Ako Controversy
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The Ako Controversy (阿衡の紛議) or Ako Incident (阿衡事件) was a political controversy that occurred in early Heian Period of Japanese history.[1]
On November 21, 887 AD, Fujiwara no Mototsune recommended to Emperor Uda that he become Crown Prince from commoner status. For this throne, Emperor Uda gave an imperial message to Fujiwara no Mototsune for assignment as the Kanpaku (Emperor adviser) but he refused. The Emperor sent another request with comment and it was "request you as Ako". The meaning of Ako is just a rank without any official duties. This is the same meaning as useless person with high rank. This imperial message triggered the Ako Controversy.
In April 888 AD, the Emperor Uda orders experts to make sure that Ako is not doing any duties. But the experts were afraid of Fujiwara's influence so they did not complete their duties. In June, the Emperor decided to cancel the imperial orders, which is considered the "first real setback of his career".[2]
References
- ^ Shively, Donald H. (1999). The Cambridge History of Japan. Cambridge University Press. p. 76. ISBN 9780521223539.
- ^ Morris, Ivan I. (1975). The nobility of failure: tragic heroes in the history of Japan. Secker and Warburg. p. 45. ISBN 9780030108112.