Biographies LI: Fujiwara-no-Fuyutsugu and His Kin

Fujiwara-no-Fuyutsugu

¶Fujiwara-no-Fuyutsugu was the second son of Fujiwara-no-Uchimaro, Udaijin, Minister of the Right. He was of gentle yet resolute capacity, broad and refined in insight and breadth of mind, accomplished in both letters and arms, and generous in his dealings with others. At the end of the Enryaku era he served successively as Sayū Eji-no-jō, Lieutenant of the Left and Right Palace Guards. In the Daidō era he was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower and became Tōgū-no-suke, Assistant Master of the Crown Prince's Household; he also served concurrently as Jijū, Chamberlain, and rose to Junior Fourth Rank Lower and Nakatsukasa-no-taifu, Senior Assistant Minister of Central Affairs. At the beginning of the Kōnin era the post of Kurōdo-no-tō, Head of the Chamberlains, was established for the first time, and Fuyutsugu was appointed Head together with Kose-no-Notari. He held concurrently the posts of Tōgū-daibu, Master of the Crown Prince's Household, and Shikibu-no-taifu, Senior Assistant Minister of Ceremonial, and rose to Junior Fourth Rank Upper. He was appointed Sangi, Counsellor, was transferred to concurrent service as Saemon-no-kami, Commander of the Left Gate Guards, and again became Tōgū-daibu. A little over a year later he suffered the death of his father and left his post. Before long he returned to his former office (Note: the marginal note in this book, citing the Kokushi, says: "After Fuyutsugu's mourning ended he was never again appointed Sangi. But the Nihon Kōki has many gaps and can no longer be verified. This book states that he returned to the post of Sangi, so for the present that account is followed"), was granted Senior Fourth Rank Lower, and served concurrently as Sakonoe-no-taishō, Great General of the Left Konoe (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). The emperor once visited his residence, held a banquet and had poems composed, taking his fill of pleasure; he advanced Fuyutsugu to Junior Third Rank and granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower to Fuyutsugu's wife, Fujiwara-no-Mitsuko (Note: following the Ruijū Kokushi and the Nihon Kiryaku). Soon he was concurrently Governor of Ōmi, became Gon-chūnagon, Provisional Middle Counsellor, served concurrently as Mutsu-Dewa Azechi, Inspector of Mutsu and Dewa, and was transferred to Dainagon, Major Counsellor. In the twelfth year of Kōnin (821) he was appointed Udaijin, still holding the post of General, and by repeated advancement reached Senior Second Rank (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). In the early years of Tenchō he presented the emperor with a memorial in three articles. The first said: "On selecting good officials. I have heard it said, 'To raise up and employ the worthy is the great policy of moral instruction; to examine the offices and bestow them on the capable is the essential task of governing the country.' Now the provincial governors, even when they wish to bring about flourishing government and spread the winds of virtue, are bound by the laws and cannot act freely. The exhaustion of the districts and provinces arises from this. I humbly request that men of integrity and excellence be chosen and appointed as kami, governors, and suke, deputy governors, of the provinces. For those newly appointed governors and deputies, may Your Majesty specially grant an audience, instruct them in the methods of administration, and give them rewards as well. And when their administrative record is good, may their rewards and ranks be increased, and when a post among the court nobles falls vacant, may they be promoted to it as occasion arises. Moreover, as for those who, though they depart from the regulations, act in accordance with reason and are diligent without ceasing, may they be treated leniently and not be held to the letter of the law." The second said: "On dispatching inspectors. In ancient times eight envoys were sent out in separate directions to inspect the customs of the people, examine the good and bad conduct of the provincial governors, and inquire into the sufferings of the people. This was in order to spread the transforming power of virtue and display what is right, to raise up good conduct and correct what is wrong. I request that envoys be dispatched as appropriate to examine the quality of the governors' administration." The third said: "On following the seasonal ordinances. When a sovereign issues commands, they must be in accord with the times of heaven. If the twelve months are in accord with their seasons, yin and yang will be in harmony and all affairs will be accomplished. I humbly request that in carrying out government and instruction Your Majesty not depart from the seasonal ordinances. Then wind and rain will be favorable and no calamity will arise." The emperor accepted this gladly (Note: following the Ruijū Sandaikyaku). He was advanced to Sadaijin, Minister of the Left. In the third year of Tenchō (826) he died, at the age of fifty-two. He was posthumously granted Senior First Rank (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Kugyō Bunin) and was called the Kan'in Minister (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin).

