Biographies LII: Tachibana-no-Kiyotomo and Other Officials of the Early Heian Court

Tachibana-no-Kiyotomo

¶Tachibana-no-Kiyotomo was the second son of Naramaro (Note: following the Tachibana-shi Keizu). From childhood he was calm and thoughtful, and he read widely in books and records. His ears were six shaku two sun long, his brows and eyes were as finely formed as in a painting, and his bearing was most elegant. During the Hōki era, when an embassy came to Japan from Koryŏ (Koma), Kiyotomo, being the son of a distinguished house and of fine appearance, was chosen to attend the envoys who had arrived. The envoy Shi Tomō (Shitobō) was skilled at reading faces, and asked the interpreter-attendant (tsūji toneri) Yama-no-Uenonogami, "Who is that young man?" Nogami answered, "He is nothing more than an ordinary young man of the capital." Tomō said, "This man's bone structure is out of the ordinary; his descendants will surely flourish greatly." When Nogami asked whether his life would be long or short, Tomō answered, "At thirty-two there is a calamity. If he passes it, he will be safe."

¶In the fifth year of Enryaku (786) he became Uchitoneri, Palace Attendant (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku), and was granted Senior Fifth Rank Lower (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). In the eighth year of Enryaku (789) he fell ill and died, at the age of thirty-two. Kiyotomo had taken a lady of the Taguchi clan as his wife, and she bore the Danrin Empress. His descendants rose to high and honored station, exactly as Tomō's words had foretold (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku). During the Kōnin era he was posthumously granted Junior Third Rank (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku).

¶When Emperor Ninmyō ascended the throne, he issued the following edict: "Abundant virtue does not vanish; it must surely be given still further honor, and brilliant achievement, illuminating the world, should be handed down through the system of establishing honorific titles. For this reason, to revere and honor one's ancestors has been set out since antiquity in the fine canons, and to long for and mourn distant forebears does not cease even across the ages. Our maternal grandfather, Junior Third Rank Tachibana-no-Ason, rose from a famous house and ascended to a high station. Our maternal grandmother, of the Taguchi clan, Junior Third Rank, was born and raised in an excellent family, and her renown spread widely. But fortune shifts, and both have long since departed this world. We, though of slight virtue, have inherited the great enterprise, and when We look back on days gone by, their pure character is still recalled from afar. We therefore consider that, in accordance with precedent, generous rites should be performed. Let both Our maternal grandfather and Our maternal grandmother be granted Senior First Rank. At the tomb on Mount "挊" (Note: reading uncertain) in Sōraku district, Yamashiro province, and the tomb of Oyama in Katano district, Kawachi province, let one household each be established as tomb-keepers." (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki.) In the sixth year of Jōwa (839) he was posthumously granted the office of Dajō-daijin, Chancellor. In the eighth year of Jōwa (841) four chō of mountain land in Sōraku district were granted as a burial ground. His son was Ujikimi.

Tachibana-no-Ujikimi

¶Tachibana-no-Ujikimi, being the younger brother of the Empress, passed through one important post after another. In the eleventh year of Jōwa (844) he was appointed Udaijin, Minister of the Right, and granted Junior Second Rank. Soon afterwards he submitted a memorial asking to decline a fief of one thousand households, and the emperor granted him a letter permitting it. Ujikimi then withdrew to his residence on grounds of illness. In the fourteenth year of Jōwa (847) he died, at the age of sixty-five (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki). He was known in his time as the Ide Minister of the Right (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). The emperor sent an imperial messenger to proclaim an edict, posthumously granted him Junior First Rank, and dispatched the Sangi, Counsellor, Shigeno-no-Sadanushi and Jibu-no-taifu, Senior Assistant Minister of Civil Affairs, Prince Fusayo and others to oversee the funeral (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki). His son was Mine-tsugu.

