November 05 (Linfamy) – Rising through the ranks of the Japanese Imperial Court was like taking a walk in the park – at night. It was a rigid system designed to keep the powerful in power, leaving little room for anyone outside the elite circle.
Many government roles were controlled by influential families, with positions passed from father to son, ensuring a firm grip on authority.
However, there was one way to exert influence that is rarely mentioned today. This method not only played a role in the downfall of one of Japan’s most powerful clans, but also opened doors for women from weak, unremarkable families to reach the highest echelons of the court, and even get closer to the emperor himself.
The story is set during Japan’s Heian period (794–1185), an era in which the Fujiwara clan ruled supreme at the court and maintained a formidable grip on political power.
