Biographies LXXIV: Minamoto-no-Takakuni, Fujiwara-no-Tametaka, and Ōe-no-Masafusa

Minamoto-no-Takakuni

¶Minamoto-no-Takakuni was the second son of Toshikata, Gon-dainagon, Provisional Major Counsellor. In the Chōgen era (1028–1037) he was appointed Sangi, Counsellor, and before long became Gon-chūnagon, Provisional Middle Counsellor, and was granted Senior Second Rank. In the reign of Emperor Go-Reizei, when a daughter of the Regent Fujiwara-no-Yorimichi was installed as Empress, Takakuni became Kōgūgū-no-daibu, Master of the Empress's Household. In the third year of Jiryaku (1067) he received the post of Gon-dainagon. In the first year of Jōryaku (1077) he fell ill and took the tonsure, and soon afterwards he died. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin. The matter of the Regent Yorimichi's daughter follows the Fusō Ryakki.)

¶When Takakuni once went to Yorimichi's residence at Uji, he purposely rode a small pony in and out of the gate, saying, "I do not presume to ride a horse; this is no more than a stand-in for ashida, wooden clogs." (Note: in the world geta are called ashida.) Yorimichi, pleased by this witty reply, did not reproach him further. (Note: following the Kojidan.)

¶By nature Takakuni disliked the heat. He built a villa at Uji, and every year when summer came he took leave and lived there. He would invite the travellers passing by, seat himself apart from them behind a screen, listen to their talk himself, and write it down just as it was told. Even the smallest happenings of the world and the streets he never failed to record; he gathered them into scrolls and called the work the Konjaku Monogatari. A later person greatly revised it, and the Uji Shūi Monogatari was composed in imitation of the earlier book. (Note: following the preface of the Uji Shūi Monogatari.) The year he died he was seventy-four. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.) In the world he was called the Uji Dainagon. (Note: following the Kojidan.)

¶He had three sons, named Takatoshi, Takatsuna, and Toshiaki (the original text gives the name Takatoshi twice over). Takatoshi was appointed Sangi in the Kōhei era (1058–1065), was granted Junior Third Rank, and held concurrently the post of Udaiben, Major Controller of the Right. In the early years of Jiryaku (1065–1069) he was appointed Gon-chūnagon. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.)

¶In the reign of Emperor Go-Reizei, Takakuni had once behaved discourteously, relying on the emperor's favor. Emperor Go-Sanjō, when he was still Crown Prince, always bore a grudge against him for this. When he came to the throne he wished to repay that grudge upon Takakuni's son, Takatoshi. On a day when Takatoshi was on night duty at the palace, the emperor secretly observed him. Seeing Takatoshi sitting upright with his shaku, ceremonial baton, held correctly, and dispatching the business of government at the Jin, the court's place of deliberation, with quickness and precision, the emperor sighed in admiration and said, "A man of such ability is not easily found. If I cast him aside and do not employ him, the court will lose a worthy assistant." And so Takatoshi was advanced as far as Senior Second Rank. In the second year of Jōhō (1075) he died, at the age of fifty-one. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.)

Minamoto-no-Takatsuna

¶Minamoto-no-Takatsuna was appointed Sangi in the Jiryaku era (1065–1069) and held concurrently the post of Ukonoe-no-gon-no-chūjō, Provisional Middle Captain of the Right Palace Guards. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.) At first Emperor Go-Sanjō hated Takatsuna as well, because of his father Takakuni. (Note: following the Kojidan.) But the Regent Yorimichi treated him generously, and for that reason he was able suddenly to hold an important post. (Note: following the Gukanshō.)

¶It happened that Fujiwara-no-Nakasue shot a white fox at the Saigū, the residence of the High Priestess of Ise, and in the deliberations of the court his offense had to be determined. Some said, "The fox is already dead," and others said, "It is not yet dead." Takatsuna took up a brush and wrote out the judgment, saying, "It is rumored that the arrow went in as far as its feathers, but it has not yet been confirmed that the fox has died with its head turned toward the hill." The emperor read it and said, "That he has such wit is truly worthy of praise. I used to think that his promotion was too swift, but was I not mistaken?" And so Takatsuna at length won the emperor's trust. (Note: following the Gukanshō and the Zoku Kojidan. Considering the Jikkinshō, it records that Takatsuna drew up the judgment and that the emperor praised it and especially had him hold the post of Chūjō concurrently. But according to the Kugyō Bunin he had already held the post of Chūjō concurrently before this, so the Jikkinshō is mistaken.)

