Kume no Wakame

Who was Kume no Wakame?

Kume no Wakame was a Japanese muraji and mother of Fujiwara no Momokawa, whose daughter became the Empress of Emperor Heizei, the 51st emperor of Japan. She married Fujiwara no Umakai, who died in 737, five years after Momokawa was born.

In March of Tenpyō 11, she had an affair with Isonokami no Otsumaro and was sent to Shimōsa Province. This caused a scandal which caused Isonokami to lose his standing and influence. In June of Tenpyō 12, she was summoned to Kyoto, offered amnesty, and appointed to the rank of jugoi within the imperial court. She eventually moved up to the rank of jushii before she died in June of Hōki 11.

Between 733 and 741, she exchanged poetry with Atsumi no Ōkimi under the name Kume no Jorō. These can be found in volume eight of the Man'yōshū.