Prince Nagaya

Prince Nagaya
Born 684
Died the 12th day of the 2nd month of Jinki 6 March 20, 729
Nara, Japan
Spouse(s)

Princess Kibi (consort), a lady of Ishikawa clan, Fujiwara no Nagako, Abe no Ōtoji,

Princess Chinu
Children Prince Kashiwade (?-729), Prince Katsuragi (?-729), Prince Kagitori (?-729), Prince Kuwata (?-729), Prince Asukabe, Prince Kibumi (?-757), Prince Yamashiro (Fujiwara no Otosada) (?-763), Princess Kyōshō, Princess Kamo, Princess Madokata (?-774)
Relatives Prince Takechi and Princess Minabe
Nagaya's home site in Nara

Nagaya (長屋王 Nagaya-no-ōkimi or Nagaya-ō) (684 – 20 March 729) was a politician of the Nara period and an imperial prince of Japan, a son of Prince Takechi (grandson of Emperor Temmu).

His father was Prince Takechi and his mother Princess Minabe (a daughter of Emperor Tenji and Empress Gemmei's sister). He married Princess Kibi (his cousin, a daughter of Empress Gemmei and Empress Genshō's sister).

He was substantially influential in politics owing to his membership of the Imperial family of the most noble birth, and there were no other competitive Imperial members at that time. A large residence was allocated to him in a prestigious part of Heijō-kyō.

The Fujiwara clan were the most powerful competitors of Nagaya. Fujiwara no Fuhito, the leader of the house, had been the most powerful courtier in the court in the days when Japan was under the reign of Empress Genshō, a cousin of Nagaya's. After Fuhito's death in 720, Nagaya seized complete power within the court. This power shift was the source of later conflicts between him and Fuhito's four sons (Muchimaro, Fusasaki, Maro and Umakai) in the reign of Emperor Shōmu.

In 729, the four sons charged him with a false crime and Nagaya received the death penalty. He was forced to commit suicide. His wife, Princess Kibi, and his children were killed at the same time.

Wives and Children

Nagaya's Curse

It is said that, as Prince Nagaya was forced to die unreasonably, he bore a grudge against the living after his death. The following are believed to have been the victims of Nagaya's curse:

Muchimaro, Fusasaki, Maro and Umakai, responsible for the prince's death, caught smallpox one after another and eventually all of them died in 737.

References


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