Biographies XLII: Provincial Governors and Capable Officials

Hata-no-Kawakatsu

¶Hata-no-Kawakatsu was a man of Kadono District in Yamashiro province. In the eleventh year of Empress Suiko's reign (603), Prince Toyotomimi (Umayado, Shōtoku Taishi) held the Buddhist image in reverence and wished to have his ministers worship it. Kawakatsu stepped forward and received the image, and he built the temple Hachiokadera to enshrine it. In the third year of Empress Kōgyoku's reign (644), there was by the banks of the Fuji River (Fujigawa) in the eastern provinces a man called Ōubenoō, who kept a strange-looking insect and led the people of the villages astray, preaching that "this is the Tokoyo deity." Mediums and shrine officiants also claimed that it was an oracle of the god, saying: "Those who worship the Tokoyo deity will, if poor, become rich, and if old, become young again." The people vied with one another in casting away their treasures, and set out wine and meat by the roadsides, crying, "New wealth is coming in!" Both in the capital and in the countryside they made offerings to it, singing and dancing in search of good fortune; but though they threw away their goods they gained nothing, and the waste grew ever worse. Kawakatsu hated that this sorcery was deluding the people, and he seized Ōubenoō and had him flogged. The mediums and officiants took fright and gave up the worship, and the people of the time made a song of it in praise of Kawakatsu. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki.)

Abe-no-Miushi

¶Abe-no-Miushi (Note: according to the original note, the Nihon Shoki in its entries for the fifth year of Tenmu, for Shuchō 1, and for the eighth year of Jitō writes "Fuse-no-Ason," while in its entry for the tenth year it writes "Abe-no-Ason." According to the entry for the first year of Taihō in the Shoku Nihongi, Miushi originally bore the name Abe-no-Fuse-no-Omi and was later granted the title of Ason. But the year and month in which Fuse was changed to Abe are not clear) held the rank of Jikidaisan in the reign of Emperor Tenmu. In the reign of Empress Jitō he rose successively to Shōkōshi, was granted an additional fief of two hundred households that brought his total to five hundred, became head of his clan (ujinokami), was appointed Dainagon, Great Counsellor, and was permitted eighty attendants (shijin). (Note: following the Nihon Shoki.) Emperor Monmu, on the report of the inspectors, rewarded the provincial governors for good government, and advanced Miushi to Shōkōsan. (Note: the source does not record which province's governors these were, and it can no longer be determined.) In the first year of Taihō (701) he was newly granted Junior Second Rank and appointed Udaijin, Minister of the Right. (Note: the Fusō-ki, as cited in the Kugyō Bunin, says that after becoming Minister he concurrently served as Dainagon, but this does not appear in the present source, and the Fusō-ki is now lost, so there is no other means of verifying it.) He was granted five hundred bolts of coarse silk, four hundred bundles of thread, five thousand lengths of cloth, ten thousand hoes, fifty thousand kin of iron, and twenty chō of rice land in Bizen, Bitchū, Tajima, and Aki; and for his merit in the Jinshin disturbance he was enfeoffed with two hundred households, of which a quarter was permitted to pass to his son. He died in the third year (703). Ishinokami-no-Maro, of Senior Third Rank, was sent to offer condolences and bestow funeral gifts. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.)

¶His son Hironiwa served in the Reiki and Yōrō eras successively as Kunai-kyō, Minister of the Imperial Household, and Sa-daiben, Senior Controller of the Left; he took part in the government as Sangi, Counsellor, and administered the affairs of Kawachi and Izumi. In the Jinki era he rose to Junior Third Rank and Chūnagon, Middle Counsellor. He died in the fourth year of Tenpyō (732). His son Shimamaro rose in the Tenpyō-hōji era to the rank of Sangi, Senior Fourth Rank Lower. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.)

Ōtomo-no-Miyuki

¶Ōtomo-no-Miyuki was a son of Chōtoku, Minister of the Right. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi and the Kugyō Bunin.) In the Jinshin disturbance he followed Emperor Tenmu, was granted Shōkinjō, and became Hyōseikan-taifu, Senior Assistant of the Office of Military Affairs. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki.) For his merit he was granted a fief of one hundred households. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.) In the reign of Empress Jitō he rose to Shōkōshi, his fief was increased until it reached five hundred households, he became head of his clan, and he was permitted eighty attendants. In the fourth year of Emperor Monmu's reign (700), when the provincial governors were rewarded for their records of government, Miyuki was conferred Shōkōsan and appointed Dainagon. (Note: the source does not record which province's governors these were, and it can no longer be determined.) He died in the first year of Taihō (701). (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.) He was fifty-six years old. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.) The emperor grieved for him deeply and had the Taisha, the Great Archery Ceremony, called off. He sent Fujiwara-no-Fuhito, of Jikikōichi rank, to the residence to proclaim an edict, posthumously granted him Shōkōni and the office of Minister of the Right, and sent Enoi-no-Yamatomaro, of Jikikōshi rank, and others to oversee the funeral. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.) This is regarded as the beginning of the precedent of posthumous grants of office. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Shūgaishō.) By imperial order a quarter of his fief was granted to his son. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.) His son Miyori (Note: following the Ōtomo Keizu) served under the three reigns of Shōmu, Kōken, and Kōnin, and rose to Governor of Izumo, Junior Fourth Rank Lower. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.)

