Biographies XXXVIII: Fujiwara-no-Kamatari and Other Ministers of the Taika Era and After

Fujiwara-no-Kamatari

¶Fujiwara-no-Kamatari (Fujiwara-no-Kamatari). Kamatari was also called Kamako, and his original clan name was Nakatomi. His father was Mikeko, who held the rank of Shōtokukan. (Note: following the genealogies. The Ōkagami says that Kamatari was born in Hitachi province. The Genkō Shakusho says he was a man of Takechi district in Washū. The Nihon Shoki, in the reign of Emperor Jomei, mentions a man named Nakatomi-no-Muraji Mike; since Mike and Mikeko can be read alike, they are probably the same person.) His ancestor was Ame-no-Koyane-no-Mikoto, who served as a counsellor to Ninigi-no-Mikoto. Ame-no-Koyane's grandson Ame-no-Taneko-no-Mikoto served Emperor Jinmu with merit and had charge of the rites of worship. (Note: following the Jinnō Shōtōki and the Shokuinshō.) The eighth-generation descendant of Ame-no-Taneko, Ōkashima-no-Mikoto (Note: following the genealogies), became a daifu, grandee, at the court of Emperor Suinin. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki.) When the emperor built a shrine in Ise to honor Amaterasu-ōmikami, Ōkashima was appointed its chief priest. (Note: following the Shokuinshō.) The eleventh-generation descendant of Ōkashima, Tokiwa-no-Ōmuraji, was first granted the Nakatomi name at the court of Emperor Kinmei. Tokiwa begot Katanoko-no-Ōmuraji, and Mikeko was Katanoko's son. (Note: following the genealogies.)

¶In the third year of Empress Kōgyoku, Kamatari was appointed Jingi-haku, Master of Shinto Rites, but pleading illness he did not take up the post, and withdrew to live at Mishima. At the time when Emperor Kōtoku had not yet ascended the throne and was a dragon in hiding, he was on close terms with Kamatari. Once, when the prince could not attend court because of a sickness in his leg, Kamatari went to the palace and kept the night watch. The prince had always valued Kamatari's bearing and the spirit in him that none could offend, and treated him with exceptional warmth. He ordered his favored consort, of the Abe clan, to have a separate hall cleaned and swept, had new bedding laid out, and saw that everything needed was provided. Kamatari was deeply moved by this kindness and, through an attendant toneri at the prince's side, conveyed his resolve to support him as sovereign. The prince was greatly pleased.

¶At this time Soga-no-Iruka harbored designs unbecoming a subject and aimed at the throne. Kamatari, indignant, was determined to set right the world and save it. He secretly looked among the imperial family for a lord who could accomplish the deed, and in the end gave his heart to Emperor Tenji (then Prince Naka-no-Ōe), but for a long time found no occasion to reveal what was in his breast. One day, when he was playing kemari beneath the tsuki tree at Hōkō-ji in the company of Emperor Tenji, the prince's shoe came off along with the ball. Kamatari knelt and offered it, and the prince knelt to receive it. From then on the two grew close, opened their hearts to one another completely, and kept nothing hidden. But fearing that their repeated meetings would arouse suspicion, they took as their pretext studying the Way of the Duke of Zhou and Confucius under Master Minabuchi, and going to and from his house they plotted in secret along the road, and their opinions never differed.

¶Kamatari said: "One who accomplishes a great undertaking must have someone to assist him. Your Highness would do well to form a marriage tie with Soga-no-Ishikawamaro, win his friendship, and only then plan the matter. There is no road to success nearer than this." Emperor Tenji was greatly pleased and followed this advice. Kamatari went to Ishikawamaro and persuaded him to offer his daughter to the prince. From this time Ishikawamaro served the prince with a sincere heart. Kamatari further recommended Saeki-no-Komaro and Katsuragi-no-Wakainukai-no-Tsunata.

¶In the sixth month of the fourth year of Empress Kōgyoku, envoys of the Three Han states came with tribute. Emperor Tenji said to Ishikawamaro: "On the day when the Three Han present their tribute, you are to read out the written memorial. In that moment I mean to strike down Iruka. You are to keep this intention in mind." Ishikawamaro agreed.

