Episode 32
In the early 9th century, shortly after the start of the Heian period.
There was a woman who wielded significant influence over the politics of the imperial court.
Her name was Fujiwara no Kusuko.
Her father was Fujiwara no Tanetsugu, a central figure in the construction of Nagaoka-kyō.
Her husband was Fujiwara no Nakanushi.
Kusuko herself served Crown Prince Ate, who later ascended the throne as Emperor Heizei, and rapidly rose in status within the court.
Eventually, Kusuko became the Naishi no Kami, the chief of the Naishi Bureau.
The Naishi no Kami was a crucial position involved in the management of the inner palace and in conveying petitions and orders to the emperor.
Kusuko’s rank rose to Senior Third Rank.
However, in 809, when Emperor Heizei abdicated in favor of his brother Emperor Saga, the political landscape of the court changed dramatically.
Emperor Heizei moved to the old capital, Heijō-kyō.
Kusuko and her brother, Fujiwara no Nakanari, continued to serve as close aides to the retired emperor.
Then, in 810.
The political conflict between the retired Emperor Heizei and Emperor Saga reached a critical point over the issue of moving the capital back to Heijō-kyō.
This conflict is known to later generations as the “Incident of Kusuko.”
On September 11, her brother Nakanari was shot and killed.
The following day, on the 12th, Kusuko took her own life.
Who exactly was Fujiwara no Kusuko?
How did a lady-in-waiting rise to the near center of power in the court, only to lose her life amidst the conflict between Emperor Heizei and Emperor Saga?
This time, we will explore the life of Fujiwara no Kusuko as confirmed by historical records, rather than relying solely on the later image of her as the woman who beguiled Emperor Heizei.
1. Her Father, Fujiwara no Tanetsugu, a Central Figure in the Construction of Nagaoka-kyō
The year of Fujiwara no Kusuko’s birth is unknown.
Her father was Fujiwara no Tanetsugu.
He was a prominent member of the Fujiwara Shikike, one of the four main branches of the Fujiwara clan.
Tanetsugu was highly valued by Emperor Kanmu and played a central role in the construction of Nagaoka-kyō, which began in 784.
Emperor Kanmu sought to leave the old capital of Heijō-kyō and establish a new capital at Nagaoka-kyō.
Tanetsugu was one of the key figures responsible for advancing this construction.
However, in the following year, 785.
During the construction of Nagaoka-kyo, Tanetsugu was shot by an unknown assailant and died the following day.
This was the assassination of Fujiwara no Tanetsugu.
The investigation into the incident was extensive, reaching even Prince Sawara, the brother of Emperor Kanmu and the crown prince at the time.
Prince Sawara was stripped of his title as crown prince and died during his exile.
Yakushi was the daughter of the Fujiwara Shikike family, who lost her father in this major incident that shook the court.
Later, Yakushi herself would also meet her end amidst a significant political struggle over the capital and the imperial throne.
2. Marriage to Fujiwara no Nakanushi and Service to Prince Ate
Yakushi married Fujiwara no Nakanushi.
It is said that they had three sons and two daughters.
Their eldest daughter would later play a significant role in changing Yakushi’s life.
The eldest daughter entered the service of Prince Ate, the crown prince of Emperor Kanmu.
Prince Ate would later become Emperor Heizei.
Yakushi herself also came to serve Prince Ate as a court lady.
The term “court lady” refers to those who serve the crown prince.
Yakushi worked closely with the crown prince, becoming involved in court life and politics.
Born as the daughter of Fujiwara no Tanetsugu, Yakushi deepened her relationship with Prince Ate from this point on.
3. Emperor Kanmu’s Concerns About the Relationship with Prince Ate
While working in the court, Yakushi was said to have been favored by Prince Ate.
Yakushi was already the wife of Fujiwara no Nakanushi, and her daughter was also serving Prince Ate.
It was Emperor Kanmu, Prince Ate’s father, who viewed this relationship with concern.
As a result, Yakushi was removed from her position in the court by Emperor Kanmu.
