Episode 627 – Flowering Fortunes, Part 2

May 15, 2026 Leave a comment

This week: Fujiwara no Kaneie is a name we’ve encountered once before on the podcast. But now we get to see him in his element as a wheeler and dealer who lays out a perfect blueprint for assuming political power from an older sibling. And we’ll get to see Kaneie’s sons fight a very similar battle–leading to the rise of the man who would take the Fujiwara to the zenith of their power, Fujiwara no Michinaga.

Sources

McCullough, Helen Craig and William H McCullough. A Tale of Flowering Fortunes, Vols 1-2: Annals of Japanese Aristocratic Life in the Heian Period

McCullough, Helen Craig. Okagami, the Great Mirror: Fujiwara no Michinaga and His Times

Images

Fujiwara no Kaneie, as illustrated by the Edo era artist Kikuchi Yosai.
An Edo era woodcut of the Mother of Michitsuna. Her fashion in this image is far more Edo period than Heian period, but it does illustrate nicely her enduring cultural appeal.
An illustration of the Mother of Michitsuna along with her poem from the Hyakunin Ishhu.
Fujiwara no Michinaga was the most powerful power-broker of this era and led the Fujiwara to the height of their power; he dominated Japanese politics during the latter half of the 10th century, and was reputed to be able to enthrone and dethrone emperors at will.
Edo era portrait of Fujiwara no Michitaka, by Yosai.
Edo period portrait of Michikane, the “Nanoka no Kanpaku”, or seven day regent.

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