Parent house Fujiwara clan Founder Konoe Motozane Founding year 12th century | Titles Various Current head Tadateru Konoe Dissolution still extant | |
Konoe family (近衛家, Konoe-ke) is a Japanese aristocratic kin group. The Konoe is a branch of the Fujiwara clan.
Contents
History
The Konoe claim descent from Fujiwara Iezane (1179–1242). The family was founded by Konoe Motozane.
The Konoe was one of the five Fujiwara families from which the Sesshō and Kampaku (regents) were chosen. The Konoe is the original (main) branch of the Fujiwara clan.
Tadateru Konoe is the 50th head of the family which goes back to Kamatari Fujiwara (614-669). Michinaga Fujiwara (966-1027) was the patron and the model for Hikaru no Kimi in The Tale of Genji. They have been the main members of the Imperial Family of Japan for over 1000 years.
Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe was a member of this family. His brother Prince Hidemaro Konoye was a prominent conductor who founded the New Symphony Orchestra of Tokyo, now the NHK Symphony Orchestra.