Tajihi-no-Ikemori

¶Tajihi-no-Ikemori was the eldest son of Shima, Minister of the Left. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.) In the reign of Empress Jitō he was granted Jikikōshi. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki.) In the reign of Emperor Monmu he was newly granted Junior Fourth Rank Lower. In the first year of Wadō (708) he was appointed Minbu-kyō, Minister of Popular Affairs, and soon afterward, together with Abe-no-Sukunamaro, became chief of the Office for the Construction of the Capital at Heijō; his rank was successively raised to Junior Third Rank, and he became Dazai-no-sochi, Governor-General of Dazaifu. At the beginning of the Reiki era he submitted a petition saying: "On the border between the two provinces of Bungo and Iyo a barrier has long been kept, and traffic has not been permitted. But there must be distinctions between high and low. When persons of Fifth Rank or above pass to and fro as envoys, let this prohibition not apply to them. Again, the system by which the two provinces of Satsuma and Ōsumi send up Hayato as tribute has already lasted eight years. The roads are far apart and travel is inconvenient; there are those whose parents are old and ill, and those whose wives and children live in poverty. Let the term be fixed so that they are relieved every six years. Again, as for the jiriki, the service allowances of the Governor-General and those below him, because by the order of the seventeenth day of the sixth month of the second year of Wadō (709) the cotton issued for them has been halved, able-bodied men fit for service have since become scarce. All the subordinate officials suffer from this. Let the issue of cotton to the able-bodied men be stopped, and the jiriki be kept up." All of this was granted. In the first year of Yōrō (717) he was rewarded for good government with a quantity of twill, silk, coarse silk, cotton, cloth, and the like. The following year he was appointed Chūnagon, soon afterward became Dainagon, and was advanced to Senior Third Rank. At the beginning of the Jinki era his fief was increased by fifty households, he was granted a staff of longevity, coarse silk, and cotton, and he was advanced to Junior Second Rank. He died in the second year of Tenpyō (730). (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.) Envoys were sent to offer condolences and bestow funeral gifts. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.)

Tajihi-no-Ienushi

¶Tajihi-no-Ienushi. The son, Ienushi, became governor of Dewa province in the Yōrō era and reported to the throne: "The Emishi number fifty-two in all. Their merit is already evident, yet their reward has not yet reached them. They crane their necks in expectation and have long hoped for the court's favor. I consider that where a fragrant bait is cast, a fish from the deep pool will surely be caught, and where a generous stipend is given, a loyal subject will surely appear. Now the barbarians, though still unenlightened, have for the first time hastened to answer the court's summons. If they are not comforted for long, I fear they will scatter again." He set out the circumstances and asked for a decision, and by imperial edict each was granted an additional rank in accordance with his case. In the Tenpyō era he became Director of the Mint. In the Tenpyō-shōhō era, when the emperor visited the Eastern Palace, he summoned Ienushi into his presence and granted him Junior Fourth Rank Lower. He died in the fourth year of Tenpyō-hōji (760). (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.) His son Nagano (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin) rose in the Enryaku era to the rank of Sangi, Junior Third Rank. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.)

Michi-no-Obitona

¶Michi-no-Obitona held the rank of Tsuidaiichi. In the reign of Emperor Monmu he took part in the compilation of the legal codes. At the beginning of the Wadō era, by imperial command, he lectured on the Regulations for Monks and Nuns at Daianji. During the Wadō era he was advanced to Junior Fifth Rank Lower and became envoy to Silla, and on his return he became governor of Chikugo. In the second year of Yōrō (718) he was advanced to Senior Fifth Rank Lower and died. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.) He was fifty-six years old. (Note: following the Kaifūsō.) From his youth Obitona had studied the legal codes and was well versed in the work of administration. When as governor of Chikugo he also governed the affairs of Higo, he encouraged industry and taught and urged farming; down to planting vegetables and fruit trees and raising chickens and pigs, he saw to every detail as was fitting. He himself went on constant rounds, and whenever anyone failed to follow his instruction he reprimanded him at once, so that young and old alike resented and cursed him; but when harvest time came, all were glad and none failed to follow him. He also built embankments and ponds to extend irrigation. The Ajiu Pond in Higo and the embankments and ponds throughout Chikugo are all of his making. The people received their benefit and have been well provided for down to the present. Therefore those who speak of administration all name Obitona first. When he died, the common people worshipped him. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.) In the Jōgan era, by imperial edict his record of government was praised in retrospect and he was posthumously granted Junior Fourth Rank Lower. (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku.) In the Hōki era there was a man named Saeki-no-Kunimasu, of Senior Fifth Rank Lower, who was sent as envoy to the Tōsandō to inspect damaged fields; he earned a reputation for integrity and diligence and became governor of Kawachi. When he died he was posthumously granted a rank, and a thousand bundles of rice were given to his household. In the Enryaku era, Kanto-no-Inamaro became district chief of Nose District in Settsu province; at the same time Sasakiyama-no-Yukehi, great district chief of Gamō District in Ōmi, Tanba-no-Hiromaro, great district chief of Amata District in Tanba, and Amabe-no-Tsuneyama, great district chief of Amabe District in Bungo, all did not slacken in their posts and aided the people in the proper way, so that by imperial edict each was granted Outer Junior Fifth Rank Lower. Mononobe-no-Shidanoōnari, great district chief of Shida District in Hitachi, gave out his household goods to relieve the people in their need, and was rewarded with Outer Junior Fifth Rank Upper. Niihari-no-Ōnao, great district chief of Niihari District, was advanced to Outer Junior Fifth Rank Lower. Katsuragi-no-Umakai, great district chief of Akashi District in Harima, and Anahobe-no-Yamamaro, chief clerk of Sashima District in Shimōsa, were both granted Outer Senior Sixth Rank Upper. Some did not slacken in office and achieved great merit; others shared out their private wealth and relieved the poor. When these matters came to the court's hearing, they were praised. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.)

