Fujiwara no Muchimaro

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Ason

Fujiwara no Muchimaro
藤原 武智麻呂
Fujiwara no Muchimaro.jpg
Fujiwara no Muchimaro
Minister of the Left
In office
August 28, 737 – August 29, 737
MonarchEmperor Shōmu
Minister of the Right
In office
734 – August 737
MonarchEmperor Shōmu
Dainagon
In office
729–734
MonarchEmperor Shōmu
Head of Ministry of Civil Services
In office
718–729
MonarchEmpress Genshō
Personal details
Born680
DiedAugust 29, 737
Cause of deathsmallpox
NationalityJapanese
Spouse(s)Sada-hime
Children
ParentsFujiwara no Fuhito,
Occupationkuge, politician

Fujiwara no Muchimaro (藤原 武智麻呂, 680 – August 29, 737) was a Japanese courtier (kuge) and politician of the late Asuka and early Nara period. He founded the Nanke ("Southern") branch of the Fujiwara clan.[1] His court rank is Senior First Rank.

Life[]

Muchimaro is the eldest son of Fujiwara no Fuhito, and her mother is the daughter of .

He married a granddaughter of , with whom he had two sons Fujiwara no Toyonari and Fujiwara no Nakamaro. Among his daughters was consort of Emperor Shōmu.

Muchimaro became the head of Ministry of Civil Services in 718. When Fuhito, Muchimaro's father, died in 720, Prince Nagaya was at the highest rank in the state government. Prince Nagaya was grandson of Emperor Tenmu, but not a son of Fujiwara family, therefore was seen as a threat by Muchimaro and his three brothers. After successfully removing Prince Nagaya in 729, Muchimaro rose to Dainagon (Counselor of the first rank).

In 734, he was promoted to Udaijin or "Minister of the Right".[1] In 737, he was made Sadaijin or "Minister of the Left", but died of smallpox the following day.[1]

The History of the Fujiwara House (Tōshi Kaden 藤氏家伝) included his biography and states the following: "Muchimaro, the Fujiwara Great Minister of the Left, was a man from the Sakyō district. He was the oldest son of the Head of the Council of State Fuhito, and his mother was a daughter of the Soga Great Minister of the Treasury. He was born in the mansion at Ōhara on the fifteenth day of the fourth month of 680, the ninth year since the enthronement of the sovereign Tenmu. Because he cultivated righteousness, he received this name."[2]

Family[]

  • Father: Fujiwara no Fuhito
  • Mother: Soga no Shōshi (蘇我娼子, ?–?), daughter of Soga no Murajiko (蘇我連子).
    • Main Wife: Sada-hime (阿倍貞媛, 阿倍貞吉 or 阿倍真虎), grand-daughter of Abe no Miushi (阿倍御主人).
    • Wife: name unknown, daughter of Ki no Maro (紀麻呂).
      • 3rd son: Fujiwara no Otomaro (藤原乙麻呂, ?–760?)
    • Wife: (阿祢姫), daughter of (小治田功麻呂).
      • 4th son: Fujiwara no Kosemaro (藤原巨勢麻呂, ?–764)
    • Wife: name unknown

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c entry for "Fujiwara no Muchimaro
  2. ^ Bauer, Mikael (2020). The History of the Fujiwara House. Kent, UK: Renaissance Books. pp. 71–72. ISBN 1912961180.

References[]

External links[]

  • Sonpi Bunmyaku, viewable through the Digital Archive of National Diet Library (Japan).
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