The Japanese noble Fujiwara Michinaga (966-1027) was one of the most powerful statesmen in the Heian period. Through his family, especially his daughters, he exercised virtually complete control over the imperial court.

Fujiwara Michinaga was a son of Kaneiye, a powerful member of the Fujiwara clan who, as regent, had consolidated the power of the Fujiwaras. After Michinaga's elder brothers, Michitaka and Michikane, died young, he became the most powerful member of the Fujiwara clan. Michinaga caused his nephew, Korechika, and Korechika's younger brother, Takaiye, to be exiled. After being appointed Minister of the Left, he persuaded the emperor Ichijo to demote his consort, Sadako, the daughter of Michitaka, to the newly established rank of chugu (consort below the empress) and make Akiko, his own daughter, the empress. It was the first time in the Heian court that the chugu and kg (empress) stood side by side.

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