This was a significant event that led to her losing her standing at court.
However, the situation changed later.
In Enryaku 25 (806), Emperor Kanmu passed away.
The crown prince, Prince Ate, ascended to the throne.
He became the 51st Emperor, Emperor Heizei.
With Emperor Heizei’s accession, Yakushi returned to the court.
4. The Accession of Emperor Heizei and Yakushi’s Return
In Daido 1 (806).
Upon Emperor Heizei’s accession, Yakushi once again assumed an important position at court.
After serving as a court lady, she advanced to the position of Naishi-no-Kami.
The Naishi-no-Kami is the head of the Naishi Bureau.
In addition to managing the inner palace, she was responsible for conveying petitions from retainers to the Emperor and relaying the Emperor’s orders to officials.
Yakushi held a crucial position, connecting the Emperor with court officials through her official duties.
Her personal relationship with Emperor Heizei, combined with her role as Naishi-no-Kami, significantly enhanced Yakushi’s political presence.
Yakushi’s rank also rose.
In 809, during the Daido era, she reached the rank of Senior Third Rank.
This was an exceptionally high rank for a woman at the time.
Once dismissed from the court during Emperor Kanmu’s reign, Yakushi rose to become a lady-in-waiting close to the center of the court after Emperor Heizei’s accession.
5. Her Brother, Fujiwara no Nakanari, Also Gained Influence at Court
Alongside Yakushi, her brother Fujiwara no Nakanari became an important figure during Emperor Heizei’s era.
Nakanari, also a son of Fujiwara no Tanetsugu, belonged to the Fujiwara Shikike clan.
He was promoted during Emperor Heizei’s reign and became the Inspector of the Hokuriku Circuit in 809.
In 810, he advanced to the position of Councilor.
While Yakushi served close to the Emperor as Naishi-no-Kami, Nakanari expanded his influence as a senior court official.
The siblings became key supporters of Emperor Heizei.
In 809, their father, Fujiwara no Tanetsugu, was posthumously awarded the title of Grand Minister of State.
Twenty-four years had passed since his assassination in 785.
During Emperor Heizei’s reign, political recognition of Tanetsugu and his family was also promoted.
The rise of Yakushi and Nakanari was deeply connected to their lineage in the Fujiwara Shikike clan, dating back to their father, Tanetsugu.
6. In 809, Emperor Heizei Abdicates to Emperor Saga
In 809, the year Yakushi rose to Senior Third Rank, a significant change occurred at court.
Emperor Heizei abdicated due to illness.
The throne was succeeded by his younger brother, Prince Kamino.
This was the 52nd Emperor, Emperor Saga.
Emperor Heizei became the Retired Emperor.
At the end of the same year, the Retired Emperor Heizei left Heian-kyo and moved to the former capital, Heijo-kyo.
Yakushi continued her activities under the Retired Emperor Heizei.
Her brother, Nakanari, also engaged in politics as a prominent official on the Retired Emperor’s side.
Thus,
Emperor Saga resided in Heian-kyo.
In Heijō-kyō resided the Retired Emperor Heijō.
This created a new political situation.
Even after abdicating, Retired Emperor Heijō continued to involve himself in politics.
Yakushi and Nakanari played significant roles as close aides supporting the retired emperor.
7. Heian-kyō and Heijō-kyō: Two Political Centers
The move of Retired Emperor Heijō to Heijō-kyō complicated the court’s political landscape.
Emperor Saga, the reigning emperor, governed from Heian-kyō.
Meanwhile, Retired Emperor Heijō, the previous emperor, exerted his influence from Heijō-kyō.
Retired Emperor Heijō was the son of Emperor Kanmu and had been the emperor until the previous year.
He was surrounded by close aides, including Yakushi and Nakanari.
With political orders coming from both Retired Emperor Heijō and Emperor Saga, officials were compelled to respond.
Yakushi was a central figure on the side of Retired Emperor Heijō.
On the other hand, Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu and others emerged as close aides on Emperor Saga’s side.
