History of Asia

How did Fujiwara no Michinaga come to sing "Mochizuki no Uta"?

This song is Fujiwara no Michinaga The third daughter, Takeko Ishi, is Emperor Go-Ichijo It is a famous song sung at the feast of the celebration. It is said that she was proud of her own glory in an unprecedented event in which Mitsuo stood in the family with her mother and sister, Empress Dowager Akiko, and Empress Dowager (Kenshi).

"This world is like it is for me, so that the full moon (=Mochizuki) is not missing." Translated into a modern translation, it means something like this.

What do you think when you hear this song? You may feel that you are too scornful, or you may feel the awesomeness of Fujiwara no Michinaga, who is even allowed to do so. On the other hand, the analogy to the full moon makes me feel anxiety that will be lacking in the future.

This time, we will consider the process, feelings, and background of the song.

What kind of person was Fujiwara no Michinaga?

Fujiwara no Michinaga Is 966, Fujiwara no Kaneie Born in Kyo as the fifth son (fourth son?). His family and relatives are Sessho and Kampaku It played a central role in the imperial court, but if you think about it normally, Mr. Fujiwara's chief It is a person in a distant standing position to become.

The aristocrats at that time were fighting for power through their marriage, so there are many children. Mr. Fujiwara is at the center of it, and even if he is an elite of Mr. Fujiwara, if something happens, he may roll off immediately. With that in mind, it can be said that the origin of the fifth son was a situation where "if you do not do it, you cannot get any help".

Probably because I grew up in such an environment * Tactician You can see a lot of aspects. Also, bullish and bold personality There are still many anecdotes that seem to have been.

The story of the only brother who had done it to the end in a test of courage, and the father of Michinaga, Kaneie, praised the child of Yoritada Kampaku, the official appointment, "Can my sons step on the shadow of the official appointment?" Among the brothers who were silent when asked, the only episode that returned "Let's step on not only the shadow but also the face" is famous.

* In NHK's "History moved at that time," it was interpreted that he was aiming for a calm politics without power struggles, not as a tactician. However, even if the goal is mild politics, there are many events that seem to have made full use of tactics and conspiracies in the process of obtaining "it", so I personally cannot wipe out the impression of a tactician. I dare to be a tactician.

Fujiwara no Michinaga's turning point

987 Fujiwara Michinaga Minamoto no Masanobu when he was 22 years old (Masazane)'s daughter, Rinko I will come to marry (24 years old at that time).

Male aristocrats at that time often went to women's homes, and the good or bad of their wives'parents' homes will greatly affect their future careers . .. Masanobu who is also the ancestor of Uda Genji, following the flow of Emperor Uda So to speak, as a checker for Mr. Fujiwara, Minister of the Left He was already promoted to, and was a person who could expect a fairly strong boost.

However, even Mr. Fujiwara does not feel the future with his fifth son, and Rinko Masanobu because of the idea that his wife will be the imperial family. Is Michinaga with his daughter I was very opposed to my marriage.

It was Masanobu's wife and Rinko's mother that overturned it. .. She convinced Michinaga that her husband had a future, and eventually got married. Of course, not only the uncertainties of future potential, but also

  • Emperor Kazan abdicated after shortening his position (balanced in terms of age)
  • Emperor Ichijo, who inherited the trace, is disproportionate in age (7 years old at that time)

This kind of situation cannot be overlooked. The intention of Genji to improve the relationship with Fujiwara, who was a political enemy, is also hidden.

Anyway, by chance or by the qualities of the person himself, the clues to the career advancement competition will be grasped by marriage. Actually Rinko Married to 8700 tsubo of vast land I can tell you how powerful his wife's help from his parents' house was.

Epidemic of smallpox (measles)

It is an epidemic that has changed history. More than half of the princes have died of smallpox, and Fujiwara has died several of them because of the plague.

After Kaneie died in July 990 at the age of 62, the epidemic of this plague and the illness he had originally died one after another. Here, until now, Michinaga was far from the chief. At once approaches Mr. Fujiwara's core candidate.

At this point, Kaneie's eldest son, Michitaka's son "Ishu" Was alive, so Michinaga Is Mr. It lacks the decisive hit. It was Fujiwara no Senshi who sent out a rescue boat here. , Michinaga's sister It is a person who corresponds to. Senshi Why did he send out a rescue boat? ??

Fujiwara no Michinaga and Ishu's government struggle

Ishu First of all, Kampaku Daijo-kan than taking the position of It is Michinaga to take control of (like the current cabinet) It was an important matter for.

Then in 996, Fujiwara no Korechi Emperor Kazan Assassination (who was already a priest because he was a priest)? Attempted case (Actually Chotoku's transformation And Hanayamain Struggle Case Also called) happens. This Chotoku no Hen Michinaga at once The power becomes dominant. Emperor Ichijo Teishi At this time, he was just returning home and witnessing his brother being caught during childbirth. She was so shocked that she decided to go home.

When this happens, there will be no strong rivals around Kampaku . I'm about to take the position of Michinaga It is believed that he did not dare to take that position.

Why? Did Fujiwara no Michinaga not get to Kampaku?

