Fujiwara Motofusa

1144 (age 86)

Japan

He was appointed Minister of the Left in 1164. Upon the death of his elder brother, Motozane, he became Sessho (Regent) and head of the Fujiwara family in 1166 and subsequently Prime Minister. He plotted with ex-Emperor Goshirakawa to curb the power of the Taira family, which was at the height of its prosperity. Offended by Motofusa's antipathy toward his family, Kiyomori caused him to be demoted to chief of Dazaifu (the Court's administrative office in Kyushu). The following year he was called back to Kyoto. When the Tairas were driven out of Kyoto by Yoshinaka Kiso (Minamoto), Motofusa tried to cooperate with Yoshinaka but the latter was killed in battle and Motofusa's power waned.

Fujiwara no Motofusa