Biographies LXVI: Fujiwara-no-Sanesuke, Sukehira, Yoshinobu, Korechika, and Takaie

Fujiwara-no-Sanesuke

¶Fujiwara-no-Sanesuke (Sanesuke) was known in childhood as Daigakumaru (Note: following the Ōkagami). He was a son of the Sangi, Counsellor, Tadatoshi. His grandfather Saneyori took Sanesuke as an adopted son (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin, the Ōkagami, and the Eiga Monogatari) and cherished him deeply. All of Saneyori's treasured heirlooms and estates passed to Sanesuke (Note: following the Ōkagami). From his youth Sanesuke held one important post after another; in the third year of Chōhō (1001) he was appointed Gon-dainagon, Provisional Major Counsellor, and concurrently Ukonoe-taishō, Commander of the Right Palace Guards (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). At that time Fujiwara-no-Michinaga, Sadaijin, Minister of the Left, was born into a house that had held power as maternal relatives of the throne for generations, and was moreover the father of an emperor's consort; he did as he pleased in the government of the court and wielded overwhelming power. When Emperor Sanjō ascended the throne, Michinaga's arrogance grew greater still. The kugyō, the senior nobles of the court, from highest to lowest, strove desperately to flatter and curry favor with Michinaga, and the discipline of the court slackened day by day. Sanesuke alone stood firm and did not bend his principles, and the emperor secretly relied upon him (Note: compiled with reference to the Shōyūki, the Ōkagami, and the Eiga Monogatari).

¶At first the Senyōden Nyōgo, Lady of the Senyōden, entered the palace, won the emperor's favor, and bore the Retired Emperor Koichijō. After the Biwa Chūgū had been installed as Empress, the emperor wished to go on to install this Nyōgo as Empress as well, but he hesitated, in awe of Michinaga. Michinaga perceived the emperor's intention; outwardly he pretended to agree, while inwardly he sought to obstruct it. On the very day of the installation, the courtiers who flattered Michinaga, fearing that they would be appointed to the Empress's household offices, all fled to the Chūgū, the Empress Consort's palace, in an attempt to avoid the court's command. When the emperor sent messengers to summon them, no one answered, and they even hurled foul abuse at the imperial envoys. The Sangi Fujiwara-no-Masamitsu and others went so far as to throw rubble and broken tiles. Sanesuke happened to be ill, but when he heard of this he said, "Just as there are not two suns in heaven, nor two lords for a gentleman, how could I neglect the court's command out of fear of a powerful minister?" At once he rose from his sickbed and went to the palace together with the Chūnagon, Middle Counsellor, Fujiwara-no-Takaie and others, and took his place at the auspicious ceremony. The emperor was deeply grateful, and secretly gave instructions to Sanesuke's son Sukehira, saying: "I was Crown Prince for a long time and did not know how things stand in the world. I once thought that once I took the throne, everything would go as I wished, but in truth it is not so. At yesterday's ceremony of installing the Empress, the kugyō and all below them, in awe of the Minister of the Left, did not obey the imperial command. Only the Taishō (Sanesuke) took charge of it, and I am deeply moved by his loyalty. From now on I will consult the Taishō on every matter. I wish you to convey this to him in secret and let the Taishō know. You must on no account let it leak out." When Sanesuke heard this imperial message he was greatly pleased, and said, "As one who receives a stipend, I have always feared the reproach of drawing pay without merit. As a subject, how could I fail to obey Your Majesty's word?"

¶Presently Michinaga fell ill, and at that time a rumor went about that "Sanesuke, Takaie, and the others are pleased at Michinaga's illness." Sanesuke said, "Where did this rumor come from? Honor and disgrace alike are decreed by Heaven; there is no need to concern myself over it." Around that time the emperor had long suffered from an affliction of the eyes, and Michinaga took advantage of this to press him to yield the throne to Emperor Go-Ichijō, intending to install the emperor's eldest son, the Retired Emperor Koichijō, as Crown Prince, and to make Sanesuke Tōgū-no-fu, Tutor to the Crown Prince. Each time, Sanesuke firmly declined, saying, "I have already served as head of the Konoefu, the Palace Guards, for sixteen years. Old age presses upon me day by day, and I shall come to neglect my duties of guarding the palace. To hold a further important office on top of this is all the more beyond what I can bear." And so the matter came to nothing.

