Minamoto no Akifusa (源顕房)
MINAMOTO no Akifusa (1037 - October 22, 1094) was a court noble and a poet during the latter half of the Heian period. Murakami-Genji (Minamoto clan). He was the second son of MINAMOTO no Morofusa, who was an Udaijin (minister of the right). His mother, FUJIWARA no Takako [Sonshi], was the daughter of FUJIWARA no Michinaga. His older brother was MINAMOTO no Toshifusa. He married MINAMOTO no Takako, who was the daughter of MINAMOTO no Takatoshi. His children were FUJIWARA no Kenshi [Kataiko], MINAMOTO no Masazane, MINAMOTO no Akinaka, MINAMOTO no Masatoshi, MINAMOTO no Kunizane, MINAMOTO no Moroko [Shishi], MINAMOTO no Akimasa and MINAMOTO no Masakane. He was known as the Rokujo Udaijin. Some argue that he was born in 1026.
In 1047, he was awarded a title of nobility from Imperial Princess Yushi [Sukeko]. In the same year, he celebrated his Genpuku (the coming-of-age ceremony for a boy in the old days) and was awarded Jugoinoge (Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade). He was appointed Jiju (Chamberlain) and Konoe no chujo (middle captain of the palace guards), and then to the position of Kurodo no to (Head Chamberlain), where he served directly under Emperor Goreizei for six years. In 1061, he was appointed Sangi (Royal Advisor). In 1083, he was appointed Udaijin (minister of the right) while his older brother Toshifusa held the post of Sadaijin (minister of the left). When his grandson, between his daughter, FUJIWARA no Kenshi, and Emperor Shirakawa was enthroned and became Emperor Horikawa, Murakami-Genji became the major power. Akifusa built a villa in Koga, which was the origin of the Koga family.
He died at his home (Rokujooji-kita, Muromachi-nishi) of dysentery in 1094. He was posthumously awarded Shoichii (Senior First Rank).
He wrote a diary entitled Rokujo Ufu Ki (diary of Rokujo ufu (=udaijin)). The missing parts of his diary for January 22 and 26, 1083 were included in the Daikyo Goshozoku no Aida no Koto (book on preparation and events for new years celebrations) and for February 27, 28, and March 5, 1083 were included in Entairyaku (Diary of Kinkata TOIN), article of April 28, 1346. He also excelled as poet and 14 of his waka poems are included in the collections of poems created at the order of the imperial family, such as "Goshui Wakashu" ("Later Gleanings of Japanese Poems", 4th Imperial Anthology). In June of 1056, he organized To no Chujo Akifusa-ke Utaawase (a poetry contest at the house of To no Chujo Akifusa) titled 'Rokujo Udaijin-ke Utaawase,' and served as the judge for Dairi Utaawase (the palace poetry contest) in May 1078 and Ikuhomonin (Imperial Princess Teishi) Neawase (the root-comparing contest held by Ikuhomonin) in June 1093. Some argue that he was the author of the "Okagami"(the Great Mirror).
Ranks
1047: Jugoinoge (Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade)
1048: Jiju
1049: Ukone no Shosho (Minor Captain of the Right Division of Inner Palace Guards)
1050: Jugoinojo (Junior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade), Shogoinoge (Senior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade), Jushiinoge (Junior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade)
1051: Jushiinojo (Junior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade), Omi no Gon no Suke (Provisional Assistant Governor of Omi Province), Shoshiinoge (Senior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade)
1055: Ukone no Gon no Chujo (Provisional Middle Captain of the Right Division of Inner Palace Guards)
1056: Kurodo no to and Omi no Suke (Assistant Governor of Omi Province)
1057: Suo no Suke (Assistant Governor of Suo Province)
1060: Iyo no Gon no Kami (Provisional Governor of Iyo Province)
1061: Sangi, Jusanmi (Junior Third Rank)
1062: Shosanmi (Senior Third Rank), Junii (Junior Second Rank)
1064: Sachujo (Sakone no Chujo, or Middle Captain of the Left Division of Inner Palace Guards)
1067: Uchujo (Ukone no Chujo, or Middle Captain of the Right Division of Inner Palace Guards), Gon Chunagon (a provisional vice-councilor of state)
1068: Uhyoe no Kami (Captain of the Right Division of Middle Palace Guards)
1069: Sahyoe no Kami (Captain of the Left Division of Middle Palace Guards) and Togu (no) Daibu (Master of the Crown Prince's Quarters)
1072: Chugu Daibu (Master of the Consort's Household), Gon Dainagon (provisional chief councilor of state)
1074: Kogogu Daibu (Master of the Empress's Household)
1080: Udaisho (Ukone no Daisho, or Major Captain of the Right Division of Inner Palace Guards)
1083: Udaijin
1094: Juichii (Junior First Rank)