October 9, 740, in the 12th year of the Tenpyo era.
Two armies faced each other across the Itabitsu River in Buzen Province.
On the western bank stood Fujiwara no Hirotsugu.
His forces numbered over 10,000.
On the eastern bank, the imperial army, numbering over 6,000, was arrayed.
Hirotsugu was a noble of the Fujiwara clan who had been dispatched to Kyushu as the Dazai Shoni.
About 40 days earlier, on August 29, he had sent a memorial to the court, arguing the merits and demerits of political matters and calling for the removal of Genbo and Kibi no Makibi from central politics.
However, by October, Hirotsugu was facing off against the imperial army across the river.
Hirotsugu’s forces included not only troops from various parts of Kyushu but also the Hayato from Osumi and Satsuma.
Meanwhile, the separate units advancing from three directions towards Buzen had yet to join the main force.
The imperial army had already secured major military strongholds, and defections from Hirotsugu’s side began to occur at the Itabitsu River.
Despite gathering over 10,000 troops, why was Hirotsugu unable to consolidate his forces before the decisive battle?
The roots of this issue trace back to 737, when smallpox claimed the lives of key figures in the Fujiwara clan.
1. The Death of the Four Fujiwara Brothers in 737
The 9th year of the Tenpyo era (737).
The smallpox epidemic led to the deaths of the four Fujiwara brothers: Muchimaro, Fusasaki, Umakai, and Maro.
Fujiwara no Hirotsugu’s father, Fujiwara no Umakai, was among them.
As sons of Fujiwara no Fuhito, the four brothers wielded significant power in the court of Emperor Shomu. Losing all of them in the same year dramatically altered the balance of power in the central government.
The new center of power became Tachibana no Moroe.
Under Moroe’s leadership, returnees from Tang China like Kibi no Makibi and the monk Genbo were also given important roles.
Hirotsugu was the eldest son of Umakai, who founded the Fujiwara Shikike branch.
In 737, he was promoted to Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade, and by April of the following year, he concurrently held the position of Shikibu Shoyu and Governor of Omi.
However, in December of that same year, he was transferred to the post of Dazai Shoni.
It has been suggested that this appointment was influenced by Hirotsugu’s conflicts with Genbo and Kibi no Makibi, as well as his isolation within the Fujiwara clan.
Not all of the Fujiwara clan supported Hirotsugu’s uprising.
2. Hirotsugu as Dazai Shoni
The Dazai Shoni was a deputy position at the Dazaifu.
The Dazaifu was a crucial office overseeing the provinces of Kyushu, responsible for foreign affairs and the defense of the western regions.
Hirotsugu spent about two years in this role.
August 29, 740, in the 12th year of the Tenpyo era.
Hirotsugu sent a memorial from the Dazaifu to the imperial court.
According to the “Shoku Nihongi,” Hirotsugu pointed out the political pros and cons, discussed natural disasters, and called for the removal of the monk Genbo and Kibi no Makibi from central politics.
Genbo and Makibi were both individuals who had studied extensively in Tang China and were held in high regard under the administration of Tachibana no Moroe.
Hirotsugu’s demand was for the removal of these two figures.
However, without waiting for a response from the central government, it is believed that Hirotsugu decided to raise an army by the end of August.
3. September 3rd—The Court Declares Hirotsugu a Rebel
September 3rd.
Hirotsugu’s petition, dated August 29th, reached the capital.
The court deemed Hirotsugu’s actions as rebellion and promptly organized a punitive expedition.
Ono no Azumabito was appointed as the general, with Ki no Iemaro as the vice-general.
Orders were issued to mobilize 17,000 troops from the five regions of Tokai, Tosan, San’in, Sanyo, and Nankai.
The “Shoku Nihongi” also records on the same day that “Hirotsugu finally raised an army and rebelled.”
However, it took time for information to travel from Kyushu to the capital.
It is not necessary to consider September 3rd as the day Hirotsugu first mobilized his troops on site.
On this day, the court’s decision to suppress Hirotsugu militarily became clear.
4. Advancing on Buzen from Three Directions
Hirotsugu divided his forces into three groups.
One group was led by Hirotsugu himself.
Another group was led by his brother, Fujiwara no Tsunate.
The third group was commanded by Tago no Komaro.
Their targets were the three forts located in Buzen Province: Tomi, Itabitsu, and Kyoto.
Hirotsugu’s main force advanced along the Kurate Road.
