Ichijo Sanetsune (一条実経)
Sanetsune ICHIJO (1223 - August 30, 1284) was a court noble during the Kamakura period. He was Sessho (Regent) and Kanpaku (chief advisor to the Emperor). He was the founder of the Ichijo family, one of the five Sekkan-ke (families of regents and advisors) families. He was also known as Enmyoji-dono and Goichijyo Nyudo Kanpaku. He had several Buddhist names, including Koga (行雅) (or 行雄 (pronunciation not clear)) and Koso. He was successor to the Sekkan-ke of Kujo line.
He was born the fourth son of Michiie KUJO. His mother was Rinzu, the daughter of Kintsune SAIONJI, with the title Jusango (one of the highest ranks of court noble, standing on equal ground with members of imperial family). His oldest brother was Norizane KUJO, his second oldest brother was Yoshizane NIJO, who succeeded as head of the Nijo family, and the brother immediately above him was Yoritsune KUJO, who became the fourth shogun of Kamakura bakufu (Japanese feudal government headed by a shogun).
Sanetsune's Coming of Age ceremony was celebrated in 1229. His father Michiie, with the official court rank of Shogoinoge (Senior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade), doted over Sanetsune and appointed him as his successor and head of Muromachi-Ichijo family in 1242. He became Kanpaku and Toshi choja (chieftain of the Fujiwara clan) on February 22, 1246. The following day, Emperor Gosaga abdicated power, and Sanetsune became Sessho (regent) for Emperor Gofukakusa. Per his father's request, Sanetsune also carried out some of the duties of the Kanto moshitsugi (court-appointed liaison with the bakufu). He was implicated in a series of disorders involving Imperial Prince Munetaka, who was the shogun at the time, that occurred in Kamakura in the following year and was relieved of his Kanpaku duties. In 1265, he was reappointed as Kanpaku to the imperial court, which he resigned after two years. Thereafter, he spent his last days in the Enmyo-ji Temple in the Yamasaki Region of the Yamashiro Province, where he died on August 30, 1284. He was 61 years old. His final resting place is located in the Tofuku-ji Temple in Kyoto City.
Chronology of government posts and ranks
Dates follow the lunar calendar. On January 21, 1229, he celebrated the Coming of Age ceremony, and was appointed Shogoinoge (Senior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade) and lectured on the colors he was approved to use.
On January 30, 1229, he was appointed as Ukone no shosho (Minor Captain of the Right Division of Inner Palace Guards).
On March 24, 1229, he was assigned as Ukone no chujo (Middle Captain of the Right Division of Inner Palace Guards).
On April 7, 1229, he was promoted to Jushiinoge (Junior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade).
On January 24, 1230, he was assigned additional duty of Harima no Gon no kami (Provisional Governor of Harima Province).
On August 8, 1233, he was promoted to Jusanmi (Junior Third Rank).
On December 26 1234, he was promoted to Shosanmi (Senior Third Rank).
On October 2, 1235, he was assigned as Gon Chunagon (a provisional vice-councilor of state). Retained his position as Assigned additional post of Ukone no chujo.
On June 9, 1236, he was assigned as Gon Dainagon (provisional chief councilor of state).
On November 22, 1236, he was promoted to Shonii (Senior Second Rank).
On February 6, 1238, he was assigned additional post of Sakone no daisho (Major Captain of the Left Division of Inner Palace Guards).
On February 9, 1238, he was assigned additional post of Samaryo gogen (Inspector of the Samaryo, Left Division of Bureau of Horses).
On October 20, 1240, he was assigned as Udaijin (Minister of the Right).
On October 24, 1240, he resumed positions of Sakone no daisho and Samaryo gogen.
On November 8, 1241, he resigned his position as Sakone no daisho. May also have resigned his position as Samaryo gogen.
On August 10, 1243, he was assigned additional post of Togu no fu (an official in charge of education of the Crown Prince) for Imperial Prince Hisahito, who later became Emperor Gofukakusa.
On June 13, 1244, he was assigned as Sadaijin (Minister of the Left). Retained his position as Togu no fu.
On January 28, 1246, Senge (an imperial proclamation) was issued appointing him to the position of Kanpaku, Nairan (document inspector who inspects documents presented to the Emperor in advance), and Fujiwarashi (Toshi) choja.
On January 29, 1246, he resigned his positions as Kanpaku and Togu no fu; Senge was issued appointing him Sessho.
On March 8, 1246, he was promoted to Juichii (Junior First Rank).
On December 14, 1246, he resigned his position as Sadaijin.
On January 19, 1247, he resigned his position as Sessho, Nairan and Fujiwarashi choja.
On August 12, 1263, he returned to the position of Sadaijin.
On April 18, 1265, Senge was issued to reappoint him to the position of Kanpaku.
On October 5, 1265, he resigned his position as Sadaijin.
On December 9, 1267, he resigned his position as Kanpaku.
On May 19, 1284, he became a Buddhist priest and took the name Koso.
On July 18, 1284 (August 30, 1284 in the modern calendar), he passed away. Died at the age of 62. Used the name Enmyoji Kanpaku.