was a Japanese statesman, known for his opposition to the

Insei system was a form of government in Japan during the Heian period. In this bifurcated system, an Emperor of Japan, emperor abdicated, but retained power and influence. Those retired emperors who withdrew to live in monasteries (''in'') continued to act i ...

. He was the son of

Fujiwara no Morozane Fujiwara no Morozane (Japanese language: 藤原師実ふじわらのもろざね) (1042 – March 14, 1101) was a regent of Japan and a chief of the Fujiwara clan during the late Heian period. He was known as Kyōgoku dono (Lord Kyōgoku) or G ...

Career

Moromochi's career spanned the years from 1069 to his death in 1099. He was made Regent ( Kampaku) in 1094. During his lifetime he was seen as being a good and virtuous man, who ruled justly and with strength. The country was at peace during his time in office, and he was well-read, an ardent student. Moromichi was an opponent of the system of cloistered rule began by

Emperor Go-Sanjō was the 71st emperor of Japan, Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 陽成天皇 (71)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession. Go-Sanjō's reign spanned the years from 1068 through 1073. This 11th century sovereign was named ...

. He was hostile to the cloistered emperor himself, Shirakawa and the class of lesser aristocrats, 'new men', who supported him. The titular emperor, Horikawa, was joined with Moromichi in this opposition. Notably, Moromichi took action against the monks who at that time terrorised the Court in the name of their gods and spirits. They came down from the mountains, where their temples were situated, in armed bands and invaded the capital. No previous Regent or other statesman had possessed the courage to oppose them – Moromichi was the first to take action. He also authored a memoir titled ''Go-Nijō kampaku-ki.''

Death

Due to his opposing the monks, a legend developed around Moromichi's fatal illness. A

Shinto Shinto () is a religion from Japan. Classified as an East Asian religion by scholars of religion, its practitioners often regard it as Japan's indigenous religion and as a nature religion. Scholars sometimes call its practitioners ''Shintois ...

ritualist had cursed him in front of an icon, and it was believed that Moromichi dreaded this curse so much that boils broke out on his skin. Though they briefly disappeared, they returned and this time killed him. After his death it was said that groans could be heard from beneath a stone, midway between the

Ikuta Shrine is a Shinto shrine in the Chūō Ward of Kobe, Japan, and is possibly among the oldest shrines in the country. History According to '' Nihon Shoki'', it was founded by the Empress Jingū at the beginning of the 3rd century AD to enshrine the '' ...

and

Hachiōji is a Cities of Japan, city located in the Western Tokyo, western portion of Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 561,344, and a population density of 3000 persons per km2. The total area of the city is . Geography ...

Bibliography

References

{{Authority control 1062 births 1099 deaths