Kujō family
The Kujō family (九条家 Kujō-ke) was a Japanese noble family and a branch of the Fujiwara clan derived from Fujiwara no Tadamichi. They were counted as one of the Sekke, the five regent houses and therefore one of the most politically powerful families among the kuge (court officials).
As one of the Sekke, the five regent houses, the Kujō clan monopolized the offices of Sessho and Kampaku along with the Konoe, Takatsukasa, Nijo and Ichijo clans from the 12th century until 1867. With the exception of Tokugawa Masako, wife of the Emperor Mizunoo II, all Empresses of that long period were of the clans that formed the Sekke or from branches of the imperial family itself.
In addition, the Nijō and Ichijō families derived from the Kujō family.
The clan was founded by Fujiwara no Kanezane (1149–1207), at the recommendation of Minamoto no Yoritomo. The name Kujō means literally the ninth avenue, a district in Kyoto where Kanezane had his residence.
The fourth and fifth Shogun of the Kamakura shogunate, Kujō Yoritsune and Kujō Yoritsugu, came from this clan.
Some sources claim the clan was founded by Fujiwara no Morosuke (908-960) [citation needed].
The Kujō family were sponsors of the Kitano Shrine. In 1219, Kujō Michiie (1191–1252) offered "Kitano Tenjin Engi Emaki" (Illustrated Scroll of the History of the Kitano Shrine) to the Kitano shrine.
After the Meiji Restoration, members of the Kujō clan were elevated to princedom and given the title Prince. Sadako, the empress of Emperor Taishō was of this family.
In present-day
After World War II all of kujō member lost their title "Prince".
Books
- A History of Japan to 1334 By George Bailey Sansom Published by Stanford University Press, 1958 ISBN 0-8047-0523-2, 9780804705233 512 pages