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Fujiwara no Muchimaro

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Fujiwara no Muchimaro

Template:Japanese name Fujiwara no Muchimaro (藤原 武智麻呂, 680 – August 29, 737) was a Japanese politician of the Asuka and Nara periods. The eldest son of Fujiwara no Fuhito, he founded Nanke (literally, Southern House), one of the principal kuge (court noble) families led by the Fujiwara's. His mother was Soga no Shōsi, daughter of Soga no Murajiko. He married a granddaughter of Abe no Miushi, with whom he had two sons Fujiwara no Toyonari and Fujiwara no Nakamaro. Among his daughters was consort of Emperor Shōmu.

Muchimaro became the head of Ministry of Civil Services in 718. When Fuhito, Muchimaro's father, died in 720, Prince Nagaya was at the highest rank in the state government. Prince Nagaya was grandson of Emperor Temmu, but not a son of Fujiwara family, therefore was seen as a threat by Muchimaro and his three brothers. After successfully removing Prince Nagaya in 729, Muchimaro rose to Counselor, then was promoted to Minister of the Right in 734. By this time, his three brothers were also promoted to important positions in the government, together realizing the regime of Fujiwara's. In 737, however, Muchimaro and all of his brothers died of smallpox.

References

  • Sonpi Bunmyaku, viewable through the Digital Archive of National Diet Library (Japan).
  • Hall, John. The Cambridge History of Japan. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988. (pp. 247-249)
  • Roth, Louis. Japan Encyclopedia. City: Belknap Pr of Harvard U, 2005.

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