Tsunate led 5,000 troops from Chikugo and Hizen, advancing from the Bungo Road towards Buzen.
The third group advanced from the Tagawa Road area.
They aimed to converge on Buzen from three directions to counter the court’s forces.
However, the three groups failed to assemble simultaneously as planned.
This delay would later have significant implications at the Itabitsu River.
5. Ongagun—Hirotsugu’s Forward Base
Hirotsugu’s main force advanced to Ongagun in Chikuzen Province.
This is around present-day Ongacho in Fukuoka Prefecture.
According to the “Shoku Nihongi,” Hirotsugu established a military camp here, gathered weapons, and raised signal fires to summon soldiers.
This location became the forward base for Hirotsugu’s forces.
In addition to troops from Chikuzen, Hayato warriors from Osumi and Satsuma also joined Hirotsugu.
Initially, Hirotsugu’s main force was said to number over 5,000, but by the time they faced the court’s army at the Itabitsu River, it had grown to over 10,000.
It was a large-scale force.
However, while Hirotsugu was gathering his troops, the court’s army crossed the Kanmon Straits and advanced into Buzen.
6. The Three Forts Are Captured First
The punitive expedition moved swiftly.
September 22nd.
The imperial forces took control of the three camps at Tomi, Itabitsu, and Kyoto.
In a report dated the 24th, Ohno Azumahito noted that 1,767 soldiers from the three camps had been captured.
The bases that Hirotsugu’s army was advancing towards from three directions were seized by the imperial side before his main forces could arrive.
On September 25th, it was also reported that the district officials of Buzen Province had led their troops to join the imperial forces.
Even before a full confrontation at the Itabitsu River, Hirotsugu’s side began losing military bases and local allies.
Nevertheless, Hirotsugu pressed forward.
October 9th.
The two armies faced each other across the Itabitsu River.
7. October 9th — The Battle of Itabitsu River
On the west bank of the Itabitsu River stood Hirotsugu’s army of over 10,000.
On the east bank, the imperial forces were arrayed with over 6,000 troops.
Hirotsugu’s forces included Hayato warriors from Osumi and Satsuma.
Hirotsugu attempted to lead the Hayato across the river.
However, it is said that they were pushed back to the west bank by crossbow fire from the imperial forces.
In terms of numbers alone, Hirotsugu’s side outnumbered the imperial forces.
Yet, the encounter did not escalate into a large-scale battle between the 10,000 and 6,000 troops.
The imperial forces called for Hirotsugu’s side to surrender.
From this point, the cohesion within Hirotsugu’s army began to crumble.
8. “No Intent to Rebel Against the Court”
The imperial envoy, Saeki Tsuneto, questioned Hirotsugu from across the river about the reasons for his uprising.
According to the “Shoku Nihongi,” Hirotsugu claimed that his aim was to remove Genbo and Kibi no Makibi, and he had no intention of rebelling against the court itself.
Subsequently, three Hayato from Hirotsugu’s side swam across the river to surrender to the imperial forces.
This was followed by a series of defections among the Hayato and cavalry, with the number of defectors reaching 30.
The defecting Hayato provided further crucial information.
A separate detachment led by his brother, Fujiwara no Tsunate, and Tago no Komaro had not yet joined Hirotsugu’s main force.
Hirotsugu had gathered over 10,000 troops.
Even so, he could not bring all the forces advancing from three directions together for a decisive battle with the imperial army.
9. Why Did Hirotsugu’s Army of Over 10,000 Collapse?
The defeat of Hirotsugu’s army cannot be explained by numbers alone.
Hirotsugu divided his forces into three and advanced them towards Buzen.
Meanwhile, the imperial forces crossed the Kanmon Straits and secured the strategic locations of Tomi, Itabitsu, and Kyoto ahead of him.
There was also a movement among the district officials of Buzen to submit to the imperial side.
When the main force faced the imperial army at the Itabitsu River, the detachment led by Tsunate and Tago no Komaro had not yet arrived.
Moreover, the Hayato and cavalry began to defect from Hirotsugu’s side and surrender to the imperial forces.
Hirotsugu succeeded in gathering a large number of troops.
On the other hand, the imperial forces secured key positions first and confronted the main force before Hirotsugu’s three armies could unite.
What transpired at the Itabitsu River was not a devastating defeat from prolonged battle.
The loss of a military stronghold, the delayed arrival of reinforcements, the defection of local forces, and internal dissent all combined to prevent Hirotsugu’s army from continuing organized combat.
