Fujiwara no Mototsune (藤原 基経; 836 – February 25, 891), also known as Horikawa Daijin (堀川大臣), was a Japanese statesman, courtier and aristocrat of the early Heian period. He was the first kampaku, a regent of an adult emperor, in Japanese history.
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Biography
He was born the third son of Fujiwara no Nagara, but was adopted by his powerful uncle Fujiwara no Yoshifusa, who had no sons. Mototsune followed in Yoshifusa's footsteps, holding power in the court in the position of regent for four successive emperors.
Mototsune invented the position of kampaku regent for himself in order to remain in power even after an emperor reached maturity. This innovation allowed the Fujiwara clan to tighten its grip on power right throughout an emperor's reign.
Mototsune is referred to as Shōsen Kō (昭宣公) (posthumous name as Daijō Daijin).
Career
864 (Jōgan 6): Mototsune was named Sangi
866 (Jōgan 8): Chūnagon
870 (Jōgan 12, 1st month): He became Dainagon
872 (Jōgan 14): He was named Udaijin
876 (Jōgan 18): He was named Sesshō
880 (Gangyō 4): He was named Daijō Daijin
884 (Gangyō 8): Mototsune was the first to receive the title Kampaku.
890 (Kanpyō 2, 14th day of the 12th month): retire from Kampaku
February 25, 891 (Kampyō 3, 13th day of the 1st month): Mototsune died at the age of 56.
Genealogy
This member of the Fujiwara clan was the son of Fujiwara no Nagara, who was one of the brothers of Fujiwara no Yoshifusa. Mototsune was adopted as son and heir of Yoshifusa. In other words, Yoshifusa was Mototsune's uncle, and father through adoption.
He was married to a daughter of Imperial Prince Saneyasu (son of Emperor Ninmyō).
Their children were
Tokihira (時平) (871–909) – Sadaijin
Nakahira (仲平) (875–945) – Sadaijin
Tadahira (忠平) (880–949) – Daijō Daijin, Regent
Yoriko (頼子) (d. 936), consort of Emperor Seiwa
Kazuko (佳珠子), consort of Emperor Seiwa
Onshi (穏子) (885–954), consort of Emperor Daigo, and mother of Emperor Suzaku and Emperor Murakami
He was also married to Princess Sōshi (操子女王), a daughter of Imperial Prince Tadara (son of Emperor Saga).
Their children were
Kanehira (兼平) (875–935) – Kunai-Kyō (宮内卿)
Onshi (温子) (872–907), consort of Emperor Uda
His other children were
Kamiko (佳美子) (d. 898), consort of Emperor Kōkō
Yoshihira (良平)
Shigeko (滋子), married to Minamoto no Yoshiari (son of Emperor Montoku)