Tachibana-no-Minetsugu

¶Tachibana-no-Minetsugu stood over six shaku in height and was by nature gentle and magnanimous. In his youth he was dull and did not care for learning. Because his mother had been the wet nurse of Emperor Ninmyō, he served in the Crown Prince's household and gradually came to enjoy favor. The emperor once sighed and said, "Minetsugu is a descendant of ministers and a close relative of the state. If he had any talent he might aspire to the rank of kugyō, High Court Noble; why does he neglect his studies so?" Hearing this, Minetsugu was ashamed, reformed his conduct and applied himself to study. He learned from a teacher and came to understand, in large part, the readings and meanings (Note: that is, how Chinese texts are read and what they mean) of the Chinese texts. During the Tenchō era he became Uchitoneri, Palace Attendant, and advanced step by step to Ukonoe-no-shōshō, Lesser General of the Right Palace Guards. At that time his father Ujikimi was concurrently Taishō, General of the Palace Guards, so to avoid this he was transferred to Sahyōe-no-suke, Assistant Captain of the Left Gate Guards, and soon moved to Sakonoe-no-shōshō, Lesser General of the Left Palace Guards (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku). During the Jōwa era he was granted 130 chō of vacant land in Ishi district, Ise province (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki). During the Saikō era he rose to Senior Third Rank and Chūnagon, Middle Counsellor. In the second year of Jōgan (860) he died, at the age of fifty-seven (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku).

¶Kiyotomo's younger brother Kiyono was by nature plain and of few desires, and lived in seclusion at Katano. Because he was an uncle of the Grand Empress Dowager, during the Tenchō era he was granted Junior Fourth Rank Upper, and he died at the age of eighty (Note: following the Ruijū Kokushi).

Abe-no-Eo

¶Abe-no-Eo was a grandson of Abe-no-Urushimushi, of Junior Fifth Rank Upper. His father was named Michimori. At the end of the Enryaku era Eo was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower, and served successively as Shōnagon, Lesser Counsellor, and Chūe-no-shōshō, Lesser General of the Middle Guards. During the Daidō era he was granted Junior Fourth Rank Lower, moved to Daizen-no-daibu, Master of the Palace Table Office, concurrently became governor of Ōmi, and became Kansatsushi, Inspector, of the Sanyōdō. He was appointed Junsangi, Associate Counsellor, and Ukyō-no-daibu, Master of the Right Capital Office; concurrently became Uhyōe-no-kami, Captain of the Right Gate Guards, and Konoe-no-chūjō, Middle General of the Palace Guards; he became Inspector of the Tōsandō, was granted Senior Fourth Rank Lower, moved to Inspector of the Home Provinces, and died in office. Eo was of bright and upright disposition, with a spirit that would not bend its principles, and his talent covered both the civil and the martial. In every office he held he was reputed to be fair and incorruptible. When Imperial Prince Iyo was deposed, the emperor was in a fury, and none of the ministers dared remonstrate; Eo alone argued resolutely. In the end he was not heeded, but opinion at the time thought well of him for it (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin).

Fujiwara-no-Nagaoka

¶Fujiwara-no-Nagaoka was the sixth son of Fujiwara-no-Uchimaro, Minister of the Right. He was most outstanding in the martial arts and served as foot soldier and cavalryman. During the Daidō era he was appointed Mutsu-no-daijō, Senior Secretary of Mutsu, and moved to Sahyōe-no-shōjō, Lesser Lieutenant of the Left Gate Guards. During the Kōnin era he served successively as Assistant Governor of Dewa, Suruga and Harima. During the Tenchō and Jōwa years he was appointed governor of Yamashiro, and served successively as Jibu-no-taifu, Senior Assistant Minister of Civil Affairs, Kunai-no-taifu, Senior Assistant Minister of the Imperial Household, and Moku-no-kami, Director of the Bureau of Carpentry; concurrently became Uemon-no-suke, Assistant Captain of the Right Gate Guards, moved to Uma-no-kami, Director of the Right Bureau of Horses, and was appointed governor of Echizen, and in each post he was reputed upright and capable. He was again appointed governor of Yamashiro, but left the post on grounds of illness. Soon afterwards he was appointed governor of Yamato, but declined firmly on grounds of old age. This was not permitted, however, and he was granted Junior Fourth Rank Upper. When his term was complete, he lived in seclusion in Uchi district. In the second year of Kashō (849) he died, at the age of sixty-four (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki). His younger brother was Ōtsu (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

