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Sugawara no Michizane

Type Figure Region Japan Time 845–903 Also known as Lord Kan、Tenjin

Sugawara no Michizane was an early Heian-period sinologist, poet, and statesman, born in 845 and died in 903.…

Timeline

  1. 845–877Heian-kyō · Kyoto PrefectureBorn into a family of sinologists, he studied the classics, histories, and literature from childhood, passed the Ministry of Ceremonies examination in 877, and entered the Imperial University as a Professor of Letters, emerging at court through his talent in Chinese poetry and his classical scholarship.
  2. c. 899–901Heian-kyō · Kyoto PrefectureIn 899 he was promoted to Right Minister, advocating governance through learning, and his political rivalry with Fujiwara no Tokihira intensified. In 901 he was falsely accused of treason, stripped of office, and exiled to Dazaifu, his political career taking a sudden downward turn.
  3. 901–903Dazaifu · Chikuzen ProvinceHe died on February 25, 903, at the age of 59 in his place of exile at Dazaifu. During his exile he wrote famous pieces such as 'Written at Jin Prefecture,' expressing loyal indignation and homesickness. Shortly after his death the court restored his reputation, and his deified worship continues to this day.

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