Ishikawa-no-Toshitari

¶Ishikawa-no-Toshitari was a great-grandson of Soga-no-Muraji-ko, of Daishi rank. His grandfather Yasumaro was Shōnagon, Junior Counsellor, of Shōkage rank. His father Isotari was gifted in letters. (Note: for his literary talent, following the Kaifūsō.) In the Wadō and Yōrō eras he served successively as Governor of Kawachi, Sa-daiben, and Dazai-daini, Senior Assistant Governor-General. In the first year of Tenpyō (729) he became acting Sangi and rose to Junior Third Rank. Toshitari was by nature upright and diligent, loved reading, and was most conversant with the essentials of government. At the beginning of his career he was appointed Shōhanji, Junior Judge, and repeatedly held provincial offices. In the Tenpyō era he was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower and became governor of Izumo. After several years in office the people felt secure under him. The emperor commended this and bestowed coarse silk, cloth, and thirty thousand bundles of official rice, and made him Inspector of the Tōkaidō. He was transferred to be governor of Mutsu, advanced to Senior Fifth Rank Upper, appointed supernumerary Assistant of the Crown Prince's Household, and, concurrently serving as Sa-chūben, Middle Controller of the Left, was advanced to Junior Fourth Rank Lower and became Shunkan-no-taifu, Master of the Crown Prince's Household. Previously, an edict had ordered the provinces to build the Konkōmyōji and the Hokkeji, but the officials in charge had been negligent and the work had long gone unfinished. He was therefore dispatched, together with Abe-no-Oshima and Fuse-no-Yakanushi, both of Junior Fifth Rank Lower, to inspect it. In the first year of Tenpyō-shōhō (749) he was advanced to Junior Fourth Rank Upper, and as Shikibu-kyō, Minister of Ceremonial, concurrently Shibi-taifu, Senior Assistant of the Shibi Office, he was appointed Sangi. In this year the Great God of Usa possessed a person and delivered an oracle saying that he wished to come to the capital. When the matter came to the court's hearing, Toshitari, together with Fujiwara-no-Uonu and others, became envoy to meet the god. After a little over a month they escorted the god's palanquin into the capital. In the fifth year (753) he was conferred Junior Third Rank and became Dazai-no-sochi. In the first year of Tenpyō-hōji (757) he was transferred to be Jingi-haku, Head of the Department of Divinities, concurrently Hyōbu-kyō, Minister of Military Affairs, was appointed Chūnagon, advanced to Senior Third Rank, concurrently served as Monbu-kyō, and was granted the twelfth class of merit; by imperial command, together with Emi-no-Nakamaro and others, he changed the official titles, and each was ordered to submit his own opinions. Toshitari submitted a memorial saying: "I have heard that the root of ruling the officials lies in firm adherence to the codes of penal and administrative law, and that the essential of conducting government lies in the regulations and rules. Now the prohibitions of the law are set out in writing, but the supplementary regulations that would complement them have not yet been fixed. I humbly beg that separate regulations be drawn up and enforced together with the codes." In the end he compiled the Bessiki in twenty volumes, the articles of which were divided according to the respective offices concerned. This work was not put into effect, but at the time its rules were to a considerable degree used alongside the codes. Soon afterward he became Goshi-taifu, Censor-in-Chief. At the time of the transfer of the capital he was granted forty thousand bundles of rice. He died in the sixth year of Tenpyō-hōji (762), at the age of seventy-five. Saeki-no-Imaemishi, Settsu-taifu, and Ōtomo-no-Yakamochi, Shinbu-taifu, were sent to offer condolences and bestow funeral gifts. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.) His son was Natari.

Ishikawa-no-Natari

¶Ishikawa-no-Natari. Natari served in the Tenpyō-hōji era as governor of Shimotsuke, Ise, and Bizen. In the Jingo era, as governor of Bizen, he reported to the throne: "Fujino District has poor soil, and its people are especially poor and suffer from the cold. Whenever labor and tax levies are assigned, matters at once come to a standstill. This district adjoins the post road of the Sanyōdō and also connects to the main road of the Saikaidō. With few people and many duties, it cannot possibly bear the burden. I request that the Kōtō township of Ku District, the two townships of Kama and Saeki in Akasaka District, and the three townships of Modoroki, Katase, and Isago in Jōtō District be separated off and placed under Fujino District." This was granted. At the beginning of the Keiun era he concurrently served as Deputy Commander of the Garrison of Mutsu, and when Korehari Castle in Mutsu province was completed, he was rewarded with Senior Fifth Rank Upper. Soon afterward he was transferred to be governor of Yamato, and later became governor of Mutsu. In the Hōki era he served successively as Minbu-taifu, Dazai-daini, and U-daiben, Senior Controller of the Right, and was appointed Sangi. In the Enryaku era he concurrently served as governor of Harima, became Junior Third Rank, became Sa-daiben, was appointed Chūnagon, and concurrently held the offices of Hyōbu-kyō, Kōgōgū-daibu, Sakyō-daibu, and governor of Yamato. When he died he was sixty-one years old. Natari had an excellent memory and ready eloquence, and was never slow in deciding a matter. But he was rather narrow-minded and short-tempered, was fond of faulting people for their mistakes, and when an argument did not suit him he abused them in the harshest terms. As a result, those from the various offices who came to ask for official rulings, when they dealt with Natari, mostly withdrew without having said all that they wished to say. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.) He once received an imperial command and took part in compiling the veritable records from Emperor Monmu to Empress Kōken. (Note: following the Ruijū Kokushi.) Toshitari's younger brother was Toyonari.