¶In the third year of Kannin (1019), the Toi invaded the western seas. An imperial order was sent down to the Dazaifu commanding that they be driven off. Fujiwara-no-Takaie, who was then Gon-no-sochi, Provisional Governor-General, dispatched the troops of his jurisdiction before the order had arrived, drove the invaders back, and reported his victory to the capital. The kugyō deliberated on the question of rewards. The Gon-dainagon Fujiwara-no-Kintō, the Chūnagon Fujiwara-no-Yukinari, and others said, "The imperial order that was sent down did contain wording promising rewards, but since he dispatched troops before the order arrived, rewards ought not to be granted." Sanesuke argued against this, saying: "In the past, in the Kanpyō era, when Silla attacked Tsushima, the island governor Fun'ya-no-Yoshitomo drove off the bandits without waiting for an imperial order, and the court rewarded him. Once the merit is acknowledged, is there any need to ask whether the order had arrived? If we do not reward this, who will fight with vigor in the future?" The Gon-dainagon Fujiwara-no-Tadanobu also agreed with this opinion, and in the end it was decided accordingly (Note: following the Shōyūki).

¶In the first year of Jian (1021) he was appointed Udaijin, Minister of the Right (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Nihon Kiryaku), and soon afterwards concurrently became Tutor to the Crown Prince (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). In the third year of Manju (1026) he was permitted to pass through the palace gates in an ox-drawn carriage, and to go up directly into the Tenjō, the Hall of Courtiers, without regard to the order of precedence (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). In the first year of Chōryaku (1037) he was granted Junior First Rank (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). In the first year of Eishō (1046) he died, at the age of ninety (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin, the Fusō Ryakki, and the Eiga Monogatari; however, the Sonpi Bunmyaku says he died in the second year of Kantoku, at the age of ninety-two). He was known in the world as Go-Ononomiya, the Later Lord of Ononomiya (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku). His diary is called the Shōyūki (Note: following the Ninna-ji Shoseki Mokuroku).

¶Sanesuke was by nature intelligent and just, and did not flatter the powerful. Once, when Jōtōmon-in was about to enter the palace, Michinaga sought to have the foremost poets of the day compose poems for the screens. Fujiwara-no-Kintō headed the list of those chosen, and the Retired Emperor Kazan himself contributed a poem of his own composition. Sanesuke alone refused and composed none, and he lamented: "Being one who ranks among the Kandachime, the senior nobles, is there anyone who composes screen poems at a minister's command? I have never heard of it. How much less would one ask such a thing of one so exalted as a Retired Emperor! Lord Kintō is of a distinguished house and holds the office of Kebiishi; he ought surely to keep himself apart from the common run, yet he fawns to such a degree. What on earth can he be thinking?" Michinaga sent a messenger to ask him earnestly, but Sanesuke firmly declined and composed nothing.

¶When Emperor Go-Ichijō installed his Chūgū, the hundred officials all gathered. Michinaga said to Sanesuke, "I shall compose a poem; will you respond to it?" and Sanesuke agreed. But when the poem was put forth, its sense was that of one who held the whole world as his own possession. Sanesuke disliked its arrogance and, couching his refusal in tactful words, did not respond to it (Note: following the Shōyūki. Fujiwara-no-Kiyosuke's Fukuro Zōshi cites this incident from the Shōyūki as a precedent for an "excellent poem that was not answered," but that is mistaken).

¶When the emperor had an ill-omened dream and was troubled by it, someone advised, "It would be well to hold a lecture on the Saishōō-kyō, the Golden Light Sutra, and drive away misfortune." Sanesuke said, "Is not the teaching of the Buddha, after all, for the sake of setting government right? If the conduct of affairs accords with reason, calamity will subside of itself. May Your Majesty reflect on this carefully." The emperor judged his words to be right (Note: following the Shōyūki).

¶The monk Myōson of Onjō-ji dreamed that an ox at Sekidera called itself Kashōbutsu, the Buddha Kāśyapa. He therefore led his disciples to worship the ox, and people of court and country alike followed one after another. Sanesuke alone did not go (Note: following the Konjaku Monogatari).

