(992–1071) was a Japanese court noble. He succeeded his father

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 unti ...

to the position of Sesshō in 1017, and then went on to become Kampaku from 1020 until 1068. In both these positions, he acted as

Regent A regent (from Latin : ruling, governing) is a person appointed to govern a state ''pro tempore'' (Latin: 'for the time being') because the monarch is a minor, absent, incapacitated or unable to discharge the powers and duties of the monarchy, ...

to the

Emperor An emperor (from la, imperator, via fro, empereor) is a monarch, and usually the sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife ( empress consort), mother ( e ...

, as many of his ancestors and descendants did; the

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 ...

had nearly exclusive control over the regency positions for over 200 years. Prior to succeeding to the position of Regent, Yorimichi had held the title of ''Naidaijin'' (Minister of the Center/Palace Minister, second rank range), the lowest level of state ministers. By edict, he was raised above his colleagues, to the title of ''Ichi no Hito'', or First Subject. In addition to the reason of direct succession from his father, this edict was presumably necessary to allow Yorimichi to become Sesshō. Byodoin Phoenix Hall Uji 10-2R

He is also known as the founder of Byōdō-in phoenix hall, located in Uji. In 1072, he ordained as a Buddhist monk and took the

Dharma name A Dharma name or Dhamma name is a new name acquired during both lay and monastic Buddhist initiation rituals in Mahayana Buddhism and monastic ordination in Theravada Buddhism (where it is more proper to call it Dhamma or Sangha name). The nam ...

Rengekaku (蓮華覚), later changed to Jakukaku (寂覚).

Marriages and children

* Princess Takahime, daughter of Imperial Prince Tomohira (son of

Emperor Murakami was the 62nd emperor of Japan,Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 村上天皇 (62)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession. Murakami's reign spanned the years from 946 to his death in 967. Biography Before he ascended to ...

) and Princess Nakahime; married 1009; no children, but they adopted 2 daughters: ** Princess Genshi (Motoko), (1016–1039), daughter of Imperial prince Atsuyasu (eldest son 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 ...

) and Princess Naka no Kimi (Takahime's younger sister); Empress of Emperor Go-Suzaku ** Fujiwara no Kanshi (Hiroko), (1036–1121), daughter of Yorimichi by Fujiwara no Gishi * A daughter of Minamoto no Norisada (a grandson of

): ** Fujiwara no Michifusa (1024–1044) * Fujiwara no Gishi (Masako), (died 1053) daughter of Fujiwara no Yorinari (a son of Imperial Prince Tomohira and Princess Nakahime, adopted by Fujiwara no Koresuke) and a daughter of Fujiwara no Korenori; she was then a niece of Princess Takahime: ** Priest Kakuen (1031–1098) ** Fujiwara no Kanshi (Hiroko), (1036–1121); adopted by Princess Takahime; Empress of Emperor Go-Reizei ** Fujiwara no Morozane (1042–1101) ** Fujiwara no Tadatsuna (died 1084)

References

*Sansom, George (1958). ''A History of Japan to 1334.'' Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. *Varley, Paul (2000). ''Japanese Culture.'' Fourth Edition. Honolulu, HI: University of Hawai'i Press. *Brown, Delmer Myers (tr), and Ichirō Ishida (tr) (1979). ''The future and the past: a translation and study of the Gukanshō'': University of California Press. *Tyler, Royall (2001). ''The Tale of Genji'', page 1165 992 births 1071 deaths Sesshō and Kampaku Fujiwara clan Regents of Japan People of Heian-period Japan Heian period Buddhist clergy {{Japan-noble-stub