Fujiwara no Tadamichi

Tadamichi (1097 – 1164) was the eldest son of Fujiwara no Tadazane and followed in his father’s footsteps to become kampaku (chief advisor to the Emperor) in 1121. Two years later he would be appointed sessho (a regent who acts on behalf of a child emperor) to Emperor Sutoku, and Dajo Daijin (Chancellor of the Realm) in 1129.

Tadamichi had five sons, all of whom would play major roles in Heian Period Japanese politics and warfare. His daughter Masako married Emperor Sutoku, his two adopted daughters, Ikushi and Teishi, also married emperors, while his other daughter Shimeko was a concubine of Emperor Konoe.

During the Hōgen Rebellion, the short civil war in the summer of 1156 which erupted over an Imperial succession dispute, Tadamichi sided with Emperor Go-Shirakawa, while his brother, Yorinaga, supported Emperor Sutoku. Sutoku lost and Yorinaga was killed in battle.

Fujiwara no Tadamichi’s memoirs were published as Hoshoji Kampaku-ki. A hand written manuscript by Tadamichi kept in the Kyoto National Museum is a National Treasure.

Tadamichi died March 13, 1164, two days short of his birthday, March 15.