Saionji Saneuji (西園寺実氏)

Saneuji SAIONJI (1194 - July 14, 1269) was a court noble who lived in the first half of the Kamakura period. His father was Kintsune SAIONJI. Kinsuke SAIONJI was his son. He was commonly called Tokiwai Shokoku.

Known as a court noble in the Kamakura bakufu (Japanese feudal government headed by a shogun), he attended the ceremony at Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine to celebrate to the nomination of MINAMOTO no Sanetomo, who was assassinated leaving the shrine, to Ududaijin (Minister of the Right). During the Jokyu War, he was placed under house arrest together with his father on the orders of the Retired Emperor Gotoba. He became Daijo-daijin (Grand Minister of State) in 1246. Then he assumed the posts of Kanto-moshitsugi (liaison officer between the shogunate and the court) and In no hyojoshu (the Retired Emperor's councillor). Omiyain, his daughter, became Emperor Gosaga's consort and gave birth to two later emperors, Emperor Gofukakusa and Emperor Kameyama. Kimiko SAIONJI also entered the imperial court as Emperor Gofukakusa's empress. His waka poems were included in Shoku-Gosen Wakashu (Later Collection of Japanese Poetry, continued), Shokukokin Wakashu (Collection of Ancient and Modern Japanese Poetry, Continued) and Shoku Shui Wakashu (Collection of Gleanings of Japanese Poetry, continued).

[Original Japanese]