¶Fuyutsugu established the Seyakuin, the Dispensary, and supported destitute kinsmen who had no one to rely on. He also established the Kangakuin, the Academy for the Encouragement of Learning, where he gave instruction to the young men of his house. He set aside a thousand households of fief and purchased additional fields to provide for it. After his death the people's tax payments fell into arrears, and the funds for running the Academy could no longer be sustained. In the Jōwa era his son Yoshifusa, together with Otsugu of the same clan and others, memorialized the throne and appealed on this matter. The emperor issued an edict granting their request (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki). Fuyutsugu had once received an imperial command to compile the Kōnin Kyaku, the Kōnin Code of Amendments (Note: following the Ruijū Sandaikyaku), and also compiled the Dairishiki, the Rules of the Imperial Palace (Note: following the preface of this work). He also oversaw the compilation of the national history, but died before it was completed (Note: following the Ruijū Kokushi). When Emperor Montoku took the throne, Fuyutsugu, being his maternal grandfather, was posthumously granted the office of Dajō-daijin, Chancellor. His wife Mitsuko was posthumously granted Senior First Rank. The edict said: "To honor virtue and hold kin in regard is the fine rule of the ancient kings; to mourn the dead and adorn their end is the customary institution of the state. Our maternal grandfather, the Sadaijin of Senior First Rank, Fujiwara-no-Ason (Fuyutsugu), was of lofty and outstanding bearing and of profound and weighty capacity. His virtue was called the foremost of his age, his rank placed him as a pillar of the court, he repaid the state with the utmost loyalty, and though ages change his name is ever new. The kindness he left behind lingers among the people, and though his body has perished his virtue still flourishes. Our maternal grandmother, the Naishi-no-kami, Principal Handmaid, of Junior Third Rank, Fujiwara-no-shi, governed her household as a model for the state, led loyalty by filial piety, and her womanly example was more earnest even than the rites of hinsō (Note: the rite of offering modest sacrifices of simple water plants); her virtue as a mother surpassed that of Taisi of Zhou. Though the flowers of spring fell early, their lingering fragrance is still more than enough to delight us; though a spark from the flint vanishes in an instant, its remaining flame still shines. We live in this world, yet our thoughts go to the Yellow Springs. In the depths of our grief we yearn for those of our own blood who are gone. All the more, as the state has its fixed rules, it is only right to honor their rank. It is fitting to add these marks of favor and to make their burial places shine" (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku). His sons were Nagara, Yoshifusa, Yoshisuke, Yoshikado, Yoshihito, and Yoshiyo. Yoshifusa has a separate biography (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

Fujiwara-no-Yoshikado

¶Fujiwara-no-Yoshikado was Udoneri, Palace Attendant, of Junior Fourth Rank Upper, but because he was the maternal great-grandfather of Emperor Daigo he was posthumously granted the office of Dajō-daijin, Chancellor, and Senior First Rank (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku; that he was Emperor Daigo's maternal great-grandfather follows the Fusō Ryakki). His sons were Toshimoto and Takafuji. In the Ninna era Toshimoto was Sama-no-kami, Director of the Left Bureau of Horses, of Junior Fourth Rank Upper (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku). Toshimoto's son Kanesuke reached Junior Third Rank and Gon-chūnagon, Provisional Middle Counsellor, in the Enchō era; he died in the third year of Jōhei (933) and was called the Tsutsumi Chūnagon (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku). Takafuji held one important post after another between the Kanpyō and Shōtai eras (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin) and rose to Senior Third Rank and Naidaijin, Minister of the Interior. He died at the age of sixty-three (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki), was called the Kajūji Naidaijin, Minister of the Interior of Kajūji (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Sonpi Bunmyaku), and was also called Koichijō (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku). Because he was Emperor Daigo's maternal grandfather he was posthumously granted the office of Dajō-daijin, Chancellor, and Senior First Rank (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin, the Sonpi Bunmyaku, and the Nihon Kiryaku; that he was Emperor Daigo's maternal grandfather follows the Fusō Ryakki). His sons were Sadakuni and Sadakata. Sadakuni rose by repeated promotion in Emperor Daigo's reign, was transferred to Chūnagon, Middle Counsellor, was granted Junior Third Rank, served concurrently as Ukonoe-no-taishō, Great General of the Right Konoe, and reached Dainagon, Major Counsellor. He died in the sixth year of Enryaku (Note: the source reads "Enryaku," but this is evidently a slip for Engi, in whose sixth year, 906, Sadakuni died, since Enryaku ended long before his time) and was called the Izumi Taishō, General of Izumi. Sadakata reached Junior Second Rank and Udaijin, Minister of the Right, in the Enchō era. He died in the second year of Jōhei (932). He was posthumously granted Junior First Rank and was called the Sanjō Udaijin, Minister of the Right of Sanjō (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). His sons were Asatada and Asahira. Asatada was Junior Third Rank and Gon-chūnagon, Provisional Middle Counsellor (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

