, was a '' Kugyō'' ( Japanese

noble A noble is a member of the nobility. Noble may also refer to: Places Antarctica * Noble Glacier, King George Island * Noble Nunatak, Marie Byrd Land * Noble Peak, Wiencke Island * Noble Rocks, Graham Land Australia * Noble Island, Gr ...

) of the late

Heian period The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. It followed the Nara period, beginning when the 50th emperor, Emperor Kanmu, moved the capital of Japan to Heian-kyō (modern Kyoto). means "peace" in Japanese ...

. He was the Regional Governor of Dazaifu and is famous for repelling the Jurchen pirates during the

Toi invasion The was the invasion of northern Kyūshū by Jurchen pirates in 1019. History At the time, Toi (, ''Doe'') meant "barbarian" in the Korean language. The Toi pirates sailed with about 50 ships from direction of Goryeo, then assaulted Tsushima an ...

in 1019. He reached the court position of

Chūnagon was a counselor of the second rank in the Imperial court of Japan. The role dates from the 7th century. The role was eliminated from the Imperial hierarchy in 701, but it was re-established in 705. This advisory position remained a part of the I ...

Early life and background

Takaie was born 979 into the Hokke branch of the powerful

Fujiwara clan was a powerful family of imperial regents in Japan, descending from the Nakatomi clan and, as legend held, through them their ancestral god Ame-no-Koyane. The Fujiwara prospered since the ancient times and dominated the imperial court until ...

, the fourth son of

Fujiwara no Michitaka , the first son of Kaneie, was a ''Kugyō'' (Japanese noble) of the Heian period. He served as regent ('' Sesshō'') for the Emperor Ichijō, and later as '' Kampaku''. Ichijō married Michitaka's daughter Teishi (Sadako), thus continuing the cl ...

. His mother was Takashina no Takako also known as ''Kō-no-Naishi'' (高内侍) or ''Gidō-sanshi no Haha'' (儀同三司母). His childhood name was Ako (阿古). His uncle was the powerful

Fujiwara no Michinaga was a Japanese statesman. The Fujiwara clan's control over Japan and its politics reached its zenith under his leadership. Early life Michinaga was born in Kyōto, the son of Kaneiye. Kaneiye had become Regent in 986, holding the position unt ...

who represented the highpoint of the Fujiwara clan's control over the government of Japan holding the position of

Daijō-daijin The was the head of the ''Daijō-kan'' (Great Council of State) during and after the Nara period and briefly under the Meiji Constitution. Equivalent to the Chinese (Grand Preceptor). History Emperor Tenji's favorite son, Prince Ōtomo, wa ...

. His elder brother was

Fujiwara no Korechika , the second son of Michitaka, was a '' kugyo'' ( Japanese noble) of the Heian period. His mother was Takashina no Takako, also known as Kō-no-Naishi (高内侍). His sister Teishi (Sadako) was married to Emperor Ichijō, and Korechika aspired ...

who was charged with treason but later pardoned. One of his sisters was the well-known empress consort of

Emperor Ichijō was the 66th emperor of Japan, Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 一条天皇 (66)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession. Ichijō's reign spanned the years from 986 to 1011. Biography Before he ascended to the Chrysanth ...

Fujiwara no Teishi , also known as Sadako, was an empress consort of the Japanese Emperor Ichijō. She appears in the literary classic ''The Pillow Book'' written by her court lady Sei Shōnagon. Life She was the first daughter of Fujiwara no Michitaka (藤� ...

Career

* 989 ('' Eiso 1, 29th day of the 1st month''):

Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade The court ranks of Japan, also known in Japanese as ''ikai'' (位階), are indications of an individual's court rank in Japan based on the system of the state. ''Ikai'' as a system was originally used in the Ritsuryo system, which was the polit ...

(従五位下, ''ju go-i no ge''). Also appointed to the

Board of Chamberlains The is a department of the Imperial Household Agency of Japan. History According to Taihō Code around the 8th century, it was presupposed that a chamberlain belonged to the Ministry of the Center. When the was installed during the Heian era, ...

(侍従職, ''Jijū-shoku''). * 993 ('' Shōryaku 4, 10th day of the 3rd month''): Middle Captain of the Right Division of Inner Palace Guards (右近衛中将, ''Ukone-no-chujo''). * 994 ('' Shōryaku 5, 28th day of the 8th month''):

Junior Third Rank The court ranks of Japan, also known in Japanese as ''ikai'' (位階), are indications of an individual's court rank in Japan based on the system of the state. ''Ikai'' as a system was originally used in the Ritsuryo system, which was the polit ...

