Biographies XLI: Fujiwara-no-Fuhito and His Descendants, and Tachibana-no-Moroe

Fujiwara-no-Fuhito

¶Fujiwara-no-Fuhito (Note: the Nihon Shoki writes Fuhito's name with the single character "Fubito," meaning "scribe," but since the readings and meanings are interchangeable it is the same person) was the second son of Fujiwara-no-Kamatari, Naidaijin, Minister of the Interior (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi. Note also: the Ōkagami has the following story. When Emperor Tenji bestowed a court lady on Kamatari, he said, "If this woman is with child and bears a boy, he shall be your son; if she bears a girl, she shall be mine." A boy was in due course born, and this was Fuhito. The Sonpi Bunmyaku, moreover, says that Kamatari had reasons for avoiding the eyes of others and had Fuhito raised in the house of Tanabe-no-Fubito Ōsumi at Yamashina, and for that reason he took "Fubito" as his name. But since these accounts do not appear in the present work, they are not adopted). He was granted the rank of Jikikōshi. At the court of Empress Jitō he became Hanji, judge, advanced to the rank of Jikikōni, and was granted fifty shijin, attendants (Note: following the Nihon Shoki). Emperor Mommu issued an edict saying, "The surname that the previous court granted to Fujiwara-no-Ason should be passed on to his son Fuhito. However, since Omimaro and the others serve in the rites of the kami, they should be restored to their former surname." Soon Fuhito advanced to the rank of Jikikōichi, took part in compiling the legal codes, and became Chūnagon, Middle Counsellor. In the first year of Daihō (701) he was granted Senior Third Rank and was transferred to Dainagon, Major Counsellor (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi). In the first year of Keiun (704) he advanced to Junior Second Rank (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin), and his fief was increased by eight hundred households (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi). In the following year he fell ill, and offerings of twenty ordinands, four hundred tan of cloth, and eighty koku of rice were given to the temples of the capital so that they might pray for him (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). Kamatari had originally held the Yuima-e, the rite of Vimalakīrti, at his house at Tōbara, but after his death it fell into disuse. On this occasion Fuhito prayed to the spirits of his ancestors, and his illness was healed; he therefore revived the rite. He fixed its length at seven days, to end on the anniversary of Kamatari's death. Afterwards it was moved to the Kōfukuji (Note: following the Nenjū Gyōji. Note also: on examination, the Sonpi Bunmyaku says that Fuhito held the rite at his residence on the east side of the capital at Heijō; perhaps this refers to the house at Tōbara. It cannot now be established). In the fourth year (707) an edict said, "We commend the labors of successive generations and shall honor Kamatari by looking back to him. Since this places him alongside Takenouchi-no-Sukune and others, We grant a fief of five thousand households to be handed down to his descendants." Fuhito firmly declined and accepted two thousand households, of which one thousand were to be handed down to his descendants (Note: on examination, according to the present work, in the thirteenth year of Tenpyō (741) Fuhito's house returned its five thousand households of fief to the court. The court again granted two thousand households to the house as before, and divided the remaining three thousand among the provincial temples of the provinces, to be used for the cost of making the sixteen-foot Buddha images. This differs from the account given here. Perhaps Fuhito firmly declined, but by a gracious edict the whole fief was made to be passed on to his descendants. It cannot now be established). In the first year of Wadō (708) he advanced to Senior Second Rank and was appointed Udaijin, Minister of the Right (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi).

