Stories of the Japanese 00278 [Early Heian Period] The Shotai Incident

November 21, 900 (Shotai 3). Miyoshi no Kiyoyuki (847–919), a Doctor of Literature, wrote and sent a letter to Michizane advising him to resign.
“Although you come from a family of scholars, you have risen to the rank of Minister through the Emperor's benevolence, and your success is unmatched by anyone other than Kibi no Makibi. If you know when to stop and resign from your post, future generations will look up to you with respect.”
That is what it said.
There were many officials who held resentment toward Michizane's rise to power, and Miyoshi no Kiyoyuki himself was likely one of them. Michizane was intelligent and logical, so he often refuted other officials, which may have made it easy for him to create enemies.
Even so, why did Miyoshi no Kiyoyuki send such a harassing letter?
In fact, when Kiyoyuki was young, he had failed the civil service examination, and the examiner at that time was Michizane. One theory suggests that this grudge remained.
Of course, Michizane did not resign because of this letter.
January 25, 901 (Shotai 4). A movement to fully oust Michizane finally began.
Fujiwara no Tokihira conspired with:
・Fujiwara no Sugane (856–908)
・Fujiwara no Sadakuni (866–906)
・Minamoto no Hikaru (845–913)
and reported the following to Emperor Daigo:
“Michizane is deceiving the Retired Emperor Uda and intends to depose the Emperor and install Prince Tokiyo (the younger brother of Emperor Daigo: 886–927) on the throne.”
Upon hearing this, Emperor Daigo immediately decided to demote Michizane to the position of Provisional Governor of Dazaifu. It was not an exile, but a demotion through a personnel transfer. If the rumors were true, he should have been exiled, so why a demotion? Did Emperor Daigo also know it was false but simply want to distance himself from Michizane?
Upon hearing of the demotion, the Retired Emperor Uda (who had become a monk by this time) rushed to the Imperial Palace barefoot and requested an audience with Emperor Daigo. However, the Head Chamberlain, Fujiwara no Sugane, blocked him, saying,
“The Emperor will not see anyone.”
It is said that the Retired Emperor Uda stood in front of the palace until sunset.
Fujiwara no Sugane was a man who had risen to the position of Head Chamberlain through the recommendation of Sugawara no Michizane, so this was a case of returning evil for good.
This incident of Michizane's demotion is called the “Shotai Incident.”