(従三位, ''ju san-mi''), joining the ranks of the Kugyō. * 995 (''

Chōtoku was a after '' Eiso'' and before '' Chōhō.'' This period spanned the years from February 995 through January 999. The reigning emperor was . Change of era * 995 : The new era name was created to mark an event or a number of events. The pre ...

1, 6th day of the 4th month''): After the death of his father he was appointed

(中納言). * 996 (''

2, 24th day of the 4th month''): His older brother

was charged with shooting an arrow at Retired

Emperor Kazan was the 65th emperor of Japan, Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 花山天皇 (65)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession. Kazan's reign spanned the years from 984 through 986. Biography Before his ascension to the Chry ...

, and performing an esoteric

Shingon Shingon monks at Mount Koya is one of the major schools of Buddhism in Japan and one of the few surviving Vajrayana lineages in East Asia, originally spread from India to China through traveling monks such as Vajrabodhi and Amoghavajra. Kn ...

ceremony known as

Daigensuihō The , or the ''Great Rite of Āṭavaka'', is one of the of Esoteric Shingon Buddhism. Its name is also sometimes pronounced Daigen no hō. The ritual is performed with Āṭavaka in the role of honzon, and it may be considered a military cu ...

(大元帥法), which was reserved solely for the emperor. Korechika was demoted to Dazai-gon-no-sochi (大宰権帥) and Takaie was demoted to Izumo-Gon-no-kami (出雲権守). This incident became known as Chōtoku no hen (長徳の変). They were pardoned the next year. * 998 (''

4, 23rd day of the 10th month''): Appointed chief official of the

Ministry of War Ministry of War may refer to: * Ministry of War (imperial China) (c.600–1912) * Chinese Republic Ministry of War (1912–1946) * Ministry of War (Kingdom of Bavaria) (1808–1919) * Ministry of War (Brazil) (1815–1999) * Ministry of War (Estoni ...

(兵部卿, ''Hyōbu-kyō''). * 1002 ('' Chōhō 4, 24th day of the 9th month''): Appointed Gon-

(権中納言). * 1007 (''

Kankō was a after '' Chōhō'' and before '' Chōwa.'' This period spanned the years from July 1004 through December 1012. The reigning emperors were and . Change of Era * 1004 : The era name was changed to mark an event or series of events. Th ...

4, 20th day of the 1st month''): Junior Second Rank (従二位, ''ju ni-i'') with the job of Travelling Inspector of the Provincial Governments (按察使, ''Azechi''). * 1014 (''

Chōwa was a after ''Kankō'' and before '' Kannin.'' This period spanned the years from December 1012 through April 1017. The reigning emperors were and . Change of era * 1012 : The era name was changed to mark Emperor Sanjō's accession in the ...

3, 7th day of the 11th month''): Appointed as Regional Governor of Dazaifu (大宰権帥, ''Dazai-gon-no-sochi''). * 1015 (''

4, 21st day of the 4th month''):

Senior Second Rank The court ranks of Japan, also known in Japanese as ''ikai'' (位階), are indications of an individual's court rank in Japan based on the system of the state. ''Ikai'' as a system was originally used in the Ritsuryo system, which was the polit ...

(正二位, ''shō ni-i''). He gradually returned to court society but his position ended with Chūnagon. * 1019 (''

Kannin was a after ''Chōwa'' and before ''Jian.'' This period spanned the years from April 1017 through February 1021. The reigning emperor was . Change of era * 1017 : The era name was changed to mark an event or series of events. The previous e ...

3, 4th month''): he had voluntarily asked

Emperor Sanjō was the 67th emperor of Japan,Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 三条天皇 (67)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession. Sanjō's reign spanned the years from 1011 through 1016. Biography Before his ascension to the Chry ...

to go down to Kyūshū to Dazaifu to take up the position of Regional Governor of Dazaifu in order to receive treatment for an eye disease. Takaie successfully led the defense of Dazaifu against the

of 1019. A rumor was circulated that the invading Toi (considered as Joshin tribe) carried smallpox to mainland Japan and it began spreading upon Takaie's arrival in the capital. Takaie requested that his men be given rewards for their military contributions, and in response to his request, rules regarding local governments were discussed among high court officials. * 1019 (''

3, 12th month''): He resigned from his post in Dazaifu which was given to

Fujiwara no Yukinari , also known as Fujiwara no Kōzei, was a Japanese calligrapher (''shodoka'') during the Heian period. He was memorialized for his prowess in his chosen art by being remembered as one of the outstanding Three Brush Traces (Sanseki 三跡), along ...