¶In the second year of Yōrō (718) he was appointed Dajō-daijin, Grand Chancellor, but firmly declined and did not accept (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku and the Kugyō Bunin). He supervised the revision of the legal codes. In the fourth year (720) he was granted an additional thirty tachihaki shijin, sword-bearing attendants. In the eighth month his illness became grave, and he was granted thirty ordinands. The emperor issued an edict saying, "The Minister of the Right's illness has dragged on, and he can neither sleep nor eat in peace. When We see how weary and afflicted he is, Our heart is pained. We wish for his recovery, but there is nothing We can do. We shall proclaim a general amnesty throughout the realm in order to relieve his illness. All offenses from the death penalty downward, committed before noon today, whether light or grave, including those that are not pardoned by ordinary amnesties, are entirely forgiven. For the disabled who cannot support themselves, let relief be given according to their condition. Let the officials in charge visit him themselves, supply medicinal broths as appropriate, and strive to treat him with generosity and care." The Emperor also had the Yakushi-kyō, the Medicine Buddha Sutra, read at forty-eight temples in the capital, freed ten kanko, official households, as commoners, and made ten slaves into kanko. Not many days later Fuhito died (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi). He was sixty-two years old (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Sonpi Bunmyaku). By his will he was to be "cremated at Shiioka on Mount Saho" (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). The emperor mourned him deeply, suspended the conduct of government on his account, and observed the rites of mourning within the palace. He sent Dainagon Prince Nagaya and Chūnagon Ōtomo-no-Tabito to his residence to proclaim an edict, and conferred on him the posthumous rank of Senior First Rank and the office of Dajō-daijin (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi and the Kugyō Bunin), and gave him the posthumous name Bunchū. His fief and attendants were granted as they had been in his lifetime (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Sonpi Bunmyaku). Before this the Fujiwara had not had an Uji-no-chōja, head of the clan, but in Fuhito's case it was for the first time ordered that he be appointed to that position (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku). In the Tenpyō era, tribute from Bohai was offered at the six imperial tombs, and at the same time sacrifices were made at Fuhito's tomb. At the beginning of Tenpyō-hōji (757), an edict was issued forbidding anyone throughout the realm to call Kamatari and Fuhito by their bare names. In the fourth year (760) an edict said: "A son is honored through his ancestors, and an ancestor is made noble through his son. This is an unchanging principle and the good practice of the sage kings. The Dajō-daijin Fujiwara-no-Ason of the former court was not only of great merit to the realm but was also a maternal relative of the imperial house. For that reason the former court conferred on him the posthumous Senior First Rank and the office of Dajō-daijin. By the provisions of Our own codes he has thereby reached the summit of office and rank, but judged by the Rites of Zhou there is still something lacking. We humbly consider that his achievements fill heaven and earth, and the court's rewards have not yet answered the expectations of the people. Following the example of the Grand Duke of Qi, it is fitting that We posthumously enfeoff him with twelve districts of Ōmi province and make him Ōmi-kō, Duke of Ōmi. To his second wife, Agata-inukai-no-Tachibana-no-Sukune, of Junior First Rank, We grant Senior First Rank and make her Taifujin, Lady Grand" (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi). Fuhito had four sons: Muchimaro, Fusasaki, Umakai, and Maro. His daughters were Miyako-hime, a Bunin, consort, of Emperor Mommu, and Kōmyōshi, Empress of Emperor Shōmu (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

Fujiwara-no-Muchimaro

¶Fujiwara-no-Muchimaro. Muchimaro gradually advanced during the Wadō and Reiki periods to Junior Fourth Rank Upper and became Governor of Ōmi. He submitted a memorial saying, "The temples within the province each occupy extensive precincts, yet from the beginning they have not built or repaired anything, and they send up falsified registers. As for the fields and gardens they hold, they seek to monopolize the profit themselves. If this is not corrected, it will lead to a decline of the law. Human feeling is growing thin, and Buddhism too is in decline. This is so not only in Ōmi but in other provinces as well. I humbly ask that you issue a general order to all provinces, so that abuses may be corrected and a simple, honest custom restored." This was accepted. During the Yōrō period he gradually advanced to Junior Third Rank, was appointed Chūnagon, and was granted four tachihaki shijin. At the beginning of Jinki he advanced to Senior Third Rank and received additions to his fief and goods. In the first year of Tenpyō (729) he was transferred to Dainagon and concurrently served as Dazai-no-sotsu, Governor-General of Dazaifu. In the sixth year (734) he advanced to Junior Second Rank and was appointed Udaijin. In the seventh month of the ninth year (737) he contracted smallpox (the pox). The emperor issued an edict proclaiming "a general amnesty throughout the realm," in an effort to save him from his illness. He sent Sadaiben, Senior Controller of the Left, Tachibana-no-Moroe and Udaiben, Senior Controller of the Right, Ki-no-Ohito to his residence, conferred on him Senior First Rank, and appointed him Sadaijin, Minister of the Left, but he died that very day (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi). He was fifty-eight years old (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Sonpi Bunmyaku). He had earlier founded the Eizanji, and he was buried there (Note: following the Eizanji Monjo). Nakatomi-no-Nashiro, of Junior Fourth Rank Lower, and others were sent to supervise the funeral, and the cost was paid by the government (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Sonpi Bunmyaku). Muchimaro's residence stood immediately south of Fusasaki's, and so his line was called the Nanke, Southern House. Fusasaki's house was called the Hokke, Northern House (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku). In the Tenpyō-hōji period his son Nakamaro submitted a memorial saying, "My father and my uncle were the pillars of a sage reign and the wings of an enlightened age, and although their ranks reached the highest, their offices did not yet match them. I humbly beg that, in view of my own office of Taishi, Grand Preceptor, you extend that favor and posthumously grant the office of Sadaijin to both the Southern and Northern Houses." An edict granted this, and also conferred on Muchimaro the posthumous office of Dajō-daijin (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi).

