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Fujiwara no Michinaga

Type Figure Region Japan Time 966–1027 Also known as 藤原道長、Fujiwara no Michinaga

Fujiwara no Michinaga (966–1027) was the most powerful court noble of the mid-Heian period, whose phrase 'this world is my world' symbolized the peak…

Timeline

  1. 966–986Heian-kyō · KyotoSon of Fujiwara no Kaneie, born into a court noble family in Heian-kyō. In youth he entered service on family standing and ability, holding posts such as left minister, gradually accumulating political capital under Emperor Ichijō and laying the foundation for later sekke dominance.
  2. 995–1017Heian-kyō · KyotoMichinaga long held the posts of kanpaku and daijō-daijin under Emperors Ichijō, Sanjō, and Go-Ichijō, manipulating succession and government as an imperial in-law. His political struggle with Emperor Sanjō ended in the emperor's abdication; after Go-Ichijō's accession the sekke system was more secure and Michinaga's power reached its height.
  3. 1018–1027Heian-kyō · KyotoThough formally stepping back in later years, Michinaga continued the sekke line through his son Fujiwara no Yorimichi. Many of his daughters entered the inner palace as consorts, and his grandson reigned as Go-Ichijō, the family's power continuing after his death. Michinaga died in 1027; Yorimichi succeeded as kanpaku and Heian sekke politics entered a new phase.

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