In March 810, the Kurōdodokoro was established, with Fuyutsugu and Kose no Yatsuka appointed as the first heads.
A new system was set up to directly convey the emperor’s will through his aides.
The tension between the two political centers rapidly escalated in September of the same year.
8. September 6: The Order to Return the Capital to Heijō-kyō
On September 6, 810 (Kōnin 1).
Retired Emperor Heijō ordered the capital to be moved back from Heian-kyō to Heijō-kyō.
It had only been 16 years since Emperor Kanmu had moved the capital to Heian-kyō.
If the capital was indeed moved back, it would bring significant changes to the court’s politics.
Initially, Emperor Saga’s side responded to the retired emperor’s order by proceeding with personnel appointments related to the construction in Heijō-kyō.
However, the situation where both Retired Emperor Heijō and Emperor Saga were heavily involved in politics quickly turned into a decisive confrontation within days.
At this time, Yakushi and Nakanari were aligned with Retired Emperor Heijō.
Retired Emperor Heijō himself acted with strong political intent.
Yakushi and Nakanari also played crucial roles as central figures on the retired emperor’s side.
Retired Emperor Heijō.
Fujiwara no Yakushi.
Fujiwara no Nakanari.
The political conflict between their faction and Emperor Saga’s side surfaced, triggered by the issue of moving the capital back.
9. September 10: Yakushi’s Official Rank is Stripped
On September 10.
Emperor Saga took countermeasures.
Officials close to the Retired Emperor Heizei were removed from key positions, and individuals loyal to the current regime were appointed to strategic military and administrative posts.
Additionally, the provincial capitals and checkpoints in Ise, Omi, and Mino were fortified to prepare for any moves by the Retired Emperor’s faction.
Fujiwara no Nakanari was captured.
Moreover, Yakushi lost her position and rank as Naishi no Kami.
Yakushi, who had risen to a prominent position near the center of the court after Emperor Heizei’s accession, lost her political standing on this day.
This occurred just four days after the order to return the capital on September 6.
The tension between the factions of Retired Emperor Heizei and Emperor Saga quickly escalated.
10. September 11 — Movement to the East and Nakanari’s Death
The following day, September 11.
Retired Emperor Heizei set out from Heijo-kyo with Yakushi, intending to head east.
However, Emperor Saga’s side had already secured strategic locations in Ise, Omi, and Mino.
Sakanoue no Tamuramaro and others were also prepared to counter the Retired Emperor’s faction, blocking their path.
Unable to proceed east, Retired Emperor Heizei had to return to Heijo-kyo.
And on the same day, September 11.
Fujiwara no Nakanari, who had been captured the previous day, was shot and killed.
Nakanari had been ordered to be demoted to Governor of Sado, but the situation changed when the Retired Emperor attempted to move east.
During the Heian period, state executions became increasingly rare.
Nakanari’s execution is known as an exceptional event.
With the death of Nakanari, a key figure on the Retired Emperor’s side, and the Retired Emperor himself unable to advance east, the outcome of the political upheaval was nearly decided on this day.
11. September 12 — The End of Fujiwara no Yakushi
On September 12, 810.
Retired Emperor Heizei took Buddhist vows.
On the same day, Fujiwara no Yakushi took her own life.
It is said that she drank poison to end her life.
Her birth year is unknown, so her age at death is also uncertain.
On September 6, Retired Emperor Heizei ordered the return to Heijo-kyo.
On September 10, Yakushi was stripped of her position and rank.
On September 11, she attempted to head east with Retired Emperor Heizei, but their movement was blocked.
On the same day, her brother Nakanari was shot and killed.
And then, on September 12.
Emperor Heizei took religious vows, and Yakushi took her own life.
In less than a week, the political power of Emperor Heizei’s faction crumbled.
No records remain that tell us what Yakushi was thinking in her final moments.
What can be confirmed from historical sources is that Yakushi ended her life immediately after Emperor Heizei’s defeat became inevitable.
