Dōkyō

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Dōkyō (道鏡; 700 - 72) was a Nara Period Japanese monk of the Dharma character school. As he was born in the family of Yuge, in the lineage of the Mononobe clan, Dokyo was also known as Yuge no Dokyo. He was the brother of Yuge no Kiyoto.

Born in Wakaegun, Kawachi Province (today Yao, Osaka), in his youth Dokyo became the disciple of the monk Gien and learned Sanskrit from Rōben. In addition, it was said that Dokyo acquired the mysterious spells of Esoteric Buddhism while studying in the mountains of Yamato Province.

After serving as a nursing monk, in 761 he cured the illness of the then Empress Kōken (later Empress Shotoku). This earned him her political support. He was appointed Shosozu in 763 and Daijin zenji in 765. In the next year he was promoted to Houou (king of the dharma). With these offices he advanced political measures based on the philosophy of Buddhism. He obtained a divine proclamation from Usa shrine in Buzen Province stating "Dokyo is to be the next Emperor." But his coronation plan failed after Fujiwara no Momokawa sent Wake no Kiyomaro to get a new divine proclamation that rejected the first one. After Empress Shotoku died in 770, Dokyo fell from power. He was sent to Shimotsuke Province (today Tochigi Prefecture) and died there. On April 7, 772, a report of his death came to the capital.

In a temple in Minamikawachi, Tochigi, there is a tomb that is believed to be the grave of Dokyo.