Fujiwara-no-Asahira

¶Fujiwara-no-Asahira had an ugly, corpulent build and ate and drank in quantities far beyond the ordinary. He was constantly troubled that he could not move about freely, and summoned a physician to seek a cure. The physician said, "Nothing is better than to eat moderately and to take bland food. It is just now the hot season, so it would be well to eat suihan (Note: rice steeped in water or hot water)." Asahira followed this and had the physician watch how he ate. He ate seven or eight bowls of suihan one after another, and then ate a dozen or more slices of narezushi, fermented fish. The physician was astonished and said, "With this, even suihan will not serve as a cure," and fled (Note: following the Konjaku Monogatari and the Kokon Chomonjū). Once, when he went to the palace together with his cousin Asatada, Emperor Murakami looked at his appearance and in his heart despised him. The emperor asked, "Who is that?" and Asatada answered, "He is my younger brother Asahira." The emperor asked, "What is he good at?" and Asatada answered, "He loves learning and is skilled at playing the shō, the mouth organ." The emperor then gave him a shō to try; the tune he played was exquisite, and the emperor recognized his talent and from this came to favor him (Note: following the Zoku Kojidan). At the beginning of Tenroku (970) he rose by successive promotion to Chūnagon, Middle Counsellor (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). Asahira had had talent and reputation from his youth (Note: following the Konjaku Monogatari), but he contended with Fujiwara-no-Koretada for the post of Sangi, and Koretada argued that Asahira should not be employed. When a post of Dainagon, Major Counsellor, fell vacant, Asahira hoped to obtain it. At that time Koretada held the position of Sesshō, Regent, so Asahira went to his residence in person and earnestly begged to be advanced. Koretada had long borne a grudge against him and did not come out at once; after some time he appeared and said, "You began in the same position as I, yet you always tried to rise above me and obstructed me in this and that. In today's matter, whether to employ you or not is for me to decide." Asahira was deeply ashamed, returned home in anger, fell ill from melancholy (Note: following the Kojidan), and died soon afterward (Note: following the Zoku Kojidan. According to the Ōkagami, when a post of Kurōdo-no-tō, Head of the Chamberlains, fell vacant, Fujiwara-no-Koretada was next in order to be appointed. Asahira also hoped to take it and earnestly begged Koretada to agree, and Koretada consented. But later Koretada broke his promise, and Asahira deeply resented it, and discord arose between them from this. Afterward, over some incident, Asahira insulted a kadō, a household servant (Note: an attendant), of Koretada, whereupon Koretada was angered, and Asahira went in person to apologize. Examining the Kugyō Bunin and the Ichidai Yōki, Koretada was appointed Head of the Chamberlains on the same day, so the account that the two contended for the post of Head is mistaken).