¶When Yorimichi was Kampaku, he strictly forbade the women of the capital to wear broad-brimmed hats and tabi, split-toed socks. When there were offenders, the officials stripped them of their hats and tabi in the course of enforcement. Sanesuke criticized this, saying: "That the women of the capital wear hats and cover their faces when going to worship at temples and shrines is itself an expression of good and sincere faith. Why not let them do as they wish? Moreover, it is no hindrance to the public government. There are surely countless other laws that ought now to be fixed; why concern oneself with so trivial a matter?" (Note: following the Shōyūki. The Chomonjū records that Emperor Go-Suzaku disliked the excessive length of the courtiers' garments, and discussed with Sanesuke how to correct the practice, as it was gradually tending toward extravagance. Sanesuke memorialized: "Let your foolish servant be the first to be censured over this matter; I shall shut my gate and remain at home. Then the courtiers will reform of their own accord even without a prohibition." He stayed away from the palace for several days, and the courtiers fell into a respectful hush and returned to the old ways. But this is in substance the same as the tale of Fujiwara-no-Tokihira in the Ōkagami and is probably an error of hearsay, so it is not adopted here).

¶From his youth Sanesuke was of upright conduct, and at times people mocked him for it, but he paid no heed and exerted himself all the more in self-discipline. Once, when he had moved into a new residence, a spark from a brazier flew onto a blind and quickly spread to the building. People raised an uproar and rushed to put out the fire, but Sanesuke stopped them. When people wondered at his reason, he said, "A small fire has suddenly arisen; it can no longer be put out. This is what is called a calamity of Heaven. Even if we were to put it out, there is no telling that some other, greater misfortune might not arise in its place." Calmly he got into his carriage and went outside, carrying with him only a single flute and giving no thought to anything else. People were struck with admiration at his breadth of spirit (Note: following the Jikkinshō).

¶Once, when Michinaga was possessed by a mononoke, a malevolent spirit, Sanesuke came to visit him. The spirit, speaking through the mouth of the person it possessed, said, "A wise man is coming. I do not wish to meet him," and immediately made as if to depart, and Michinaga's illness was soon healed (Note: following the Kojidan). The people of that time called Sanesuke "Ken'ufu," the Wise Minister of the Right (Note: following the Jikkinshō, the Konjaku Monogatari, and the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

¶However, Sanesuke was by temperament fond of building, and throughout the year he never stopped repairs and additions. The sound of axes and mallets never ceased, so that it was almost comparable to the construction of the Tōdai-ji, and this drew considerable criticism from the world (Note: following the Ōkagami).

¶Sanesuke at first had no child, and adopted Suketaka, a son of his elder brother Takatō, and Sukehira, a son of his younger brother Kanehira (Note: compiled with reference to the Sonpi Bunmyaku and the Ōkagami). Later he had two sons of his own, one named Sukeyori and the other known only as "a certain person." This latter entered religion and took the name Ryōen (Note: following the Ōkagami). Suketaka became Chikuzen-no-kami, Governor of Chikuzen, of Junior Fourth Rank Lower (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku). Sukeyori served as Hōki-no-kami, Governor of Hōki (Note: following the Shōyūki and the Ōkagami), and Gyōbu-no-shō, Junior Assistant Minister of Justice (Note: following the Shōyūki), and rose to be Settsu-no-kami, Governor of Settsu, of Senior Fourth Rank Lower (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku). Once, when Emperor Go-Ichijō was viewing the jimoku, the appointment session, a vacancy arose in the governorship of Settsu, and Sanesuke, who was serving there as Shuhitsu, the scribe of the appointments, himself petitioned the Kampaku, saying, "I, an old retainer since the Tenryaku era, have served seven reigns of the court. In consideration of this service I beg to be granted the governorship of Settsu." The emperor granted it at once. Sanesuke gave thanks, and in this way Sukeyori was appointed to that post (Note: following the Kojidan).