Ishikawa-no-Toyonari

¶Ishikawa-no-Toyonari. In the Tenpyō-shōhō era Toyonari was appointed U-shōben, Junior Controller of the Right, and Inspector of the Tōsandō. At the beginning of Tenpyō-hōji he became envoy to inquire into the sufferings of the people in the capital region, and was appointed Sa-chūben. In the sixth year (762) he was granted Junior Fourth Rank Lower, transferred to U-daiben, concurrently governed Owari, and was appointed Sangi. At the beginning of the Jingo era he became Dazai-no-sochi and was advanced to Junior Third Rank. He submitted a petition saying: "In guarding against bandits and defending the frontier, the foundation has always been the soldiers of the eastern provinces, and to display awe through great numbers of troops we should not rely on the soldiers of Tsukushi alone. Now the soldiers of the six provinces beginning with Chikuzen have been divided off as frontier guards, and the remainder are sent up in rotation; but since they are not strong men, defense is difficult. I beg that the frontier guards of the eastern provinces be posted as in former times." An edict replied: "Many labor levies of the eastern provinces are being raised to repair the fortresses and stockades of Mutsu, and the circumstances here and there are connected, so that each should be dealt with as is fitting. We now hear that many of the eastern frontier guards remain in Tsukushi. Investigate carefully and first assign them to the posts. Examine the number levied from the six provinces, calculate the shortfall, select and levy men of the east, and make up the shortage of three thousand. In this way the burden on the east will be lightened and the soldiers of the western frontier will be at full strength." In this year, inspectors were ordered for the Kinai and the seven circuits, but for the Saikaidō alone the Dazaifu was made to carry out the inspection; soon afterward he became Kunai-kyō. At the beginning of the Hōki era he concurrently served as Ukyō-daibu, was granted Senior Third Rank, and was appointed Chūnagon. He died in the third year (772). By imperial command envoys were sent to offer condolences and bestow funeral gifts. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.)

Fujiwara-no-Okamori

¶Fujiwara-no-Okamori was the eldest son of Mitsunari, of Junior Fourth Rank Lower. In youth he studied at the university, mastered the histories, was skilled in cursive and clerical script, and was of a generous and gentle disposition, giving himself wholeheartedly to others, wise or foolish alike. In the Tenchō era he attended the Crown Prince, the future Emperor Ninmyō, and because his manner of answering and carrying himself was quiet and refined, he was held in high regard and became a Uchitoneri, Inner Attendant. Soon afterward he went into mourning for his father, and in his grief went beyond what the rites required. After Emperor Ninmyō ascended the throne he was appointed Ukonoe-no-shōgen, Third-Ranking Officer of the Right Palace Guards, and soon afterward was transferred to be Kura-no-suke, Assistant of the Treasury. In the Jōwa era he was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower and concurrently served as Assistant Governor of Sanuki; he served successively as Sama-no-kami, Head of the Left Stables, and Sa-shōben, but firmly declined these because he was hard of hearing and could not catch what was said. While away from the capital as Dazai-shōni, Junior Assistant Governor-General, he happened to obtain the collected poetry and prose of Yuan Zhen and Bai Juyi and presented them to the emperor. The emperor was greatly pleased and raised his rank by one grade. (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku.) After some years he entered the capital and became Sakonoe-no-shōshō, Junior Captain of the Left Palace Guards; his rank was successively raised to Junior Fourth Rank Lower, he again became Sama-no-kami, was promoted to Ukonoe-no-chūjō, Middle Captain of the Right Palace Guards, and concurrently served as governor of Mimasaka. At the beginning of the Kashō era he was transferred to be governor of Ōmi. (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki and the Montoku Jitsuroku.) His record of government was excellent and the people willingly followed him. In due course he left his post and returned to the capital, no longer having any desire for advancement. Those who discussed such matters in his day esteemed him highly. He died in the first year of Ninju (851). (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku.) His son Shigee became Ōmi-no-jō, Third-Ranking Provincial Officer of Ōmi. (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku.)

Kiyohara-no-Ario

¶Kiyohara-no-Ario descended from the line of the toneri, attendants, of the Sudō Jinkyō Kōtei (Note: the posthumous title conferred on Prince Kusakabe). (Note: following the Kōin Shōunroku.) His father, Prince Sadayo, was Dai-kenmotsu, Senior Inspector of Stores, of Junior Fifth Rank Lower. Ario had dignity and integrity and was versed in the conduct of affairs. Recommended by Prince Kazurahara, Minister of Ceremonial, he became Ōkimi-no-suke, Assistant of the Office of Imperial Clan Affairs. In the Jōwa era he was advanced to Junior Fifth Rank Upper and became governor of Echizen; he served successively as Genba-no-kami, Head of the Bureau of Buddhism and Foreign Guests, and Nakatsukasa-no-taifu, Senior Assistant of the Ministry of Central Affairs, and was transferred to be governor of Settsu. The province was peaceful and well governed, the people willingly followed him, provisions were abundant, and the effects of his government and instruction spread widely. In the second year of Kashō (849) he was granted Junior Fourth Rank Lower for having the finest record of government, and was transferred to be governor of Higo. He petitioned the throne to be permitted to change his surname from that of the royal line, and was granted the name Kiyohara-no-Mahito. In the first year of Saikō (854) he was advanced to Junior Fourth Rank Upper, and while still in office he died. The common people mourned him. (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku.)