Fujiwara-no-Yoshiyo

¶Fujiwara-no-Yoshiyo held one important post after another through successive generations. In the Kanpyō era he was appointed Udaijin, Minister of the Right, and became Uji-no-chōja, Chief of the Clan. He was granted Junior Second Rank and permitted to enter the palace in an ox-drawn carriage (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). He advanced to Sadaijin, Minister of the Left, and later retired from office, chiji (Note: resigning one's post and withdrawing) (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin), and was called in the world the Chiji Minister (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). In the third year of Shōtai (900) he was posthumously granted Junior First Rank (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). His sons were Kunimoto and Tsunesuke (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Sonpi Bunmyaku). Kunimoto was Chūnagon, Middle Counsellor (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). Tsunesuke was Udaijin, Minister of the Right, of Senior Third Rank (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

Fujiwara-no-Nagara

¶Fujiwara-no-Nagara was lofty in purpose and conduct, close and harmonious with his younger brothers, his brotherly affection being innate; he was generous even in his dealings with the scholar-officials. Whether men were of high or low station, all respected and admired him (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku). At the end of Kōnin he was granted permission to enter the Seiryōden, the imperial residence hall (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). At that time Emperor Ninmyō was still Crown Prince, and Nagara was especially close to him and cherished by him. On mornings when flowers bloomed and evenings when the moon was fair, at banquets and at gatherings at the archery ground, he was permitted to take part as an equal. Nagara only grew more careful to keep his court dress in order, and never once failed in propriety. In the Tenchō era he was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower. The following year he became Jijū, Chamberlain. He served successively as Sahyōe-no-gon-no-suke, Provisional Assistant Commander of the Left Gate Guards, and Saemon-no-suke, Assistant Commander of the Left Gate Guards (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku). When Emperor Ninmyō took the throne he advanced to Junior Fourth Rank Lower. He served successively as Sa-u Uma-no-kami, Director of the Left and Right Bureaus of Horses, and was transferred to Sahyōe-no-kami, Commander of the Left Gate Guards. In the eleventh year of Jōwa (844) he became Sangi, Counsellor, and was transferred to Saemon-no-kami, Commander of the Left Gate Guards (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki and the Montoku Jitsuroku). He served concurrently as Governor of Sanuki and of Ise (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki). In the third year of Kashō (850) Emperor Ninmyō died. Nagara, grieving and weeping in remembrance, would not taste fish or meat. When Emperor Montoku took the throne he was granted Junior Third Rank. At the beginning of Saikō he became Gon-chūnagon, Provisional Middle Counsellor. In the third year of Saikō (856) he was granted Junior Second Rank. In this year he died, at the age of fifty-five (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku).

¶When Emperor Yōzei took the throne, since Nagara was his maternal grandfather, he was posthumously granted the office of Sadaijin, Minister of the Left, and Senior First Rank, and an edict said: "To praise virtue and record meritorious service, adding ceremony to them even when ages have changed, and to adorn the end of the dead and remember distant ancestors, so that kindness reaches them though their bodies have perished: all the more, since heaven's love is deep and reason is keenly drawn to a heartfelt regard for one's clan, and the way of men is weighty and affection prizes harmony among kin. Our maternal grandfather, the late Chūnagon of Junior Second Rank, Fujiwara-no-Ason, was gentle and refined in insight and breadth of mind, and the blessings he left behind extend even beyond his death. Our maternal grandmother, Fujiwara-no-shi, within her family handed down the teachings proper to a woman, ever more reverently kept the rites of hinsō, and her bond of shōra (Note: a figure for the affection of husband and wife and kinsfolk who lean on one another) shone upon theirs alike. Their joined light was not spared, and suddenly their shadow fell upon the western peak; like flowing water that passes astonishingly fast, their souls at last journeyed to Mount Dai in the east (Note: the mountain to which a person's soul is said to go after death). We grieve that the jade tree fell early and that they could not see the flourishing of their grandson; yet seeking out the fragrance left by the jeweled orchid, it is fitting that it follow the nobility of their son. To our maternal grandfather let there be granted Sadaijin and Senior First Rank, and to our maternal grandmother Senior First Rank. If the dead have knowledge in their souls, may they take pleasure in this grant of mourning" (Note: since the text of this edict in this book has gaps, it has now been supplemented from the Toshi Bunshū). In the third year of Gangyō (879) he was posthumously granted the office of Dajō-daijin, Chancellor (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku). His sons were Kunitsune and Mototsune. Mototsune has a separate biography. Kunitsune was Senior Third Rank and Dainagon, Major Counsellor (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin).