¶On the appointed day the sovereign took his seat in the Daigokuden. Iruka was a suspicious man by nature and wore a sword day and night. Kamatari had a wazaogi, a jester, lead Iruka on with cunning words, and Iruka laughed, took off his sword, and sat down. Emperor Tenji himself took up a long spear, and Kamatari stood guard holding a bow and arrows. He ordered Amano-Inukai-no-Katsumaro to hand the two swords in a box to Komaro and Tsunata so that they might cut Iruka down. Komaro was so afraid that though he washed down his food with water he brought it straight back up. Kamatari rebuked him and roused his courage. Even so, Komaro and his companions still shrank back and would not move. When Emperor Tenji himself struck first at Iruka, Komaro and the others stepped forward one after another, and in the end they cut Iruka down. His father Emishi was also put to death.

¶When the affair was settled, Empress Kōgyoku wished to yield the throne to Emperor Tenji. Emperor Tenji told Kamatari of this. Kamatari said: "Prince Furuhito-no-Ōe is Your Highness's elder brother. If Your Highness now takes the throne out of order of precedence, I fear you will lose the principle of modest deference. Prince Karu, on the other hand, is Your Highness's uncle. In my humble opinion it would be best to yield the throne to Prince Karu and thereby answer the hopes of the people." Emperor Tenji followed these words and secretly submitted the proposal to the throne. Thus Prince Karu was set up, and this was Emperor Kōtoku.

¶Emperor Kōtoku made Kamatari Uchitsuomi, Inner Minister, granted him the rank of Daikinkan, and increased his fief by about one thousand households. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki. The Gukanshō and the "Biography of Taishokkan" both give two thousand households. In the Shoku Nihongi, in the entry for the first year of Tenpyō-hōji, Fujiwara-no-Nakamaro says: "The emperor of the palace of Ōtsu in Ōmi bestowed a hundred chō of merit-land on my great-grandfather, the Naidaijin Fujiwara." In the twelfth month of that year a memorial of the Daijōkan says: "The Taishoku Naidaijin Fujiwara was granted a hundred chō of land for his merit in the year Kinoto-Mi." The year Kinoto-Mi is the first year of Taika. What Nakamaro says was bestowed by Emperor Tenji differs in wording but is the same in substance. It is added here for reference.)

¶The emperor issued an edict saying: "That the state has gained security is truly owing to the strength of the Lord. All important matters of the army and government shall be left to his discretion." (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.) Kamatari, bearing a heart of the utmost loyalty and sincerity, stood at the head of all the offices. In the advancement and dismissal of men and the establishment and abolition of institutions, there was no word of his that was not heeded. In the fifth year of Hakuchi he was granted the Purple Cap, and his fief was increased again.

¶In the tenth month of the second year of Emperor Tenji's reign, Kamatari fell ill. The emperor himself visited his residence, asked after his condition, and said: "They say that the Way of Heaven helps the benevolent, but how empty these words are! One who accumulates good deeds is said to receive his reward, yet it has not appeared. If you have anything to say, speak without reserve." Kamatari replied: "Your servant is a man of no talent, and while I live I am of no use to the government of the state. At least after my death I do not wish to trouble the people. I beg that my funeral be kept simple." The men of the time praised these words.

¶Soon afterward the emperor sent Prince Ōama to the residence to bestow the Taishokkan cap and appoint him to the rank of Minister. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki.) His rank was placed above the Ministers of the Left and Right. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Shokuinshō.) He was granted the Fujiwara clan name and was therefore styled Fujiwara Naidaijin. The next day Kamatari died. The emperor again visited the residence, had Soga-no-Akae, who held the rank of Daikinjō, proclaim a gracious edict, and bestowed a golden incense burner. (Note: the "Nihon Seiki" quoted in the main-text notes of the Nihon Shoki says that the Naidaijin died at fifty and was placed in temporary interment south of the mountain. The stele says fifty-six.)

