The Shoku Nihongi first mentions Tanetsugu in 766, when he was promoted from ju roku-i no jō (従六位上) to ju go-i no ge (従五位下). Two years later, in 768, he was appointed as governor of Mimasaka Province.

Thanks to the Shikike's staunch support of Emperor Kōnin's ascension, the family was successful in his court. Tanetsugu held various positions as a provincial governor, as well as civil and military roles, and was steadily promoted through the ranks, reaching ju shi-i no ge (従四位下) in 781. After the deaths of his uncles Fujiwara no Yoshitsugu and Fujiwara no Momokawa, Tanetsugu came to represent the Shikike as the oldest grandson of Umakai.

Along with the ascension of Emperor Kanmu in 781, Tanetsugu was promoted to ju shi-i no jō (従四位上). With the Emperor's deep trust, Tanetsugu was promoted quickly, joining the kugyō with a promotion to sangi in 782. In 783, he was promoted to ju san-mi (従三位), and in 784 was made chūnagon.

Nagaoka-kyō edit

In 784, Kanmu wanted to move the capital away from Heijō-kyō. Tanetsugu recommended the location of Nagaoka-kyō as the spot for the new capital. By the Emperor's command, Tanetsugu inspected the site along with Fujiwara no Oguromaro [ja], Saeki no Imaemishi [ja], Ki no Funamori [ja], Ōnakatomi no Kōyu [ja], and Sakanoue no Karitamaro. Later that year, Tanetsugu was put in charge of the construction of the new capital. His appointment may have had the backing of his mother's family, the Hata clan, whose base of operations in Yamashiro Province was near the new capital site. Several members of the Hata clan were later promoted into the aristocracy based on their meritorious service in the construction.

Assassination edit

In 785, soon after the move of the capital, Tanetsugu was shot with an arrow while supervising the construction, and died the next day. Emperor Kanmu was absent at the time, visiting Yamato Province. Ōtomo no Takeyoshi (大伴竹良) was first arrested for the assassination, and after an investigation ten more people were executed, including Ōtomo no Tsuguhito (大伴継人) and Saeki no Takanari (佐伯高成). Ōtomo no Yakamochi, who had died a month before the incident, was identified as the ringleader and removed from the register of past officials. Several more people were implicated and exiled.

Later, Prince Sawara was disinherited from his position as crown prince and exiled to Awaji Province, but died en route. There may have been discord between Sawara and Tanetsugu, but whether Sawara was actually involved in the assassination is not clear. A number of the officials involved in the assassination, including Takanari, were employed in the Crown Prince's Quarters. This incident, along with the fear of Sawara's vengeful ghost, contributed to the decision to move the capital again to Heian-kyō a short time later.

Tanetsugu's final rank was shō san-mi (正三位), and he held the positions of chūnagon and director of the Shikibu-shō. He was 49 when he died. Emperor Kanmu posthumously promoted him to shō ichi-i (正一位) and sadaijin, and in 809 he was granted the additional posthumous position of Daijō-daijin.

Individuals punished in connection with the incident edit

• Father: Fujiwara no Kiyonari
• Mother: daughter of Hata no Asamoto (秦朝元の娘)
• Wife: daughter of Awata no Michimaro (粟田道麻呂)
  • Eldest son: Fujiwara no Nakanari (藤原仲成, 764–810)
• Wife: daughter of Yamamoto no Nakamune (山口中宗女)
  • Son: Fujiwara no Yamahito (藤原山人)
• Wife: daughter of Karidaka no Samimaro (雁高佐美麻呂)
  • Second son: Fujiwara no Kazuramaro (藤原縵麻呂, 768–821)
• Wife: daughter of Fujiwara no Tsugutada (藤原継縄)
  • Son: Fujiwara no Yasutsugu (藤原安継), possibly instead a son of Kiyonari
• Wife: daughter of Fujiwara no Tadanushi (藤原縄主)
• Other children:
  • Son: Fujiwara no Fujio (藤原藤生)
  • Fourth son: Fujiwara no Yotsugu (藤原世嗣, 779–831)
  • Son: Ide no Yumori (井出湯守)
  • Daughter: Fujiwara no Kusuko (藤原薬子, ?–810), court lady of Emperor Heizei
  • Daughter: Fujiwara no Azumako (藤原東子, ?–816), court lady of Emperor Kanmu

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