Fujiwara-no-Yoshisuke

¶In his youth Fujiwara-no-Yoshisuke studied at the university; he was of broad and generous capacity and had a gift for eloquence. At the beginning of Jōwa he was summoned to serve within the palace and by repeated promotion became Sakonoe-no-shōshō, Lesser General of the Left Konoe (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku). When the conspiracy of Tachibana-no-Hayanari and others was discovered, Yoshisuke led forty Konoe soldiers, surrounded and guarded the Crown Prince's night quarters, jikisō (Note: the lodging for night duty), and confiscated the soldiers' sidearms (Note: following the Shoku Nihongi). Soon he was concurrently Governor of Awa, was granted Junior Fourth Rank Lower, and was transferred to Chūjō, Middle General. In the Kashō era he was appointed Sangi, Counsellor, and served concurrently as Udaiben, Major Controller of the Right (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki and the Sandai Jitsuroku). Soon he also governed Mutsu-Dewa Azechi, Inspector of Mutsu and Dewa, and served concurrently as Tōgū-daibu, Master of the Crown Prince's Household. In the first year of Ninju (851) he was granted Junior Third Rank and became Gon-chūnagon, Provisional Middle Counsellor. At the beginning of Saikō he was transferred to Dainagon, Major Counsellor, and served concurrently as Ukonoe-no-taishō, Great General of the Right Konoe. In the first year of Tennan (857) he was appointed Udaijin, Minister of the Right (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku and the Sandai Jitsuroku). He submitted a memorial declining, but it was not granted (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku). In the first year of Jōgan (859) he advanced to Senior Second Rank. In the fourth year of Jōgan (862) there was an earthquake, and the emperor issued an edict asking for statements on the successes and failures of government. Yoshisuke submitted a memorial that said the following.

¶"Humbly I consider that Your Majesty's virtue is higher than the clouds and the rainbow and as bright as the sun and moon set side by side, yet you have opened still more widely the way of seeking opinions and have issued an edict that does not blame frank speech. My body is no mountain god, and my rank defiles the office of the Three Ministers, sankō; my sincerity in offering loyal counsel accumulates, but I cannot fully set out its effect. In general, that the government of the realm, within and without, great and small, is orderly and not in disorder is simply because the right men are found and employed. If the right men are not found, then even with strict laws and ordinances they become instead a cause of disorder and can never serve as a safeguard of good government. The Book of Odes says, 'When the men of talent are gone, the state is worn out,' and the Book of Documents says, 'All lies in knowing men; if one knows men, one can employ the wise.' Foolish though I am, I deeply believe these words. Since I took part in the government I have always kept this in mind. Yet appointments like those among Zhao, Wei, Teng, and Xue (Note: names of small states of ancient China, used as an example of the difficulty of employing men) are easily mistaken, and the talent of men like Marquis Jiang and the Sefu (Note: names of a man and an office of ancient China, used as an example of the difficulty of judging men) is hard to discern. So I understand that the human heart is more treacherous than mountains and rivers. If even an emperor finds this difficult, what is to be done? Yet those who have passed the examinations in the Classics, myōgyō, and in letters, shūsai, are above all men of talent and repute for the state. It is proper to make clear the substance of affairs at courts ancient and modern. Moreover, there is no limit to the teaching of the Dharma of the wisdom that knows all, issai-chi-chi (Note: a Buddhist term; mastery of all wisdom). In general, those of the Sōgō (Note: the office that supervises monks and nuns), and those who once served as lecturers at the Yuima-e of the Eight Ministries, should all be versed in the gains and losses of worldly affairs. Furthermore, Minabuchi-no-Ason Toshina, Udaiben, Major Controller of the Right, is by origin a graduate in the shinshi examination; his offices have passed through important posts both within and without, he is somewhat versed in the essentials of government, and he already stands in a pivotal position. Ki-no-Ason Imamori, Governor of Yamashiro, has had a reputation that has necessarily spread through the provinces he has held; spoken of in terms of administration he is a good official, and he is naturally a man to lead the way. Prince Buzen, Governor of Iyo, showed his talent and learning early in the world and has long accumulated experience; though he has no particularly conspicuous achievement, he may rightly be called a man of mature character. Fujiwara-no-Ason Fuyuo, Dazai-no-daini, Senior Assistant Governor-General of Dazaifu, has a reputation that has nearly spread everywhere, his insight has gradually grown excellent, he is reputed to have practical ability, and there is still much in him to be loved. Prince Hiromune, Governor of Yamato, has quite a reputation for administrative achievement and has governed many provinces. Because of the fault of thinking himself wise he has sometimes been caught in the net of the law, but when it comes to governing a province it cannot be said that he lacks the talent. If so, it would be well to let these men likewise state their opinions. Since you have already said that you ask opinions even of woodcutters, shōfu (Note: lowly persons; an expression of humility), how could you not ask them of men of insight? I have mistakenly borne a heavy responsibility and have no place to put myself; I can only offer my narrow views and am ashamed to trouble Your Majesty's hearing."