Fujiwara-no-Sukehira

¶Fujiwara-no-Sukehira was appointed Jijū, Chamberlain, in the Chōtoku era (995-999) and was granted Junior Fourth Rank Upper (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). When Emperor Sanjō ascended the throne, he showed Sukehira great favor on account of his father Sanesuke. The emperor valued his diligent character and wished to place him in a post of pure distinction, proposing him for Benkan, Controller, or Kurōdo-no-tō, Head Chamberlain, but each time Michinaga obstructed it (Note: following the Shōyūki). In the fourth year of Chōwa (1015) he was at last appointed Kurōdo-no-tō. During the Chōryaku era (1037-1040) he rose step by step to Senior Second Rank. In the first year of Jiryaku (1065) he was appointed Dainagon, Major Counsellor, and in the third year (1067) he died, at the age of eighty-two (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). He once composed the Suishin Yoryūki and the Ketsuto-ki (Note: following the Ninna-ji Shoseki Mokuroku). His sons were Sukefusa and Sukenaka.

¶Sukefusa became Sangi, Counsellor, of Senior Third Rank (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku). His diary is called the Shunki (Note: following the Ninna-ji Shoseki Mokuroku). His sons were Sukemune and Kinfusa. Sukemune became Uma-no-kami, Director of the Right Bureau of Horses, of Senior Fourth Rank Lower (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku). Kinfusa became Sangi of Senior Third Rank (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

¶Sukenaka successively held the posts of Sanuki-no-gon-no-kami, Provisional Governor of Sanuki, Jijū, and Ukonoe-shōshō, Lesser Captain of the Right Palace Guards, during the Chōgen era (1028-1037). Between the Chōkyū and Enkyū eras (1040-1074) his offices and ranks accumulated, and he rose to Gon-chūnagon, Provisional Middle Counsellor. In the fourth year of Jōryaku (1080) he became Dazai-no-gon-no-sochi, Provisional Governor-General of the Dazaifu. In the first year of Kanji (1087) he died, at the age of sixty-seven (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). He once composed the Sechie-shō (Note: following the Ninna-ji Shoseki Mokuroku). His son Akinaka excelled at waka and became Sahyōe-no-suke, Assistant Captain of the Left Gate Guards, of Junior Fourth Rank Lower (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku). Once, when he attended a banquet given by Emperor Shirakawa, he composed a waka about willows and the water of a pond, committing his fancy to Katsumata Pond. But since that pond had long since fallen into ruin, people laughed at the mistake and called him "Katsumata Hyōe" (Note: following the Fukuro Zōshi).

Fujiwara-no-Yoshinobu

¶Fujiwara-no-Yoshinobu was the fifth son of the Regent Michinaga. In the Kankō era (1004-1012) he was granted Junior Fifth Rank Upper, and successively served as Jijū, Hyōe-no-suke, Assistant Captain of the Gate Guards, and Kurōdo, Chamberlain. At the beginning of the Chōwa era (1012-1017) he concurrently became Chūgū-no-gon-no-suke, Provisional Assistant Master of the Empress's Household, rose step by step to Sakonoe-gon-no-chūjō, Provisional Middle Captain of the Left Palace Guards, and was granted Junior Second Rank. In the first year of Kannin (1017) he was appointed Gon-chūnagon, Provisional Middle Counsellor, and granted Senior Second Rank. Soon he was promoted to Gon-dainagon and concurrently became Mutsu-Dewa Azechi, Inspector of Mutsu and Dewa (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin).

¶When Emperor Go-Suzaku was still Crown Prince, Michinaga presented his daughter Kishi as his consort. Kishi bore the Retired Emperor Go-Reizei, but she died without having attained the formal rank of Empress. When Emperor Go-Suzaku ascended the throne, he installed Imperial Princess Teishi as Chūgū, and Yoshinobu concurrently became Chūgū-daibu, Master of the Empress's Household. Before that, the empresses and consorts had for the most part come from the Fujiwara regent houses. At that time Yoshinobu's elder brother Yorimichi was Kampaku, but since he had no daughter who could be raised to the rank of empress, he took his wife's niece Genshi as an adopted daughter and sent her into the rear palace. The title of Chūgū was therefore changed to Kōgō, and Genshi was called Chūgū (Note: compiled with reference to the Eiga Monogatari and the Gukanshō). Thereby Yoshinobu became Kōgōgū-daibu, Master of the Empress's Household of the Kōgō (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Eiga Monogatari).