¶In the first year of Jōhō (1074) he died, at the age of thirty-two. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.)

Minamoto-no-Toshiaki

¶Minamoto-no-Toshiaki was appointed Jijū, Chamberlain, and held concurrently the post of Sakonoe-no-shōshō, Minor Captain of the Left Palace Guards. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.) In the Enkyū era (1069–1074) a fire broke out within the palace, and as the emperor fled in haste, the crowd fell into noisy disorder and very nearly touched the emperor's palanquin. Toshiaki, arriving late at a run, took bow and arrows in his own hands, rebuked the people, and drove them back. The emperor was pleased, and from then on he enjoyed the emperor's favor. (Note: following the Kojidan.)

¶In the reign of Emperor Shirakawa he was appointed Sangi and rose to Gon-chūnagon, holding concurrently the post of Chūgū-no-daibu, Master of the Consort's Household. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.) When the Chūgū, of the Fujiwara clan, died, the emperor sank into deep grief. Toshiaki went to the palace and remonstrated with him, and his words were most to the point. (Note: following the Kojidan.) After the emperor abdicated, he still continued to take part in the affairs of government. (Note: following the Chūyūki.) When the Cloistered Emperor's Office first established Inbettō, Directors of the Office, Toshiaki and others were appointed to them. The regent and the ministers carried on matters without hesitation before them. (Note: following the Gukanshō.)

¶In the Jōtoku era (1097–1099) he was appointed Gon-dainagon and held concurrently the posts of Azechi, Inspector, of Mutsu and Dewa. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.)

¶At first Fujiwara-no-Kinzane, Tōgū-no-daibu, Master of the Crown Prince's Household, relying on his being a maternal relative of the Crown Prince, hoped for the position of Sesshō, Regent. When the time came for Emperor Toba to ascend the throne, Kinzane saw his opportunity and made a strong petition to the Cloistered Emperor, Shirakawa. The Cloistered Emperor could not decide; he shut himself in an inner hall, forbade visitors, and still issued no command, so that people did not know what to do. Toshiaki put on formal dress, went up to the palace, and entered, intending to ask the Cloistered Emperor's wishes. When those at the sides tried to stop him, Toshiaki said, "I wish to speak directly of a matter of great importance," and pushed open the door and went in. The Cloistered Emperor said, "For what purpose have you come?" Toshiaki said, "The sun is already high. What are Your Majesty's intentions concerning the accession ceremony?" The Cloistered Emperor said, "Whom should I entrust with the regency, or should the Kampaku, Chancellor, remain as he is?" Before he had finished speaking, Toshiaki answered in a loud voice, "I understand," and withdrew with quick steps, and went straight to the residence of the Kampaku, Fujiwara-no-Tadazane, and conveyed the Cloistered Emperor's wishes: "Follow the old precedent, and carry out the accession ceremony at once." Thus the matter was settled. (Note: following the Gukanshō.)

¶Toshiaki once had a Buddhist image made, and Fujiwara-no-Kiyohira sent gold dust to defray the cost. Toshiaki declined it and did not accept it. When someone asked the reason, Toshiaki answered, "Kiyohira holds Mutsu as he pleases and rules its land and people on his own authority. Should some disturbance once arise, I would be one of those to deliberate on his subjugation. That is why I decline." (Note: following the Kojidan and the Jikkinshō.)

¶In the second year of Eikyū (1114) he died, at the age of seventy-one. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.) Toshiaki was well versed in the ceremonial etiquette of the court, and even when at a great ceremony he forgot to bring the gichū, the written order of ceremonial procedure, he carried it out on the spot by his own judgment without the slightest mistake. (Note: following the Kojidan.) His son Yoshitoshi rose in office to Dainagon. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.)

