Tadamichi no Fujiwara

Background

Tadamich no Fujiwara was born in 1097. The son of Kampaku (Adviser to the Emperor) Tadazane.

Career

He was appointed Kampaku and then Minister of the Left. Later, during the reigns of Emperors Sutoku and Konoe, he served as Sessho (Regent), in addiiion to Kampafcw and Dajo Daijin (Prime Minister). He and his younger brother, Yorinaga, were bitter enemies fighting for power. At one time, he was deprived by Yorinaga of his position as Uji-no-Choja (head of the Fuji-warii family), with Tadazane backing Yorinaga. After the demise of Emperor Konoe, Tadamichi was favored by ex-Emperor Toba who wielded actual power. Later, supporting ex-Emperor Goshirakawa, he rallied warriors of the Minamoto and Taira Clans around him in preparation for the war with Yorinaga, which was called the war of the Hogen Era (1156). Yorinaga was defeated and killed.

Achievements

• He originated the Hosshoji school of calligraphy which was very popular from the reign of Emperor Gosnirakawa until that of Emperor Gosaga.

Works

• diary

  • Hosshoj i Kampakuki

Personality

Tadamichi was called Hosshojl-no-Kampaku. In his late years, he was a priest with the name of Enkan. Well-versed in ancient practices and rituals, he was also a noted calligrapher.