similar to that of his ancestor Haji no Mimichi, as they both use plum blossoms to express sorrow.

This particular poem can be found in the Shin Wakashū and goes as follows.

Other accounts state whilst eating super he wrote 20 poems on 20 different subjects at the same time.³ He also helped in the compilation of the Sandai Jitsuroku which was the last of the ‘six offical histories.’ He also went on the create a version of these books called the Ruijū kokushi themed topically instead of chronologically.²

Poems of his were included in the Wakan rōeishū.²

Unrestful Ghost

After his death many bad things are said to have happened at court.¹²³

A partial list of his attacks include the following. 903 torrential rains all year. 905 drought. 906 floods. 907 bad floods. 911 floods which engulfed villages. 912 large fire in Heiankyo. 913 death of his rival. 914 more Heiankyo fires. 915 chicken pox outbreak. 918 terrible floods. 922 whooping cough outbreak. 923 death of the crown prince aged 21. 925 death of late crown princes son. 930 lightning strike in the palace walls killing several officials.³

To try and end the string of bad omens he was posthumously givn the highest honors, with some of his deified names being Tenjin Sama, Karai Tenji, Kan Shōjō and Temmangu. He is now seen as a kami of literature.¹² Many shrines to him include a reposed deer which people attributed with the power to cure disease. Students have the habit of rubbing these statues before exams in the hopes of improving their grades.¹

The text known as the Gukansho theorized that the kami made his spirit reappear as an example of the repurcusions of false accusations.³

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
2. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
3. Yoda, H & Alt, M. (2012) “Yurei Attack: The Japanese Ghost Survival Guide” Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing.
4. Borgen, R. (1975) “The Origins of the Sugawara. A History of the Haji Family”. Monumenta Nipponica. Vol.30 No.4 pp.405-422
5. Yoda, H. and Alt, M. (2016) “Japandemonium: Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopaedia of Toriyama Sekien.”. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.

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• • Period: Heian Period
  • Occupation: Minister
  • Family: Fujiwara no Mototsune (father) Fujiwara no Akitada (son) Fujiwara no Atsutada (son) Fujiwara no Yasutada (son) Fujiwara no Hōshi (daughter) Fujiwara no Tadahira (brother) Fujiwara no Nakahira (brother) Fujiwara no Kanehira (brother) Fujiwara no Raishi (sister) Fujiwara no Baishi (sister) Fujiwara no Onshi I (sister) Fujiwara no Onshi II (sister)
  • Birth: 871AD
  • Death: 909AD

Fujiwara Tokihira

Fujiwara Tokihira (藤原 時平) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Hokke Branch of this clan. He was the son of Fujiwara no Mototsune,² father of Fujiwara no Akitada, Fujiwara no Atsutada, Fujiwara no Yasutada and Fujiwara no Hōshi.³

He served as minister for Emperor Daigo, living from 871-909.

In 900AD he accused Sugawara no Michizane of plotting against the Emperor which ended with Michizane’s exile.

He is one of the writers of the Sandai jitsuroku as well as being the man who started writing the Engi Shiki before his death. This was then carried on by his brother.¹

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
2. Brinkley, F. (1915) “A History of the Japanese People from the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era.” New York: The Encyclopaedia Britannica Company.
3. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.

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Shiki and Kyaku

Shiki and Kyaku (Admnistrative/Ceremonial Procedures and Penal Codes) are two different types of legal documents made to implement the laws of the late 7th and early 8th centuries. The first Shiki and Kyaku were completed in the Kōnin Era, the second in the Jōgan Era.

