Fujiwara no Mototsune


Fujiwara no Mototsune, also known as Horikawa Daijin, 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''.''

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 .

Career

864 : Mototsune was named Sangi866 : Chūnagon870 : He became Dainagon872 : He was named Udaijin876 : He was named Sesshō880 : He was named Daijō Daijin884 : Mototsune was the first to receive the title Kampaku.890 : retire from KampakuFebruary 25, 891 : 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.
Their children were
He was also married to Princess Sōshi, a daughter of Imperial Prince Tadara.
Their children were
His other children were