Kujo Kaneyoshi (九条兼良)
Kaneyoshi KUJO (九条 兼良, 1167 - February 3, 1221) was a Kugyo (high court noble) in the early Kamakura period. He was the son of Daijo-daijin (Grand Minister) FUJIWARA no Kanefusa. His mother was the daughter of FUJIWARA no Takasue. He was the founder of the Kujo family of Kanefusa line which was the lineage of Kanezane KUJO's younger brother.
On May 6, 1175, after his genpuku (coming of age) ceremony as an adopted child of his uncle Motofusa MATSUDONO, he was appointed as Jugoinojo (Junior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade). In 1178, he was promoted to Shogoinoge (Senior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade). In 1186, he became Jiju ken Ukone no shosho (Chamberlain and Minor Captain of the Right Division of Inner Palace Guards), and the next year he was promoted to Shoshiinoge (Senior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade) and concurrently held the post of Omi no suke (assistant governor of Omi Province). After that, he was promoted satisfactorily under the protection of his uncle Kanezane KUJO; for example, in 1188, he was promoted to Ukone no chujo (Middle Captain of the Right Division of Inner Palace Guards), the next year, he was appointed as Jushiinojo (Junior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade), and then Shoshiinoge, in 1190, he concurrently held the post of Chugu Gon no suke (provisional Assistant Master of the Consort's Household), and on July 30 of the same year, he was appointed as Jusanmi (Junior Third Rank). In 1193, he was promoted to Shosanmi (Senior Third Rank), and in 1198, to Junii (Junior Second Rank). In 1199, he resigned his position as Ukone no chujo and was appointed as Gon Chunagon (Provisional Vice-Councilor of State), and the next year, he concurrently held the post of Chugu Daibu (Master of the Consort's Household). In 1202, he was appointed as Shonii Gon Dainagon (Senior Second Rank, Provisional Chief Councilor of State). In 1205, he was promoted to Dainagon (Chief Councilor of State), and served until 1211. In 1220, he entered into priesthood, and the next year, he passed away.