Fujiwara no Kusuko (October 13, 810) was a Japanese court lady. She is best known for her role in the

Kusuko Incident The , also known as the , occurred in the early Heian period. In 810, Emperor Saga and ex-Emperor Heizei stood in opposition, but Saga's side quickly raised enough troops to resolve the confrontation, making Heizei become a monk. Heizei's lover the ...

Early life

Kusuko was the daughter of

Fujiwara no Tanetsugu was a Japanese noble of the late Nara period. He was the grandson of the '' sangi'' Fujiwara no Umakai, the founder of the Fujiwara Shikike. He reached the court rank of and the position of '' chūnagon''. He was posthumously awarded the ran ...

. She was known for her beauty. After her father's assassination in 785, she married and bore three sons and two daughters. One of those daughters was invited to become a consort for

Emperor Heizei , also known as ''Heijō-tennō'', was the 51st emperor of Japan, Emperor Heizei, Yamamomo Imperial Mausoleum, Imperial Household Agency according to the traditional order of succession. Heizei's reign lasted from 806 to 809. Traditional nar ...

, which brought Kusuko to court. When she reached court, Kusuko earned Heizei's favor and became his consort. She became the and entered court politics.

Kusuko incident

The Kusuko incident can also be called the "Retired Emperor Heizei Incident". After Emperor Heizei abdicated the throne in 809, a decision that Kusuko and her brother

Fujiwara no Nakanari was a Japanese noble of the early Heian period. He was the eldest son of the ''chūnagon'' Fujiwara no Tanetsugu of the Fujiwara Shikike. He reached the court rank of and '' sangi''. Life When Nakanari's father Tanetsugu was assassinat ...

opposed, his brother

Emperor Saga was the 52nd emperor of Japan, Emperor Saga, Saganoyamanoe Imperial Mausoleum, Imperial Household Agency according to the traditional order of succession. Saga's reign lasted from 809 to 823. Traditional narrative Saga was the second son of ...

took the throne. However, Heizei was displeased with some changes that Saga made, and used Kusuko's position as the to make imperial decrees. Many of these edicts were fueled by Kusuko's advice, because she wanted to return to the level of power she had when he was emperor. A rivalry formed between Heizei and Saga's courts, culminating in Heizei deciding to change the country's capital to

Heijō-kyō was the Capital of Japan during most of the Nara period, from 710 to 740 and again from 745 to 784. The imperial palace is a listed UNESCO World Heritage together with other places in the city of Nara (cf. Historic Monuments of Ancient ...

, where his court was based. Saga vetoed this and stripped Kusuko of her position, removing Heizei's ability to make imperial decrees. Heizei decided to gather an army and move against Saga. He and Kusuko made it to Yamato province before they realized the strength of Saga's forces and decided to return to Heijō-kyō. When they returned, Kusuko committed suicide by drinking poison.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fujiwara, Kusuko 810 deaths Heian period Deaths by poisoning