Minamoto-no-Tsunenari

¶Minamoto-no-Tsunenari was a great-grandson of Imperial Prince Yoshiakira. (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku.) His father, Nagatsune, was Governor of Bizen. In the Man'ju era (1024–1028) and the Kantoku era (1044–1046), Tsunenari served in succession as Kurōdo, Chamberlain, Jijū, Sachūben, Middle Controller of the Left, and Mimbu-no-taifu, Senior Assistant Minister of Popular Affairs, and was appointed Kurōdo-no-tō, Head Chamberlain. In the Eishō era (1046–1053) he became Sangi and Kebiishi-no-bettō, Superintendent of the Police, and rose to Senior Third Rank. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.)

¶On the occasion of the memorial service at which Jōtōmon-in (Fujiwara-no-Shōshi) dedicated the Tōhokuin, a general amnesty was to be proclaimed. Tsunenari at once ordered his officials to seize three prisoners guilty of grave crimes and have their hands and feet cut off. The people of the time said, "Since the order of amnesty had not yet been issued, these prisoners ought not to have been liable to death, and the amnesty brought about their execution instead. Moreover, concerning the killing of the thief Hamahitomaro, the monk Ison heard of it and preached on the law of cause and effect." Tsunenari argued against Ison with full reasoning, and Ison withdrew without a word. (Note: following the Zoku Kojidan.)

¶When a fire broke out at the Sagoku, the prison of the Left Capital, the officials petitioned to release the prisoners. Tsunenari said, "These men were confined for violating the prohibitions, and that they now suffer Heaven's punishment is exactly as it should be." Soon the fire spread, and the prisoners burned to death crying out that they were wrongly condemned. (Note: following the Jikkinshō.)

¶In the fourth year of Kōhei (1061) a vacancy arose among the Chūnagon. Tsunenari desired it and prayed at the Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine, saying to the shrine priest, "I have been in charge of punishments and prisons and have caused many prisoners to die. As the reward for this, I pray that I may become a Nagon, Counsellor." The priest said, "The god hates the taking of life. How can you pray that the killing of many men be repaid as a blessing?" Tsunenari answered, "I have removed evil for the sake of the country and have never bent the law to follow private feeling. How then can it be said that I love killing? If there had been any wrongful condemnation in what I did, the god would surely not protect me." And in the end he did become Chūnagon. (Note: the Kojidan and the Zoku Kojidan have been consulted. Considering the Jikkinshō, it treats this as an affair of Fujiwara-no-Asahira, but that is probably an error.)

¶In the first year of Jiryaku (1065) he was granted Senior Second Rank. In the second year (1066) he died, at the age of fifty-eight. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.) His sons were Shigetsuna, Shigesuke, and Naritsune. (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku.) Shigesuke became Gon-chūnagon of Junior Second Rank. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Sonpi Bunmyaku.)

Fujiwara-no-Tametaka

¶Fujiwara-no-Tametaka. His father, Tamefusa, served three emperors, Shirakawa, Horikawa, and Toba, rose to Sangi, and held concurrently the post of Ōkura-kyō, Minister of the Treasury. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.)

¶In the first year of Eikyū (1113) the monk Ninkan of Daigoji plotted rebellion, and the matter came to light. In the court's deliberations it was proposed to sentence Ninkan to distant exile and to hold his kinsmen guilty as well. Tamefusa said, "Ninkan's conduct was lawless and contrary to the Way. But his father, mother, and brothers did not necessarily know of it; how can they be held to be implicated?" The high nobles agreed with Tamefusa's view, and as a result his kinsmen were spared. The people of the time said, "A man who serves his lord with loyalty and treats those beneath him with kindness: the descendants of such a man will surely prosper." (Note: following the Genpei Seisuiki.)

¶Tamefusa had fifteen sons, of whom Tametaka and Akitaka were the best known, and Tamefusa made Akitaka his successor. (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku.)

¶Tametaka was of excellent ability, bold in spirit, and of extraordinary talent. (Note: following the Gosui Ōjōden.) In the reign of Emperor Shirakawa he was appointed Kurōdo. On one occasion the matters he had to report were many and varied, and the emperor showed signs of weariness and rose from his seat to go inside. Tametaka, feigning not to notice, reported on a matter concerning the Daijingū, the Grand Shrine of Ise. The emperor returned to his seat, and thanks to this Tametaka was able to finish reporting everything. (Note: following the Zoku Kojidan.)