¶In the second year of Kantoku (1045), the emperor fell ill and wished to yield the throne to Emperor Go-Reizei and install Emperor Go-Sanjō as Crown Prince. Yorimichi received this last wish and withdrew (Note: following the Gukanshō and the Jikkinshō). Yoshinobu, knowing that Yorimichi opposed the plan, himself drew near the emperor's bedside and spoke, as though asking a question on purpose: "To which temple's monk does Your Majesty intend to entrust the second prince?" The emperor replied, "What are you saying? I intend to install this prince as Crown Prince. I consulted the Kampaku earlier, and since he said, 'The time is not yet ripe,' I have left it as it is." Yoshinobu said, "If Your Majesty's mind is already so decided, you should settle it quickly. It must not be put off beyond today." That very day Imperial Prince Takahito was installed as Crown Prince, the younger brother of the new emperor. This was Emperor Go-Sanjō. Yoshinobu became Tōgū-daibu, Master of the Crown Prince's Household, and the world praised his frank speech (Note: following the Imakagami and the Gukanshō). In the first year of Jiryaku (1065) he died, at the age of seventy-one (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

¶When Emperor Go-Sanjō was still Crown Prince, Yoshinobu took Moshi, the daughter of his wife's elder brother Fujiwara-no-Kinnari, as an adopted daughter and sent her into the rear palace, and Moshi bore Emperor Shirakawa (Note: following the Eiga Monogatari, the Imakagami, and the Gukanshō). When Emperor Shirakawa ascended the throne, he posthumously granted Yoshinobu, his maternal grandfather in effect, the office of Dajō-daijin, Chancellor (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki). Emperor Shirakawa always said, "Without this man I could not have taken this throne" (Note: following the Gukanshō). In general, when people spoke of Yoshinobu they did not call him by name but referred to him as "Taifu-dono," the Lord Master of the Household. Such was the reverence in which he was held (Note: following the Imakagami and the Gukanshō).

Fujiwara-no-Korechika

¶Fujiwara-no-Korechika was known in childhood as Kochiyo (Note: following the Ōkagami and the Eiga Monogatari). He was the second son of the Kampaku Michitaka (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Eiga Monogatari). He was outstanding above others in talent and appearance, and was especially loved by Michitaka (Note: following the Eiga Monogatari). His elder brother Michiyori had become an adopted son of their grandfather Kaneie (Note: following the Ōkagami and the Eiga Monogatari), and so had early been raised to a distinguished post and rose step by step to Chūnagon (Note: following the Eiga Monogatari). Korechika was appointed Sangi in the Shōryaku era (990-995) and received the post of Gon-chūnagon (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). Michitaka had long been concerned that Korechika's office and rank did not equal Michiyori's, and he suddenly moved him to Dainagon (Note: following the Eiga Monogatari) and granted him Senior Third Rank. Then, passing over his uncle Michinaga and others, he appointed him Naidaijin, Minister of the Interior (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin); Korechika was then twenty-one years old (Note: following the Ōkagami).

¶Michitaka soon fell ill and became unable to attend to affairs of state, and he petitioned that Korechika be made to act for him in the government of the court. Moreover, by imperial order it was decreed that "documents and senji, imperial directives, shall first pass through the Kampaku before being presented for the emperor's inspection." But Korechika thought, "The conduct of affairs ought to be left wholly to me; why should it be necessary to go through the Kampaku?" Michitaka went along with this and petitioned that Korechika be made Kampaku, but the emperor would not permit it, and merely allowed Korechika to act as he wished (Note: following the Shōyūki).

¶When Michitaka died, Korechika, though in mourning, improperly involved himself in the government of the court and decided many matters. First he altered the regulations concerning dress, declaring of himself, "The one who will succeed to my father's post will surely be me." But his uncle Michikane was weighty in rank and reputation, and secretly worried over this and had his maternal grandfather Takashina-no-Naritada carry out curses. Soon Michikane became Kampaku, and Korechika was filled with anger and resentment. But before long Michikane died, and Korechika rejoiced that his hope had been fulfilled (Note: following the Eiga Monogatari).

¶At first the Higashi-Sanjō Taikō, Grand Empress Dowager of Higashi-Sanjō, and Michinaga were on bad terms with Korechika, but as the elder brother of the Chūgū, the Empress Consort, Korechika was intimately favored by the emperor (Note: following the Ōkagami). The Grand Empress Dowager had always disliked his character and thought that if this man once took power he might ruin the government of the country (Note: following the Gukanshō). She therefore repeatedly petitioned the emperor to make Michinaga Kampaku, and the emperor reluctantly granted her request. Korechika's resentment grew all the greater, and public opinion of the time also condemned his failure to know his place (Note: following the Ōkagami, the Eiga Monogatari, and the Gukanshō).

