Sanjonishi Saneki (三条西実枝)
Saneki SANJONISHI (September 6, 1511 - March 1, 1579) was a court noble, poet and classical scholar during the Sengoku period (Period of Warring States). He was first named Saneyo, changing to Sanezumi at the age of 34 and Saneki at the age of 64. His Homyos (Dharma names) were Goku and Genkaku. He went by the pseudonym, Sankoin.
His held the office of Naidaijin (minister of the center) and was awarded the rank of Shonii (Senior Second Rank). His father was Kineda SANJONISHI. His mother was the daughter of Motonaga KANROJI. He married a woman from the Hatakeyama clan. His son was Kinkuni SANJONISHI. His grandson was Saneeda SANJONISHI.
In 1544, he lost both his oldest son, Kinyo SANJONISHI, and his wife. In 1552, he left Kyoto and moved to Suruga Province. In 1569, after he returned to Kyoto, he worked tirelessly on interpreting classical literature, publishing 'Yamashitamizu' (Commentary on the 'Tale of Genji') that was handed down in the Sanjonishi family.
In 1577, Nobunaga ODA appointed him Dainagon (chief councilor of state) (during this period it was customary to appoint Gon Dainagons (provisional chief councilor of state) and the post of Dainagon was left opened, but Saneki was appointed Dainagon after the post had been vacant for 23 years.)
The Kokin denju (the secret transmissions of the "Kokinshu", Anthology of Old and New Japanese Poems) that was handed down for generations in the Sanjonishi family was to be taught to only one child in the family; however because his son, Kinkuni was too young, Saneki taught the Shogaku-Ichiyo (an essay on waka poems) to his pupil Yusai HOSOKAWA (Yusai Genshi). Saneki made Yusai promise that he would never to relay the teachings to anyone, even the legal heir of the Hosokawa family, and that they were only to be taught to one descendent of the Sanjonishi family to prevent this knowledge left untold in the family. This came true, when Saneki's son Kinkuni died at a young age, and Yusai passed the teachings on to Saneki's grandson Saneeda.
His collection of poems include 'Sankoinshu.'
History of his Ranks and Offices
Dates are by the old calendar
December 2, 1512: Awarded Jugoinoge (Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade).
December 2, 1514: Appointed to the post of Jiju (Chamberlain).
February 6, 1515: Promoted to Jugoinojo (Junior Fifth Rank, Upper Grade) and retained the post of Jiju.
January 26, 1517: Promoted to Shogoinoge (Senior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade) and retained the post of Jiju.
Date unknown: Transferred to the post of Ukone no shosho (Minor Captain of the Right Division of Inner Palace Guards).
February 20, 1521: Celebrated Genpuku (the coming-of-age ceremony for a boy in the old days) and changed his name to Saneyo. He was given the right to use kinjiki (literally, "forbidden colours", seven colours traditionally reserved for the imperial family and nobility) and shoden (access to the imperial court). December 17: Promoted to Jushiinoge (Junior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade) and retained his position as Ukone no shosho.
December 27, 1522: Promoted to Jushiinojo (Junior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade) and retained his position as Ukone no shosho.
March 13, 1525: Transferred t the post of Ukone no chujo (Middle Captain of the Right Division of Inner Palace Guards).
March 29, 1526: Promoted to Shoshiinoge (Senior Fourth Rank, Lower Grade) and retained his position as Ukone no chujo.
January 20, 1530: Promoted to Shoshiinojo (Senior Fourth Rank, Upper Grade), appointed Kurodo no to (Head Chamberlain) and retained his position as Ukone no chujo. January 28: Appointed to the post of Sangi (Royal Advisors). Retained his position as Ukone no chujo.
January 6, 1532: Promoted to Jusanmi (Junior Third Rank) and retained the posts of Sangi and Ukone no chujo.
December 4, 1535: Transferred to the post of Gon Chunagon (Provisional Vice-Councilor of State).
November 22, 1536: Promoted to Shosanmi (Senior Third Rank) and retained his position as Gon Chunagon.
January 25, 1540: Promoted to Junii (Junior Second Rank) and retained his position as Gon Chunagon.
March 28, 1541: Transferred to the post of Gon Dainagon.
June 2, 1544: Changed name to Sanezumi. August 25: Promoted to Shonii (Senior Second Rank) and retained his position as Gon Dainagon.
1552: He went to Suruga Province (Shugo (Provincial Constable): Yoshimoto IMAGAWA).
August 21, 1558: Returned to Kyoto.
May 25, 1559: He went to Suruga Province (Shugo: Yoshimoto IMAGAWA).
June 26, 1569: He went to Kai Province (Shugo: Harunobu TAKEDA).
August 20, 1571: He went to Ise Province (Kokushi (provincial governor): Tomofusa KITABATAKE). December 4: Returned to Kyoto.
January 6, 1572: Resigned from the post of Gon Dainagon.
January 12, 1573: Retained the power of the Gon Dainagon.
March 3, 1574: Returned to the post of Gon Dainagon. December 24: Changed his name to Saneki.
November 3, 1575: Concurrently held the post of Mutsu Dewa Azechi (Inspector of the provincial government in Mutsu and Dewa). Date unknown: Resigned from the post of Mutsu Dewa Azechi.
November 20, 1577: Returned to the post of Dainagon.
January 20, 1579: Transferred to the post of Naidaijin. January 22: Resigned from the post of Naidaijin and joined priesthood. Homyo: Goku, died January 24, 1579. Died at the age of 69. Pseudonym: Sankoin.