¶Kamatari had two sons. The elder was the monk Jōe, who crossed to Tang and studied there. (Note: the biography of Jōe in the Genkō Shakusho says that Emperor Kōtoku's consort, when six months with child, was given to Kamatari, and that the boy born was Jōe. The Genpei Seisuiki says that Emperor Tenji gave his consort to Kamatari and Jōe was born, but neither has any reliable basis, and they are not adopted here.) The younger was Fuhito, who has a separate biography.

¶Kamatari was first buried at Aiyama in Settsu. When Jōe returned from Tang, he reburied him at Tōnomine in Yamato, made a likeness of him and enshrined it there. It is said that in later ages, whenever some great upheaval was about to befall the state, the statue would crack, and the court would send envoys to pray there. (Note: following the "Katarai-no-Mine Engi," the Origins of the Mountain. According to that account, Kamatari first spoke with Emperor Tenji beneath wisteria blossoms on Mount Kurahashi in Yamato province and there plotted the killing of Iruka, and so the place was named Katarai-no-Mine, Peak of Conversation. Kamatari once said to Jōe: "The land of Katarai-no-Mine is joined on the east to the mountains of Ise, faces Mount Kongō on the west, is bounded on the south by Mount Kinbu, and neighbors Mount Ōmiwa on the north; its spiritual efficacy is no less than that of Mount Wutai in Tang. After I have departed this world, fix my burial place here, and my descendants will prosper." When Jōe returned from Tang he remembered these words and in the end renamed the temple there Myōraku-ji. Comment: the author of the "Katarai-no-Mine Engi" is unknown. One theory ascribes it to Fujiwara-no-Kaneyoshi. The events recorded in it are largely the same as in the Nihon Shoki but occasionally differ, and much of it runs to strange and groundless tales. It was probably made by a later hand who borrowed the text of the Nihon Shoki and attached additions to it. It is therefore not adopted here.)

Soga-no-Kura-no-Yamada-no-Ishikawamaro

¶Soga-no-Kura-no-Yamada-no-Ishikawamaro was a grandson of the Minister Soga-no-Umako and a son of Kuramaro. (Note: following the genealogies.) In the fourth year of Empress Kōgyoku he joined his plans with those of Nakatomi-no-Kamatari and killed Soga-no-Iruka. When Emperor Kōtoku took the throne, he was appointed Minister of the Right. Abe-no-Kurahashimaro was appointed Minister of the Left, and the two together were granted golden whips. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki.) The establishment of Ministers of the Left and Right begins with this. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.) Kurahashimaro's ancestry goes back to Ōhiko-no-Mikoto. (Note: following the Shōjiroku.) His name was Uchimaro, and he was also called the Ōtori Minister. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.)

¶Ishikawamaro had a half-brother named Himuka, styled Musashi. In the fifth year of Taika, Himuka slandered Ishikawamaro to the Crown Prince, saying: "My brother Ishikawamaro has been watching for the time when Your Highness goes out to amuse yourself by the sea, and is plotting a wicked rebellion." The Crown Prince believed this and reported it to the emperor. The emperor sent Ōtomo-no-Koma, Mikuni-no-Maro, Hozumi-no-Kui, and others to question him about the facts of the treason. Ishikawamaro said: "I shall go to the palace myself and make my defense." When Koma and the others reported this, the emperor sent soldiers to surround his residence.

¶Ishikawamaro, with two of his sons, Hōshi and Akakoma (Note: the main-text note gives his name as Sō), and Michi-no-Chinu, fled to Yamato. Earlier, his eldest son Koshi had been building a Buddhist temple at Yamada. On hearing of the disaster he met Ishikawamaro at Imaki and led him into the temple. Koshi would have resisted the pursuing soldiers, but Ishikawamaro would not allow it. Even so, Koshi still gathered troops and meant to burn down the Obarida Palace. When Ishikawamaro heard of the plan he said: "Are you unwilling to die?" Koshi answered, "No."

¶Then Ishikawamaro admonished Koshi and the monks of Yamada-dera, saying: "How could anyone who is a subject, who is a son, rebel against his lord and lose filial duty toward his father? I built this monastery not for my own sake but only to pray that heaven's favor might long continue. Now, fallen through Musashi's slander into a crime of which I know nothing, I have come here in order to go to my death in peace. My loyalty of every day will not change even in death." Then he opened the doors of the Buddha hall and swore: "I pray that in each life I am reborn into, I may bear no resentment toward my lord." Thereupon he hanged himself. His wife, three sons, and a daughter died with him. Many others also followed him in death.