¶Two daughters of the Dajō-daijin Tamemitsu, left without kin, were living in the Takatsukasa mansion. Korechika was secretly involved with the elder, and the Retired Emperor Kazan, having heard of the beauty of the younger, sent letters courting her, but she did not respond. The Retired Emperor repeatedly came to peer into the mansion. Korechika suspected that the Retired Emperor was involved with the elder sister, and told his younger brother Takaie of it. Takaie said, "Brother, do not worry. I shall take care of it." In the first year of Chōtoku (995), Takaie led several violent men and waited in ambush at night as the Retired Emperor was returning from an office; they meant to frighten him with arrows, but mistakenly struck the Retired Emperor's robe (Note: the Hyakurenshō places this in the first month of the second year, but now, upon examining the entry for the twenty-seventh day of the seventh month of the first year in the Shōyūki, it is clear that it happened in the first year. Therefore this work follows the Shōyūki).

¶This incident spread at once throughout the capital, and the emperor heard the outline of it, but out of regard for the Retired Emperor's dignity he did not hasten to inquire into it. Korechika also performed the Taigen-hō, the Taigen rite, to curse the Higashi-Sanjō Grand Empress Dowager. Now the Taigen rite was by its nature a rite performed publicly by the court, and a subject could not conduct it. When this was exposed, the emperor was furious. In the fourth month of the second year (996), he sent Kebiishi, police officials, to seize Korechika and the others, and an imperial messenger announced the edict: "Korechika is demoted to Dazai-no-gon-no-sochi, and Takaie to Izumo-no-gon-no-kami, Provisional Governor of Izumo." Korechika was terrified and would not come out of his mansion, and the Kebiishi surrounded it. At midnight Korechika slipped out through the encirclement in secret, went to the tombs of his ancestors at Kohata, and took his leave of them (Note: the Shōyūki, the Hyakurenshō, and the Kojidan all say that he fled and hid on Mount Atago, but which is correct cannot be known).

¶Earlier, the Chūgū (Korechika's sister Teishi) had been with child and had taken refuge in Korechika's mansion. The next day the emperor reproached the Chūgū for sending Korechika out of the mansion, but the Chūgū insisted that he was not there. The emperor was furious and ordered a strict search. The Kebiishi entered the mansion and searched every corner. That evening Korechika returned to the mansion from Kohata, and the brothers at last set out for their places of exile. Korechika fell ill on the road, and when the emperor heard of it he took pity and issued the order: "Korechika is to be kept at Harima, and Takaie at Tajima." In the autumn of that year, Korechika heard of his mother's illness, fled back, and hid in the Nishi-no-Kyō, the Western Capital (Note: following the Eiga Monogatari). The emperor again ordered the Kebiishi to transfer him to Tsukushi (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Eiga Monogatari). In the third year (997) he was caught in an amnesty and returned to the capital (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin, the Ōkagami Urogaki, and the Fusō Ryakki; however, the Eiga Monogatari says that the brothers Korechika were recalled immediately after Imperial Prince Atsuyasu was born in the fourth year of Chōtoku, but this is mistaken).

¶In the first year of Chōhō (999), the Chūgū gave birth to Imperial Prince Atsuyasu (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Shōyūki). In the second year (1000), Michinaga's daughter, the Nyōgo Shōshi, was installed as Chūgū (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). The title of the former Chūgū was thereupon changed to Kōgō. Soon the Empress (Teishi) died (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Hyakurenshō). In the third year (1001) Korechika was restored to his former office and rank (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Hyakurenshō). In the fifth year (1003) he advanced to Junior Second Rank (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). In the second year of Kankō (1005), by imperial order he was ranked below the ministers and above the Dainagon, and took part in the government of the court (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin, the Hyakurenshō, and the Shōyūki). In the fifth year (1008) he became Jun-daijin, Quasi-Minister, was granted a fief of a thousand households, and soon afterwards was granted Senior Second Rank and became Gidō Sanshi, one holding the rank of the Three Ministers (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin, the Shokuin-shō, and the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

