Stories of the Japanese 00285 [Early Heian Period] 61st Emperor Suzaku

Fujiwara no Tokihira and those associated with Emperor Daigo passed away one after another, and the court nobles were greatly terrified of Michizane's vengeful spirit. Then, the decisive incident finally occurred.
On June 26, in the 8th year of Encho (930), during a meeting of the Grand Council of State, lightning struck a pillar of the Seiryoden palace. The damage caused by this lightning strike was as follows:
・Dainagon and Minister of Popular Affairs, Fujiwara no Kiyotsura, had his chest burned and died instantly.
・Right Middle Controller and Head of the Palace Storehouse, Taira no Mareyo, had his face burned and died.
・Right Guard Commander, Minu no Tadakane, had his hair burned and died.
・Ki no Kagetsura had his abdomen burned and died.
・Azumi no Munehito had his knees burned and died.
・Furthermore, three imperial guards on duty died.
Surprisingly, all of those who died were court nobles of the Tokihira faction. The reason Michizane was later considered the god of thunder is due to the lightning death of Fujiwara no Sugane, but above all, it is because of the Seiryoden lightning incident.
Triggered by this incident, Emperor Daigo became terrified of Michizane's vengeful spirit and fell ill.
On September 22, due to his illness, Emperor Daigo abdicated, and Imperial Prince Hiroakira ascended the throne at the age of 7 years and 3 months. This was Emperor Suzaku. Because the Emperor was young, Fujiwara no Tadahira was appointed as Regent.
Tadahira was Tokihira's younger brother, but he did not suffer from the effects of Michizane's vengeful spirit. According to public rumors, Tadahira was known as a person of character and had shown consideration for Michizane even after his demotion to Dazaifu by sending him letters, which is why he was not cursed.
Since Emperor Suzaku was young, Fujiwara no Tadahira became the leading figure in politics from this point on.
On September 29, shortly after his abdication, Emperor Daigo passed away. He was 45 years old.
Now, this manuscript on the early Heian period ends with the death of Emperor Daigo in the 8th year of Encho (930). However, I should add that in the 6th year of Johei (936), Tokihira's eldest son, Yasutada (890–936), died at the age of 46, and in the 10th year of Tenkei (947), the Imperial Court built a shrine in Kitano to enshrine Michizane, which became the origin of Kitano Tenmangu.
Michizane would later be worshipped by future generations as the god of thunder and, furthermore, as the god of learning. All shrines that call themselves 'Tenjin' or 'Tenmangu' have Michizane as their enshrined deity.
Speaking of Michizane, he was a master of Chinese poetry, and one of his poems is also included in the Hyakunin Isshu.
'This time, having no offerings to present, I offer these brocade-like autumn leaves from Mount Tamuke, as the gods may wish.'
It means that since he did not have the 'nusa' (offerings) that should be presented to the gods, he would offer autumn leaves for the time being. It seems to have been composed impromptu and is not a particularly interesting poem. Even though Tokihira was better at waka poetry than Michizane, the fact that only Michizane was chosen for the Hyakunin Isshu is likely because he was more popular with the public.
It is somewhat pitiful that Tokihira is so disliked by later generations, even though he was also excellent at administrative duties.