Fujiwara no Anshi
Who was Fujiwara no Anshi?
Empress consort of Japan
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Fujiwara no Anshi (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Fujiwara no Anshi (927–964) was an empress consort of Japan and the main consort of Emperor Murakami. She was born into the powerful Fujiwara clan, as the daughter of Fujiwara no Morosuke, a key court noble during the mid-Heian period. Her family's political efforts secured her position at the imperial court by placing her close to the emperor. She became the most influential woman at the Imperial Court for about twenty years, holding significant sway over the Emperor.
Anshi had several children with Emperor Murakami, including two future emperors. Her second son, Imperial Prince Norihira, born in 950, later became Emperor Reizei, and her younger son, Imperial Prince Morihira, born in 959, later became Emperor En'yu. Despite these dynastic accomplishments, Anshi preferred her son Prince Tamehira as a successor to the throne and worked to support his candidacy. However, she died in 964 before securing his succession, leaving the issue unresolved.
Anshi's influence continued beyond her life in an unusual way. After her death, a written statement supposedly by her played a significant role in deciding the regency succession. When her eldest brother, regent Fujiwara no Koremasa, died in 972, her remaining brothers contended for the position. Her second eldest brother, Fujiwara no Kanemichi, presented a document allegedly written by Anshi stating the regency should go to an elder son before a younger. The Emperor accepted it as genuine, allowing Kanemichi to become the regent over the more popular younger brother Fujiwara no Kaneie.
Anshi's sister Toshi, married to the Emperor's half-brother Prince Shigeakira, had an affair with Emperor Murakami. This relationship ended due to Anshi's strong opposition and was not resumed during her lifetime. This incident shows the level of personal influence she held over the Emperor. Among her daughters, Imperial Princess Sukeko was the 32nd Saiō at Ise Shrine from 968 to 969, and Imperial Princess Senshi served as the 16th Saiin at Kamo Shrine from 975 to 1031, one of the longest tenures in that role. Anshi died on June 11, 964, leaving a significant legacy in both the imperial family and court politics.
Before Fame
Fujiwara no Anshi was born in 927, the daughter of Fujiwara no Morosuke, an important member of the Northern Fujiwara clan and the Minister of the Right. Growing up in one of Heian Japan's most politically active households, she was surrounded by court intrigue, literary culture, and political strategy. The Fujiwara clan often used the tactic of making their daughters consorts to emperors to influence the imperial household, and Anshi followed this path.
When she became a consort to Emperor Murakami, she was central to Heian political life. Emperor Murakami, in power from 946 to 967, was a cultured ruler with a love for poetry and music, and his court was one of great sophistication. Anshi's ability to win the Emperor's deep personal affection set her apart from other consorts and allowed her to gain the influence she was known for.
Key Achievements
- Recognized as the most influential woman of the Imperial Court for approximately twenty years during the reign of Emperor Murakami
- Mother of two emperors: Emperor Reizei and Emperor En'yu
- Her posthumous written statement shaped the succession of the Fujiwara regency in 972, demonstrating her lasting political weight
- Successfully intervened to end Emperor Murakami's affair with her sister Toshi, illustrating her personal authority over the Emperor
- Bore seven known imperial children, including daughters who held prestigious religious roles at Ise Shrine and Kamo Shrine
Did You Know?
- 01.A written statement attributed to Anshi after her death was used by her brother Fujiwara no Kanemichi to claim the regency in 972, eight years after she had died.
- 02.Her daughter Imperial Princess Senshi served as Saiin at Kamo Shrine for an extraordinary 56 years, from 975 to 1031, one of the longest such tenures on record.
- 03.Anshi successfully blocked an affair between her own sister Toshi and Emperor Murakami, demonstrating the level of personal sway she held over the Emperor.
- 04.Two of her sons became emperors: Prince Norihira reigned as Emperor Reizei and Prince Morihira reigned as Emperor En'yu, making her the mother of two successive emperors.
- 05.Despite her strong preference for Prince Tamehira as imperial successor, none of her efforts to secure his position came to fruition before her death at age 37.