¶Korechika used always to say, "Imperial Prince Atsuyasu will surely ascend the throne in time," but when the Chūgū Shōshi gave birth to Imperial Prince Atsuhira, he was greatly disheartened. Just then a rumor went about that "Korechika, together with Takashina-no-Akinobu, is cursing Imperial Prince Atsuhira." Michinaga summoned Akinobu and questioned him sharply, and Akinobu, in anxiety and fear, died within a few days (Note: following the Eiga Monogatari). In the sixth year (1009), Korechika was implicated in the matter of the curses and forbidden to attend the palace, but he was soon pardoned (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin, the Nihon Kiryaku, and the Hyakurenshō).

¶In the seventh year (1010) his illness grew grave. At the point of death he admonished his sons and daughters: "I had always intended that my sons should rise to high office and that my daughters should become consorts of emperors. Now that my fortunes are coming to an end like this, it cannot be helped. You must never ruin yourselves, become objects of ridicule, and disgrace my name. Michimasa, if you are ashamed of your low station and would otherwise toady to the world and fawn on the powerful, you would do better to hide in the mountains and forests and become a monk." And to Takaie he said, "Our long-cherished wish has not been fulfilled, and I go to the netherworld with a grudge in my heart. Now I entrust Michimasa to you. I ask that you teach and guide him well." He died at the age of thirty-seven (Note: following the Eiga Monogatari). In the world he was called Sochi-no-Naidaijin, the Minister of the Interior who was Governor-General (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). His son Michimasa became Sakyō-no-daibu, Master of the Left Capital Office, of Junior Third Rank. Akinaga became Nuidono-no-kami, Director of the Sewing Office, of Junior Fifth Rank Upper (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku).

Fujiwara-no-Takaie

¶Fujiwara-no-Takaie was known in childhood as Ako (Note: following the Ōkagami). Under Emperor Ichijō he rose successively in office and rank. In the fifth year of Shōryaku (994) he advanced to Junior Third Rank. In the first year of Chōtoku (995) he was appointed Chūnagon, at the age of seventeen (Note: the Fusō Ryakki gives the second year of Chōtoku, at the age of seventeen). In the second year (996) he was demoted to Izumo-no-gon-no-kami, fell ill on the road, and was kept at Tajima (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). Since his mother was ill at the time, his maternal grandfather Takashina-no-Naritada submitted a memorial on Takaie's behalf, asking that he be allowed to return and care for his mother, but it was not granted (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki and the Honchō Monzui). Soon, together with Korechika, he was caught in an amnesty and returned to the capital, and became Hyōbu-kyō, Minister of Military Affairs (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin, the Ōkagami, and the Eiga Monogatari).

¶From then on Takaie cut off his associations and seldom went out. Once, when Michinaga made a pilgrimage to the Kamo Shrine and all the kugyō accompanied him, Takaie joined at the rear of the procession. Michinaga, concerned over his discontent, had him ride in the same carriage and spoke with him, swearing: "People in the world say that the censure you suffered before was decided by my memorial, but at the time I merely carried out the matter in obedience to the imperial decree; did I have any say in it? If I had done it on my own authority, how could I come to this shrine today? The gods of Heaven are watching; this is no falsehood."

¶When Michinaga held a drinking party with his courtiers, in the midst of the revelry he said, "A gathering such as this is no pleasure without Takaie," and sent a letter inviting him. The guests in the room were all drunk and had thrown off their robes and were making a din. When Takaie arrived, they all straightened their bearing. Michinaga urged Takaie too to take off his robe; Takaie agreed but would not readily do so. Fujiwara-no-Kinnobu stripped off Takaie's robe from behind, whereupon Takaie flushed with anger and said, "I am not by nature one to be insulted and toyed with by the likes of you. To be treated like this now!" and all those seated there turned pale. Michinaga laughed and said, "Today we are all merely playing for a while. You need not be so stiff about it," and himself stood up and took off Takaie's hō, outer robe, and Takaie at last recovered his good humor (Note: following the Ōkagami).

