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Kanroji Motonaga here recounts again how during the Ōnin War, Kiyonori and Kiyohisa father and son rescued the emperor’s ceremonial clothes. This represents the first time that Kiyohisa directly receives credit for these actions. Motonaga wrote this document to Takakura Nagatsugu, showing that the Takakura received credit for the Awazu’s actions, much like a warrior would receive rewards for the actions of his retainers. This document like the others of this sequence dates from the early sixteenth century.
Kanroji Motonaga documentRecently, during this past Ōnin War, the ceremonial clothes were stored in Yamashina. When you were ordered to disperse the enemy in Ōyake (in Yamashina), the retainer Awazu Shirō Kiyohisa, uemon-no-jō, father and son accomplished this, and were able to secure and present the robes.
As this is worthy of recognition, a court lady communiqué conveying the Retired Emperor (Go-Hanazono)’s praise was issued and was seen again by Go-Kashiwabara.
He [Go-Kashiwabara] stated, “We find this service without compare.” Thus, concerning the appointment, the court will act upon your request.
Henceforth, you should keep this praise in mind.
At this time, you have presented these extremely rare treasures for imperial use. This is most auspicious. Respectfully yours,
Eleventh month, 19th day Motonaga
kirifū, sumibiki
Kanroji Junior First Rank Acting Grand Counsellor
To the Residence [of] Takakura-dono Motonaga
甘露寺元長書状
就今度御服御礼服
去応仁之乱被預置山科
大宅郷既敵可取散処御
被官人粟津四郎右衛門尉
清久父子致調法令執進上候
子細及沙汰候間自 仙洞御
感之趣女房奉書等召出令
披見備 叡覧候忠節
異于他之様被思食旨被
仰出候仍受領事令申沙汰
候弥自其被感候者可然候
希代之重宝今度可立
御用条目出候恐々謹言
十一月十九日 元長
(切封墨引)
「甘露寺従一位権大納言」
御方 高倉殿 元長