Fujiwara-no-Ōtsu

¶Fujiwara-no-Ōtsu was small in build, but his spirit yielded to no one, and he was also skilled in archery and horsemanship. At eighteen he became Ōtoneri-no-jō, Secretary of the Great Attendants, was appointed Hitachi-no-daijō, Senior Secretary of Hitachi, and afterwards entered the court as Ukonoe-no-shōgen, Lieutenant of the Right Palace Guards. During the Tenchō era he was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower and became governor of Bingo, where he governed well, so that the people sang songs in praise of his virtue. After some years he became Daikenmotsu, Senior Inspector of Stores, and moved to Sanni-no-kami, Director of the Bureau of Unassigned Officials. During the Jōwa era he served successively as Sama-no-suke, Assistant Director of the Left Bureau of Horses, and governor of Shinano (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku), and became Jingi-no-taifu, Senior Assistant of the Department of Rites. When Tomo-no-Kowamine and others rebelled, Ōtsu guarded the Uji Bridge. When the affair was settled, he became governor of Mutsu (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki). Before he had gone to his post, he was transferred to Saemon-no-suke, Assistant Captain of the Left Gate Guards, and appointed governor of Iyo. After a little over a year in office, the province had a good harvest and the common people prospered. During the Ninju era he moved to governor of Bizen, and rose as far as Senior Fifth Rank Lower. In the first year of Saikō (854) he died, at the age of sixty-three (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku). His son Yoshitsugu has a separate biography. His younger brother was Mamoru (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

Fujiwara-no-Mamoru

¶Fujiwara-no-Mamoru lost his mother at the age of two. When he was about five he asked about it and learned of it, and his grief and longing moved those who saw him. Uchimaro, regarding this as extraordinary, made him his heir. At seven he began his studies. He sat the examination for Monjōshō, Student of Letters, and passed at the age of eighteen, and the people of the time compared him to Jia Yi of Han. He became Chū-hangan, Middle Judge, and moved to Daigaku-no-suke, Assistant Director of the University. At the end of the Kōnin era he was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower and became governor of Tōtōmi. His government was lenient and steady, and the common people gladly looked up to him. During the Tenchō era the court, rating his record highly, granted him Junior Fifth Rank Upper, and he rose step by step, serving as Moku-no-kami, Director of the Bureau of Carpentry, Ushōben, Lesser Controller of the Right, and Shikibu-no-shōyū, Junior Assistant Minister of Ceremonial. When anyone acted unlawfully he invariably denounced him, sparing neither the highborn nor his own kin, so that the emperor of the day greatly recognized his capacity. At the start of the Jōwa era he was transferred to Taifu, Senior Assistant Minister, and concurrently became governor of Iyo. Afterwards he became Dazai-no-daini, Senior Assistant Governor-General of Dazaifu, but he submitted a memorial asking to decline, as follows.

¶"I have received the summons of the Shangshu, the Secretariat, appointing me Daini, Senior Assistant Governor-General, of Chinzei (Dazaifu). It is said that to cross the wall of swords one must sweat, and to cross the Weak Water one's heart grows cold, but even these are not enough to compare with my case. I have heard: 'The small birds that perch on elm and sapan trees have no strength to rise high on the great wind; one who dresses a crow or a bird has no need of the skill that carves an ox.' That is, the division between great and small is fixed by one's native endowment, and the weight and use of a man are made clear by his conduct. It is now more than twenty years since I entered service, and though I have often been favored by good fortune and have held a few provincial posts, in the offices of the capital I have borne only minor duties, and in the provinces I have governed only trifling lands. Even in such modest places I have been ashamed to govern in the old accustomed ways. How much more, when entrusted with a vital post on the frontier, must the man be one who befits the dignity of the state. Yet to a lowly man such as I, this weighty appointment is about to be mistakenly handed down. Even if I were to exert my whole heart and fulfill my duties abroad, it would be like a mosquito or gadfly bearing hills and mountains on its back; when could I ever achieve merit? Wealth and rank are what everyone desires. I too, how could I decline an honor that shines upon the world? I fear only that the court's needs would be wasted, beginning in such a bright reign as this. How should I care for slander behind my back? That is only something that passes through men's mouths. I beg that Your Majesty hold back, for a time, a little of Your authority, and look kindly upon this sincere heart of mine."

