Ki no Aritsune (紀有常)

KI no Aritsune (815 - February 13, 877) was an aristocrat of Heian period. His real name was KI no Asominokami. He was the child of KI no Natora, who had the title of Shoshiinoge (Senior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade). His wife was the daughter of FUJIWARA no Uchimaro. His daughters were wives of ARIWARA no Narihira and FUJIWARA no Toshiyuki.

Aritsune originated from Sakyo and was reputed to be pure and have a cheerful "politeness." He closely served Emperor Ninmyo as a young man, and had additional posts of Sahyoe (guards of the left), daijo (Senior Lieutenant) of Sahyoe (guards of the left), and jo (provincial governor) of Omi Province during Jowa Era (834 - 848). He was promoted to Jugoinoge (Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade) in Jinju Era (601 - 604) and additionally served as Samanosuke (vice-minister of Left Division of Bureau of Horses), Tajima no kuni no suke (Assistant Governor of Tajima Province), Uhyoe no suke (assistant captain of the Right Division of Middle Palace Guards), and Sanuki no kuni no suke (Assistant Governor of Tajima Province). He was later promoted to Jugoinojo (Junior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade) and was assigned to Konoefu (the Headquarters of the Inner Palace Guards) in addition to Sanuki no suke, Deputy Governor of the Province of Sanuki.

He was reassigned to be Junior Governor of Ise Province from Sakone no shosho (Minor Captain of the Left Division of Inner Palace Guards) from 857 and additionally as shonagon (Lesser counselor) and jiju (Chamberlain) in the same year. He was reassigned to be provisional governor of Higo from Ise Province, became Shinano Province's after serving a full term as the provisional governor of Shimotsuke Province from 867. He was promoted to Shogoinoge (Senior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade) in 873 and became Uta no kami (Director of the Bureau of Music) in 875. He became Jushiinoge (Junior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade) in 876 and passed away at the age of 63.

[Original Japanese]