Yotsutsuji Suetoo (四辻季遠)
Suetoo YOTSUTSUJI (August 17, 1513-September 16, 1575) was a Kuge (court noble) and calligrapher in the Sengoku period (period of warring states). His original name was Sueki. His father was Kinoto YOTSUTSUJI. His mother was a daughter of Sanenaka YOTSUTSUJI. His son was Kinto YOTSUTSUJI. His granddaughters included Keigannin, concubine of Kagekatsu UESUGI, and Emperor Gomizunoo's favorite concubine, Yotsuko YOTSUTSUJI. His official court rank was Shonii Gon Dainagon (Senior Second Rank, Provisional chief councilor of state).
He was raised to the peerage in 1517 and appointed Jiju (a chamberlain) in 1528, Sangi (councilor) in 1537, Gon Chunagon (a provisional vice-councilor of state) in 1545, and Gon Dainagon in 1550.
He maintained a friendship with Yoshimoto IMAGAWA and Taigen Sessai of Suruga Province and they held Kanshi (Chinese poem) parties and so on. While he frequently visited Kai Province, at the time of succession by Shingen TAKEDA (Shingen) to the position of family head, he, along with Sanezumi SANJONISHI, conveyed Rinshi (a document from Emperor) ("Tokitsugu Kyoki" (Dairy of Tokitsugu YAMASHINA) and "Reizei Tamekazu shu") and in Kofu, renga-kai (a gathering of linked verse) was held at Sekisui-ji Temple with attendance of chief guests including Suetoo. While he played a role as mediator at the time of giving Zenji-go (a title given to honorable priests) to Bassui Tokusho, the founder of Enzan Kogaku-ji Temple in 1547, and in 1552 left Kyoto as Imperial envoy for unknown purposes, he consistently functioned as a mediator relating to the Takeda clan. He died abroad in Ise Province in 1575.
Career and positions held
*Dates are under the old lunisolar calendar. January 26, 1517: He was raised to Jugoinoge (Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade). At that time, his Imina (personal name) was Sueki.
March 22, 1528: He was appointed Jiju. At that time, his Imina was Suetoo. On April 5, he was promoted to Jugoinojo (Junior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade) and retained his position as Jiju.
Date unknown, transferred to Sakone no shosho (Minor Captain of the Left Division of Inner Palace Guards).
August 18, 1530: He was promoted to Shogoinoge (Senior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade) and retained his position as Sakone no shosho.
April 17, 1533: He was promoted to Jushiinoge (Junior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade) and retained his position as Sakone no shosho.
January 3: He was transferred to Sakone no chujo (Middle Captain of the Left Division of Inner Palace Guards).
November 22, 1536: He was promoted to Jushiinojo (Junior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade) and retained his position as Sakone no chujo.
July 13, 1537: He was appointed to Sangi and retained his position as Sakone no chujo. On December 12, he was promoted to Shoshiinoge (Senior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade) and retained his position as Sangi and Sakone no chujo.
March 8, 1538: He was additionally appointed Tosa no Gon no kami (Provisional Governor of Tosa Province).
January 5, 1539: He was promoted to Jusanmi (Junior Third Rank) and retained his positions as Sangi, Sakone no chujo, and Tosa no Gon no kami.
Intercalary March 10, 1542: He was promoted to Shosanmi (Senior Third Rank) and retained his positions as Sangi and Sakone no chujo. He left the position of Tosa no Gon no kami. In May, he visited Hyuga Province (Shugoshiki (post of provincial constable): Takahisa SHIMAZU). In October, he returned to Kyoto.
1543: He visited Echizen Province (Shugoshiki: Takakage ASAKURA (10th head)). On December 24, he returned to Kyoto.
March 19, 1544: He was transferred to Gon Chunagon.
January 5, 1545: He was promoted to Junii (Junior Second Rank) and retained his position as Gon Chunagon.
January 5, 1549: He was promoted to Shonii and retained his position as Gon Chunagon.
October 12, 1550: He was transferred to Gon Dainagon.
1558: He was in Kai Province (Shugoshiki: Shingen TAKEDA).
October 27, 1559: He returned to Kyoto.
June 1566: He visited Ise Province (Ise Kokushi (an officer of Ise Province): Tomofusa KITABATAKE). On December 24, he returned to Kyoto.
January 26, 1575: He resigned as Gon Dainagon. At this time, he was asked if he wanted to fill an appropriate position as an alternative. On August 2, he died in Ise Province. He died at the age of 63.