21 Wake no Kiyomaro, the Loyal Subject

Buddhism prospered well during the Nara period. Ther were six Sects:
Kusha (Abidatsuma Kusha Scripture) Sect,
Joujitsu (Joujitsu Scripture) Sect,
Risshuu (Rules [adhering to the rules of monastic discipline] Sect,
Hossou (Dharma Characteristics) Sect,
Sanron (Three Discourses) Sect,
Kegon (Garland) Sect.
Collectively these were called the Six Sects. At the beginning of the next Heian Period, the Tendai (Heavenly Platform) and Shingon (True Word) Sects joined to make the Eight Sects. Of the temples, Toudaiji-Temple was the most outstanding. There were other grand temples such as Saidaiji-Temple, Daianji-Temple, Gangoji-Temple, Yakushiji-Temple, Houryuuji-Temple, Koufukuji-Temple and so on.
Among the famous Buddhist monks were Gyouki, Rouben and Ganjin (Jianzhen). (an omission)

Not all monks were of such high virtue as Ganjin or Gyouki, who were admired and given titles "Daiwajou" or a call name Bodhisatva. There were wicked ones. The worst was Yuge no Doukyou (?-773). In the beginning, he was a reputable monk. Thus he won the trust of Empress Kouken (r. 749-758) who succeeded Emperor Shoumu (r. 724-749). During the next reign, of Emperor Junnin, there was unforttunate discord in the court, so Empress Kouken again ascended to be called Empress Shoutoku (r. 764-770).

Around this time, Doukou was appointed Reverend Minister of State. Two years later, he was appointed Reverend Chancellor. These were strange ranks not stipulated in the Taihou Code. His political rank was the highest, and at the same time he held the highest religious rank. As people watched in dismay, he was given the rank of Sacred Ruler in the next year. For this Sacred Ruler, a Palace Agency was created, and a Director and Vice Director were appointed to organize it. Thus the Sacred Ruler Agency was instituted.

In the first month of the third year of Jingo Keiun era (769), Doukyou received New Year's greetings from the high officials of the court, beginning with the ministers. At the time, the Minster of the Left was Fujiwara no Nagate, and of the Right, Kibi no Makibi. All such ministers and the clan leaders paid respects to Doukyou at this occasion. At this point, there arose a suspicion that Doukyou migjt usurp the imperial throne in the near future. Suki no Asomaro, who handled Shintou matters in the Government Headquarters in Kyuushuu, perceived this and tried to insinuate himself into Doukyou's favour beforehand. He reported: "There has been an oracle from the God of Hachiman. If Doykyou ascends to the imperoal throne, peace will prevail in the nation."

Finally the Empress became concerned. She wanted her nun-in-waiting by the name of Houkin, to go and confirm the oracle from the God of Hachiman. However, the journey to Kyuushuu would not be easy for a female, so Houkin's younger brother Wake no Kiyomaro was sent in her place.

At this time Kiyomaro was Lieutenant of the Headquarters of the Innner Palace Guard. This rank correspinds to the third of the four ranks: Director-General, Vice Director, Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant. In the modern military system, he would have been a Second Army Lieutenant of the Iemperial Guards, or a Captain. How old was he ? When he passed away in the 18th yea of Enryaku era (799) he was sixty-seven, so at this time of the third year of Jingo Keiun era (769) he would have been thirty-seven.

In obedience to the imperial decree, Wake no Kiyomaro left for Kyuushuu insted of his elder sister. Indeed at this time, the destiny of the nation of Japan was solely on the shoulders of this thirty-seven-year-old Lieutenant Wake no Kiyomaro. He arrived at Usa (Oh-ita Prefecture), kneeled in front of the shrine of the God of Hachiman, and prayed reverently. Suddenly the God appeared, and said:

"In our country, since the time of creation, the distinction between sovereign and subject has been fixed. What a great outrage that Doukyou goes against this, aspiring to the imperial throne from the position of a subject ! You must return and lay the matter before the Empress. The imperial throne must be succeeded by a person in the imperial lineage. Remove this impudent man promptly."

