藤原光子(三の君)は藤原為光の娘で、姉妹は花山天皇に寵愛された。光子は美しいだけでなく、父親に大切に育てられた。彼女の詳細な情報はほとんどなく、『栄華物語』に記述がある。彰子と奈子との関係により、三の君が巻き込まれた「長徳の変」が起こった。この時代は天皇や藤原氏による権力争いが激化し、多くの有力者が影響を受けた。
Introduction – Who was Fujiwara no Mitsuko (Sannokimi)?
The formal name of Fujiwara no Mitsuko is not known, but she was actually referred to as Sannokimi or Suke-no-Miya. Her sisters Shikirioko and Takeko both were favored by Emperor Hanazono (Tozuko) and became the favorite of the Minister Fujiwara Isuzu.
In the 2024 NHK Taiga drama “To The Shining You,” she appears not as Sannokimi but as Mitsuko (played by Yume Takai). She is depicted as the sister of Fujiwara Yoshinobu, played by Tetsu Kanada, and as a woman who was exiled to the left during the Chotoku Incident.
Table of Contents
Introduction: Who was Fujiwara no Mitsuko (Sannokimi)?
Fujiwara no Mitsuko’s Lifetime (Sannokimi)
Life and Major Events of Fujiwara no Mitsuko (Sannokimi)
Conclusion
Lifetime of Fujiwara no Mitsuko (Sannokimi)
When Emperor Hanazono entered the priesthood and Emperor Ichijo ascended the throne, Fujiwara Kanke served as regent (later as Kanpaku), and after his death, his eldest son Michitaka succeeded as Kanpaku. As the successor to Michizou, the eldest son Enshu was expected, but he lost in a power struggle with his uncle Michinaga (Michiie’s fifth son). After that, Michinaga’s power could not be broken due to the Chotoku Incident.
Life and Major Events of Fujiwara no Mitsuko (Sannokimi)
The birth and death years of Fujiwara no Mitsuko (Sannokimi) are unknown. For reference, my sister Yoshiko was born in 969.
Both in appearance and heart, Sannokimi was beautiful.
Fujiwara Mitsuko was born as the third daughter of Fujiwara Tamemitsu. The eldest daughter of Tamemitsu became the wife of Gono-Gen no Gonain Fujiwara Yoshiichika, the second daughter Shoko became the consort of Emperor Hanazono, and the younger sister Nashiko became the favorite of Emperor Hanazono and then became the consort of Michinaga after her death. His brother Tadanobu was one of the Four Naoin who assisted in politics during the times of Emperor Hanazono and Emperor Ichijo.
There is little information about Mitsuko, but the “Eiga Monogatari” Volume 4 “Unfading Dreams” has the following description:
From the bedroom comes the voice of Sannokimi.
The congratulatory ball drawn is a lotus that is wonderful in form and mind, imitating the great minister’s father.
By sliding the figure, a girl can hear the sound.
The Minister of the Interior was able to do anything to the person in the bedroom.
(Shinden is Sannokimi’s real name.
She was brought up carefully by her father who was a priest, both in appearance and heart.
The appearance of a woman was highly valued and esteemed.
Minister Interior Fujiwara Iju-den was also present on the third floor).
The situation begins to change with the death of sister Shoko.
These three families became obedient to Emperor Hanazono.
Everything began when Emperor Hanazono first saw Shoko. At the Emperor’s request, Shoko entered the court as a consort and received the Emperor’s favor, being given the Kyokushouden, the closest to the Emperor’s residence. However, in 985, pregnant at the age of 17, she suddenly died. Influenced by Fujiwara Kanke and Michikane, the young Emperor suddenly entered the priesthood, and Emperor Ichijo ascended the throne (Kankou Incident, Shinwa Incident).
Emperor Hanazono entered the Buddhist priesthood, but surprisingly, afterward, he met Naoko, Shoko’s sister, and frequented the mansion where Naoko lived. Then, in the second year of Ryutoku (996), the “Ryutoku Incident,” which involved Sannokimi, occurred.