¶He served in succession as Kurōdo-no-tō, was appointed Sangi, was transferred to Sadaiben, Major Controller of the Left, and was granted Junior Third Rank. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.)

¶In the reign of Emperor Horikawa he was sent to Ise as an imperial envoy, and when he returned and reported, the emperor was playing the flute at that moment and paid no heed. Tametaka withdrew and told the Retired Emperor Shirakawa, "His Majesty the present emperor does not seem well. Would it not be well to have prayers offered?" The Retired Emperor was startled and questioned the Naishi, the palace attendant. The Naishi answered, "I know nothing of it." When the Retired Emperor summoned Tametaka and questioned him, Tametaka answered, "When I reported just now on a matter concerning the Daijingū, His Majesty played the flute and took no notice. If he had not been touched by some evil influence and come under a curse, how could this be?" When the emperor heard this he was greatly ashamed.

¶When someone presented a citrus tree, the emperor was especially fond of it and had a roof built to shelter it. Tametaka did not like this and ordered the Kodoneri, the young palace attendants, to remove it. The tree withered in the end. The emperor knew of it but did not reproach him. There were many other such instances of how much Tametaka was held in awe. (Note: following the Zoku Kojidan.)

¶In the fifth year of Daiji (1130) he died, at the age of sixty-one. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Sonpi Bunmyaku.) His family name was called Bōjō, and his diary is called the Eishōki. (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku.)

Fujiwara-no-Akitaka

¶Fujiwara-no-Akitaka served three emperors, Horikawa, Toba, and Sutoku, and held in succession the posts of Udaiben, Major Controller of the Right, and Kurōdo-no-tō. In the Hōan era (1120–1124) he was appointed Sangi, rose to Gon-chūnagon, and was granted Senior Third Rank. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.) His bearing and ability were extraordinary, and he was the most trusted of all by the Cloistered Emperor Shirakawa. He waited at the Cloistered Emperor's side even at night, and many of his words were heeded. The people of the time called him the "Night Kampaku" (Yoru no Kampaku). (Note: following the Imakagami.) From the Hōan era onward he took sole part in the affairs of government, and his power overshadowed everyone of his time. In the fourth year of Daiji (1129) he died, at the age of fifty-eight. (Note: following the Chūyūki.) His diary is called the Chūki, or the Toki. (Note: following the Ninnaji Shoseki Mokuroku.) His son Akiyori also rose to Gon-chūnagon of Senior Second Rank. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.) His diary is called the Minki. (Note: following the Ninnaji Shoseki Mokuroku.)

Ōe-no-Masafusa

¶Ōe-no-Masafusa was a great-grandson of Masahira, Shikibu-no-taifu, Senior Assistant Minister of Ceremonial, and a son of Narihira, Shinano-no-gon-no-kami, Provisional Governor of Shinano. (Note: following the Ōe Keizu.) He was gifted with extraordinary intelligence from birth; he began to read at the age of four and by eight was versed in the Shiji and the Hanshu. (Note: following Masafusa's "Boneshiki" in the Chōya Gunsai and the Gōdanshō.) At eleven he composed poetry and was called a child prodigy in the world. When Minamoto-no-Morofusa, Gon-dainagon, set him to compose verse as a test, Masafusa took up a brush and finished it at once, and Morofusa marvelled at him as an uncommon talent. (Note: following the "Boneshiki" and the Zoku Kojidan. His being called a child prodigy follows the "Shiki.")

¶His poems were presented to Emperor Go-Reizei, who was deeply moved and praised them highly, and granted him a gakuryō, a stipend for study. (Note: following the Zoku Kojidan and the Chūyūki.)

¶When the Regent Yorimichi founded the Byōdōin at Uji, Masafusa went there together with Morofusa to plan the construction. The great gate faced north, and Yorimichi asked Morofusa, "Was there ever, in former times, a precedent for a temple gate facing north?" Morofusa said, "I do not know." Masafusa was still a boy and was waiting behind. When Morofusa had him asked, as a test, Masafusa answered, "The Nālandā monastery in India, the Ximing temple in China, and the Rokuharaji in our own country all have gates that face north." Yorimichi sighed in admiration and praised him. (Note: following the Jikkinshō and the Kojidan.)