Wake no Kiyomaro returned to Nara, and reported the oracle simply, as it was. Doukyou was enraged, and tried to exile Waka no Kiyomaro to the Province of Inada (Tottori Prefecture), latar increasing the punishment to exile to Ohsumi (Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyuushuu). He also banished Houkin, the elder sister,to the Province of Bingo (Hiroshima Prefecture).

Houkin's secular name was Hiromushi. She served Empress Kouken from early times along with the younger brother Wake no Koyomaro, and was trusted by the Empress. When the Empress entered into religion, she also became a nun, and changed her name to Houkin. In the 8th year of Tenpyou Houji (764), there was the Insurgence of Emi no Oshikatsu, and 375 men were to be punished by death. Houkin earnestly dissuaded the Empress to lessen the verdicts from death to exile and imprisonment. After the Insurgence, because of starvation and sickness, there were many who deserted children. Houkin gathered these children from the woods, and adopted them as her own. It is said there were eighty-three of them. Houkin being such a person of high character, the Empress decreed that she take the great responsibility of enquiring about the oracle. But for a female it was not easy to go down to Kyuushuu, so she declined and recommended her younger brother. Since Houkin chose him, let us examine Wake no Kiyomaro's character.

When Wake no Kiyomaro was to take leave for Usa, Doukyou summoned hin:
"Come and see me briefly."
When Wake no Kiyomaro appeared, Doykyou told him:
"If you perform your grave duty well, I will make you a minister."
Kiyomaro rejected such enticement and coercion, and reported the oracle of the God as it was:
"In our countlry, since the time of creation, the distinction between sovereign and subject has been fixed. Remove this impudent man promptly."
This was a remarkable accomplishment. It is said that Doykyou, in anger, tried to assassinate Wake no Kiyomaro on hes way to Ohsumi (Kagoshima Prefecture) where he wa to be banished, but did not succed.

One year after Wake no Kiyomaro was banished in Ohsumi, in the 8th month, Empress Shoutoku passed away, and Emperor Kounin ascended to the throne. He was the son of Prince Shiki, who was a son of Emperor Tenji. At this time, the ministers who were concerned about the destiny of the nation moved swiftly and prevented Doukyou from taking action. In doing so, Sakanoue no Karitamaro reported Doukyou's secret designs to the court, and this seems to have been instrumental in his downfall. Seventeen days after the Empress' death, Doukyou was sent to Yakushiji-Temple in Shimotsuke Province (Tochigi Prefecture). On the same day Suki no Asomaro was sent to Tanegashima Island as Island Governor. Next day, Doukyou's brother Yuge no Kiyohito, who occupied several high and impportant appointments, beginning with Major Counsellor, was exiled to Tosa Province (Kouchi Prefecture) with his three children. Next day, Sakanoue no Karitamaro, who discovered and reported Doukyou's plans, was awarded the Senior Fourth rank. Thirteen days, Wake no Kiyomaro was called back from Ohsumu, and his elder sister Houkin from Bingo (Hiroshima Prefecture) Province.

The times when Empress Seinei (late 5th century) and Buretsu (early 6th century) passed away could have been regarded as national crises, as there was no prince to succeed to the throne. Even so, no one rose to challenge the orthodoxy of the imperial succession, which was the essence of this nation. But later on, unfortunately, treasonous men such as the Soga clan or Doukyou appeared, who disregarded the distinction between sovereign and subject. They took advantage of imperial trust and became boastful, forgetting their place. It was Emperor Tenji who removed the Soga clan; the one who removed Doukyou was Emperor Kounin, the grandson of Emperor Tenji.

After removing Doukyou, Emperor Konin strengthened the code, recommended frugality, and directed the monks to enter into ascetic training in the mountains and woods. At this time, there was unrest in the northern provinces. The Emperor appointed a Eastern Conquest General, to solve this problem. But the Emperor became sick, so he retired and transferred the throne to the Crown Prince. Thus ascended Emperor Kanmu.
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