Fujiwara no Kusuko

Fujiwara no Kusuko (October 13, 810) was a Japanese court lady. She is best known for her role in the Kusuko Incident.

Early life Kusuko was the daughter of Fujiwara no Tanetsugu. She was known for her beauty. After her father's assassination in 785, she married and bore three sons and two daughters. One of those daughters was invited to become a consort for Emperor Heizei, which brought Kusuko to court. When she reached court, Kusuko earned Heizei's favor and became his consort. She became the and entered court politics. After Emperor Heizei abdicated the throne in 809, a decision that Kusuko and her brother Fujiwara no Nakanari opposed, his brother Emperor Saga took the throne. However, Heizei was displeased with some changes that Saga made, and used Kusuko's position as the to make imperial decrees. Many of these edicts were fueled by Kusuko's advice, because she wanted to return to the level of power she had when he was emperor.