This is Kazuki@MIJC! Story about his life is almost ending. What do you think about him?
He was an old, famous and ideal symbol of worrier. His life included problem between nation and nation, difficulty of compromising between different tribe.
He is unquestionably hero for recent Japanese. On the other side, how about for the other side?
Please compare to your country’s hero and him. Let’s study about the end of his life.
. _._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._
坂上田村麻呂 (さかのうえのたむらまろ) [Sakanoue-no-Tamuramaro] 758?~811 Vol.3
The last battle between Tamuramaro and Aterui was not dramatic. Compared to the last occupation, a scale of Tamuramaro’s trooper became a 50 percent reduction. This fact meant damage of Ebisu was any longer consumed than Imperial court. In 802, Isawa -inner citadel of Ebisu- was healed over. And then, finally, Aterui and More(母礼) applied for surrender.
Tamuramaro reported this big news to Kyoto, on the other hand, appeal for mercy of Aterui and More. He already recognized ability of these two rebels and believed it is essential to use their support to ruled Ebisu. However, they were unforgivable barbarians for Imperial court.
His petition was refused and they were executed at Kawachi(河内)*①.
Even he defeated Aterui, he has not suppressed whole Ebisu yet. Tamuramaro still kept stay at Isawa, built castle and continued to repress other area of Ebisu frequently. In 805, he backed to Kyoto to attend to a council in the Imperial presence with other chief vassals. They discussed future plan of the country, and faintly decided a shrinking in the budget. War between Ebisu and creation of huge building made exhausted country’s resources. After this council, Tamuramaro did not sat soill of Isawa again. He was already 48 years old then.
The last big happening in his life was “Kusuko no hen”. It was started from one siblings, Fujiwara-no-Nakanari(藤原仲成) and his beautiful younger sister Kusuko(薬子).
The same time, conflict between retired emperor Heizyo and emperor Saga was getting worth. Kusuko crept into retired emperor Heizyo’s favor and tried to take power. They planed to raise un army, but Tamuramaro decided to stay emperor Saga’s side. Tamuramaro asked for release of Hunya-no-Watamaro② who was old comrade of him and be casted into prison. He and Watamaro moved as quick as they can and beleaguered residence of Heizyo. Nakanari was executed, Kusuko took poison, and retired emperor Heizyo lost his political power completely.
The year of Tamurmaro’s death was 811. He was 54 years old. He was inhumed with armor and honor, and the achievement of him transferred to legend. In Tohoku area, there are over 100 shrines and temples which related to Tamurmaro. Now days, Tamuramaro is still worship as a great man and first “Shogun”.
① Kawachi is old name of one part of Osaka. ② Hunya-no-Watamaro was famous worrier and also one of the four vice-generals under Otomaro. Please check at vol.1. He had been appointed by retired emperor Heizyo, so he was looked of as an enemy from emperor Saga.
Mingle Internationally Japanese Communication (MIJC) 