Kiyohara clan

The clan is widespread from Oshu to Kyushu, and most claim to be descendants of Emperor Tenmu. In June 804 (23rd year of the Enryaku era), King Ogura petitioned for the granting of the surname Kiyohara no Mahito, which was granted, and thereafter, the Six National Histories often contain records of the granting of the surname Kiyohara no Mahito to various kings descended from Tenmu. The most prominent of these Kiyohara no Mahito was King Ogura's son Natsuno, who was favored by Emperor Junna and became Junior Second Rank Minister of the Right and Left General. The origins and genealogy of the Kiyohara clan are shown in the Honcho Koin Jounroku, the "Kiyohara Family Genealogy," and the Sonpi Bunmyaku. Sei Shonagon, a female writer who was active in the harem of Emperor Ichijo, was also from the Kiyohara clan and was the daughter of Higo no Kami Motosuke. Mitsuyori Kiyohara and Takenori Kiyohara, who are famous for their roles in the Former Nine Years and Later Three Years Wars, are also listed as descendants of Tenmu in the "Kiyohara clan genealogy," but this does not seem to be fully credible.

[Morita Tei]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

奥羽から九州まで広く分布する氏で、だいたいは天武天皇(てんむてんのう)の後裔(こうえい)を称す。804年（延暦23）6月小倉(おぐら)王が上表して清原真人(まひと)賜姓を求め許され、以後六国史(りっこくし)に天武系諸王への清原真人賜姓の記事がしばしばみられる。これら清原真人のなかでもっとも傑出しているのが小倉王の男夏野(なつの)で、淳和天皇(じゅんなてんのう)の寵(ちょう)を被り、従二位(じゅにい)右大臣兼左大将となっている。清原氏の出自、系図を示すものに『本朝皇胤紹運録(ほんちょうこういんじょううんろく)』「清原氏系図」および『尊卑分脈(そんぴぶんみゃく)』がある。一条天皇の後宮で活躍した女流文学者清少納言(せいしょうなごん)も清原氏の出身で、肥後守(ひごのかみ)元輔(もとすけ)の女(むすめ)である。前九年・後三年の役で有名な清原光頼(みつより)・武則(たけのり)らも「清原氏系図」に天武裔となっているが、十分な信憑(しんぴょう)性があるとはいえないようである。

［森田　悌］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例