¶On that day Ōtomo-no-Koma and Soga-no-Himuka led troops in pursuit of Ishikawamaro. When they reached Kuroyama, Haji-no-Mu and Unemeno-Omi-Maro came galloping from the mountain temple and reported: "Ishikawamaro has already hanged himself together with his wife and children." Koma and the others therefore turned back by way of Tajihi Slope.

¶The next day Ōtomo-no-Koma (Kimaro), Himuka, and Hozumi-no-Kui led troops and surrounded Yamada-dera, and ordered Mononobe-no-Futata-no-Shio to cut off Ishikawamaro's head. Shio drew his sword, first slashed the flesh, lifted it to show to the crowd, and, roaring with rage, cut off the head. Those who were beheaded for complicity in Ishikawamaro's case were fourteen in number, including Taguchi-no-Tsukushi, Mimi-nashi-no-Dōtoku, Takada-no-Shikoo, Nukatabe-no-Yuemuraji, and Hata-no-Adera; nine were hanged, and fifteen were exiled.

¶Soon afterward Ishikawamaro's household goods were confiscated and his possessions inspected. All the fine books were marked "Books of the Crown Prince," and all the precious treasures were marked "Possessions of the Crown Prince." Only now did the Crown Prince understand that he had been wronged, and he grieved with shame and remorse. He therefore appointed Himuka as Tsukushi Dazai-no-Sotsu, Vice-Governor-General of Tsukushi, though in reality this was a demotion. The men of the time called it "hidden exile." (Note: following the Nihon Shoki.)

Kose-no-Tokotako

¶Kose-no-Tokotako. (Note: according to the Nihon Shoki, the name is also written Tokoda, and also Tokota.) He was a seventh-generation descendant of Ogara-no-Sukune. His great-grandfather Ohito became Minister at the court of Emperor Keitai. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.)

¶In the second year of Empress Kōgyoku, Tokotako held the rank of Shōtoku and sided with Soga-no-Iruka in attacking Prince Yamashiro-no-Ōe at the Ikaruga Palace. When Iruka was put to death, his followers gathered troops and plotted an uprising. Tokotako, under orders from Emperor Tenji, went to persuade them and set before them the principles of rebellion and obedience, whereupon the band of rebels broke up and scattered.

¶At the court of Emperor Kōtoku he was granted the rank of Shōshi, and in the fifth year of Taika he advanced to Daishi. (Note: the record of the Deposed Emperor in the Shoku Nihongi gives "Daishū Tokotako, Minister of the court of the Naniwa Nagara-no-Toyosaki Palace," but the Nihon Shoki does not record his promotion to Daishū.) He became Minister of the Left.

¶In the first year of Hakuchi, Chimasachisan and others, tribute envoys from Silla, arrived at Tsukushi dressed in Tang clothing. The court detested that they had changed their customs on their own authority, rebuked them, and sent them back. Tokotako submitted a memorial saying: "If we do not now attack Silla, we will surely regret it later. I beg that from the harbor of Naniwa to the seas of Tsukushi we float many warships and make our might flourish, then summon Silla and call it to account for its offence; they will surely be awed into submission." But this proposal was never carried out in the end. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki.)

¶In the fourth year of Empress Saimei he died, at the age of sixty-six. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.)

¶His son Kuromaro rose to Chūnagon, Middle Counsellor, and Shōkinchū. Kuromaro had two sons, Ōji (Note: the main text sometimes writes this as Sofu, which can be read alike by the on-yomi) and Shōōji (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi).

¶Ōji became Kenmotsu, Keeper of Keys, in the reign of Empress Jitō, but was dismissed from office on account of an offence. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki.) Later he was appointed Governor of Mikawa and granted the rank of Mudaishi. In the first year of Taihō he followed Awata-no-Mahito as deputy ambassador to Tang, and afterwards was appointed Governor of Harima and became Udaiben, Major Controller of the Right. In the second year of Yōrō he was appointed Chūnagon and soon after concurrently served as Settsu Sekkan. In the first year of Jinki he was advanced to Senior Third Rank. In that year he died.

