September 18, 764, in the eighth year of the Tenpyō-hōji era.
Katsuno Onie in Takashima District, Ōmi Province.
Fujiwara no Nakamaro was captured by Ishimura no Muraji Ishitate while attempting to flee to Lake Biwa and was subsequently beheaded.
Just a few years prior, Nakamaro had risen to the rank of Grand Minister, achieving the highest court rank of Senior First Rank.
He was closely allied with Emperor Junnin and was granted the name “Fujiwara Emi no Ason Oshikatsu,” even receiving special permission to use the Emi family’s seal officially.
He was one of the most powerful figures of the Nara period.
However, Fujiwara no Nakamaro’s life cannot be viewed merely as that of a man who rebelled and was defeated in the end.
The implementation of the Yōrō Code.
The reduction of labor burdens on the populace.
Adoption of Tang-style official titles.
Compilation of historical records.
Extensive preparations for an expedition against Silla.
During the period when Nakamaro was at the center of power, a wide range of policies were advanced, from domestic systems to foreign affairs.
An important figure supporting his political position was Empress Dowager Kōmyō, and later, his strong connection with Emperor Junnin.
As the balance of power within the court shifted in the 760s, the political environment surrounding Nakamaro also changed significantly.
1. 706 — Born into the Fujiwara Southern House
Fujiwara no Nakamaro was born in the third year of the Keiun era (706) as the second son of Fujiwara no Muchimaro.
His grandfather was Fujiwara no Fuhito.
His father, Muchimaro, was the founder of the Fujiwara Southern House, and he had an elder brother named Fujiwara no Toyonari.
The “Shoku Nihongi” describes Nakamaro as an intelligent man well-versed in literature and skilled in mathematics.
In 725, he became an imperial page, and later served as a junior assistant in the university.
By the sixth year of the Tenpyō era (734), he had attained the rank of Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade.
At this time, Nakamaro was still just one of the young officials of the Fujiwara clan.
His position would change dramatically in 737.
2. 737 — Losing His Father and Uncles
The ninth year of the Tenpyō era (737).
A smallpox epidemic claimed the lives of the four Fujiwara brothers: Muchimaro, Fusasaki, Umakai, and Maro.
Nakamaro also lost his father, Muchimaro.
With the political leaders of the Fujiwara clan disappearing in the same year, Tachibana no Moroe rose to prominence at court.
Meanwhile, Nakamaro’s own career advancement accelerated rapidly.
By 741, he was appointed Minister of Popular Affairs.
In 743, he became a councilor and concurrently served as Governor of the Left Capital District.
By 745, he was Governor of Ōmi, and in 746, he became Minister of Ceremonial, also serving as the Eastern Mountain Road Inspector.
From Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade in 734 to Junior Second Rank in 750, he climbed nine ranks in just 11 years.
An important figure supporting Nakamaro’s rise was Empress Kōmyō, who was his father Muchimaro’s half-sister.
3. Empress Dowager Kōmyō’s Trust and the Shibi Chūdai
In the first year of Tenpyō-shōhō (749).
Emperor Shōmu abdicated in favor of Princess Abe, who ascended the throne as Empress Kōken.
Empress Kōmyō became the Grand Empress Dowager.
In the same year, Nakamaro was promoted to Dainagon and also took on the role of Shibi-no-kami, the head of the newly established Shibi-chūdai, which was reorganized from the Empress’s Household Office.
The Shibi-chūdai was a special office directly under Grand Empress Dowager Kōmyō, and Nakamaro, with his position in the Daijō-kan, gained a direct political connection to the Grand Empress Dowager.
This was a period when Nakamaro was rapidly gaining prominence, transitioning from the era when Tachibana no Moroe was at the center of power.
In 755, Moroe was reported for comments made at a drinking party.
Although the retired Emperor Shōmu did not hold him accountable, Moroe resigned as Sadaijin in 756 and passed away in January 757.
The power dynamics within the court began to shift significantly.
4. The Year 757 — The Shibi-naishō and the Tachibana Naramaro Incident
In the ninth year of Tenpyō-shōhō (757).
Nakamaro became the Shibi-naishō.
The Shibi-naishō was treated as equivalent to a minister, responsible for conveying the Emperor’s orders to various government offices and overseeing military affairs both domestic and abroad.
In the same year, a plot by Tachibana no Moroe’s son, Tachibana no Naramaro, and others to eliminate Fujiwara no Nakamaro was uncovered.
According to confessions after the incident, Naramaro and his group intended to remove Nakamaro, depose the Crown Prince Ōi, and alter the line of imperial succession.
However, the plan was revealed before it could be executed due to a tip-off.
Many members of the imperial family, nobles, and officials, including Ōbun-ō, Dōso-ō, Ōtomo no Komaro, and Ono no Azumahito, were punished, and some died under interrogation.
This incident dealt a severe blow to the faction of the imperial family and nobility that could oppose Nakamaro, further strengthening the political regime centered around him.