12. The Image of “Yakushi Manipulating Emperor Heizei”
Fujiwara no Yakushi has often been portrayed in later generations as a woman who led Emperor Heizei astray and caused political turmoil.
The incident is even named “Yakushi’s Rebellion.”
As a result, the image of Yakushi as someone who manipulated Emperor Heizei and instigated a coup became widely known.
Today, however, Emperor Heizei’s own political intentions are also given importance.
Emperor Heizei himself was a central figure in this political upheaval, as he pushed for the return to Heijo-kyo and planned to head to the eastern provinces.
Therefore, some refer to the incident as “Emperor Heizei’s Rebellion.”
At the same time, Yakushi and Nakanari were also actively involved as key figures on Emperor Heizei’s side.
Nakanari rose in rank as a high-ranking official within the court, while Yakushi, as a lady-in-waiting, was close to the retired emperor.
The commemoration of their father, Tanetsugu, was also advanced during Emperor Heizei’s reign.
Emperor Heizei had his own political will, and Yakushi and Nakanari actively participated as his close aides.
By examining both aspects, the structure of the political upheaval of 810 becomes clearer.
13. How Yakushi’s Rebellion Changed the Imperial Succession
Yakushi’s Rebellion had a significant impact on the imperial succession.
At the time, the crown prince was Prince Takaoka, the son of Emperor Heizei.
However, after the political upheaval, Prince Takaoka was removed from his position as crown prince.
In his place, Prince Otomo, the half-brother of Emperor Saga, became the crown prince.
He would later become Emperor Junna.
The defeat of Emperor Heizei’s faction even led to a change in the next emperor.
Subsequently, in the 14th year of the Konin era (823), when Emperor Saga abdicated, Prince Otomo ascended the throne as Emperor Junna.
The political upheaval of 810 was a pivotal event that left its mark on the subsequent imperial succession.
14. The Decline of the Fujiwara Shikike and the Rise of the Fujiwara Hokke
Yakushi’s Rebellion also affected the power dynamics within the Fujiwara clan.
Yakushi and Nakanari belonged to the Fujiwara Shikike.
Their father, Fujiwara no Tanetsugu, was favored by Emperor Kanmu, and Yakushi and Nakanari attained high political positions during Emperor Heizei’s reign.
However, due to the political upheaval of 810, Nakanari was killed and Yakushi took her own life.
The political influence of the Fujiwara Shikike significantly declined.
Meanwhile, under Emperor Saga, Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu was gaining influence.
Fuyutsugu was a member of the Fujiwara Northern House.
In 810, he became one of the first Kurodo no To, steadily rising as a close aide to Emperor Saga.
His son, Fujiwara no Yoshifusa, would later become the first regent as a subject.
The Northern House continued to grow through figures like Mototsune, becoming central to the regency government.
The Fujiwara Northern House would become the center of regency politics in a later era.
Nonetheless, the Incident of Kusuko was a pivotal moment marking the decline of the Fujiwara Shikike and the rise of the Northern House centered around Fuyutsugu.
15. Father Tanetsugu and Daughter Kusuko—The Politics Connecting Them in the Capital
When we look at the lives of Fujiwara no Kusuko and her father, Tanetsugu, intriguing similarities emerge.
Her father, Fujiwara no Tanetsugu, was a central figure in Emperor Kanmu’s construction of Nagaoka-kyo.
Tanetsugu was assassinated during the construction of the new capital.
Twenty-four years later, his daughter, Fujiwara no Kusuko, became involved in the political struggle surrounding the return to Heijo-kyo as a close aide to the Retired Emperor Heijo.
Tanetsugu was involved with Nagaoka-kyo’s construction.
Kusuko was involved in the issue of returning to Heijo-kyo.
Their lives were deeply intertwined with court politics concerning the capital.
In 810, the year Kusuko took her own life, the political center that remained was Heian-kyo, built by Emperor Kanmu.
The lives of Fujiwara no Tanetsugu and Fujiwara no Kusuko reveal the significant political shifts concerning the capital and the imperial throne from the late Nara period to the early Heian period.