¶Shōōji held Junior Fifth Rank Upper. His son Kaimaro (Note: Kai is also written with the character 開) was adopted by Ōji and inherited his house. Under Emperors Shōmu and Kōken he was promoted repeatedly until he reached Junior Third Rank, became Sangi, Councillor, and Shibi Daihitsu, Senior Assistant of the Secretariat, and concurrently served as Hyōbu-kyō, Minister of Military Affairs. In the second year of Tenpyō-hōji he took part in revising the names of offices. In the fifth year he died. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.)

Tajihi-no-Shima

¶Tajihi-no-Shima (Note: in the reign of Emperor Tenmu in the Nihon Shoki, Tajihi is written with other characters, but they can be read alike) was a great-grandson of Prince Kamitsu-Uewa and the fourth son of Prince Tajihiko. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi and the Sandai Jitsuroku. That he was the fourth son is following the Kugyō Bunin. The Shoku Nihongi and the Kugyō Bunin write Prince Tajihi, but here the Sandai Jitsuroku is followed.)

¶On the night Prince Tajihiko was born, when the newborn was bathed, a tajihi flower flew in and floated in the cauldron, and the name was taken from this as an auspicious omen. When Prince Tajihiko petitioned to be granted a clan name, he was granted the name Tajihi-no-Kimi. He took his given name as clan name in order to preserve the old connection. (Note: following the entry for the eighth year of Jōgan in the Sandai Jitsuroku.)

¶At the court of Emperor Tenmu, Shima became Tsukushi Ōmikotomochi, Governor-General of Tsukushi, and his title was changed from Kimi to Mahito. At the court of Empress Jitō he advanced from Jikikōni to Jikikōichi and was granted an additional one hundred households, making two hundred households with what he had before. In the fourth year of Jitō he advanced to Shōkōsan, was appointed Minister of the Right, and was granted three hundred more households, making five hundred with what he had before. After some years he asked to retire from office, was granted a palanquin and a staff, and was permitted one hundred and twenty shijin, attendants, to look after his needs. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki.)

¶At the court of Emperor Monmu he became Minister of the Left. In consideration of his great age he was granted a staff of reishu wood and a palanquin. In the first year of Taihō he was granted Senior Second Rank. In the seventh month of that year he died, at the age of seventy-eight. (Note: that he was seventy-eight is following the Kugyō Bunin.) The emperor issued an edict sending Prince Osakabe, of Third Rank, and Isonokami-no-Maro, of Senior Third Rank, to offer condolences at his residence.

¶He had five sons, named Ikemori, Agatamori, Mizumori, Hironari, and Hirotari. Ikemori and Agatamori each have a separate biography.

Tajihi-no-Mizumori

¶Tajihi-no-Mizumori. In the Taihō era Mizumori became Governor of Owari. At that time, when the Retired Empress (Empress Jitō) was about to make a progress to Mikawa and reached Owari, she granted Mizumori ten households and transferred him to be Governor of Kawachi. At the beginning of Wadō he became Governor of Ōmi, rose to Junior Fourth Rank Lower, and had a record of good administration. He was granted ten chō of rice land, two hundred koku of grain, and a set of robes; he entered the capital, became Ukyō-daibu, Master of the Right Capital Office, and was appointed Kunai-kyō, Minister of the Imperial Household. In the fourth year of Wadō he died. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.) His son Tsuchitsukuri (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin) rose to Sangi and Junior Fourth Rank Upper. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.)

Tajihi-no-Hirotari

¶Tajihi-no-Hirotari. In the Tenpyō era Hirotari served successively as Governor of Kazusa, Gyōbu-kyō, Minister of Justice, and Hyōbu-kyō. In the first year of Tenpyō-shōhō he was appointed Chūnagon. In the second year he was granted Junior Third Rank. At the beginning of Tenpyō-hōji, his nephews Kokaishi, Iyamaro, and Takanushi joined Tachibana-no-Naramaro. An edict was issued saying: "Hirotari, aged and dull-witted, could not instruct and guide his nephews, and all of them have become traitors. How can such a man remain in the office of Saiho, Chief Minister? He should resign his post and return to his residence as a sanni, an official without post." In the fourth year of Tenpyō-hōji he died. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.)

