Fujiwara no Maro

Fujiwara no Maro (藤原 麻呂; 695 – August 17, 737) was a Japanese statesman, courtier, and politician during the Nara period.^[1] Maro established the Kyōke branch of the Fujiwara clan.

Fujiwara no Maro
Fujiwara no Muchimaro and Fujiwara no Maro, from Zenken Kojitsu
Native name	藤原 麻呂
Other names	Banri (万里)
Born	695
Died	17 August 737
Nationality	Japanese
Spouse(s)	Many
Issue	Fujiwara no Momoyoshi Fujiwara no Hamanari Fujiwara no Tsunatori Fujiwara no Katsuhito
Father	Fujiwara no Fuhito
Mother	Ioe no Iratsume
Notes
Relatives Fujiwara no Fusasaki (brother) Fujiwara no Muchimaro (brother) Fujiwara no Miyako (brother) Fujiwara no Nagako (brother) Fujiwara no Umakai (brother) Empress Kōmyō (sister) Fujiwara no Tabino (brother)

In this Japanese name, the surname is Fujiwara.

Career

Maro was a minister (sakyō no dayū) during the reign of Emperor Shōmu.^[2]

• 737 (Tenpyō 9, 7th month): Maro died at age 43.^[3] The 735–737 Japanese smallpox epidemic caused the death of Maro and all three of his brothers, all in the same year.^[4]

Genealogy

This member of the Fujiwara clan was the son of Fujiwara no Fuhito.^[1] Maro had three brothers: Fusasaki, Muchimaro and Umakai. The four brothers are known for having established the "four houses" of the Fujiwara.^[5]

• Father: Fujiwara no Fuhito (藤原不比等, 659–720)
• Mother: Ioe-no-iratsume (五百重娘, ?–?), former wife of Emperor Tenmu.
  • Wife: Lady from the Taima clan (当麻氏)
    • Daughter: Fujiwara no Momoyoshi (藤原百能, 720–782)
  • Wife: name unknown, daughter of Inaba no Kimame (稲葉気豆)
    • 1st son: Fujiwara no Hamanari (藤原浜成, 724–790)
  • Children with unknown mother:
    • Son: Fujiwara no Tsunatora (藤原綱執)
    • Son: Fujiwara no Katsuhito (藤原勝人)
  • Possible wife: Ōtomo no Sakanoue-no-iratsume (大伴坂上郎女), daughter of Ōtomo no Yasumaro (大伴安麻呂).