. Takaie returned to the capital. * 1023 (''

Jian The ''jian'' (pronunciation （劍）, English approximation: ) is a double-edged straight sword used during the last 2,500 years in China. The first Chinese sources that mention the ''jian'' date to the 7th century BCE, during the Spring and ...

3, 15th day of the 12th month''): He declined the position of

(中納言) so his second son, Fujiwara no Tsunesuke was promoted to Sachuben (左中弁) instead. * 1037 (''

Chōryaku was a after ''Chōgen'' and before ''Chōkyū.'' This period spanned the years from April 1037 through 1040. The reigning emperor was . Change of era * 1037 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events. The previous era ...

1, 9th day of the 8th month''): He again declined the position of Regional Governor of Dazaifu so it was given to Fujiwara no Sanenari (藤原実成). * 1042 ('' Chōkyū 3, 29th day of the 1st month''): Takaie retired. * 1042 ('' Chōkyū 3, 29th day of the 1st month''): Takaie died at 66 years of age with the ranks of Senior Second Rank (正二位, ''shō ni-i'') and Zen-

(前中納言).

Legacy

The

Kikuchi clan The of Higo Province was a powerful daimyō family of Higo, Kyūshū. The lineage was renowned for valiant service in defense of the emperor and against foreign invaders. They initially distinguished themselves during the Jürchen invasion of ...

of Higo Province claim that their founder, Kikuchi Noritaka is a son of Fujiwara no Masanori and grandson of Takaie.Shōyūki (982-1032), written by Fujiwara no Sanesuke

Family

* Father:

(藤原道隆, 953–995) * Mother: Takashina no Takako (高階貴子, ?–996), also known as Kō-no-Naishi (高内侍) ** Wife: name unknown, daughter of Minamoto no Shigenobu (源重信の娘) ** Wife: name unknown, daughter of Fujiwara no Kagenari (藤原景斉の娘) *** First son: Fujiwara no Yoshiyori (藤原良頼, 1002–1048) ** Wife: name unknown, daughter of Minamoto no Kanesuke (源兼資の娘) *** Second son: Fujiwara no Tsunesuke (藤原経輔, 1006–1081) *** Daughter: name unknown, wife of Prince Atsunori (敦儀親王室) *** Daughter: name unknown, wife of Fujiwara no Kanetsune (藤原兼経室) ** Wife: name unknown, daughter of

Fujiwara no Tamemitsu Fujiwara no Tamemitsu (藤原為光) (942–992) was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.Brinkley, Frank ''et al.'' (1915). Career Tamemitsu served as a minister during the reigns of Emperor En'yū, Emperor K ...

(藤原為光, 942–992) *** Son: Fujiwara no Suesada (藤原季定) ** Wife: name unknown, daughter of Kaga-no-kami Masamitsu (加賀守正光の娘) *** Son: Fujiwara no Iefusa (藤原家房) ** Children with unknown mothers: *** Son: Fujiwara no Yoshikazu (藤原良員) *** Son: Fujiwara no Motosada (藤原基定) *** Son: Kōshō (行昭, 1015–1062), a priest (権律師) at

Enryaku-ji is a Tendai monastery located on Mount Hiei in Ōtsu, overlooking Kyoto. It was first founded in 788 during the early Heian period (794–1185) by Saichō (767–822), also known as Dengyō Daishi, who introduced the Tendai sect of Mahayan ...

. *** Son: Ryūmyō (隆明, 1021–1104), a priest at

Mii-dera , formally called , is a Buddhist temple in Japan located at the foot of Mount Hiei, in the city of Ōtsu in Shiga Prefecture. It is a short distance from both Kyoto, and Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake. The head temple of the Jimon sect ...

. *** Son: Fujiwara no Masanori (藤原政則, 997–1063), ancestor of the

. Possibly a son of Chikanori (親則), a man who worked for Takaie.

References

{{Authority control Fujiwara clan 979 births 1044 deaths

Early life and background

Career

Legacy

Family

See also

References