continued the trend begun by
Yoshifusa of monopolizing the position of
regent to the
Japanese emperor. He was third son of Fujiwara no Nagara, brother of
Yoshifusa, and Fujiwara no Otoharu (藤原乙春), daughter of Fujiwara no Tsugutada. He was adopted by
Yoshifusa who had no sons, and Mototsune followed in Yoshifusa's footsteps.
After the emperor had reached his maturity, however, Mototsune invented the position of
kampaku regent for himself. 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
- Jōgan 6 (864): Sangi (参議)
- Jōgan 14, on the 25th day of the 8th month (872): Udaijin (右大臣)
- Gangyō 4, on the 4th day of the 12th month (880): Daijō Daijin (太政大臣)
- Kanpyō 2, on the 14th day of the 12th month (890): retire from Kampaku
- Kampyō 3, on the 13th day of the 1st month (February 25 891): Mototsune died at the age of 56.
Marriages and children
He was married to Princess
Sōshi (操子女王), daughter of Imperial Prince Saneyasu (son of Emperor Nimmyo).
Their children were
- Kazuko (佳珠子) (?-?), consort of Emperor Seiwa
He was also married to a daughter of Imperial Prince Tadara (son of Emperor Saga).
They had a son.
- Kanehira (兼平) (875-935) - Kunai-Kyō (宮内卿)
The other chidren were
- Shigeko (滋子), married to Minamoto no Yoshiari (son of Emperor Montoku)
- daughter, married to Imperial Prince Sadamoto (son of Emperor Seiwa), and mother of Minamoto no Kanetada (源兼忠)
See also
