To you, two thousand years from now | 株式会社かいごのきもち

“To you, two thousand… or perhaps… twenty thousand years later” – From the final chapter song of “Attack on Titan”…

One of the reasons ancient history feels boring is the existence of positions like “Regent,” “Kampaku,” “Retired Emperor,” etc., where different individuals held power depending on the era, governing politics. It’s like, even with figures like Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, or Ieyasu, you’d still end up thinking, “Who are you?”

However, in the midst of all this, the name “Fujiwara no Michinaga” is likely familiar to everyone.

The reason why Michinaga became the protagonist of stories told in later generations is because of his good fortune.

The “Sekkan Political System” that emerged during the Heian period refers to a system where the “Emperor’s” maternal relatives (grandfathers) hold positions such as “Regent” or “Kampaku,” acting as regents for the Emperor and governing political affairs on their behalf.

The position of “Regent” was established when the “Emperor” was young or when there was a female emperor, as was the case with Crown Prince Nakano’o in the previous era.

However, in 858, Fujiwara no Yoshifusa, the grandfather of Emperor Seiwa, became the first subject to hold the position of “Regent.”

Yoshifusa, a member of the Fujiwara clan’s Northern House, was succeeded by his son Motoyasu, who assumed the position in 884 as “Kampaku.”

“Kampaku” refers to an official who, like a “Regent,” handles political affairs under an adult “Emperor.”

In later years, Hideyoshi also held the position of “Kampaku.”

Subsequently, the positions of “Regent” and “Kampaku” became hereditary within the Fujiwara Northern House.

The “Sekkan Political System” became synonymous with the Fujiwara clan, continuing for over 150 years until the end of the 11th century.

The Fujiwara Northern House was called the “Sekkan Family” because they produced “Regents” and “Kampaku,” but there were constant power struggles within the family over these positions.

To assume the positions of “Regent” and “Kampaku,” it was a prerequisite to be a maternal relative of the “Emperor.”

Therefore, the “Sekkan Family” had to have daughters.

In later years, there is a saying attributed to the “merchants of Sakai” that goes, “It’s better to have daughters. You can’t choose your children, but you can choose your sons-in-law.” In the case of the “Sekkan Family,” having daughters was strongly desired.

Even after daughters were born, the men of the “Sekkan Family” had to ensure that they pleased the “Emperor.” Therefore, they spared no effort in raising their beloved daughters into talented women who would be favored by the Emperor, by providing them with excellent tutors such as Murasaki Shikibu or Sei Shonagon, and cultivating their education.

But being favored by the “Emperor” wasn’t enough. Even if they were married into the Imperial Family, if their daughters did not give birth to male heirs, they couldn’t assume the positions of “Regent” or “Kampaku” as maternal relatives of the “Emperor.”

In other words, achieving political power required more than just effort; it required luck.

…Thinking this world is my world, I realize that the moon is always full…

This is a famous poem by Michinaga.

The height of the “Sekkan Political System” was during Michinaga’s time.

Michinaga was the fourth son of Kaneie, who held the “Sekkan” position, a position that wouldn’t usually allow one to wield political power.

However, luck was on Michinaga’s side.

One after another, his brothers died of epidemics, and his brothers’ daughters were unable to bear male heirs.

During this time, Michinaga succeeded in having his daughter Akiko become the “Chugu” (the Second Empress) of Emperor Ichijo. And fortunately, Akiko gave birth to a male heir (the future Emperor Sanjo), further securing Michinaga’s position as a maternal relative of the Emperor.

Michinaga’s good fortune didn’t stop there.

Subsequently, he married off two more daughters to emperors, and three of his daughters became Empresses, an unprecedented achievement.

Thus, Michinaga ruled as an unparalleled authority for over thirty years.

Michinaga is rumored to have been popular with women, and according to one theory, Murasaki Shikibu was his lover, and it is said that the protagonist of “The Tale of Genji,” Hikaru Genji, was modeled after Michinaga.

However, life has its ups and downs.

When good times come, bad times inevitably follow.

Michinaga’s daughters died, one after another.

His son Yorimichi also assumed the position of “Sekkan” but did not have a son. With Michinaga’s son, Yorimichi, the “Sekkan Political System” came to an end.

Political power shifted from “Regent” and “Kampaku” to “Retired Emperor.”

By knowing the story of one person, you can prepare for life.

Studying as an adult means having the freedom to choose what to learn.

It’s a waste to rely on parents, friends, bosses, etc., as models for your life.

You can make figures like Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, or Ieyasu your models for life.

There’s no reason not to enjoy that luxury.