Tajihi-no-Kadonari

¶Tajihi-no-Kadonari, whose father was named Toyonaga and was Kura-no-suke. Kadonari served in the early years of Kōnin successively as Shōhanji and Yamato-no-daijō, Senior Third-Ranking Provincial Officer of Yamato. In the third year of Tenchō (826) he was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower. Soon afterward he became Assistant Governor of Tanba, but the native people of that land were rough and violent, and it had long been known as a place hard to govern. Kadonari was firm and upright by nature and met them with a stern administration. Rods and canes lay piled up in front of the government office. Within a few years the whole jurisdiction was greatly settled. (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku.) In the Jōwa era he became Danjō-no-shōhitsu, Junior Assistant of the Board of Censors, was transferred to be Gyōbu-taifu, Senior Assistant of the Ministry of Justice, and was appointed acting governor of Musashi. After a little over a year he became full governor. (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki.) His jurisdiction was wide and remote and bandits were rampant, but when Kadonari took up his post, before long the customs of the place were tightened and the villains went into hiding. When he was transferred to be governor of Yamato, he strictly restrained the powerful houses and great families without any hesitation. The province was calm and well governed, and the common people revered and loved him. In the third year of Ninju (853) he was conferred Senior Fifth Rank Lower and while in office he died. Kadonari had no learning, but he was skilled in the work of administration, and wherever he was posted he was sure to gain a reputation; the people of the time praised him. (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku.)

Prince Harueda

¶Prince Harueda was a man of the Left Capital, a descendant of Prince Osakabe. (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi.) His father, Prince Nakatsugu, held Junior Fifth Rank Lower. Harueda served Emperor Saga in his youth; he was modest by nature and had talent for the work of administration, and was deeply devoted to the Buddhist Way. At the beginning of the Jōwa era he became Assistant Governor of Echigo, and his record of government was most distinguished. In the tenth year (843), as the Great Mourning (the emperor's death) had newly occurred, those who were to govern the people were carefully selected. Harueda was among those chosen, was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower, and was appointed governor of Noto. The fields were laid waste and the common people were worn out, but Harueda governed with all his heart, and after several years in office the people revived and the province was greatly settled. In the Ninju era he served successively as Nakatsukasa-no-shōyū, Junior Vice-Minister of Central Affairs, and Ōkimi-no-kami, Head of the Office of Imperial Clan Affairs. In the Saikō era he was advanced to Junior Fifth Rank Upper and became governor of Shimōsa, but because of illness he did not go to his post and withdrew into retirement to nurse his illness. By imperial edict his seasonal and rank stipends were paid in the same way as for those actually in office. He died in the third year (856), at the age of fifty-nine. (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku.) His son Prince Mine was granted the surname Kiyotaki-no-Mahito in the Jōwa era. (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki.)

Nagamine-no-Takana

¶Nagamine-no-Takana was a man of the Right Capital. He entered the university while still a child, was appointed Monjōshō, Student of Letters, at the age of twenty-one, and served successively as Shōroku, Junior Recorder, of the Ministries of Ceremonial and of Popular Affairs and as Shō-naiki, Junior Secretary of Inner Records, but because of poverty he asked to be transferred to a provincial post. In the first year of Tenchō (824) he was appointed Awa-no-jō, Third-Ranking Provincial Officer of Awa. After several years he entered the capital and served as Junior Clerk of the Left and the Right in turn, and was transferred to be Sa-daishi, Senior Clerk of the Left. (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku.) At the beginning of the Jōwa era he became Hangan, Third-Ranking Officer, of the embassy to Tang (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki), was advanced from Junior Sixth Rank Upper to Outer Junior Fifth Rank Lower, and concurrently served as Daizen-no-suke, Assistant of the Palace Table Office, and acting Assistant Governor of Mimasaka. (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku. The statement that he held Senior Sixth Rank Upper is according to the Shoku Nihon Kōki.) On the way to Tang, in the company of the ambassador Fujiwara-no-Tsunetsugu, he was advanced by one rank. Tsunetsugu entrusted all the miscellaneous affairs of the ship to Takana. At that time the vice-ambassador Ono-no-Takamura came as far as the Dazaifu but, pleading illness, did not go. For this reason Takana was able, on reaching Tang, to accompany the ambassador and ascend to the audience hall. After his return he was advanced by one rank, appointed Assistant Governor of Ise, and advanced to Senior Fifth Rank Lower. By special decree he was summoned and made Betto, Steward, of the Saga-in. He served successively as governor of Yamashiro and Awa, was transferred to be governor of Ise (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku), concurrently served as Saigū-no-gon-no-kami, Acting Head of the Office of the Ise Priestess (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki), and was appointed governor of Harima. In the Saikō era his rank was successively raised to Senior Fourth Rank Lower and he was appointed Ukyō-gon-no-daibu, Acting Senior Assistant of the Right Capital. Takana was upright and honest and devoted to his public duties; in all he served as governor of seven provinces, and his government was strict and impartial and never troubled the common people. He always admonished his descendants: "I am by nature poor and honest, and there is not a single to of grain stored in my house. On the day I close my eyes, you must see to it that the funeral is plain." In the first year of Tenan (857), while in office, he died, at the age of sixty-four. (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku.)