¶In the eighth year of Jōgan (866) he repeatedly submitted memorials asking to resign, but a gracious edict did not permit it (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku). In this year he was relieved of the post of Sadaishō, Great General of the Left (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). In the second month of the following year (867) he again submitted a memorial that said: "I have heard it said, 'Waxing and waning have their measure, and therefore the way of heaven endures long; loss and gain follow the seasons, and therefore the affairs of men escape harm by it.' I have mistakenly, though of shallow worth, repeatedly received excessive favor. Though holding a high position, I have always striven to keep a heart of humility. The fiefs I should receive came to two thousand households in all, before and after, but the late emperor understood my private heart and permitted me to return one thousand households. Of late I have lain ill and long unrecovered and have asked to return my fief and rank, but the ninefold palace is far away and I have not readily received a compassionate understanding. I can only lament, and still feel distress of heart. I have privately heard that 'of late, in the provinces and in the capital region, the people have suffered from last year's drought and bad harvest, their livelihood is hard and the price of grain has risen. Moreover, the revenue from the provinces is small and the stipends of the hundred officials are scanty. The treasury is already empty and cannot sustain even one year's expenses.' I hold the office of minister far beyond my worth and have no means to make up for this. I can only feel shame and fear and am ashamed to eat a stipend in vain. Looking upon this rich fief, I think of reducing it myself. This too is because I wish to draw, if only a little, near to the principle of the ancients: 'to reduce what is in excess in order to supply what is lacking.' By good fortune I have received Your Majesty's boundless kindness, and in general my sons, younger kinsmen, and close relatives have almost all been granted office and rank and can rely on them for support without hardship. All the more, since I was relieved of the post of General, my expenses have decreased, and of the thousand households granted to me I still have a surplus. I humbly request that I may respectfully return these five hundred households, so that I may supply even a ten-thousandth part of the state's expenses. Then I shall escape the reproach that the poets made of those who took the rice-ears, and the spirits too will grant blessing to the virtue of humility."

¶In the tenth month of this year he fell ill in his night-duty quarters. Soon afterward he died, at the age of fifty-five. By his last testament he ordered a simple funeral (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku). He was called the Nishi-Sanjō Minister (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Sonpi Bunmyaku). The emperor suspended government for three days and issued an edict posthumously granting him Senior First Rank (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku).