¶In the fourth year of Chōhō (1002) he was restored to his former office and granted Junior Second Rank (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). Takaie had long wished to see Imperial Prince Atsuyasu installed as Crown Prince, and when Emperor Ichijō lay critically ill, he waited in attendance in the imperial bedchamber for his last testament. At that time Michinaga's power was growing day by day, and though the emperor cherished the prince, in awe of Michinaga he could not bring himself to carry out the installation. On returning home, Takaie beat his breast, lamenting and raging, and was constantly gloomy and without joy (Note: following the Ōkagami).

¶In the Chōwa era (1012-1017) he concurrently became Kōgōgū-daibu (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). Takaie secretly harbored a wish to leave the capital, and moreover was afflicted with an eye disease. At that time a physician of the Song country had come to Tsukushi, and he wished to receive his treatment. Just then a vacancy arose in the post of Dazai-no-daini, Senior Assistant Governor-General, and Takaie sought that post (Note: following the Ōkagami) and was appointed Gon-no-sochi. On the occasion of his departure for his post, he was given a banquet in the Hiru-no-omashi, the emperor's daytime chamber (Note: following the Shōyūki), and advanced to Senior Second Rank (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). At his post he achieved good government and was beloved by gentry and commoners (Note: following the Ōkagami).

¶In the third year of Kannin (1019), the Toi invaded the two islands of Tsushima and Iki, attacked and killed Fujiwara-no-Masatada, Governor of Iki, and advanced as far as Ito district in Chikuzen (Note: following the Shōyūki). Takaie ordered Fun'ya-no-Tadamitsu and other residents of the district to defend against them, and they killed or captured a considerable number. The bandits then reached Naka district, so Takaie again sent Ōkura-no-Tanemoto, formerly Shōgen, Junior Secretary, Fujiwara-no-Akinori, and others to defend against them. The bandit ships suddenly attacked and tried to burn down the guard post, but the soldiers of the Dazaifu fought valiantly, and the bandits, many of them struck by arrows, withdrew to Nokonoshima. A few days later the bandits reached Funakoshi-no-tsu in Shima district. Takaie had earlier sent Gon-no-kebiishi Takarabe-no-Hirunobu to meet them. The bandits fled, so Takaie further sent Shōni, Junior Assistant Governor-General, Taira-no-Muneyuki, Tanemoto, and several other commanders, dispatching more than thirty ships to pursue them. When the bandits reached Matsura in Hizen, the former Zen-no-suke, Assistant Governor, Minamoto-no-Satoru drove them back (Note: following the Chōya Gunsai).

¶Hearing that Muneyuki's ships were lying at anchor at Hakata-no-tsu and that the commanders would not move, Takaie sent Shōni Minamoto-no-Michinari to urge them on. The officers and men all said, "The bandit ships are quite numerous, so we ought to increase our warships and sail out all together," but Tanemoto alone, roused to spirit, said, "If we wait to build ships before sailing, the bandits will already have fled. I am the descendant of meritorious retainers and, to my shame, am past seventy; though I may not be of use as a full man, I wish to meet the bandits alone and give up my life in the king's service." Michinari was moved by his spirit, agreed with his opinion, and led his troops out by ship. Before long the bandits had already gone far away, and so the matter ended (Note: following the Shōyūki).

¶Takaie reported the achievements of the officers and men to the court, and the court rewarded Tanemoto by making him Iki-no-kami, Governor of Iki (Note: following the Ōkagami). Tanemoto was a grandson of Haruzane, Governor of Tsushima. Haruzane was the man who, in the Tenkyō era (938-947), together with Ono-no-Yoshifuru, put down the vicious bandit Fujiwara-no-Sumitomo (Note: following the Ōkagami and the Akizuki Keizu).

¶In that year Takaie was relieved of his post as Gon-no-sochi and returned to the capital. In the third year of Jian (1023) he resigned as Chūnagon. Soon afterwards he became Ōkura-kyō, Minister of the Treasury. In the second year of Chōryaku (1038) he was again appointed Dazai-no-gon-no-sochi. In the third year of Chōkyū (1042) he resigned as Gon-no-sochi. In the first year of Kantoku (1044) he died, at the age of sixty-six (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Ōkagami Urogaki). His son Yoshiyori became Gon-chūnagon of Senior Third Rank, and Tsunesuke became Gon-dainagon of Senior Second Rank (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Sonpi Bunmyaku).