The Ancient Japanese Good-Family Clans and Piracy (6-3) ——The Further Purge of Silla Connections (3)——

The entry dated October the 26th, 869, in Nihon Sandai Jitsuroku writes: The Premier argued in front of the Emperor, “The court of Justice turned down the case, and writes, ‘In 866, Azumi Fukuo informed that Ochi Sadahara planed a treason with Silla. We dispatched a messenger to investigate the case, and found Fukuo’s information false.’” A judge refuted, “Fukuo, instead, should be punished to be decapitated. However, Sadahara knew his man had committed a murder but did’t investigate the case. He should be demoted.” The Emperor decided and said, “The decapitation should be reduced to exile. The others should be executed according to laws.” Who and what was Azumi Fukuo? Did he know the case of Funya Miyatamaro versus Yako Ujio in 843? Did he think he would be hired and promoted like Ujio? Or was he a rival smuggler? A certain clan’s spy? Who did Sadahara’s man kill? A fellow of Fukuo’s? Ancient incidents are always covered up in the ancient darkness. Anyway, although Ochi Sadahara survived this contest, he and his clan lost their influence in the central political circles after this incident.