Yamada-no-Furutsugu

¶Yamada-no-Furutsugu was a man of the Left Capital. His father Masuhito held Outer Junior Fifth Rank Lower, the sixth class of merit, and was Assistant Governor of Echizen. Furutsugu was by nature deeply filial, honest and scrupulous, and sparing of words. He lost his mother when young and served his stepmother well. Once, when he read a book and came to the passage, "The tree wishes to be still but the wind does not cease; the son wishes to care for his parents but they are no longer there," he could not stop his tears and wet the book with them. Later, in mourning for his father, he grieved beyond what the rites required. In the Tenchō era he became Mutsu Anzatsu Kiji, Recorder to the Inspector of Mutsu, entered the capital, served successively as Shō-naiki and Shō-geki, Junior Secretary of Outer Records, and was transferred to Dai-geki, Senior Secretary of Outer Records. The high court nobles always consulted him. Furutsugu recommended men of letters, and many of them were employed. (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku.) In the Jōwa era his rank was successively raised to Junior Fifth Rank Lower (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki) and he became Assistant Governor of Awa, where his government was well spoken of. The two districts of Awa and Mima had suffered drought almost every year, but when Furutsugu took up his post he built embankments to store water in preparation for irrigation, and the people received the benefit. In the Ninju era he entered the capital as Sakyō-no-suke, Assistant of the Left Capital, was advanced to Junior Fifth Rank Upper, was appointed acting Assistant Governor of Sagami, and while in office he died, at the age of fifty-six. (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku.)

Fujiwara-no-Takafusa

¶Fujiwara-no-Takafusa was a son of Fujitsugu, Sangi. He stood six shaku tall and his strength of arm was beyond that of ordinary men. He was rich in a sense of righteousness and did not trouble himself over small matters. At the end of the Kōnin era he became Ukyō-no-shōjō, Junior Secretary of the Right Capital. In the third year of Tenchō (826) he was transferred to be Shikibu-no-daijō, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Ceremonial. The following year he was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower and appointed Assistant Governor of Mino. He used both severity and kindness, and improper solicitations were of no avail. By exposing the wicked and ferreting out hidden evils, he made the bandits hold their breath. In Anpachi District there were embankments and watercourses, but the embankments had broken. The local people held that a god dwelt in this embankment, did not wish the water to be held back, and said that those who went against this would die; for that reason the previous governors had also feared to repair it. Takafusa mobilized the people to repair it, saying: "If it is for the good of the people, I will have no regret even if I die." Because of this irrigation was opened, and later ages received the benefit. In Mushiroda District there was a medium who, using uncanny arts, claimed to devour people's hearts. Her band had spread and the people suffered harm. The officials were afraid and would not enter the area. Takafusa galloped in alone on horseback, seized her, and tried her for her crimes, and the uncanny harm was finally ended. He served successively as governor of Bingo, Higo, and Echizen, and in each post he was highly regarded. He died in the second year of Ninju (852), at the age of fifty-eight. (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku.) His son Yamakage has a separate biography.

Kannabi-no-Takanao

¶Kannabi-no-Takanao. His father Kiyono, in the Hōki era, became an envoy to Tang as Hangan, Third-Ranking Officer, from his post of Dai-gaku-no-daijō, Senior Secretary of the University. (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki.) In the Enryaku era he served successively as governor of Hizen (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi), Hyōbu-shōyū, Junior Vice-Minister of Military Affairs, and Assistant Governor of Musashi. Takanao stood six shaku two sun tall, became a Student of Letters in youth, wrote well, and excelled at the zither and calligraphy. In the Daidō and Kōnin years he served successively as Dazai-shōgen, Junior Inspector of the Dazaifu, Judge of the Inspector of the Saikaidō, and Sakonoe-no-shōgen; he was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower, and as his rank was successively raised he served as assistant governor of Mutsu and Kōzuke. In the Tenchō era he was transferred to be governor of Hitachi and governed with kindness. It happened that a provincial inspector investigated crimes committed by his predecessor, and Takanao, being implicated, was suspended from his duties. The officials and people, moved by the instruction of his virtue, vied with one another in sending him goods and resources. Takanao had always enjoyed the deep trust of the Retired Emperor Saga, and soon afterward he was appointed governor of Settsu. At the beginning of the Jōwa era his rank was successively raised to Junior Fourth Rank Lower. In mourning for his mother he grieved beyond the rites, nearly losing his life. He died in the third year (836), at the age of sixty-two. (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki.)