¶This was not granted. Previously, the physicians and professors of the two northern islands under the court's jurisdiction (Note: Iki and Tsushima) had been appointed by the Dazaifu itself. But name and substance did not match, and stipends were spent to no purpose. Mamoru submitted a memorial: "A professor is an office that studies the classics and gives instruction, and a physician is an official who compounds medicines and heals. Learning and medicine differ in rank, but there is no difference in urgency. For one night's life may be prolonged if the right prescription is found, while a body of a hundred years cannot live out its span if treatment is mistaken. As the tales of the flying bird and the healing herb (Note: an allusion to a story of a herb that heals wounds), and of the incense that was burned to call back a soul (Note: an allusion to the story of the soul-returning incense) show, this is the most urgent matter in the world. Yet the physicians whom the Dazaifu now appoints and keeps are not necessarily suited to their posts. They hold their positions in name only, do not even know the three kinds of medicine well, and ten treatments produce not a single result, until in the end they leave the sick in despair. Can this be the court's true intent? I beg that appointments be made by special selection of the court, to reform this abuse." This memorial was accepted. From this time the students of the Tenyaku-ryō, Bureau of Medicine, for the first time cultivated the Way after proper training (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku).

¶Mamoru also submitted a memorial with four points of advice. The first: "The tribute missions of Silla have a long origin. But from the reign of Emperor Shōmu down to the present they have not followed the old precedents, have always harbored uneasy intentions, and have neglected to bring tribute. Under pretext of trade they spy on the state of our country. Now the people are impoverished and food is scarce, and if some unforeseen event occurred, how could it be defended against? I beg that the entry of Silla people be wholly forbidden and that they not be admitted into our country."

¶The second: "There are those who, though their term of relief is over, cannot obtain a geyu (Note: a certificate of discharge from office). Men of the fifth rank use clever words, relying on the pretext of an official order, to remain within their jurisdictions, where they engage in farming and trade and greedily take profit from the common people. They cunningly scheme for illicit gain and still have not delivered what they owe. I beg that, as soon as the term of relief ends, they be made to go up to the capital promptly."

¶The third: "The Dazaifu has many official buildings, and not a few of them are damaged. Hitherto rōnin (Note: unranked men remaining at their posts) have been used to keep them constantly repaired. But in recent years they have mostly been assigned to other uses by official orders. I beg that they not be diverted to any other use at all, and that the Dazaifu and the provincial offices be made to repair them."

¶The fourth: "The key places of the frontier are lands that call for vigilance. In the Enryaku era special rules were laid down and the opening of new fields was not permitted. But in recent years a considerable amount of land has been cleared. I beg that, in accordance with the official order of the twenty-sixth day of the fourth month of the third year of Enryaku, it be stopped entirely."

¶All were approved (Note: following the Shoku Nihon Kōki). When his term was complete he returned to the capital. During the Kashō era, on the Tango festival, the emperor went out to the Butokuden and gave a banquet to the envoys from Bohai (Parhae). Courtiers skilled in speech were carefully selected, and Mamoru was among those chosen. He was given a shokumei-ru (Note: a protective cord worn at the Tango festival) and wore it, and the envoys admired his fine bearing. Soon he became Danjō-no-taifu, Senior Assistant Censor, and princes and nobles alike held him in awe. During the Ninju and Saikō years he moved to Kageyushi-no-kami, Chief of the Bureau of Audit, concurrently became governor of Kaga, and rose as far as Senior Fourth Rank Lower and Ukyō-no-daibu, Master of the Right Capital Office. In the first year of Tenan (857) he died, at the age of fifty-nine. His younger brother was Tasuku (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku).

Fujiwara-no-Tasuku

¶Fujiwara-no-Tasuku studied at the University from his youth and read the historical and biographical works fairly widely. At the end of the Kōnin era he served as Shō-hangan, Lesser Judge, and became Daigaku-no-suke, Assistant Director of the University. He passed through posts in both the capital and the provinces. During the Jōwa era he was appointed Sangi, Counsellor, moved to Jibu-kyō, Minister of Civil Affairs, and became Sahyōe-no-kami, Captain of the Left Gate Guards. He was granted Senior Fourth Rank Lower. By nature he was upright and honest and cared nothing for slander or reputation, so the ministers of the court feared and held him in awe. In the third year of Ninju (853) he died, at the age of fifty-five (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku).