¶Muchimaro had four sons: Toyonari, Nakamaro, Kosemaro, and Otomaro (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku. Note also: the Kugyō Bunin makes Kosemaro the second son and the present work makes Otomaro the third son. On examining the Shoku Nihongi, it says the second son was Nakamaro and the fourth son was Otomaro. From this it is clear that Kosemaro was the third son). Toyonari has a separate biography. Nakamaro is in the "Biographies of Rebel Retainers." Kosemaro, in the Tenpyō-hōji period, rose to Sangi, Consultant, of Junior Third Rank and concurrently served as Shikibu-kyō, Minister of Ceremonial, but took part in his elder brother Nakamaro's rebellion and was put to death. Otomaro (Note: "Oto" is also written with the character for "otōto," younger brother) was Sangi of Junior Third Rank and concurrently Shikibu-kyō. His son Korekimi, whose name was at first Kuromaro, was large in build and dignified in appearance, was most conversant with the business of the day, and was never hesitant in deciding matters. In the Tenpyō-hōji period he was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower. In the Hōki and Tenō periods he gradually rose to become Sangi, advanced to Senior Third Rank, concurrently served as Shikibu-kyō and Chūe-no-taishō, Great General of the Middle Palace Guards, and was appointed Chūnagon. In the first year of Enryaku (782) he was transferred to Dainagon and soon afterwards was appointed Udaijin, keeping his post as Great General of the Middle Palace Guards as before. In the third year (784) he advanced to Junior Second Rank. In the autumn of that year the emperor visited his Tamura mansion on an imperial progress and held a banquet, and granted Junior Fifth Rank Upper to Korekimi's son Ototomo. In the eighth year (789) Korekimi died. He was sixty-three years old. An edict granted him posthumous Junior First Rank (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi). He was called in the world Ushiya-no-Ōtodo, the Minister of the Ox Stable (Note: following the Ichidai Yōki and the Sonpi Bunmyaku). His sons were Matomo, Otomo, Tomohito, and Ototomo (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku). Matomo rose to Sangi and concurrently served as Ōkura-kyō, Minister of the Treasury. Otomo advanced through successive offices and, at the beginning of Daidō (806), reached Dainagon of Senior Third Rank (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). When Prince Iyo plotted rebellion, Otomo reported the incident (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). But when the Prince was defeated, since Otomo was his father-in-law (the father of his wife), he was exiled to Iyo. In the first year of Kōnin (810) he was pardoned and returned, was restored to his former rank, and was given the office of Kunai-kyō, Minister of the Imperial Household (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). The following year he died, and an edict conferred on him posthumously his former office (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Kugyō Bunin). Tomohito was of a simple nature and did not concern himself with ceremony; he was implicated in the Prince Iyo affair and demoted to Governor of Shimotsuke (Note: his original office cannot be established). In the Kōnin period he was pardoned and returned, was granted Junior Fourth Rank Lower, and went out to become Governor of Sagami. In the thirteenth year (822) he died at his post (Note: following the national histories). Ototomo became Governor of Awa (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

Fujiwara-no-Fusasaki

¶Fujiwara-no-Fusasaki. Fusasaki, at the court of Emperor Mommu, was ordered to serve as envoy to the Tōkaidō, inspected the administrative record of the provincial officials, and corrected cases of wrongful conviction on appeal. During the Keiun and Wadō periods he gradually advanced to Junior Fifth Rank Lower, and again went to the two circuits of the Tōkaidō and Tōsandō to inspect the barriers and survey local customs. At the beginning of Reiki (715) he advanced to Junior Fourth Rank Lower. In the first year of Yōrō (717) he joined in the government as Sangi. In the fifth year (721) he advanced to Junior Third Rank. When Empress Genmei lay ill, Fusasaki received her dying edict together with the Udaijin Prince Nagaya. The Empress issued a special edict to Fusasaki, saying, "When a household has a long-sick patient, uneasiness arises over matters great and small, and unexpected things suddenly occur. You, Fusasaki, shall be Uchitsuomi, Inner Minister, manage affairs within and without, and carry them out in accordance with imperial edicts. Assist the imperial enterprise and keep the state secure forever." When Emperor Shōmu ascended the throne, he advanced to Senior Third Rank and received additions to his fief and goods (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi). In the Jinki period he became Jutō-chōkan, Director of the Sword-Bearing Guards, and concurrently served as Anzeishi, Inspector, of Ōmi and Wakasa (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). At the beginning of Tenpyō he became Nakatsukasa-kyō, Minister of Central Affairs, and was transferred to Minbu-kyō, Minister of Popular Affairs (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi and the Kugyō Bunin), and was appointed Chūe-no-taishō, Great General of the Middle Palace Guards (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin, the Man'yōshū, and the Sonpi Bunmyaku. Note also: on examination, the Shoku Nihongi says that in the fifth year of Jinki one Great General of the Chūefu was first established, but does not record that Fusasaki became Great General. The Kugyō Bunin gives the second year of Tenpyō for this. But according to the letter that Ōtomo-no-Tabito and others sent to Fusasaki in the first year of Tenpyō, recorded in the Man'yōshū, it addresses him as "Lord Fujiwara, Great General of the Middle Palace Guards," which means that he was already Great General in the first year. The year and month cannot now be established). Soon he became Setsudoshi, Commissioner, of the two circuits of the Tōkaidō and Tōsandō. In the ninth year (737) he died (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi). He was fifty-seven years old (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Sonpi Bunmyaku). A funeral of a minister was granted, but his house firmly declined and did not accept it. He was posthumously granted Senior First Rank and the office of Sadaijin, and was given a fief of two thousand households for a period of twenty years. In the fourth year of Tenpyō-hōji (760) he was posthumously granted the office of Dajō-daijin. In the time of Emperor Kōnin, an edict was issued, on account of his merit, that his fief be passed on to his descendants. His sons Nagate, Matate, Kiyokawa, Uona, and Kaedemaro were the most prominent. Nagate and Kiyokawa have separate biographies. The deeds of Matate and Uona are in Nagate's biography. Kaedemaro was Fusasaki's seventh son. In the Tenpyō-hōji period he became Saikaidō Mon-minkushi, Envoy to Inquire into the People's Hardships of the Saikaidō, submitted twenty-nine proposals of expedient measures, and had an edict sent to the Dazaifu to act on them as appropriate; soon he became Tōkaidō Junsatsushi, Inspector of the Tōkaidō. In the Hōki period he rose to Sangi of Junior Third Rank and concurrently served as Ōkura-kyō and Settsu-no-daibu, Governor of Settsu (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi). His son Sonohito has a separate biography.

