(992–1071) was a Japanese court noble. He succeeded his father Michinaga to the position of Sesshō in 1017, and then went on to become Kampaku from 1020 until 1068. In both these positions, he acted as

Regent In a monarchy, a regent () is a person appointed to govern a state because the actual monarch is a minor, absent, incapacitated or unable to discharge their powers and duties, or the throne is vacant and a new monarch has not yet been dete ...

to the

Emperor The word ''emperor'' (from , via ) can mean the male ruler of an empire. ''Empress'', the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife (empress consort), mother/grandmother (empress dowager/grand empress dowager), or a woman who rules ...

, as many of his ancestors and descendants did; the

Fujiwara clan The was a powerful family of imperial regents in Japan, descending from the Nakatomi clan and, as legend held, through them their ancestral god Ame-no-Koyane. The Fujiwara prospered since ancient times and dominated the imperial court until th ...

had nearly exclusive control over the regency positions for over 200 years. Prior to succeeding to the position of Regent, Yorimichi had held the title of ''Naidaijin'' (Minister of the Center/Palace Minister, second rank range), the lowest level of state ministers. By edict, he was raised above his colleagues, to the title of ''Ichi no Hito'', or First Subject. In addition to the reason of direct succession from his father, this edict was presumably necessary to allow Yorimichi to become Sesshō. Byodoin Phoenix Hall Uji 10-2R

He is also known as the founder of

Byōdō-in is a Buddhist temple in the city of Uji in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan, built in the late Heian period. It is jointly a temple of the Jōdo-shū (Pure Land) and Tendai-shū (Heavenly Level) sects. History This temple was originally built ...

phoenix hall, located in Uji. In 1072, he ordained as a Buddhist monk and took the

Dharma name A Dharma name is a new name acquired during both lay and monastic Buddhist initiation rituals in Mahayana Buddhism and Pabbajjā, monastic ordination in Theravada Buddhism (where it is more proper to call it Dhamma or Sangha name). The name is ...

Rengekaku (蓮華覚), later changed to Jakukaku (寂覚).

Marriages and children

* Princess Takahime, daughter of Imperial Prince Tomohira (son of

Emperor Murakami The word ''emperor'' (from , via ) can mean the male ruler of an empire. ''Empress'', the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife ( empress consort), mother/grandmother ( empress dowager/ grand empress dowager), or a woman who rul ...

) and Princess Nakahime; married 1009; no children, but they adopted 2 daughters: ** Princess Genshi (Motoko), (1016–1039), daughter of Imperial prince Atsuyasu (eldest son of Emperor Ichijō) and Princess Naka no Kimi (Takahime's younger sister); Empress of Emperor Go-Suzaku ** Fujiwara no Kanshi (Hiroko), (1036–1121), daughter of Yorimichi by Fujiwara no Gishi * A daughter of Minamoto no Norisada (a grandson of

): ** Fujiwara no Michifusa (1024–1044) * Fujiwara no Gishi (Masako), (died 1053) daughter of Fujiwara no Yorinari (a son of Imperial Prince Tomohira and Princess Nakahime, adopted by Fujiwara no Koresuke) and a daughter of Fujiwara no Korenori; she was then a niece of Princess Takahime: ** Priest Kakuen (1031–1098) ** Fujiwara no Kanshi (Hiroko), (1036–1121); adopted by Princess Takahime; Empress of

Emperor Go-Reizei was the 70th emperor of Japan,Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 後冷泉天皇 (70)/ref> according to the traditional List of emperors of Japan, order of succession. Go-Reizei's reign spanned the years Heian period, 1045–1068. This ...

** Fujiwara no Morozane (1042–1101) ** Fujiwara no Tadatsuna (died 1084)

References

*Sansom, George (1958). ''A History of Japan to 1334.'' Stanford, California: Stanford University Press. *Varley, Paul (2000). ''Japanese Culture.'' Fourth Edition. Honolulu, HI: University of Hawai'i Press. *Brown, Delmer Myers (tr), and Ichirō Ishida (tr) (1979). ''The future and the past: a translation and study of the Gukanshō'': University of California Press. *Tyler, Royall (2001). ''The Tale of Genji'', page 1165 992 births 1071 deaths Sesshō and Kampaku Fujiwara clan Regents of Japan People of the Heian period Buddhist clergy of the Heian period {{Japan-noble-stub