¶Yoshisuke cherished those who loved letters, and when there were poor university students he sent them cotton and silk from time to time. In winter he had many garments and bedclothes made and gave them to the students who spent their nights in the four halls of study; at each turn of the season he invited the students of literary talent to compose poems and gave them gifts as rewards. Emperor Ninmyō once brewed gosekisan (Note: an elixir of Chinese origin; taking it was said to cause fever) and gave it to his close attendants to try. All were afraid and none would drink it, but Yoshisuke alone took up the cup and drained it in one draught. The emperor was moved by his utmost sincerity. After he became minister he devoted himself wholly to the affairs of government, his purpose being to set the state right and save the people. At that time hawking and fishing and hunting were forbidden altogether, and the profits of mountains, rivers, and marshes were to be shared with the people; all this was proposed by Yoshisuke. By nature he was warm and affectionate toward his kin and also had deep faith in the Buddha's Law. South of the Kangakuin he built the Enmyōin, which supported students of the Fujiwara clan who were suffering from illness and had no means of livelihood. He made each of his residences at Rokujō, on the east side of the capital, into the Sūshin-in, which took in and supported daughters and sons of his clan who could not support themselves; in both cases he set aside fief households and added them to the manorial fields to provide the cost of their livelihood. In the Sūshin-in he built a small hall and enshrined a Buddhist image, had the residents recite the name of Kannon each morning, and himself composed the votive text. After he lost his wife, of the Ōe clan, he did not remarry, and in the end gave up meat and fish for the rest of his life. At his death he said to his children, "Today is the day of the first lecture of the Yuima-e at the Kōfukuji. If I should die on this day, how could it be said that I have no bond with that assembly?" He then had his attendants help him sit up, formed the Buddha's mudra with his hands, and breathed his last.

¶His sons were Tadakata and Tsuneyuki, both of whom were praised for talent and conduct. In the Jōgan era Tsuneyuki rose to Senior Third Rank and Dainagon, Major Counsellor, and served concurrently as Ukonoe-no-taishō, Great General of the Right Konoe, and Mutsu-Dewa Azechi, Inspector of Mutsu and Dewa. In the seventeenth year of Jōgan (875) he died (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku). The court suspended government for one day and posthumously granted him Junior Second Rank (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). Tadakata was skilled in reisho, clerical script, and rose in office to Junior Fifth Rank Lower and Awa-no-gon-no-kami, Provisional Governor of Awa (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

Fujiwara-no-Yoshihito

¶Fujiwara-no-Yoshihito was plain and refined in character, brisk and decisive in bearing, and fair in appearance. In his youth he studied at the university and applied himself to reading to the point of forgetting fatigue. When Emperor Montoku was still Crown Prince he was summoned to be a Kurōdo, Chamberlain. He was transferred to Tōgū-no-suke, Assistant Master of the Crown Prince's Household, and granted Junior Fifth Rank Upper. When Emperor Montoku took the throne he advanced to Senior Fifth Rank Upper, became Chūgū-no-suke, Assistant Master of the Empress's Household, and by repeated promotion became Ukonoe-no-chūjō, Middle General of the Right Konoe, and Ōtoneri-no-kami, Director of the Bureau of Palace Attendants. Later he was implicated in some incident and demoted to Echizen-no-gon-no-kami, Provisional Governor of Echizen. Afterward he returned to the court as Chūgū-daibu, Master of the Empress's Household. Yoshihito came of a lofty and splendid house, and the beauty of the clothes he wore stood out as strikingly vivid. He loved horses greatly and in the intervals of public duty he always took pleasure in them. By nature he was deeply filial, and when he observed mourning for his mother he wailed until he spat blood, fainting and reviving again and again, and at last fell ill. In the second year of Jōgan (860) he died, at the age of forty-two (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku). Fuyutsugu's younger brother was Aiaki (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki and the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

Fujiwara-no-Aiaki

¶In the Daidō era Fujiwara-no-Aiaki became a Monjōshō, student of letters. In the Kōnin era he became Minbu-no-shōfu, Junior Assistant Minister of Popular Affairs, and Uchūben, Middle Controller of the Right. In the third year of Tenchō (826) he was appointed Sangi, Counsellor, and repeatedly held posts of pure distinction and importance. In the ninth year of Tenchō (832) he was granted Junior Third Rank, was transferred to Chūnagon, Middle Counsellor, and served concurrently as Minbu-kyō, Minister of Popular Affairs (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki and the Kugyō Bunin). Aiaki was mild and gentle in character and never gave way to anger without cause. His handling of government was said to show a command of affairs and mastery of them. In the seventh year of Jōwa (840) he was granted Senior Third Rank and was transferred to Dainagon, Major Counsellor. In the ninth year of Jōwa (842) the conspiracy of Tomo-no-Kowamine and others took place, and Aiaki was implicated in this affair and confined within the palace precincts. Afterward he was banished from the capital and moved to his country house in Kuse district, Yamashiro province. The following year he died, at the age of fifty-seven (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki).