Yoshida Sadafusa (吉田定房)
Sadafusa YOSHIDA (1274 - February 21, 1338) was a court noble who lived in the late Kamakura Period. His father was Tsunenaga YOSHIDA and his mother was a daughter of FUJIWARA no Sadatsugu. Takanaga YOSHIDA was his younger brother. His children included Munefusa YOSHIDA, Morifusa YOSHIDA, and the wife of Fuyunobu OIMIKADO.
Career
He served the Daikakuji-to (imperial lineage starting with Emperor Kameyama) and came to be trusted by the cloister government of the Emperor Kameyama. After the Imperial Throne was returned to the Daikakuji-to in 1301 by enthronement of the Emperor Gouda, he was dispatched to Kamakura as an envoy in 1306. He was the menoto (foster father) of the Emperor Godaigo, who was a son of Gouda, and served Godaigo, who commenced direct Imperial rule in 1321 in place of the retired Emperor Gouda and called 'nochi no san fusa' (later three 'fusa's) together with Chikafusa KITABATAKE and Nobufusa MADENOKOJI. In the Shochu Disturbance and on other occasions, he remonstrated the Emperor Godaigo, who held secret conferences to overthrow the Kamakura bakufu (Japanese feudal government headed by a shogun) and, on the occasion of Genko Incident (abortive coup of the Genko Era) in 1329, he informed Rokuhara Tandai (an administrative and judicial agent in Rokuhara, Kyoto) about the second secret conference for overthrowing the bakufu. It is understood that his action was because of his consideration for the Emperor Godaigo, since he was promoted to naidaijin (minister of the center) under the Kenmu Restoration after the Kamakura bakufu was ruined, etc. In the period of the Northern and Southern Courts, he initially belonged to the Northern Court, and later defected to the Southern Court in Yoshino. "Kikkaiki"(diary) is his literary work.
Career of job grade
January 29, 1276: ranked Jugoinoge (Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade)
April 19, 1280: promoted to Jugoinojo (Junior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade)
May 10, 1283: assigned the position of Sanuki no kami (the governor of Sanuki Province).
December 12, 1284: promoted to Shogoinoge (Senior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade) and retained the position of Sanuki no kami.
September 26, 1285: Reassigned to post of Kogogu gon no taijo (Provisional Senior Secretary in the Office of the Empress's Household) for the Empress of the Emperor Gouda (Reiko).
October 5, 1287, resigned as Kogogu gon no taijo.
November 9, 1291: assigned the position of Chugu gon no taijo (Provisional Senior Secretary in the Office of the Consort's Household) for Chugu of the Emperor Fushimi (SAIONJI FUJIWARA no Akiko [＜金偏に章＞子 正しい読み不明]) and also assigned the position of Kurodo (Chamberlain).
August 12, 1295: assigned the position of Ushoben (Minor Controller of the Right). October 17, resigned as Kurodo.
May 23, 1296: assigned additional position of Togu-daishin (Senior official of the Crown Prince's Quarters) for the Imperial Prince Kuniharu (later, the Emperor Gonijo).
Augu 3, 1297: assigned additional position of Sashoben (third-ranked officer of the left).
August 18: promoted to Jushiinoge (Junior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade)
August 25: retained the positions of Sashoben and Togu-daishin.
July 9, 1298: resigned as Togu-daishin. July 24: reassigned to position of Gon Uchuben (provisional Middle Controller of the right).
June 2, 1299: promoted to Jushiinojo (Junior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade) and retained the position of Gon Uchuben. July 11: reassigned to position of Uchuben (Middle Controller of the Right). August 3: assumed the position of Shuriukyujoshi.
February 3, 1300: promoted to Shoshiinoge (Senior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade) and retained the positions of Uchuben and Shuriukyujoshi. May 4: reassigned to position of Sachuben (middle controller of the left). Retained the position of Shuriukyujoshi. June 25: assumed the position of Shurisakyujoshi. Retained the position of Sachuben.
May 21, 1301: assumed the position of Kurodo no to (Head Chamberlain)
Retained the position of Sachuben.
April 29, 1302: assumed the position of Sangi (councilor). Retained the position of Sachuben. August 23: assumed the additional position of Uhyoe no kami (Captain of the Right Division of Middle Palace Guards). January 10, 1303: assumed the additional position of Kebiishi no betto (Superintendent of the Imperial Police).
February 23, 1303: assumed the additional position of Iyo no Gon no kami (Provisional Governor of Iyo Province). October 17: promoted to Jusanmi (Junior Third Rank) and retained the positions of Sangi, Kebiishi no betto, and Uhyoe no kami. Resigned as Iyo no Gon no kami.
July 13, 1304: assumed the positions of Uemon no kami (Captain of the Right Division of Outer Palace Guards) and Iyo no Gon no kami concurrently. Resigned as Uhyoe no kami.
January 23, 1306: reassigned to position of Gon Chunagon (provisional vice-councilor of state). Retained positions of Kebiishi no betto and Uemon no kami.
February 16, 1307: promoted to Shosanmi (Senior Third Rank) and retained the positions of Gon Chunagon, Kebiishi no betto, and Uemon no kami. March 12: resigned as Kebiishi no betto. June 3: resigned as Uemon no kami.
May 11, 1309: resigned as Gon Chunagon.
May 14, 1310: promoted to Junii (Junior Second Rank).
April 11, 1318: promoted to Shonii (Senior Second Rank.
April 21: granted honza (treatment of resigned official as if he remains in former position)
December 17, 1319: assumed the position of Gon Dainagon (provisional chief councilor of state).
August 28, 1321: resigned as Gon Dainagon.
February 20, 1322: reassumed the position of Gon Dainagon.
Janurary 5, 1324: resigned as Gon Dainagon.
February 9, 1330: promoted to Juichii (Junior First Rank).
August 4, 1334: given the title of Jun-daijin (Vice Minister). October 15, 1334: given the title of Nai-daijin. January 20, 1335: assumed the additional position of Minbukyo (Minister of Popular Affairs).
March 29, 1335: Naidaijin submitted memorial to the emperor (resignation). Retained the position of Minbukyo.
August 24, 1337, resigned as Minbukyo.
February 21, 1338: he passed away. He was 65 years old and his position was former naidaijin, Juichii.