The Engi Shiki and Engi Kyaku and the third enstallments during the Engi Era.¹

Engi Shiki

The Engi Shiki (Engi Rites – 延喜式) is a collection of 50 legal texts compiled by Fujiwara no Tokihira until 909 and then Fujiwara no Tadahira until 927. They cover Shinto ceremonies and customs, as well as containing Norito. It is considered one of Shinto’s sacred texts.²

Its creation was ordered by Emperor Daigo. The first 10 books, cover festivals and ceremonies under the Jingikan. The 11th book covers proecdures for the Dajōkan with the other 39 on the eight mnisteries and other bureaus of government.¹

Specific information from this text includes:

• Ameno Futodama is stated to have several shrines in Izumi Province.
• Amenomikumari is said to have many shrines and the text associates them with the water required for rice paddies.
• Amenotajikarao is stated to have shrines in Kii.
• The Ifuya Pass, the apparent location to the entrance of Yomi.
• Honoikazuchi is stated to have shrines in Yamato, Izumi and Yamashiro.
• Ishikoridome is stated to have three shrines in Yamato.
• Mizuhanome is stated to have shrines in Awa and Yoshino.
• Kamu Ōichihime is stated to have shrines in Ise.
• Kanayamahime is stated to have shrines in Kochi.
• Kanayamabiko is stated ot have shrines in Kochi and Mino Province.
• Kuraokami is stated to have shrines throughout Japan.
• Ōkuninushi  is stated to have shrines across Honshu.
• Ōwatatsumi is stated to have shrines in Suminoe.
• Ōyamatsumi is stated to have a shrine in Shikoku.
• Takehiratori is stated to have a shrine in Izumo.
• Takamimusuhi is included as one of the 8 tutelary kami of the Royal Clan invoked in winter solstice rites and harvest festivals.
• Tamanooya is attributed with several shrines.³

Engi Kyaku

The Engi Kyaku was compiled between 905 and 907.¹

Kōnin Shiki

The Kōnin Shiki (Commentaries on the Nihongi) is a commentary, compiled between AD810-824. It describes the Nihongi as “selected afresh” meaning the work was not a new composition but a compilation of old texts and stories.

It also informs us that when it was completed it was laid before Empress Genshō in AD720 by Prince Toneri and Ō no Yasumaro.⁴

External Links

• You can find scanned copies of Volumes 1-50 on the Waseda University: HERE.

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
3. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
4. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

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Hear about Fujiwara no Tadahira on Episode 20 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

• • • Period: Heian Period
    • Occupation: Sadaijin, Sesshō, Waka Poet.
    • Family: Fujiwara no Mototsune (father) Fujiwara no Saneyori (son) Fujiwara no Morosuke (son) Fujiwara no Morotada (son) Fujiwara no Morouji (son) Fujiwara no Tokihira (brother) Fujiwara no Nakahira (brother) Fujiwara no Kanehira (brother) Fujiwara no Raishi (sister) Fujiwara no Baishi (sister) Fujiwara no Onshi I (sister) Fujiwara no Onshi II (sister) Fujiwara no Sanekata (great-grandson)
    • Birth: 880AD
    • Death: 949AD

Fujiwara no Tadahira

Fujiwara no Tadahira (藤原 忠平) was a member of the Fujiwara Clan, more specifically the Hokke Branch of this clan.

He was the great-grandfather of the poet Fujiwara no Sanekata¹ and son to Fujiwara no Mototsune.³⁴ He lived from 880 to 949, and was known after his death as Teishinko (Lord Upright and Faithful)¹ and also was known by the name Ko-ichijō daijō-daijin³. He took over from his brother (Tokihira) to lead the hokke branch of the Fujiwara Clan and also held the position of Chancellor of the Realm.

During his life he held the position of Sadaijin (Minster of the Left) during the reign of Emperor Daigo, and became sesshō (regent) during the reign of Emperor Suzaku¹ in 931, Dajō daijin in 936 and kampaku in 941. Under the orders of Emperor Daigo he was instructed to aide in copiling the Engi Shiki which he did until 927AD.³

His legacy includes seven poems within the Gosenshū, and an additional six in the imperial waka anthologies. He is also noted to have left a journal entitled the Teishinkō-ki.

One of his poems is included in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, his is the 26th in the sequence and reads:¹

Footnotes

1. MacMillan, P. (2018) ”One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each: A Treasury of Classical Japanese Verse”. St. Ives: Penguin Classics.
2. Suzuki, H. et al. (1997) ”Genshoku: Ogura Hyakunin Isshu”. Tokyo: Bun’eidō.
3. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
4. Brinkley, F. (1915) “A History of the Japanese People from the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era.” New York: The Encyclopaedia Britannica Company.

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