First of all, as for the situation at that time, Daijo-kan on diplomatic and financial issues. Council by the Lord (= Judgment ・ There is a fact that it was decided by Jin no Sadame), and this camp Then regent Also Kampaku Judgment The top of is top (Ichinokami) will work. Ichigami Is Daijo-daijin Regent The person who was the highest among the lords except Kampaku Has that qualification. Regent Kampaku Is a position to judge the performance that came up at the meeting is.

Michinaga In the case of, the rival has self-destructed, so camp Ichigami Preview while being actively involved as As Daijo-kan It is Kampaku to check the documents that came up from and supervise the lord. It is thought that he was able to take the decision at will rather than taking the position of.

Rival Fujiwara no Korechi's return to morning affairs

In 997, Ishu Returned to Tokyo for amnesty ( Senshi Associate Minister because the ministerial quota was already filled. (Ishu is the first example of treatment equivalent to the minister).

Ishu Emperor Ichijo for being forgiven of his sins Is Teishi again Will be welcomed into the palace. However, the re-entry after the priesthood was a sword from the aristocrats and was very windy.

Teishi as if to support it The fixed position of is a place where you can't call it a back palace because it's a building where something you shouldn't see. Still, while paying attention to the eyes, Emperor Ichijo Is Teishi It seems that he went under. In 999, between the two, Emperor Ichijo First Prince Atsuyasu-shin Will be born (November). Michinaga Eldest daughter Akiko It was around this time that she was 12 years old.

Already Michinaga He had great power, so many of the lords would not have been happy with it. Atsuyasu-shin Was born again Ishu It seems that some people tried to carry it up.

Michinaga frustrated by this Is Akiko As an empress (February 1000, Atsuyasu-shin About two months after was born). Already Teishi Was in that position for the first time in history one emperor two However, at the end of the year Teishi Will die after a difficult birth. Atsuyasu-shin Was 2 years old.

Michicho's ambition

Atsuyasu-shin Akiko who had no children yet Raised under. Akiko because it was customary to raise the baby at her mother's parents' house. Leave the First Prince under Michinaga Maybe she tried to survive her son by putting her under her control. Michinaga Akiko for It was like insurance when I couldn't have a child.

Eight years later, Akiko Also Michinaga The long-awaited second prince Atsunari (Atsuhira) Imperial prince Was born, Ishu The career path is completely closed. Two years later, in 1010, Ishu Abandoned. In 1011 Emperor Ichijo Is Emperor Sanjo Demise after being transferred to (the second prince of Emperor Reizei).

It was Emperor Ichijo who was the prince at this time. The second prince of Atsushige, the grandson of Michinaga .. Akiko And Emperor Ichijo Was pushing the first prince, but Michinaga It looks like it was pushed out by the intention of. Michinaga around this time The power of was already considerable.

Emperor Sanjo Mother is Michinaga Sister super child Emperor Sanjo And Michinaga Is nephew / uncle relationship But her sister's super child Was premature and Emperor Sanjo He says that the relationship between the two was very weak because he himself was the throne after he became an adult.

This Emperor Sanjo Below is Michinaga Second daughter Kenshi (Kenshi) enters, but Michinaga And Emperor Sanjo Is a misunderstanding. Kenshi Was born by the Imperial Princess, not the Imperial Prince, Emperor Sanjo And Michinaga The sternness of the situation has not improved, and the political affairs have stagnated. Emperor Sanjo Has suffered from eye disease since 1014, and for that reason Michinaga I am forced to abdicate. His own son Atsuakira-shin Abdicated in 1016 on the condition of Tatsutaiko, Michinaga Long-sought grandson Atsushige prince Enthronement as Emperor Go-Ichijo To do. At the same time, Michinaga I also regent But a year later, regent Michinaga Eldest son Yorimichi Daijo-daijin Will remain in politics.

* Atsuakira-shin Later Michinaga Under the pressure of, he himself stepped down from the position of crown prince and changed the position of his crown prince (younger brother) to Prince Atsura . I'm giving it to you. Prince Atsura Is Michinaga Eldest daughter Akiko The second son of Emperor Ichijo's third prince It is a person who corresponds to.

Furthermore, in 1018, Emperor Go-Ichijo To his own daughter Takeko She marries (Ishi). Mochizuki's song was sung at this celebration. Michinaga Fujiwara's heyday have become.

I was doing well in terms of work ...

Michinaga Is the eldest daughter Akiko At the age of 33, before entering the country, he suffered from a serious illness and was so ill that he offered to the emperor for his priesthood. She knows she was often ill after that, Takeko It is known that she was sick the year before her arrival. Takeko She had chest pain right after she entered the house.

Anyway, Michinaga It can be said that he was in a terrible situation where he was sick in his private life, while his work was quite smooth. He is not unnatural even if he is a little weak.

The usual interpretation would be "This world is like your own thing, not to be chipped like a full moon", but this Michinaga Isn't it simply impossible to say when considering the physical condition of? I imagine. Of course, it's just a personal speculation, but imagining such feelings is the real pleasure of learning history, isn't it? I think.