Reading Stroll | Empress Danrin Private Records Vol. 1 & 2 | Sonoko Sugimoto | Chuko Bunko

I like historical novels, especially those set from ancient times to the Kamakura period.
I have read various novels set in the Heian period, both from the middle period (the height of the Fujiwara clan) and the late period (the rise of the samurai leading to the Kamakura Shogunate), but there are few about the early period, so I don't know much about it.
With that in mind, I picked up Sonoko Sugimoto's "Empress Danrin Private Records," which I had been wanting to read for a long time.

From Emperor Kanmu's relocation to Heian-kyo to the beginning of the golden age of the Fujiwara clan (Hokke branch), I gained a very good understanding of the flow of the era along with the life of Tachibana no Kachiko, known as Empress Danrin.

The story begins with the young Tachibana no Kachiko being led by her cousin, Tachibana no Hayanari, to meet her grandfather, who is living quietly deep in the forest.

Kachiko and Hayanari's grandfather... (-ω- ?)
Tachibana no Naramaro, he was alive the whole time!!!!
(This is a fictional setting)

Tachibana no Naramaro, who in the 9th year of Tenpyo-hoji (757) plotted to overthrow Fujiwara no Nakamaro in the "Naramaro Rebellion," failed, and caused the downfall of the Tachibana clan, which had continued through his grandmother Tachibana no Michiyo (Agata-no-Inukai no Michiyo) and his father Tachibana no Moroe, in just the third generation.

It is set up so that even his own children, Kiyotomo (Kachiko's father) and Iryu (Hayanari's father), erased his existence and lived while keeping him hidden.

Kachiko and Hayanari, still unable to be honest about their feelings for each other (//∇//)
Kachiko enters the court of Prince Kamino (later Emperor Saga) with the sole burden of clearing the Tachibana family name and restoring their honor.

• The existence of the primary wife, Princess Takatsu, who has already borne two children who will become heirs
• Retired Emperor Heizei (older brother) vs. Emperor Saga (younger brother), the Incident of the Retired Emperor Heizei (Kusuko Incident)

Fujiwara no Kusuko, Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, Kukai... Fujiwara no Yoshifusa, Ono no Takamura
And the princes who are eliminated one after another (Prince Abo, Prince Takaoka, Prince Toyora, Prince Motoyoshi, Prince Tsunesada...)
All the people I'm interested in and want to know about right now, my personal all-stars are all here (*≧∇≦)ﾉ How fun!

The final decision of Empress Danrin (Tachibana no Kachiko), who climbed to the position of Empress Mother...
The Jowa Incident, which resulted in the death of Tachibana no Hayanari, who grew up under the same roof and was (I believe) the love of her life (*T^T) Oh, impermanence.

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The scene where the "Three Brushes"—Emperor Saga, Kukai, and Tachibana no Hayanari—are all together is delightful and interesting. (I want a buddy novel about Kukai & Hayanari!)
I learned about Tachibana no Hayanari, whom Ono no Takamura is said to have looked up to as his teacher. (They are so similar!)

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I learned for the first time how the Otomo clan, a high-ranking family since ancient times (Yamato Kingship era), removed the character "O" (Great) to become the "Tomo" clan in this era to avoid sharing the same name as Emperor Junna's personal name, "Prince Otomo." (^^)d Learned something new.
And so, Fujiwara no Yoshifusa and his cohorts were able to wipe out the Otomo clan (who were like a thorn in their side) during the Jowa Incident, pushing forward toward the golden age of the Fujiwara clan.

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When I visited Higashiyama, Kyoto, last December, I came across Saifuku-ji Temple on the way from Rokudo Chinno-ji Temple to Rokuharamitsu-ji Temple.

Keikozan Saifuku-ji Temple
81 Rokuro-cho, Matsubara-dori Yamato-oji Higashi-iru 2-chome, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto

Empress Danrin is said to have left instructions to 'leave my remains in the field after my death to be fed to birds and beasts.'
Saifuku-ji Temple is said to house the 'Empress Danrin Kusozu' (Edo period, artist unknown), which depicts the process of her remains decaying.
It is usually not open to the public, but it is said to be specially exhibited during the 'Rokudo Mairi' period from August 7th to 10th every year, so I would like to visit if I have the chance.

Volume 1 Table of Contents
Deep in the Forest
The Nun Asking for an Oracle
Emishi Celebration Song
Things Lurking in the Darkness
Young Greens
Cursing Gods
Night Peony
Last Will
First Year of Daido
Song of Everlasting Regret
Corpse Odor
Talkative Fingers
Abdication
Inside and Outside the Boat
Two Imperial Courts

Volume 2 Table of Contents
Apricot Garden
Shogun-zuka
Destruction of the Queen
Dreaming of Trayastrimsa Heaven
Swallowing Both Clear and Muddy
Saga Genji
Son's Wife, Daughter's Husband
Water Caltrop Flower
Urashima-ko
Those Who Leave, Those Who Come
Ono no Takamura
Pine Tree Breaking
Jowa Incident
Four Great Elements of Emptiness

Abbreviated Imperial Family Tree
Abbreviated Tachibana Clan Family Tree
Abbreviated Sakanoue Clan Family Tree
Abbreviated Fujiwara Clan Family Tree