Fujiwara-no-Umakai

¶Fujiwara-no-Umakai. Umakai (Note: Umakai is also written with the characters meaning "horse-keeper." The Sonpi Bunmyaku says that after returning from Tang he changed his name to the former writing. The two writings share the same reading and sense) became Deputy Envoy to Tang in the Reiki period and was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower. At the beginning of Yōrō he returned from Tang, was appointed Governor of Hitachi, and became Anzeishi, Inspector, of Awa, Kazusa, and Shimōsa. He gradually advanced to Senior Fourth Rank Upper and was transferred to Shikibu-kyō. In the first year of Jinki (724) the Emishi of the sea road of Mutsu rebelled and killed the Daijō, Third-Rank Official, Saeki-no-Koyamaro. Umakai became Jisetsu-taishōgun, Great General with the Ceremonial Sword, put down the rebels, and brought his army back in good order to the capital. The emperor sent a Uchitoneri, Palace Attendant, to meet and console him at Ōmi, rewarded his achievement by granting him Junior Third Rank, and conferred on him Meritorious Rank Second Class. Deputy General Takahashi-no-Yasumaro and over one thousand six hundred and ninety others were also each granted meritorious ranks. In the third year of Tenpyō (731) six Sangi were established for the first time, and Umakai was the foremost of them. He continued to hold the post of Shikibu-kyō and became Kinai Sōkan, Governor-General of the Home Provinces. Soon he was transferred to Saikaidō Setsudoshi, Commissioner of the Saikaidō, advanced to Senior Third Rank, and concurrently served as Dazai-no-sotsu. In the ninth year (737) he died (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi). He was forty-four years old (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku and the Kaifūsō). Umakai was of broad and refined capacity, with a calm and deep bearing; he was widely versed in the classics and also skilled in military matters. Even while handling military and state affairs he gave particular attention to literary composition, and was the foremost writer of his time; two volumes of his poetry and prose are handed down in the world. Because he was Shikibu-kyō, he was called in the world the Shikike, the Ceremonial House (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

¶His sons Hirotsugu, Yoshitsugu, Tamaro, Momokawa, and Kurajimaro were the most prominent. Hirotsugu and Yoshitsugu have separate biographies. The deeds of Momokawa and Kurajimaro are in Yoshitsugu's biography. Tamaro was of respectful and modest character and did not quarrel with others. In the Tenpyō period he was implicated in the affair of his elder brother Hirotsugu and exiled to Oki; after living there for three years, he was pardoned and returned. He lived in seclusion on Mount Ninabuchi, was devoted to the Buddhist scriptures, and did not neglect his practice. In the Tenpyō-hōji period he was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower and became Nankaidō Setsudo-fukushi, Deputy Commissioner of the Nankaidō, and Sa-kohon-no-toku, Commander of the Left Tiger Guards. In the sixth year (762) he was appointed Deputy Envoy to Tang. In the Tenpyō-jingo and Hōki periods he gradually held important posts one after another. At the beginning of Enryaku (782) he reached Udaijin of Senior Second Rank. He died. He was sixty-two years old (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi). He was called in the world Ninabuchi-no-Ōtodo, the Minister of Ninabuchi (Note: following the Ichidai Yōki and the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

