[Fujiwara no Michinaga 5] What!? Both older brothers are gone, and suddenly it's Michinaga's turn!?

This is a note that guides you through the fun of history using "character relationship charts."

This series focuses on Fujiwara no Michinaga, who achieved an unprecedented level of prosperity during the Heian period.
Click here for the summary magazine ↓

In the previous article, we depicted how Teishi, the daughter of Michinaga's older brother Fujiwara no Michitaka, was loved by Emperor Ichijo. Click here for the article ↓

In this article, we will depict the rollercoaster turn of events where Michinaga's eldest brother, Michitaka, and second brother, Michikane, pass away one after another.

It is a sudden development that shocked Michinaga and the entire capital of Kyoto!

Father Kaneie passes away, and the glorious era of older brother Michitaka begins

Fujiwara no Kaneie, Michinaga's father, held immense power by having his grandson, Emperor Ichijo, ascend to the throne and becoming Sessho (Regent) and then Kanpaku (Chief Advisor) himself.

This Kaneie passes away due to illness.

Succeeding Kaneie is his eldest son, Fujiwara no Michitaka.

He inherits the position of Kanpaku from his father.

Now, about these positions of "Sessho" and "Kanpaku."

Sessho... A vassal who supports a young, underage emperor or a female emperor

Kanpaku... A vassal who supports an emperor after they have reached adulthood

is what they are.

Both are close aides to the emperor and are the most powerful positions, sometimes allowing one to manipulate politics as they please.
By the way, these are not positions that must always be filled.

The Fujiwara clan monopolized these "Sessho" and "Kanpaku" positions for a certain period.
That is why it is called "Sekkan Politics."

Isn't that a bit pushy!? Michitaka's aggressive approach

Now, Fujiwara no Michitaka becomes the successor to Kaneie and wields his power.

He makes his daughter Teishi, who had entered the court of Emperor Ichijo, the official empress or "Chugu," solidifying his position.

He also rapidly promotes his young eldest son, Fujiwara no Korechika.

As for Michinaga?

He takes the position of "Chugu Daibu," the head of the office responsible for looking after Empress Teishi.

And he finds himself being surpassed in rank by his younger nephew, Korechika.

At this point, Michinaga has no choice but to follow his older brother's family.

Because Michitaka's method of consolidating power within his own family was a bit heavy-handed,
those around him began to pull away.

It is said that Korechika, in particular, who rose in rank due to his father's influence, sometimes acted with arrogance.

And so, people who did not think highly of this Michitaka family began to appear.

Heavy-handed methods tend to alienate people...
That was true in the Heian period, and it is true today.

This would eventually become a contributing factor to the later decline of the Michitaka family...

Michitaka dies of illness! Michikane also dies of illness! A rollercoaster turn of events

Now, a sudden tragedy strikes the Michitaka family, which had been enjoying such prosperity.

Michitaka dies of illness.
It is said he had diabetes.
Michitaka loved alcohol; perhaps his excessive drinking took its toll...

His son Korechika and daughter, the Empress Teishi, are drowned in tears of sorrow...

Now, after Michitaka's death, the one to succeed him is Kaneie's second son, Fujiwara no Michikane.

He is that dark-side character, Michikane, who tricked Emperor Kazan into "becoming a monk together" while he himself did not.

"It's finally my turn!"

He says, full of enthusiasm, but...

To everyone's surprise, just days after being appointed Kanpaku (Chief Advisor), he passes away from an epidemic.

Around this time, an epidemic was raging through the capital.

Not only the common people, but many nobles other than Michikane also died from this plague.

Having climbed to the top of the power structure only to pass away in the blink of an eye, Michikane came to be known as the "Seven-Day Kanpaku."
He must have been filled with regret...

The epidemic that took Michikane's life seems to have been devastating, with reports of corpses scattered all over the capital.

The lives of the common people, in particular, seem to have been truly dire...

The battle between Michinaga and Korechika begins! Who will be the next Kanpaku!?

Michikane, who passed away so suddenly.

So, who will succeed him!?

The candidates for the next Kanpaku are:

・Fujiwara no Michinaga: Younger brother of Michitaka and Michikane

・Fujiwara no Korechika: Eldest son of Michitaka

These two.

Since Michinaga is the younger brother of the two who previously served as Kanpaku, his claim is logical.

On the other hand, Korechika is Michitaka's heir, so he also has the qualifications.

Moreover, Korechika is the brother of Teishi, who is favored by Emperor Ichijo.
Emperor Ichijo's heart might be leaning toward Korechika...

Well, in the next article, the battle between Michinaga and Korechika will heat up.
The power struggles of the Heian period are truly terrifying.


Click here for the summary magazine depicting the life of Fujiwara no Michinaga through a "character relationship chart"↓

Click here for the summary magazine of the story of the Minamoto no Yoritomo & Minamoto no Yoshitsune brothers↓