Fujiwara no Takaie


Fujiwara no Takaie, was a Kugyō of the late Heian period. He was the Regional Governor of Dazaifu and is famous for repelling the Jurchen pirates during the Toi invasion in 1019. He reached the court position of Chūnagon.

Early life and background

Takaie was born 979 into the Hokke branch of the powerful Fujiwara clan, the fourth son of Fujiwara no Michitaka. His mother was Takashina no Takako also known as Kō-no-Naishi or Gidō-sanshi no Haha. His childhood name was Ako. His uncle was the powerful Fujiwara no Michinaga who represented the highpoint of the Fujiwara clan's control over the government of Japan holding the position of Daijō-daijin. His elder brother was Fujiwara no Korechika who was charged with treason but later pardoned. One of his sisters was the well-known empress consort of Emperor Ichijō, Fujiwara no Teishi.

Career

989 : Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade. Also appointed to the Board of Chamberlains.993 : Middle Captain of the Right Division of Inner Palace Guards.994 : Junior Third Rank, joining the ranks of the Kugyō.995 : After the death of his father he was appointed Chūnagon.996 : His older brother Fujiwara no Korechika was charged with shooting an arrow at Retired Emperor Kazan, and performing an esoteric Shingon ceremony known as Daigensuihō, which was reserved solely for the emperor. Korechika was demoted to Dazai-gon-no-sochi and Takaie was demoted to Izumo-Gon-no-kami. This incident became known as Chōtoku no hen. They were pardoned the next year.998 : Appointed chief official of the Ministry of War.1002 : Appointed Gon-Chūnagon.1007 : Junior Second Rank with the job of Travelling Inspector of the Provincial Governments.1014 : Appointed as Regional Governor of Dazaifu.1015 : Senior Second Rank. He gradually returned to court society but his position ended with Chūnagon.1019 : he had voluntarily asked Emperor Sanjō to go down to Kyūshū to Dazaifu to take up the position of Regional Governor of Dazaifu in order to receive treatment for an eye disease. Takaie successfully led the defense of Dazaifu against the Toi invasion of 1019. A rumor was circulated that the invading Toi carried smallpox to mainland Japan and it began spreading upon Takaie's arrival in the capital. Takaie requested that his men be given rewards for their military contributions, and in response to his request, rules regarding local governments were discussed among high court officials.1019 : He resigned from his post in Dazaifu, which was given to Fujiwara no Yukinari. Takaie returned to the capital.1023 : He declined the position of Chūnagon so his second son, Fujiwara no Tsunesuke was promoted to Sachuben instead.1037 : He again declined the position of Regional Governor of Dazaifu so it was given to Fujiwara no Sanenari.1042 : Takaie retired.1042 : Takaie died at 66 years of age with the ranks of Senior Second Rank and Zen-Chūnagon.

Legacy

The Kikuchi clan of Higo Province claim that their founder, Kikuchi Noritaka is a son of Fujiwara no Masanori and grandson of Takaie.

Family

Father: Fujiwara no Michitaka Mother: Takashina no Takako, also known as Kō-no-Naishi
  • * Wife: name unknown, daughter of Minamoto no Shigenobu
  • * Wife: name unknown, daughter of Fujiwara no Kagenari
  • ** First son: Fujiwara no Yoshiyori
  • * Wife: name unknown, daughter of Minamoto no Kanesuke
  • ** Second son: Fujiwara no Tsunesuke
  • ** Daughter: name unknown, wife of Prince Atsunori
  • ** Daughter: name unknown, wife of Fujiwara no Kanetsune
  • * Wife: name unknown, daughter of Fujiwara no Tamemitsu
  • ** Son: Fujiwara no Suesada
  • * Wife: name unknown, daughter of Kaga-no-kami Masamitsu
  • ** Son: Fujiwara no Iefusa
  • * Children with unknown mothers:
  • ** Son: Fujiwara no Yoshikazu
  • ** Son: Fujiwara no Motosada
  • ** Son: Kōshō, a priest at Enryaku-ji.
  • ** Son: Ryūmyō, a priest at Mii-dera.
  • ** Son: Fujiwara no Masanori, ancestor of the Kikuchi clan. Possibly a son of Chikanori, a man who worked for Takaie.