¶He was made a Monjō Tokugōshō, a student of letters, passed the examination for official appointment, was granted Junior Fifth Rank Lower, and became Shikibu-no-shōjō, Junior Secretary of Ceremonial. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.) Relying on his talent he grew bitter against the world and once sought to hide himself away in the mountains and forests. Fujiwara-no-Tsunetō, Gon-chūnagon, admonished him, saying, "You are the foremost man of talent of the age; why do you not value yourself, and why would you come to such a pass?" Masafusa thereupon gave up the idea, but this greatly displeased Yorimichi.

¶At that time Emperor Go-Sanjō was still Crown Prince, and Masafusa served the Crown Prince as a scholar. The Crown Prince was fond of Masafusa and treated him generously. Masafusa's family was poor and he borrowed clothing in order to attend; he waited upon the Crown Prince day and night, lecturing and discussing learning. When the emperor came to the throne, Masafusa was appointed Kurōdo on that very day. (Note: following the Imakagami.) Before long he became Saemon-no-gon-no-suke, Provisional Assistant Commander of the Left Gate Guards. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.) He had the nighttime passage of the capital strictly forbidden, so that throughout the emperor's reign thieves were few, and travellers on the roads had no fear of being robbed. (Note: following the Gōdanshō.)

¶Soon he also became Tōgū Gakushi, Scholar to the Crown Prince, and Ushōben, Minor Controller of the Right. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.) When the emperor was once about to present offerings to Ise, he himself drafted the text of the senmyō, the imperial proclamation, and showed it to Masafusa; in it was a passage reading, "Since I came to the throne, I have never once acted out of private feeling." Masafusa said, "The gods cannot be deceived. I beg Your Majesty to consider carefully." The emperor changed color and said, "What private feeling have I ever had?" Masafusa answered, "Earlier, when Your Majesty made Fujiwara-no-Sanemasa Sachūben, Middle Controller of the Left, was it not by setting aside Takakata and promoting him specially?" The emperor was silent and said nothing. (Note: following the Zoku Kojidan. In this book "Sachūben" is given as "Hitachi-ben," but it has now been corrected on the basis of the Imakagami. The Kokon Chomonjū says that when Emperor Go-Sanjō presented a proclamation to a shrine and stated that he had never violated the codes, laws, and regulations, Fujiwara-no-Sukenaka remonstrated, saying, "These words may be used to admonish the future, but to speak so of what is already past is no concern of a subject." This story resembles that of Masafusa. But since there is no other book with which to compare it, it is added here for reference.)

¶Sanemasa was a grandson of Arikuni, Sangi. (Note: following the Sonpi Bunmyaku.) He had once served as the emperor's Jidoku, reader-in-attendance, and was much favored. (Note: following the Imakagami.) This story appears in the "Biography of Arikuni."

¶In the Jōryaku era (1077–1081) Koryŏ requested that physicians be sent; in the court's deliberations it was decided, on the grounds that its attitude was discourteous, not to send them, and Masafusa was ordered to draft the reply document. In it was a phrase reading, "The paired fish, the letters, have hardly reached the waves of the Phoenix Pond, the court; how should Bian Que, the great physician, enter the clouds of Jilin, Koryŏ?" It was widely praised in the world. (Note: following the Gōdanshō, the Jikkinshō, and the Kokon Chomonjū.)

¶In the Eihō (1081–1084) and Ōtoku (1084–1087) eras he served in succession as Shikibu-no-taifu and Sadaiben. At the beginning of Kanji (1087) he was appointed Sangi. In the first year of Kajō (1106) he became Gon-chūnagon. In the first year of Jōtoku (1097) he held concurrently the post of Dazai-no-gon-no-sotsu, Provisional Governor-General of Dazaifu, and only in the following year did he first go to his post. Soon he advanced to Senior Second Rank and, his term ended, returned to the capital. In the Kajō era (1106–1108) he resigned as Chūnagon and again became Gon-no-sotsu. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.) Because of an ailment of the feet he could not go to his post. He decided the affairs of the post from afar, but because of this decisions on lawsuits were delayed and suits multiplied. Opinion at the time criticized him for it. (Note: following the Chūyūki.)