Fujiwara-no-Maro

¶Fujiwara-no-Maro. Maro was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower in the Yōrō period and successively served as Sa-Ukyō-no-daibu, Governor of the Left and Right Capitals. At the beginning of Tenpyō he advanced to Junior Third Rank, became Hyōbu-kyō, Minister of Military Affairs, was appointed Sangi, and became San'indō Chinfushi, Pacification Commissioner of the San'indō. In the ninth year (737), the Chinju-shōgun, General of the Garrison, Ōno-no-Azumabito requested permission to subjugate the Emishi of Ogachi, open a direct road, and reach the Dewa palisade. Maro became Jisetsu-taishi, Great Envoy with the Ceremonial Sword, and went to Mutsu together with Deputy Envoy Saeki-no-Toyohito, of Senior Fifth Rank Upper, and Sakamoto-no-Uzumasa, Governor of Hitachi. He consulted with Azumabito, dispatched troops and opened the road, and had troops divided among the various palisades to hold them. Fighting as they advanced, they reached Mount Hirahoko. There he submitted a memorial that said as follows.

¶"I, Maro, and the others arrived on the nineteenth day of the second month at the Taga palisade of Mutsu and, together with the Chinju-shōgun Ōno-no-Ason Azumabito, discussed opening the two roads, the mountain road and the sea road, by raising one thousand cavalry from the six provinces of Hitachi, Kazusa, Shimōsa, Musashi, Kōzuke, and Shimotsuke. The barbarians were suspicious and afraid, so we sent Tōda-no-Kimi Ohito, District Governor of Tōda, a submitted Field Barbarian, to the sea road, and Waga-no-Kimi Keanrui, a submitted Barbarian, to the mountain road, to convey the court's intentions and to soothe and settle them. We selected one hundred and ninety-six brave men and attached them to General Azumabito, and stationed four hundred and fifty-nine at five palisades including Tamatsukuri. I, Maro, and the others led the remaining three hundred and forty-five soldiers and held the Taga palisade. We sent Deputy Envoy Sakamoto-no-Ason Uzumasa to hold the Tamatsukuri palisade, had Hangan, Fourth-Rank Official, Ōtomo-no-Sukune Minomaro hold the Nitta palisade, and had Daijō Kusakabe-no-Sukune Ōmaro hold the Oshika palisade. The other palisades were held as before. On the twenty-fifth day, Azumabito set out from the Taga palisade. On the first day of the third month (Note: the original text has "fourth month" for the third month, but it has been corrected on the basis of the context), together with Hangan Ki-no-Ason Murashi and others, leading one hundred and ninety-six cavalry, four hundred and ninety-nine garrison soldiers, five thousand provincial soldiers, and two hundred and forty-nine submitted Barbarians, he set out from the Shikama palisade within the province, and on that same day reached the Ōmuro post-station in Dewa province. Tanabe-no-Fubito Naniwa, Governor of Dewa, leading five hundred soldiers of his province and one hundred and forty submitted Barbarians, waited at this post-station, and after staying three days he entered enemy territory with Azumabito, opening a road as they advanced. In enemy territory the snow was deep and fodder for the horses hard to obtain, so they waited until the snow melted and grass grew, and only then were able to set out. On the eleventh day Azumabito returned to the Taga palisade, personally directed the opening of the road, and in all one hundred and sixty ri of road was opened by breaking rocks, felling trees, filling valleys, and cutting through peaks. From Kami district to Tamano in Mogami district of Dewa province was eighty ri; though the mountains and fields are steep, there was no great obstacle to travel in either direction. The eighty ri from Tamano to Mount Hirahoko in enemy territory was level in terrain and without danger. The submitted Barbarians say, 'From Mount Hirahoko to Ogachi village is over fifty ri, and that stretch is also level. There are only two rivers, and boats are used whenever the water rises.' On the fourth day of the fourth month the army encamped on Mount Hirahoko. Earlier, according to a report from Tanabe-no-Fubito Naniwa, 'Three Barbarian captive chieftains of Ogachi village have come to submit, saying, "We heard that the imperial army was about to enter our village, and we could not bear our fear, and so we have come to request that we be allowed to submit."' Azumabito said, 'Among the Barbarian captives there are many full of deceit, and their words cannot be relied on. After confirming once more their intention to submit, we should discuss how to respond.' Naniwa deliberated, 'We set out the army and enter enemy territory in order to teach and instruct the Barbarian captives, and to build palisades and settle the people there, not necessarily to harm them by force of arms. If we advance straight in by force without consultation, the Barbarian captives will be afraid and resentful and flee and hide in the mountains and fields; the labor will be great and the result small, and it cannot be called the best plan. It would be better to show the dignity of the imperial army and turn back from here, and afterwards to explain the benefits to them and show generous favor. Then the fortifications will be easy to hold, and the people will be at peace for a long time.' Azumabito also thought this was right. Moreover, Azumabito's original plan was to enter enemy territory early, cultivate the land and store grain, and so save on the cost of transport. But this spring there was a heavy snowfall twice that of ordinary years, and it was not possible to enter early and cultivate. Since the timing of heaven is thus, it already runs contrary to the original intention. Now building a fortification can be done in a single morning, but holding a fortress depends on people, and sustaining people depends on food. If we miss the season for cultivation, with what shall we supply them? Furthermore, soldiers move when there is advantage and halt when there is none. Therefore I think it best to withdraw the army and return, and wait for next year. Only, the reason Azumabito himself entered enemy territory was that he had requested that, as general, he be allowed to remain at the Taga palisade. Now the new road has already been opened, and we have seen the lie of the land with our own eyes. When next year comes, the matter can be accomplished without his going in person. I, Maro, and the others are foolish and cannot discern the right moment. Azumabito has long been entrusted with an important frontier post, has personally gone to the enemy's land, observed its situation, and reflected deeply, and his plans seldom miss the mark. Therefore we have decided in this way. We respectfully set down the course of events and humbly await the decision of Your Majesty. For the moment matters are quiet, and the season is just that of farm work. As for the soldiers we sent out, we are sending them back in turn, and we report this at the same time."

