learn/[id]

ERA

1 min read

「

ERA

'This World, I Think, Is Indeed My World' — Fujiwara no Michinaga and the Full Moon Poem

In Heian Japan, Fujiwara no Michinaga made three of his daughters empress or crown princess in succession, becoming the supreme power as imperial grandfather. At his peak in 1018, he composed the famous 'full moon' poem expressing power as complete as a moon with nothing lacking.

A deep read

Fujiwara no Michinaga perfected Heian regency politics by making three daughters empress or consort in succession, ruling as imperial grandfather. At a 1018 banquet celebrating his third daughter’s elevation, he composed the famous ‘full moon’ poem: ‘This world, I think, is indeed my world — like the full moon, lacking nothing.’ Ironically it survives only in the diary of his rival Fujiwara no Sanesuke. His son Yorimichi’s Byodoin still conveys the family’s glory.

Byodoin Phoenix Hall, Uji — Michinaga's villa turned into a temple by his son Yorimichi, a World Heritage site conveying the Fujiwara regents' glory

Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Heian court ritual — the world of regency politics in which Michinaga reigned as imperial grandfather after making three daughters empress

Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Ishiyamadera, Shiga — linked to Murasaki Shikibu who served Michinaga's daughter Shoshi, conveying the Heian culture of his era

Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

── END ──

This article was

♡ Helpful

⤴

Key Figures

Fujiwara no Michinaga