Conclusion—Who Was Fujiwara no Kusuko?
Fujiwara no Kusuko.
Her birth year is unknown.
Her father was Fujiwara no Tanetsugu, a prominent figure of the Fujiwara Shikike.
Her husband was Fujiwara no Nakanari, and they had three sons and two daughters.
Her eldest daughter entered the service of Crown Prince Ate, which led to Kusuko herself serving the Crown Prince as a court lady.
The relationship with Crown Prince Ate was seen as problematic by Emperor Kanmu, leading to her temporary removal from the court.
However, in Enryaku 25 (806),
When Crown Prince Ate ascended as Emperor Heijo, Kusuko returned to the court.
She rose to the position of Naishi no Kami, reaching the rank of Senior Third Rank in Daido 4 (809).
The Naishi no Kami was the head of the Naishi Bureau, involved in the administration of the inner palace and the transmission of imperial orders.
Kusuko was not only a favored consort of Emperor Heijo but also held a significant position close to the emperor in terms of her official duties.
Her brother, Fujiwara no Nakanari, also rose through the ranks at court, becoming a councilor in 810.
Yakushi and Nakanari, the siblings, became influential aides supporting Emperor Heizei and the retired Emperor Heizei.
However, in 809,
Emperor Heizei abdicated in favor of his younger brother, Emperor Saga.
As a retired emperor, Heizei moved to Heijō-kyō, with Yakushi and Nakanari by his side.
Then, on September 6, 810,
Retired Emperor Heizei ordered the capital to be moved back to Heijō-kyō.
On September 10,
Emperor Saga’s faction took countermeasures, stripping Yakushi of her court rank and capturing Nakanari.
The following day, on the 11th,
Retired Emperor Heizei and Yakushi attempted to flee to the eastern provinces, but their path was blocked.
On the same day, Fujiwara no Nakanari was shot and killed.
On September 12,
Retired Emperor Heizei took Buddhist vows, and Fujiwara no Yakushi took her own life by poison.
In later years, this incident came to be known as the “Yakushi Incident.”
Today, the political agency of Retired Emperor Heizei himself is also emphasized.
Yakushi and Nakanari played crucial roles as central figures on the retired emperor’s side.
By examining both Retired Emperor Heizei’s political intentions and the activities of the Yakushi-Nakanari siblings,
the nature of the political upheaval in 810 becomes clearer.
After Yakushi’s death, the political influence of the Fujiwara Shikike declined.
Meanwhile, under the leadership of Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu, who became a close aide to Emperor Saga, the Fujiwara Hokke expanded their power.
Furthermore, Prince Takaoka, the son of Retired Emperor Heizei, was removed from the position of crown prince, altering the line of imperial succession.
Fujiwara no Yakushi’s life intersected with many elements that shaped early Heian period politics.
The power dynamics within the Fujiwara clan.
The conflict between Retired Emperor Heizei and Emperor Saga.
The issues surrounding Heijō-kyō and Heian-kyō.
And the succession to the throne.
Fujiwara no Yakushi was a woman who advanced to a position close to the core of the court as a lady-in-waiting during a time when these elements were intensely intertwined.
And in 810,
amid the decisive political upheaval between Retired Emperor Heizei and Emperor Saga, she met her end.
It was a major turning point.
‘Picture Book of the Way of Colors: New Edition, The Yakushi Incident’
A historical novel centered on the “Yakushi Incident,” which involved the conflict between Fujiwara no Yakushi, Retired Emperor Heizei, and Emperor Saga. For those who wish to enjoy the courtly human relations surrounding Yakushi and the dual capitals of Heijō-kyō and Heian-kyō as a story, this is a relatively new book published in 2025.
Picture Book: The Guide to the Way of Color - New Edition: The Incident of Yakushi [ Kazan Tennyo ]
The stage for Yakushi’s era was set in Nara. After exploring its history, it might be interesting to savor some persimmon sweets unique to Nara while reflecting on the ancient capital of Heijo-kyo.