¶In this year Maro died (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi. Note also: on examination, there is no record of the imperial decision on this matter or of Maro's return to the capital. Perhaps he died in the army. It cannot now be established). He was forty-three years old (Note: "forty-three" is also written "forty-four"). Maro was eloquent, richly gifted, and accomplished in many arts, and was skilled in composition. Though the world put forward his talents, he loved the zither and wine. He always said, "Above us is a sage lord, and below there are worthy ministers. What could one like me accomplish? I will only keep company with the zither and wine." When he died, all lamented and regretted it. Because he was Sa-Ukyō-no-daibu, he was called in the world the Kyōke, the Capital House. His son was Hamanari (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

Fujiwara-no-Hamanari

¶Fujiwara-no-Hamanari. Hamanari was at first named Hamatari. In the Hōki period he gradually advanced and was appointed Sangi, soon afterwards was granted Junior Third Rank, and became Danjō-no-in, President of the Board of Censors, and Gyōbu-kyō, Minister of Justice. In the first year of Tenō (781) he became Dazai-no-sotsu. Although Hamanari came from a family of ministers of state, he had no reputation for good government through the posts he held within and outside the capital, and the officials and people suffered from him. He was therefore demoted to Igai-no-sotsu, supernumerary Governor-General, allowed only three kenjō, attendants, and an edict was addressed to Dazai-no-daini Saeki-no-Imaemishi and others, saying, "Promotion and demotion on the three-yearly evaluation is the usual practice of past kings. To punish evil and encourage good is the fine teaching of the sages of old. Fujiwara-no-Asomi Hamanari, Governor-General, Sangi of Junior Third Rank, and concurrently Jijū, Chamberlain, has no reputation for good government in the posts he has held. Now he was entrusted with the governance of a region and was expected to spread moral instruction, yet if he is not punished and corrected, how can this serve as a warning for the future? We therefore lower his post, appoint him Igai-no-sotsu, and shall not let him take part in affairs of government. However, he is granted one third of the kuge, office income, of a Governor-General. Let Imaemishi and the others handle all matters of the Dazaifu, great and small." Hamanari's daughter had originally married Hikami-no-Kawatsugu. When Kawatsugu plotted rebellion, the court suspected Hamanari of having joined his party, and an edict stripped him of his offices as Sangi and Jijū. In the ninth year of Enryaku (790) he died at his post. He was sixty-seven years old. Hamanari was broadly versed in many books and also well informed in the arts of divination (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi). He once received an imperial command and compiled the Kakyō Hyōshiki in one volume (Note: following the Yakumo Mishō). He also wrote the Tensho in ten volumes (Note: following the Honchō Shojaku Mokuroku).

¶His son Tsugihiko was of quick intelligence and resourceful, had sound judgment, was especially versed in astronomy and the calendar, and was also skilled in wind and string music (Note: following the Ruijū Kokushi). At the beginning of Tenō he became Hyōbu-no-shō, Junior Assistant Minister of Military Affairs, but was implicated in Kawatsugu's affair and banished from the capital. After a long time he was pardoned and returned, and became Kazue-no-kami, Director of the Bureau of Accounts (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi). In the Tenchō period he reached Gyōbu-kyō of Junior Third Rank (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin).

