Fujiwara no Mototsune

, also known as , was a Japanese statesman, courtier and aristocrat of the early Heian period. He was the first kampaku, a regent of an adult emperor, in Japanese history.

Biography He was born the third son of Fujiwara no Nagara, but was adopted by his powerful uncle Fujiwara no Yoshifusa, who had no sons. Mototsune followed in Yoshifusa's footsteps, holding power in the court in the position of regent for four successive emperors.

Mototsune invented the position of kampaku regent for himself in order to remain in power even after an emperor reached maturity. This innovation allowed the Fujiwara clan to tighten its grip on power right throughout an emperor's reign.

Mototsune is referred to as Shōsen Kō (昭宣公) (posthumous name as Daijō Daijin).

Career 864 (Jōgan 6): Mototsune was named Sangi 866 (Jōgan 8): Chūnagon 870 (Jōgan 12, 1st month): He became Dainagon 872 (Jōgan 14): He was named Udaijin

Genealogy This member of the Fujiwara clan was the son of Fujiwara no Nagara, who was one of the brothers of Fujiwara no Yoshifusa. Mototsune was adopted as son and heir of Yoshifusa. In other words, Yoshifusa was Mototsune's uncle, and father through adoption.

He was married to a daughter of Imperial Prince Saneyasu (son of Emperor Ninmyō).

Their children were Tokihira (時平) (871–909) – Sadaijin Nakahira (仲平) (875–945) – Sadaijin Tadahira (忠平) (880–949) – Daijō Daijin, Regent Yoriko (頼子) (d. 936), consort of Emperor Seiwa Kazuko (佳珠子), consort of Emperor Seiwa Onshi (穏子) (885–954), consort of Emperor Daigo, and mother of Emperor Suzaku and Emperor Murakami

He was also married to Princess Sōshi (操子女王), a daughter of Imperial Prince Tadara (son of Emperor Saga).

Their children were Kanehira (兼平) (875–935) – Kunai-Kyō (宮内卿) (温子) (872–907), consort of Emperor Uda

His other children were Kamiko (佳美子) (d. 898), consort of Emperor Kōkō Yoshihira (良平) Shigeko (滋子), married to Minamoto no Yoshiari (son of Emperor Montoku) daughter, married to Imperial Prince Sadamoto (son of Emperor Seiwa), and mother of Minamoto no Kanetada (源兼忠)