Ki-no-Natsui

¶Ki-no-Natsui was a man of the Left Capital (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku), a great-grandson of Kosami, Dainagon. (Note: following the Kishi Keizu.) His father Yoshimine was governor of Mino, of Junior Fourth Rank Lower. Natsui was of gentle and refined character and talented, with clear and well-formed features, and stood six shaku three sun tall. At the beginning of the Jōwa era, because he excelled in clerical script, he was kept waiting for appointment to the post of Monjō-hakase, Professor of Letters, and studied the methods of the brush under Ono-no-Takamura, Sangi. Takamura marveled and said: "Ki Saburō may be called a sage of the standard script." When Emperor Montoku ascended the throne, he summoned him by edict and received him. His clothes and footwear were coarse, and all his attendants laughed at them; but the emperor said: "This is a tired fine steed. It is not for you to understand," and he finally came to enjoy special favor. In the third year of Kashō (850) he became acting Shō-naiki. In the first year of Saikō (854) he concurrently became Mino-no-shōjō, Junior Provincial Officer of Mino, but yielded the post to his half-elder brother Ōe. The following year he was transferred to Dai-naiki, Senior Secretary of Inner Records, was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower, and was moved to U-shōben. Because of his poverty and lack of a house to live in, the emperor granted him a residence. Natsui was loyal and steadfast in purpose and at times offered remonstrance, so that the emperor valued him all the more. Before long he was advanced to Junior Fifth Rank Upper, concurrently served as Assistant Governor of Harima and also as Shikibu-no-shō, Junior Vice-Minister of Ceremonial, and soon became U-chūben, Middle Controller of the Right. He was intelligent by nature and never stalled in the face of a matter; the emperor's favor was deep and his employment grew ever heavier, and he assisted and benefited a great part of the affairs of both court and provinces. When the emperor died, he left the capital as governor of Sanuki, where his government and instruction were greatly effective, and the officials and people were at ease under him and could not bear to deceive him. When his term was over and he was about to return, the common people came in a crowd to the government office to ask him to remain in office. He stayed two more years. The people grew rich and the storehouses were full. He therefore built new great granaries within the jurisdiction, forty in all, storing the rice unhulled as a reserve against emergencies. When he left his post, the officials and people gave him gifts, but he accepted none. After he returned to the capital, the gifts were sent on to his house, but Natsui kept only paper and brushes and sent all the rest back. In the seventh year of Jōgan (865), when he was appointed governor of Higo, his mother, of the Ishikawa clan, wept on hearing of it. When he asked the reason, she said: "I have heard that according to the custom of Higo, the more honest a provincial governor is, the less his person is safe. My son will surely be unable to complete his term." Natsui had a half-younger brother, Toyoki, who was dissolute by nature and had been strictly admonished again and again. Troubled by this, Toyoki went to take refuge with Tomo-no-Yoshio, Dainagon. When Yoshio fell, Toyoki was deemed one of Yoshio's band. Natsui was implicated and was to be exiled to Tosa. He sighed quietly and said: "Under the law, the penalties for ringleaders and accomplices must surely differ in weight. I am the elder brother of an accomplice, and this too is only implication. Yet I am given distant exile like the ringleader, with no distinction at all." Even so he left the capital with the envoys. The people of Higo blocked the road and wept, and when he passed the border of Sanuki, old and young among the common people came out to the road to meet him, and the sound of weeping continued for tens of ri. Several years later his mother died, and he mourned beyond the rites. He built a thatched hall, placed her remains in it, and served her morning and evening as in life. He had long been deeply devoted to Buddhism, and he read fifty volumes of the Daihannya-kyō each day until the three years of mourning ended.

¶Natsui was versatile and especially skilled at the game of go. In his time there was a man called Tomo-no-Sukunakatsuo who was good at go. In the Enryaku era he was chosen as a member of the embassy to Tang for his skill. When Natsui's father Yoshimine was governor of Mino, Katsuo served him as assistant governor, and Natsui, then ten-odd years old, learned go from Katsuo and within a year or two almost surpassed his teacher. He was also good at divination. When Emperor Montoku played the game of zōkō (Note: a game of hiding a hook and guessing its place) with the palace women, he had Natsui secretly divine. Natsui set out the divining stalks and cast a hexagram, saying: "A small woman wearing blue clothes, with a white flower in her hair. The hook is in her left hand." When the emperor searched, it was indeed so, and he was greatly delighted. He was also well versed in medicine and drugs; when he was in Tosa he went himself to the mountains and marshes to gather medicinal herbs, compounded them, and gave them to the common people, and many were cured. A certain person fell ill with apoplexy, tore his hair, and ran about as if mad, but when Natsui gave him a single spoonful of medicine he was cured at once. The effect of his remedies was generally of this kind. (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku.)

Minabuchi-no-Nagakawa

¶Minabuchi-no-Nagakawa was a grandson of Tsukimoto-no-Oyu, Uhyōe-no-suke, Assistant of the Right Division of Guards. His original surname was Sakata, and his father Nademaro was of Junior Fourth Rank Lower, without office. Nagakawa, before Emperor Saga ascended the throne, together with Asano-no-Katori and others, lectured on books as a jidoku, tutor-in-reading. At the beginning of the Daidō era he became Shō-geki. When the emperor ascended the throne he was transferred to be Minbu-no-shōjō, Junior Secretary of Popular Affairs, granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower, and appointed Assistant Governor of Tajima; he served successively as Junior Assistant of the Ministries of Popular Affairs and of Civil Administration, his rank was successively raised, and he was moved to Ukonoe-no-shōshō. Soon afterward he served in turn as Middle Controller of the Left and of the Right, was transferred to Jibu-no-taifu, Senior Assistant of the Ministry of Civil Administration, was conferred Junior Fourth Rank Lower, was appointed Kura-no-kami, Head of the Treasury, and by special edict became Betto of the Reizei-in, concurrently governing Echizen. Together with his elder brother Hirosada, of Senior Fifth Rank Lower, he stated the wishes of their father and was granted the present surname (Minabuchi). In the Jōwa era he became Dazai-daini, and his government took benevolence as its root, and the people looked up to him and loved him. He entered the capital and was appointed Gyōbu-kyō, served successively as governor of Harima and Ōmi, and was advanced to Senior Fourth Rank Lower. Soon afterward he retired from office. At the beginning of the Ninju era the court, valuing his long experience, granted him by special favor the governorship of Shimotsuke, but he did not go to his post. Before long he was transferred to be acting governor of Inaba. He died in the first year of Tenan (857), at the age of eighty-one. (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku.)

¶His son Toshina was appointed Student of Letters at the end of the Tenchō era and became Shō-naiki. He served under the four reigns of Ninmyō, Montoku, Seiwa, and Yōzei, held offices both inner and outer in turn (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin), and rose to Dainagon, Senior Third Rank. When he died he was seventy years old. He had a mountain villa at Ono, and once gathered old men there for a Shōshikai (Note: a banquet honoring and gathering the aged), and afterward many imitated it. (Note: following the Kokon Chomonjū.)