Fujiwara-no-Sadatoshi

¶Fujiwara-no-Sadatoshi. Tsugihiko's son Sadatoshi loved music from his youth, liked to play the zither, and was especially skilled at the biwa. In the Jōwa period he became Mimasaka-no-jō, Third-Rank Official of Mimasaka. Soon he also served as Jun-hangan, Assistant Judge, of the Tang embassy and crossed to Tang. At that time a man of Tang named Liu Erlang was a master of the biwa. Sadatoshi presented him with two hundred ryō of gold dust and asked to be taught. Erlang at once taught him two or three modes. Soon Sadatoshi had nearly mastered its secrets. Erlang further gave him several dozen volumes of scores and made Sadatoshi the husband of his own daughter. His daughter was also skilled at the zither and the sō, and Sadatoshi learned several new pieces. When he was about to return home, Erlang held a farewell banquet and presented him with one biwa of rosewood and one of purple wisteria wood. Sadatoshi brought them home, and they finally became treasures of the court. These are the instruments known as Genjō and Seizan (Note: for Genjō, following the Jikkinshō; for Seizan, following the Genpei Jōsuiki. Note also: the Genpei Jōsuiki gives Liu Erlang as Ren Shōbu). A little over a year later he became Mikawa-no-suke, Assistant Governor of Mikawa, and successively served as Tonomo-no-suke and Utaryō-no-suke, was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower, and soon was transferred to Utaryō-no-kami, Director of the Bureau of Music. In the Saikō period he concurrently served as Bizen-no-suke and advanced to Junior Fifth Rank Upper. In the Ten'an period he left office to observe mourning for his mother, and when the mourning ended he was appointed Kamon-no-kami. In the Jōgan period he concurrently served as Bitchū-no-suke. In the ninth year (867) he died. He was sixty-one years old. Sadatoshi served three emperors, and apart from this had no other notable talent or art; he was valued at the time simply for his excellence in playing the biwa (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku). The sixth-generation descendant of Fuhito was Fujimaro (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

Fujiwara-no-Fujimaro

¶Fujiwara-no-Fujimaro. Fujimaro was of a gentle and refined nature, studied at the university in his youth, was widely versed in the Shiji (Records of the Grand Historian) and the Hanshu (Book of Han), and was also skilled at archery and horsemanship. When Emperor Nin'myō was Crown Prince, he gradually received favor from him. At the end of Tenchō he was appointed Tōgū-shōjō, Junior Secretary to the Crown Prince, and soon was transferred to Ukone-no-gon-no-shōgen, Provisional Lieutenant of the Right Palace Guards. When the Emperor ascended the throne, he was at once granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower and transferred to Shōshō, Lesser General. In the ninth year of Jōwa (842), Tomo-no-Kowamine and Tachibana-no-Hayanari plotted rebellion. Fujimaro, together with Saeki-no-Miyanari, led brave guards, surrounded them, and seized them. Soon he became Chūjō, Middle General (Note: the original text lacks the distinction of left or right and it cannot be established), and was granted Junior Fourth Rank Lower. He held the duty of palace guard for a long time and won the hearts of the soldiers. The Emperor praised him as having the ability of a commander. In the thirteenth year (846) he went out as Mutsu-Dewa Anzeishi, Inspector of Mutsu and Dewa. On the day of his departure he was summoned to the Seiryōden for an audience and was given garments and goods. In the second year of Kashō (849) he was recalled. The following year (850) he developed a swelling on his back and died. He was forty-seven years old. All lamented it (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki).

¶His son Toshiyuki became Junior Fourth Rank Upper and Sakonoe-no-chūjō, Middle General of the Left Palace Guards. He was skilled at calligraphy and adept at waka (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku). Emperor Murakami once asked Ono-no-Michikaze, "Who is the finest calligrapher, ancient or modern?" Michikaze answered by naming Kūkai and Toshiyuki. The seventh-generation descendant of Fuhito was Michiakira (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

Fujiwara-no-Michiakira

¶Fujiwara-no-Michiakira. Michiakira's father and grandfather were not notable men. In the Kanpyō period he advanced on account of his learning. In the Enryaku period he gradually held important posts one after another, rose to Dainagon, and concurrently served as Ukonoe-no-taishō, Great General of the Right Palace Guards. In the twentieth year he died. He was sixty-five years old (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin. Note also: the Nihon Kiryaku gives his age as sixty-four). Michiakira once went out with his wife in the same carriage to buy something at the market. An old woman said to his wife, "You will surely become the wife of a Dainagon." Then, seeing Michiakira, she said, "Your nobility will come through this man" (Note: following the Gōdanshō). Most of Michiakira's descendants made their names through learning (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

Tachibana-no-Moroe

¶Tachibana-no-Moroe was a great-grandson of Prince Naniwa and a son of Prince Minu, Jibu-kyō, Minister of Civil Administration (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi. Note also: see too the Kugyō Bunin. Note also: the Nihon Shoki writes Minu with the characters for "Mino," but the readings and meanings are interchangeable). His first name was Katsuragi, and he was one of the princes. In the Wadō period he was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower and appointed Meryō-no-kan, Supervisor of the Bureau of Horses. At the beginning of Tenpyō he gradually advanced to Senior Fourth Rank Lower and became Sadaiben, Senior Controller of the Left. In the third year (731) he was promoted to Sangi. The following year (732) he advanced to Junior Third Rank (Note: the Man'yōshū has the following story. When Prince Katsuragi served as envoy to Mutsu, the provincial governor's reception was careless, and the Prince became displeased. Food and drink were prepared, but he would not take pleasure in the banquet. Then an old uneme, palace maidservant, held up a cup in her left hand and water in her right, tapped the Prince on the knee, and recited a poem. In it she sang that the shadow of Mount Asaka is reflected even in the mountain spring, but her own heart is not as shallow as that spring. The Prince's mood was thereby dispelled. However, it is not known in what year he served as envoy to Mutsu, so no year is recorded here).