Isonokami-no-Maro

¶Isonokami-no-Maro. His original clan name was Mononobe-no-Muraji. He was a descendant of Ōmuraji Me and a son of Efu-no-Umaro. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi. The main text writes Umaro as Umano, and the Sendai Kuji Hongi gives Umako. Here it has been settled by consulting the Kugyō Bunin as well. Furthermore, according to the Sendai Kuji Hongi, Umako was granted, in the time of Emperor Kōtoku, the rank of Daikajō, the clan seal, a great sword, and a fief of a thousand households, and served as priest of the Shrine; but this does not appear in the Nihon Shoki or other books, and it cannot now be verified.)

¶In the Jinshin disturbance, when the emperor (Prince Ōtomo) fled in defeat, the Minister and those below him all scattered, and only Maro followed him. At the court of Emperor Tenmu he was granted the rank of Daiotsujō and became ambassador to Silla. Returning the next year, he was granted Shōkinge and advanced to Jikikōsan. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki.) He was granted the change of clan name to the present Isonokami. (Note: following the Shōjiroku.)

¶At the court of Empress Jitō he went to Tsukushi to supervise the building of the Niiki fortress. Soon he advanced to Jikikōichi and was permitted fifty shijin. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki.) He advanced further to Jikidaiichi. At the court of Emperor Monmu he became Tsukushi Sōryō, Governor-General of Tsukushi, and soon after was appointed Chūnagon. In the first year of Taihō he was granted Senior Third Rank, became Dainagon, Major Counsellor, and concurrently served as Dazai-no-Sotsu. (Note: the Kakaishō, the commentary on the Tale of Genji, says that the concurrent post of Dazai-no-Sotsu begins with this, but that is mistaken.)

¶In the first year of Keiun he was appointed Minister of the Right and granted an additional 2,170 households. In the first year of Wadō he was promoted repeatedly until he reached Senior Second Rank and was transferred to Minister of the Left. When the capital was moved to Heijō, Maro stayed behind as caretaker of the Naniwa capital. In the first year of Yōrō he died. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.) He was seventy-eight. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.)

¶The emperor grieved deeply, suspended the conduct of government at court, sent Prince Nagaya, Shikibu-kyō, Minister of Ceremonial, and Tajihi-no-Miyakemaro, Sadaiben, Major Controller of the Left, to offer condolences at his residence, and posthumously granted him Junior First Rank. People loved Maro, and there was none who did not mourn his death. To his house were also granted one hundred bolts of coarse silk, four hundred ku of thread, a thousand kin of floss, and two hundred tan of cloth. His son was Otomaro. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.)

Isonokami-no-Otomaro

¶Mononobe-no-Otomaro. In the Tenpyō era Otomaro became Governor of Tanba and rose to Sadaiben, Major Controller of the Left. He was found guilty of secret relations with Kume-no-Wakame and exiled to Tosa. Later he was recalled and served successively as Saikaidō Junsatsushi, Inspector of the Western Sea Circuit, Governor of Hitachi, and Udaiben, and was transferred to Nakatsukasa-kyō, Minister of Central Affairs. In the twentieth year of Tenpyō he was granted Junior Third Rank. In the first year of Tenpyō-shōhō he was appointed Chūnagon. In the second year he died. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.)

¶Otomaro was by nature gifted with talent and wit, gentle and refined in manner, deeply attached to the classics, and fond as well of poetry and prose. (Note: following the Kaifūsō.) He especially loved waka. (Note: following the Man'yōshū.) In the place of his exile he composed poems at the edge of deep pools and beside marshes, transcribed his feelings in literary form, and wrote the Kanpi-shū, "Collection of Sorrow Held," in two volumes, which was handed down in the world. In the Tenpyō era, when an envoy to Tang was being selected, no one was above Otomaro, and so he was named ambassador, and everyone gladly prepared to follow him, but in the end it did not come about. (Note: following the Kaifūsō.)

¶Yakatsugu has a separate biography.