Ono-no-Tsuneshina

¶Ono-no-Tsuneshina was a man of the Right Capital. His father Takio was governor of Dewa, of Senior Fifth Rank Lower. Tsuneshina in youth loved learning and had literary talent, and was especially skilled in cursive and clerical script. In the Jōwa era he became Shō-naiki, was transferred to Dai-naiki, served successively as Mimasaka-no-jō and Ōmi-no-daijō, and at first became Dazai-shōni. In the Ninju era he became U-shōben. After a little over a year he was appointed governor of Harima. His government valued simplicity, and he did not make matters plain by open display. He was proud and arrogant by nature, acted as he pleased, and did not put on any show. His skill in calligraphy was the best of his age, the people of the world took him as their model, and his reputation was very high. There was none who obtained his brushwork who did not treasure it. At the beginning of the Jōgan era he was advanced to Junior Fifth Rank Upper and died at the age of fifty-three. (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku.)

Tachibana-no-Yoshimoto

¶Tachibana-no-Yoshimoto was a man of the Left Capital. (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku.) He was a descendant of Moroe, Minister of the Left. His grandfather Tsunenushi was a Sangi. (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku; see also the Kugyō Bunin.) His father Yasukio was governor of Settsu. Yoshimoto was devoted to learning from childhood, had spirit from an early age, was clearly versed in the essentials of government, and was upright and kept himself correct. In the third year of Ninju (853) he was appointed Sakyō-no-shōjō, Junior Secretary of the Left Capital. After some years he was transferred to Minbu-no-shōjō. At the beginning of the Tenan era, Masami, Prince and Dazai-daini, carefully selected his subordinate officials and requested Yoshimoto as Shōgen, Junior Inspector; but Yoshimoto, saying that this was not what he desired, would not consent to go to the post. The emperor was angered and stripped him of his office. In the first year of Jōgan (859) he was employed as Moku-no-shōjō, Junior Secretary of the Bureau of Carpentry, was summoned to be Shikibu-no-shōjō, and soon was transferred to Daijō. In the sixth year (864) he was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower and appointed acting Assistant Governor of Iyo, and his government earned the reputation of a capable official. In the eleventh year (869) he was conferred Junior Fifth Rank Upper and transferred to be Assistant Governor of Hitachi. Even when his term was over, his successor held him back and would not let him take up his post. In the sixteenth year (874) the court deliberation, finding no fault in Yoshimoto, raised his rank and promoted him to be governor of Echizen. In the Gangyō era he was advanced to Senior Fifth Rank Lower, was appointed governor of Tanba, and was praised for his administrative skill. He was advanced to Junior Fourth Rank Lower and transferred to be governor of Shinano. He encouraged farming and lightened taxes, so that households came to have a surplus in store, the population increased and flourished, and his record of government was the best of his time. Nevertheless his temperament was inclined to seek advancement, and he could not keep himself restrained and on guard. He was also stubborn by nature and would not yield to others. Toward those he disliked, he showed no mercy even if they were colleagues. In the first year of Ninna (885), Karainukai-no-Akiko, a commoner of Chikuma District within his jurisdiction, had his dwelling set on fire by Sakana-no-Ikō and Nawamaro, against whom he bore a grudge, and eight members of his family were burned to death. Akiko appealed to the Council of State. A messenger was sent to investigate, and when Nawamaro and the others confessed their guilt, they were confined and sent up to the capital. But Yoshimoto deliberately left Nawamaro and the others alone and instead seized Akiko, and had Nawamaro and the others strike and wound Akiko with other objects. When Akiko appealed that he had been wrongly accused, the Council of State issued an order releasing Akiko and rebuked Yoshimoto, saying: "An imperial messenger was already sent to investigate. If there are discrepancies, the province has fixed statutes. Yet a provincial governor has arbitrarily altered the matter and acted on it. How can such conduct be the way of an official?" By edict Fuse-no-Toshiyuki, Shō-kenmotsu, Junior Inspector of Stores, was ordered to investigate. When Toshiyuki returned and reported, he said that Yoshimoto had argued against the purport of the edict. Yoshimoto was therefore summoned and handed over to the Ministry of Justice, and before judgment was concluded he died, at the age of sixty-three.

¶Yoshimoto was by nature poor and honest, and there was no store in his house. Ariwara-no-Yukihira, Chūnagon, sent him silk and cloth so that his funeral could be held. Yoshimoto served as governor of five provinces, and each time he returned at the end of his term he brought home no wealth. He taught his descendants to keep themselves clean. When his son Ariaki once asked about the art of governing a province, he answered: "Even if there are a hundred arts, none equals a single honesty." Such was his integrity. (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku.) His son Sumikiyo rose in the Engi era to Junior Third Rank and Chūnagon. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.) Sumikiyo's son Tadamasa was conferred Junior Fifth Rank Lower. (Note: following the Tachibana-shi Keizu.) Previously, the princes and the Minamoto, Fujiwara, and Tachibana clans each had the title of clan head (ujinochōja), (Note: following the Shokugenshō) and the foremost man of each clan took it. (Note: following the Gōke Shidai and the Shokuin-shō.) Only the Tachibana clan declined, and though it kept the title of head, it only administered the estates of the Gakkan-in. (Note: following the Shokugenshō.) The conferral of rank on members of the Tachibana clan was determined and put forward by this means. (Note: following the Gōke Shidai, the Saikyūki, and the Shokugenshō.) What is called "koresada" means selecting a suitable person and commissioning him. (Note: following the Shokugenshō.) The wife of Fujiwara-no-Nakamasa, governor of Settsu, was a daughter of Sumikiyo; she bore a daughter who served the Regent Kaneie and bore Michitaka, Dainagon. For this reason an edict was issued that Michitaka become the koresada. (Note: following the Kuji Kongen.) From this time on, the conferral of rank on the Tachibana clan came entirely to belong to the Fujiwara clan. (Note: following the Shokugenshō and the Kuji Kongen.)