Minamoto no Mitsunaka

Minamoto no Mitsunaka (912–997) was a Heian-period samurai and court official, son of Tsunemoto, who built the Seiwa Genji into a military power. He tied the clan to the Fujiwara regents.

In 969 he accused Minamoto no Tsura and others of plotting to depose the crown prince, an affair that brought down Minamoto no Takaakira, and in 986 he helped Fujiwara no Kaneie force Emperor Kazan to abdicate. As acting governor of ten provinces, above all Settsu, he was one of the wealthiest courtiers, his warriors the Fujiwara's 'teeth and claws'. He took Buddhist vows in 987 and died at his Tada manor, and his sons included Yorimitsu and Yorinobu.