However, much of what is known about the incident comes from interrogation records after it was uncovered.
The Tachibana Naramaro Incident itself requires separate consideration, taking into account the nature of the historical sources.
5. Ōi — Nakamaro and the Next Emperor
In understanding Nakamaro’s politics, his relationship with Ōi is indispensable.
Ōi was the son of Prince Toneri, a child of Emperor Tenmu.
Before becoming Crown Prince, he lived at Nakamaro’s Tamura residence and was married to Awata no Moroe, the widow of Nakamaro’s deceased eldest son, Masatsugu.
He had a deep familial connection with Nakamaro.
In March 757.
Prince Dōso, who had been made Crown Prince by the late Emperor Shōmu’s testament, was deposed.
Several princes, including Prince Shioyaki and Prince Ikeda, were considered as candidates for the new Crown Prince.
Among them, in April, Ōi was appointed Crown Prince.
In August of the following year, 758.
Empress Kōken abdicated, and Ōi ascended the throne as Emperor Junnin.
From then on, Nakamaro continued to rise to even higher positions under Emperor Junnin.
6. “Fujiwara no Emi Asomi Oshikatsu”—Reaching the Pinnacle of Power
After Emperor Junnin ascended the throne, Nakamaro was appointed to the position equivalent to Minister of the Right, known as Taifu.
He was further bestowed with the surname “Fujiwara no Emi Asomi” and the name “Oshikatsu.”
From then on, Fujiwara no Nakamaro was also referred to as “Fujiwara no Emi Oshikatsu.”
He was granted 3,000 households and 100 cho of merit fields, along with special authority over minting coins and rice collection.
He was even permitted to use the “Emi Family Seal” on official documents.
In 760, he became Taishi, with the rank of Junior First Rank.
Taishi was a Tang-style title equivalent to Chancellor of the Realm.
By 762, he had reached the Senior First Rank.
Nakamaro ascended to the highest position attainable by a subject in terms of official rank.
7. The Yoro Code and Sinicization—Nakamaro’s Governance
757.
The Yoro Code, which had long remained unenforced, was finally implemented.
The Yoro Code was a legal code that Nakamaro’s grandfather, Fujiwara no Fuhito, had been deeply involved in compiling.
Nakamaro’s administration was notably influenced by Tang China’s systems and Confucian political ideals.
In 758, official titles were changed to reflect Tang-style nomenclature.
The Daijokan became the Kansho-kan.
The Shibi Chudai was renamed the Kungu-kan.
The Minister of the Right became the Taifu.
These titles were adopted.
Nakamaro is also said to have been involved in selecting the Chinese-style posthumous names for successive emperors.
He participated in compiling the “Kaden,” a history of the Fujiwara clan, and is believed to have written the “Tai-shokukan-den,” which dealt with Fujiwara no Kamatari.
Furthermore, he initiated the compilation of a new official history following the “Nihon Shoki,” leading to the later “Shoku Nihongi.”
Nakamaro’s governance was not solely focused on expanding official ranks and power.
8. Halving of Corvée Labor and the Ever-Normal Granary—Addressing Public Burdens
During Nakamaro’s administration, policies addressing the burdens on the populace were also advanced.
In 757, the number of days for corvée labor, which was set at 60 days per year under the legal code, was halved to 30 days.
In 758, officials were dispatched across the country to address public grievances, including a review of the age for labor obligations.
In 759, the Ever-Normal Granaries were established in various provinces.
This system involved purchasing rice when prices were low and releasing it when prices soared to stabilize the market, while also aiding transport workers returning from delivering taxes and labor to the capital.
During Nakamaro’s administration, responses to issues such as peasant labor, commodity prices, and transportation burdens were implemented, alongside Sinicization reforms and the glorification of the Fujiwara clan.
This aspect is less visible when only viewed through the lens of “rebellion.”
9. 759—The Plan to Conquer Silla
Nakamaro’s administration also pursued large-scale military preparations in foreign policy.
On September 19, 759, during the Tenpyō-hōji era.
In preparation for an expedition to Silla, an order was issued to construct a total of 500 ships within three years: 89 ships from the Hokurikudo region, 145 from the San’indo region, 161 from the Sanyo region, and 105 from the Nankaido region.
Furthermore, records related to the military governors from the 5th year of Tenpyō-hōji (761) mention certified ships: 152 from the Tokaido region, 121 from the Nankaido region, and 121 from the Saikaido region.
This totals 394 ships.
The Tokaido region alone had a massive formation of 15,700 soldiers and 7,520 sailors.
However, the Japanese forces never crossed the sea to Silla.
The background of this plan involved not only Japan-Silla diplomatic relations but also multiple factors including the situation in East Asia, such as the Tang dynasty.
It cannot be explained solely by the personal thoughts of Nakamaro.
What can be confirmed is that under Nakamaro’s regime, large-scale preparations for an expedition were made, but it never came to fruition.