Fujiwara-no-Matsukage

¶Fujiwara-no-Matsukage's father was named Hoshio, and was Gyōbu-no-shō, Junior Assistant Minister of Justice, of Junior Fifth Rank Lower. Matsukage was strict and upright in character, and his brows and beard were as finely formed as in a painting. On entering service he was appointed Uchitoneri, Palace Attendant. During the Tenchō era he moved to Shikibu-no-daijō, Senior Secretary of Ceremonial. At that time men of high reputation were carefully selected for the officials of the Crown Prince's household, and since Matsukage's dignified bearing was known in the world, he was raised to Shōshin, Junior Assistant. Soon he returned again to Shikibu-no-daijō. On the day of a certain court assembly, Minamoto-no-Tokiwa was wearing a sword by imperial command, but an official of the Ministry of Ceremonial, not knowing the content of the edict, questioned him, and Tokiwa was ashamed and withdrew. The emperor heard of this and was greatly angered, reproved the officials of the Ministry of Ceremonial, and demoted Matsukage to Danjō-no-shōchū, Lesser Secretary of the Board of Censors. During the Jōwa era he became Hangan, Judge, of the embassy to Tang, and concurrently Yamashiro-no-gon-no-suke, Provisional Assistant Governor of Yamashiro. Citing his aged mother, he declined the post of Hangan, became Shikibu-no-daijō again, and afterwards left the capital as Assistant Governor of Tanba. Soon he was Shikibu-no-daijō once more, was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower, was appointed Sashōben, Lesser Controller of the Left, and served successively as Nakatsukasa, Jibu-shōyū, Junior Assistant Minister of Civil Affairs, and governor of Izumo, Yamashiro and other provinces. In the second year of Saikō (855) he died, at the age of fifty-seven. Matsukage held the post of Shikibu four times, was extremely well versed in precedent, and his bearing and etiquette were innate to him. Those who later held the office of Shikibu all took him as their model (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku).

Fujiwara-no-Morokatsu

¶Fujiwara-no-Morokatsu was a grandson of Fujiwara-no-Mitsumori, Minister of the Right. His father Arimune was Jijū, Chamberlain, of Junior Fifth Rank Lower. During the Jōwa era Morokatsu became Assistant Governor of Tajima and was appointed Kurōdo, Chamberlain-Secretary (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). During the Ninju and Saikō years he was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower and became Provisional Assistant Governor of Kaga (Note: following the Montoku Jitsuroku and the Kugyō Bunin). During the Jōgan era he served successively as Nakatsukasa-no-shōyū, Junior Assistant Minister of Central Affairs, Shōnagon, Lesser Counsellor, and Hyōbu-no-taifu, Senior Assistant Minister of Military Affairs (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku), and Kurōdo-no-tō, Head Chamberlain (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). He became Sakonoe-no-gon-no-chūjō, Provisional Middle General of the Left Palace Guards. During the Gangyō era he was appointed Sangi, Counsellor, soon concurrently became Uemon-no-kami, Captain of the Right Gate Guards, and was granted Senior Fourth Rank Lower (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku).

¶When Fujiwara-no-Mototsune, Dajō-daijin, Chancellor, sought to depose Emperor Yōzei, the kugyō, High Court Nobles, gathered to deliberate on it. The assembled nobles merely looked at one another and none dared speak. Morokatsu, glaring and with his hand on his sword, said, "Today's matter must follow the disposition of the Chancellor. If anyone dares oppose it, I will cut him down." With this the discussion was settled (Note: following the entry for the second year of Jōan in the Gyokukai). In the third year of Kanpyō (891) he was granted Junior Third Rank and appointed Chūnagon, Middle Counsellor. In the seventh year of Kanpyō (895) he submitted a memorial asking to retire. In that year he died, at the age of seventy (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin).

¶His son Harukami (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin) was skilled in waka (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku) and excelled at playing the biwa (Note: following the Gōdanshō and the Sonpi Bunmyaku). During the Engi era he rose as far as Sangi, Counsellor, of Junior Third Rank, and was concurrently Gyōbu-kyō, Minister of Justice (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin).