Kujo Yoshimichi (九条良通)

Yoshimichi KUJO (December 19, 1167 ~ March 19, 1188) was a court noble of the end of Heian period. He was the eldest son of Sessho (Regent), Kanezane KUJO. His mother was a daughter of FUJIWARA no Sueyuki. He had a younger brother-uterine, Yoshitsune KUJO. His wife was a daughter of Kanemasa KASANNOIN.
He was ranked to Shonii (Senior Second Rank), and Naidaijin (Minister of the Interior.)
He was called Reizei naidaijin.

He was raised under the expectations by those surrounding him, as the legitimate son of Kanezane, and became an adopted child of his aunt, FUJIWARA no Seishi. In 1186, he was promoted to Naidaijin at the age of only 20 at his peak, 2 years later in 1188, he died suddenly of a disease at the age of 22. Subsequently, his younger brother, Yoshitsune took over the reign of the Kujo family.

Although he was young, he was well-known as a person of talent who was familiar with both Japanese and Chinese literatures, and his poem was selected in "Senzai (waka) shu" (Collection of a Thousand Years.)"
It is said in "Kokon Chomon ju (A Collection of Tales Heard, Past and Present)" that soon after his death, Yoshimichi appeared in Yoshitsune's dream and recited a Chinese-style poem including his regrets.

Koka-mon in ryo (territory of Kokamon-in Shrine) such as Saisho kongo in ryo (territory of Saishokongo-in Shrine,) etc. he succeeded from Seishi became the origin of family estate of the Kujo clan.

[Original Japanese]