10. The Year 760—The Death of Empress Dowager Kōmyō
The 4th year of Tenpyō-hōji (760).
Nakamaro rose to the rank of Taishi and Junior First Rank, nearing the pinnacle of political power.
However, in the same year, Empress Dowager Kōmyō passed away.
Empress Dowager Kōmyō was Nakamaro’s aunt and had been deeply connected to his power formation through the Shibi Chudai since 749.
After her death, changes began to appear in the power dynamics surrounding Nakamaro’s politics.
Another major political foundation, the relationship between Emperor Junnin and Empress Kōken, also began to deteriorate.
Amidst this, the presence of the monk Dōkyō increased.
11. Empress Kōken and Dōkyō
Between 761 and 762, Empress Kōken and Emperor Junnin stayed at the Horamiya Palace in Ōmi Province.
During this time, Empress Kōken fell ill, and Dōkyō attended to her care.
The Empress deepened her trust in Dōkyō.
Emperor Junnin’s criticism of the relationship between the Empress and Dōkyō brought their conflict to the surface.
On June 3, 762.
Empress Kōken declared that she would personally handle the nation’s “important matters” and rewards and punishments.
Emperor Junnin’s authority was significantly restricted, leading to a division of imperial power between the Empress and the Emperor.
For Nakamaro, who was closely tied to Emperor Junnin, this change was significant.
In the same year, 762, Nakamaro himself reached the rank of Senior First Rank.
Despite standing at the pinnacle of official rank, the political environment surrounding him began to destabilize.
In 763, Dōkyō became the Junior Chief Monk.
Within the court, the conflict between the Empress Kōken-Dōkyō faction and the Emperor Junnin-Nakamaro faction deepened.
12. The Year 764—A Political System Collapses in Eight Days
The 8th year of Tenpyō-hōji (764), September 2.
Nakamaro was appointed as “Commander of Military Affairs for the Four Provinces of the Capital, the Three Barrier Stations, and the Provinces of Omi, Tanba, and Harima,” granting him the authority to summon and inspect soldiers within these regions.
His efforts to gather troops soon reached the ears of Empress Koken’s faction.
September 11th.
The Empress’s side attempted to retrieve the imperial seals and official insignia from Emperor Junnin.
Although Nakamaro’s son, Kunimaro, and others briefly reclaimed them, they were ultimately thwarted by pursuing forces.
Nakamaro was stripped of his official rank and family name, becoming a target for capture.
Unable to bring Emperor Junnin with him, he fled Heijo-kyo.
As he attempted to advance towards Omi, he found the Seta Bridge blocked.
When he tried to head for Echizen, the pursuing forces had already sealed off the Arafuse Barrier area.
Nakamaro was gradually driven towards the western shore of Lake Biwa, changing his route as he went.
September 18th.
Defeated by the pursuing forces near Miozaki, Nakamaro retreated to Katsuno Kie.
In a final attempt to escape across the lake, he was captured by Ishimura no Muraji Ishitate and beheaded.
The historical records of Takashima City identify Katsuno Kie with the present-day location of Otomegaike.
From the struggle over the seals on September 11th to September 18th, only eight days had passed.
Born into the Fujiwara Nanke family in 706, Fujiwara no Nakamaro’s life ended here.
With the trust of Empress Dowager Komyo, Nakamaro rose to the center of political power, surviving the Tachibana Naramaro Incident to become Grand Minister and First Rank under Emperor Junnin.
During his administration, a wide range of policies were implemented, including the enforcement of the Yoro Code, addressing the burdens on the populace, reforms inspired by Tang China, historical compilation, and preparations for a campaign against Silla.
However, the death of Empress Dowager Komyo in 760 and the ensuing conflict between Empress Koken and Emperor Junnin in 762 led to a split in imperial authority.
In September 764, Nakamaro’s move to gather military strength resulted in armed conflict with Empress Koken’s faction.
Despite reaching the pinnacle of official rank, Fujiwara no Nakamaro lost his life eight days later at Katsuno Kie on the western shore of Lake Biwa.
📚 For Those Who Want to Know More About Fujiwara no Nakamaro
Why did Fujiwara no Nakamaro, who stood at the pinnacle of power, ultimately resort to raising an army?
From the Tachibana Naramaro Incident to the Emi no Oshikatsu Rebellion, this book is recommended for those who wish to delve deeper into Nakamaro’s rise and fall.
👉 Read more about the life of Fujiwara no Nakamaro
Fujiwara no Nakamaro: The Extraordinary Politician Who Influenced Ancient Royal Power [eBook] [Atsushi Nito]
Fujiwara no Nakamaro: The Extraordinary Politician Who Influenced Ancient Royal Power (Chuko Shinsho 2648) [Atsushi Nito]
🥒 After delving into Nara period history, why not try Nara’s specialty, Nara-zuke pickles?
Once you’ve savored the history, treat yourself to the flavors of Nara.
