Fujiwara no Matate

Fujiwara no Matate 藤原真楯
Illustration by Kikuchi Yōsai, from "Zenken-Kojitsu" (pub. 1903)
Family	Fujiwara Hokke
Father	Fujiwara no Fusasaki
Born	715
Died	April 25, 766

Fujiwara no Matate (藤原真楯^?, 715 – April 25, 766) was a Japanese noble of the Nara period. He was the third son of the founder of the Hokke branch of the Fujiwara, the sangi Fujiwara no Fusasaki. He achieved the court rank of shō san-mi (正三位^?) and the position of dainagon, and posthumously of daijō-daijin. His original name was Yatsuka (八束^?).

Emperor Shōmu recognized Yatsuka's abilities, and through his favor Yatsuka was rapidly promoted. He was raised in the year 740 from the rank of shō roku-i no jō (正六位上^?) to ju go-i no ge (従五位下^?) and then ju go-i no jō (従五位上^?), in 743 to shō go-i no jō (正五位上^?), and in 744 to ju shi-i no ge (従四位下^?). Shōmu specially entrusted him with duties related to the transmission of reports to and requests from the emperor. According to the Shoku Nihongi, Yatsuka was respected as exceptionally intelligent, incurring the jealousy of his cousin Fujiwara no Nakamaro. He is then said to have secluded himself in his home for a time, with his books for company. In 748 he was promoted to sangi, beating his one-year-older brother Nagate to the ranks of the kugyō.