Hirotsugu fled westward.
10. To Naka Island—Escape Overseas
After retreating from the Itabitsu River, Hirotsugu, along with his brother Tsunate and others, headed towards the Matsuura District in Hizen Province.
From there, they crossed to Naka Island, intending to escape further across the sea.
Details of this voyage were later recounted by Hirotsugu’s retainer, Mita Aneto, who was captured.
According to his testimony, the group set sail from Naka Island and traveled for about four days, reaching near Jeju Island, but adverse winds forced them back to Iroto Island, far from Naka.
October 23.
Hirotsugu was captured in Nagano Village on Naka Island in the Matsuura District of Hizen Province.
This report reached Ono Azumahito and was sent to the central government on October 29.
Hirotsugu’s escape ended here.
11. November 1—The Execution of Fujiwara no Hirotsugu
November 1.
Fujiwara no Hirotsugu and his brother Tsunate were executed by beheading in Matsuura District, Hizen Province.
This report was sent to the central government on November 5.
Hirotsugu was the eldest son of Fujiwara no Umakai of the Fujiwara clan’s Shikike branch.
However, he did not secure the support of the entire Fujiwara clan when he raised his army, and the failure of his rebellion temporarily dealt a significant blow to the Shikike branch.
The figures Hirotsugu sought to remove, Kibi no Makibi and Genbo, did not fall from power at this time.
Hirotsugu’s political demands remained unfulfilled.
On January 22 of the following year, Tenpyo 13 (741), punishments were meted out to Hirotsugu’s supporters.
According to a chronology compiled by Dazaifu City based on the “Shoku Nihongi,” the penalties included 26 executions, 5 confiscations, 47 exiles, 32 imprisonments, and 177 beatings.
The repercussions extended beyond Hirotsugu’s execution, affecting many involved.
12. Emperor Shomu’s Journey Amidst the Rebellion
While Hirotsugu was fighting in Kyushu, preparations for Emperor Shomu’s journey were underway in the capital.
On October 19, officials were appointed to oversee the construction of a temporary palace in Ise Province.
On the 23rd, 400 cavalrymen and officials were prepared to lead the journey, and on the 26th, Emperor Shomu informed Ono Azumahito of his plans to head east from the capital at the end of the month.
Then, on October 29.
Emperor Shomu departed Heijo-kyo.
By that time, Hirotsugu had already been captured on October 23.
However, the report of his capture had not yet reached the emperor.
November 3.
The report dated October 29, notifying of Hirotsugu’s capture, arrived at the temporary palace in Kawaguchi, Ise Province, where Emperor Shomu was staying.
The emperor continued his journey, not returning to Heijo-kyo, but traveling through Iga, Ise, Mino, and Omi.
On December 15, he entered the Kuni Palace in Yamashiro Province, where construction of Kuni-kyo was subsequently advanced.
It is not possible to conclude that this imperial visit was solely due to the rebellion led by Fujiwara no Hirotsugu.
During the reign of Emperor Shomu, there were significant upheavals, including the plague of 737, subsequent political instability, and the rebellion of Hirotsugu in 740.
Fujiwara no Hirotsugu sought the removal of Genbo and Kibi no Makibi, amassing an army of over 10,000 in Kyushu.
However, the imperial forces preemptively secured the three strategic points and gained defectors from the local governors of Buzen.
At the Itabitsu River, the main force faced the imperial army without the arrival of reinforcements, leading to defections of Hayato and cavalry from Hirotsugu’s side.
Despite gathering a large force, Hirotsugu was unable to deploy it as a unified army for a decisive battle.
In November 740, Hirotsugu was executed in Hizen.
By that time, Emperor Shomu had already left Heijokyo and entered Kuni in December.
The rebellion of Fujiwara no Hirotsugu in Kyushu was suppressed, but the political turmoil that surfaced in 740 led to subsequent relocations of the capital and changes in the national structure.
Shoku Nihongi (Upper) Complete Modern Translation (Kodansha Academic Library) [ Ujitani Takeru ]
Shoku Nihongi (Vol. 2) Complete Modern Translation (Kodansha Academic Library) [Ujitani Takeshi]
The stage for Fujiwara no Hirotsugu’s Rebellion was set in Northern Kyushu.
As you imagine the clash of the two armies at the Itabitsu River, it might be interesting to savor the local specialty of modern-day Northern Kyushu—mentaiko.
Why not enjoy the local flavors after learning about its history?
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