¶In the second year of Tenei (1111) he held concurrently the post of Ōkura-kyō, Minister of the Treasury. (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin.) Before long, because of illness, he shaved his head and entered religion, and burned his diary of his later years. That night he died, at the age of seventy-one. (Note: following the Chūyūki.) In the world he was called Gō-no-sotsu. (Note: following the Chūyūki, the Kokon Chomonjū, and the Gosannen Gunki.)

¶During his time at Dazaifu he first held a festival for Sugawara-no-Michizane at the Anrakuji, and composed with his own hand the verses for the concluding banquet, the Kyōen, together with their preface. Later generations did not let the festival lapse and have continued it down to the present day, it is said. (Note: following the Kokon Chomonjū.)

¶Ever since Ōe-no-Otondo, Sangi, made his name through letters, the family had handed down its learning generation after generation, until in Masafusa it became the teacher of three emperors. When Masafusa died, Fujiwara-no-Munetada sighed and said, "He was a pillar of the court and a lamp of letters. How greatly is it to be regretted that the state has lost a good minister!" (Note: following the Chūyūki. The phrase "continued the work for eight generations" follows the memorial text of Masafusa's illness recorded in the Chōya Gunsai. The memorial text says "nine generations," but it has now been corrected.)

¶Masafusa was also skilled in waka (Note: following the Goshūi Wakashū and the Kinyō Wakashū), but he was most renowned in the world for his poetry and prose. When in his youth he composed the "Shūjitsu Kankyo no Fu," Fujiwara-no-Akihira, Daigaku-no-kami, Head of the University, praised it, saying, "Its keenness is bristling and imposing; surely few will stand beside him." Seeing also his poem "Fallen leaves bury the springs and stones," he said, "He has already reached the finest realm." As he grew older, his talent shone ever brighter, and the famous men of the time all praised him. (Note: following the "Boneshiki.")

¶He was widely learned and had an excellent memory, and was thoroughly versed in the ceremonies and rites of the court. He wrote the Gōke Shidai in twenty-one volumes, which the high nobles took as their model. (Note: that he wrote the Gōke Shidai follows the Ninnaji Shoseki Mokuroku.)

¶Emperor Shirakawa commanded Masafusa to compile the Rōeishū in its entirety, but at the line about the voice of the cicada in the fifth month seeing off the barley autumn, he could not find the whole poem. Someone showed him one poem and said, "This is it," but Masafusa said it was not, since its beginning and end did not match. When the whole poem was later found, it was just as he had said. People admired his discernment. (Note: following the Imakagami.)

¶Masafusa's house held a great many books, and for generations it never suffered a fire. When he built a library at Nijō Takakura, someone said, "The capital is often visited by fires; why do you not take care?" Masafusa answered, "The writings of my house are bound up with the rise and fall of the court. What is there to worry about?" In the Ninpei era (1151–1154) this library was burned, and along with it the court too fell into decline. (Note: following the Zoku Kojidan.)

¶In his later years Masafusa grieved as his close friends died one after another, and lamented, "The master craftsman Shi stopped swinging his axe for the rustic who had been his partner, and Boya broke the strings of his zither for Zhong Ziqi. How much more in the way of poetry and prose, it is no wonder that those who understand are few." For this reason, from the Kanji era onward he put little effort into poetry and prose; he composed verses on the feelings of the moment and collected them into volumes, and made the "Boneshiki," in which he set out the course of his own life. (Note: following the "Boneshiki.")

¶He once said of himself, "Through letters I showed talent that stood out above others, and my reputation is not inferior to that of men of old, and my years have nearly reached the middle of a full lifespan. My only regrets are that I did not pass through the post of Kurōdo-no-tō, and that my descendants are undistinguished." (Note: following the "Boneshiki.")

¶Masafusa, together with Fujiwara-no-Korefusa and Fujiwara-no-Tamefusa, was called in the same breath for breadth of learning, and the people of the time called them the "Sambō," the Three Fusa. (Note: following the Ga'un Nikkenroku.) His son Takakane became Shikibu-no-shō, Junior Assistant Minister of Ceremonial, and Koreyuki became Shikibu-no-taifu. (Note: following the Ōe Keizu.)