Nishiko - The best

Japanese: 西光 - さいこう

Year of death: Jisho 1 (1177)
Year of birth: Year of birth unknown. A courtier and monk in the late Heian period. His real name was Fujiwara no Michimitsu, and he was originally a local government official in Awa Province (Tokushima Prefecture). He was adopted by Fujiwara no Ienari. He was the wet-nurtured son of Shinzei (Fujiwara no Michinori). He served as a chamberlain, Takiguchi, In no Hokuto, and Saemon-no-jo. Upon the death of Shinzei, who was defeated in the Heiji Rebellion (1159), he became a monk and took the name Saiko. Even after becoming a monk, he served as the storehouse manager of the inn, and was known as the most trusted vassal of Emperor Goshirakawa. In 1173 (Joan 3), Saiko's temple was built and the memorial service for the halls was attended by the emperor and other nobles and courtiers. In 1174, he accompanied the emperor and Kenshunmon'in on a pilgrimage to Itsukushima, and built the Shichijo Palace. In 1177, following a dispute between Enryaku-ji Temple and his son, Kaga no Kami Morotaka and its deputy Kondo Morotaka, Mototsune, Saikou was exiled, but Saikou falsely accused the Emperor, and Enryaku-ji Temple's Tendai abbot Myoun was also exiled. However, the Shishigatani Incident came to light in the same year, and on June 1st Saikou was captured by Taira no Kiyomori, confessing to the plot by the Emperor and close aides such as Fujiwara no Narichika, and was beheaded that same night. The Tale of the Heike describes Saikou's final moments as being "naturally an outstanding and strong man," confronting Kiyomori and denouncing his career.

(Takashi Nishimura)

Source: Asahi Japanese Historical Biography: Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc. About Asahi Japanese Historical Biography

Japanese:

没年：治承1(1177)
生年：生年不詳
平安末期の廷臣,僧。俗名藤原師光,もとは阿波国(徳島県)の在庁官人という。藤原家成の養子。信西(藤原通憲)の乳母子。内舎人,滝口,院北面,左衛門尉。平治の乱(1159)に敗れた信西の死に際して出家し西光と称した。出家後も院の倉預を勤め,後白河法皇第一の近臣と称された。承安3(1173)年西光の建立した浄妙寺の堂供養には法皇以下公卿殿上人が参列している。同4年法皇および建春門院の厳島参詣に同行,七条殿を造営した。治承1(1177)年,子の加賀守師高・目代近藤師経と延暦寺との紛争から師高が流罪となったのに対し,西光は法皇に讒訴し,延暦寺側も天台座主明雲が配流となった。しかし,同年,鹿ケ谷事件が発覚し,6月1日平清盛に捕らえられ,法皇および藤原成親ら近臣の謀議を白状してその夜斬首された。西光の最期について『平家物語』では,「もとよりすぐれたる大剛の者」として,清盛と対決しその経歴を罵倒する様子を描いている。

(西村隆)

出典　朝日日本歴史人物事典：（株）朝日新聞出版朝日日本歴史人物事典について　情報

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