Yengishiki

About the Author

In one sense, no one “authored” the Yengishiki, which was a compilation and updating of content that had already been written. The text was compiled under the orders of Emperor Daigo beginning in 905. To carry out the task, he appointed members of the powerful Fujiwara clan. The compilation was begun by Fujiwara no Tokihira, who was born in Kyoto in 871. His father, Fujiwara Mototsune, had created and occupied the post of kampaku, or chancellor, allowing him to issue edicts in the name of the emperor and thus increase the influence of the family. On his death, Tokihira became head of the family at the age of twenty-one. In the court of Emperor Daigo, he held a post as minister, but he did not find great favor at the court, as the emperor tried to check the power and influence of the Fujiwara clan. When he died in 909, the project of compiling the Yengishiki was taken over by his brother, Fujiwara no Tadahira, who was born in 880. Throughout the remainder of Emperor Daigo’s reign, Tadahira enjoyed even less power and influence than his older brother had, although he was appointed to a ministry post in 924. When Emperor Daigo abdicated the throne in favor of three-year-old Emperor Suzaku, Tadahira was appointed regent. Then in 936 he was named prime minister and, later, chancellor. He died in 949.