¶In the eighth year (736), together with his younger brother Prince Sai, he submitted a memorial saying: "I, Katsuragi, and the others humbly report. In the fifth year of Tenpyō (733), the late Chi-Dajōkan-ji, Director of the Council of State, Prince Toneri, of First Rank, and the Great General, Prince Niitabe, of First Rank, proclaimed an edict saying, 'We have heard that the princes wish to be granted the surnames of Omi and Muraji and to serve the court. Therefore summon the princes and ask them their circumstances.' I, Katsuragi, and the others had long held this wish but had no opportunity to state it. Having fortunately met with a gracious edict, we dare to speak it, not fearing death. Long ago, Takenouchi-no-Sukune, a great-grandson of the emperor who ruled the realm from the great palace at Sakaihara in Karu, first became the ancestor of the eight clans and left a foundation for ten thousand generations. From that time onward, in the practice of bestowing surnames and fixing clans, some were made Mahito and some Ason; their source began in the royal house, and their stream finally became that of subjects. My birth mother, the posthumous Junior First Rank Agata-inukai-no-Tachibana-no-Sukune, served her lord with all her might from the court of Kiyomihara down to the Great Palace of Fujiwara, transferring filial piety into loyalty. In the first year of Wadō (708), when she attended the Daijōsai, the thanksgiving rite, the Emperor praised the utmost of her loyalty, and gave her a tachibana, orange, floating in a cup of wine, saying, 'The tachibana is the rarest of fruits and is loved by the noble. Its branches flourish through frost and snow, its leaves do not wither through cold and heat; it rivals jewels in radiance and, mingled with gold and silver, grows only more beautiful. Therefore We grant you the surname Tachibana-no-Sukune.' But now there is no one to carry it on, and I fear that this clear edict will be lost. I humbly consider that Your Imperial Majesty rules the realm in brightness, extending to the farthest corners of the eight directions; the four classes of people are content in their occupations, and ten thousand people sing along the roads. I, Katsuragi, have fortunately met this bright age, have unworthily joined the ranks of the nine ministers, advise on what is permissible and what is not, and take it as my aim to exhaust my loyalty. The origin of bestowing surnames and fixing clans is distant. I, Katsuragi, and the others wish to be granted the surname Tachibana-no-Sukune, to bear the former command of the late emperor, and to hand down the special name of the Tachibana clan to later ages." In answer, an edict said, "The princes are deeply modest in feeling, and their purpose is to honor their parent. They decline the lofty name of the imperial house and ask for the Tachibana surname of their mother's house. Inquiring into their thought, it is truly timely. As the memorial requests, We grant the surname Tachibana-no-Sukune" (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi). He then changed to his present name (Note: following the Shinsen Shōjiroku).

¶When the Retired Emperor was about to attend a banquet at the Empress's palace, he gave waka and wine (Note: following the Man'yōshū). In the ninth year (737) Moroe was appointed Dainagon. In the tenth year (738) he was granted Senior Third Rank, was appointed Udaijin, and soon advanced to Junior Second Rank. The emperor visited his villa at Sagaraka on an imperial progress and granted rank to his son Naramaro. In the fifteenth year (743), when the emperor made a progress to Shigaraki, Moroe remained as the caretaker of the capital. On the fifth day of the fifth month a banquet was held in the palace. The Crown Prince danced the Gosechi dance, and the emperor had Moroe report this to the Retired Emperor. The Retired Emperor was pleased and composed a waka. The emperor granted Moroe Junior First Rank. He was transferred to Sadaijin and concurrently served as Dazai-no-sotsu. At the beginning of Tenpyō-shōhō (749) he advanced to Senior First Rank and his surname was changed, and he was granted Asomi. In the eighth year (756) he retired from office. In the first year of Tenpyō-hōji (757) he died (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi). He was seventy-four years old (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). The court sent Ki-no-Iimaro, of Junior Fourth Rank Upper, Ishikawa-no-Toyohito, of Junior Fifth Rank Lower, and others to supervise the funeral, and the cost was paid by the government (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi). Because Moroe lived in the village of Ide, he was called the Ide Sadaijin, and also the Saiin Ōtodo (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). His son Naramaro has a separate biography.