Born as a son of Sakanoue no Karitamaro into the Sakanoue, a family known for warriors. The Sakanoue were a branch of the Yamato no Aya, said to descend from people who had come long before from the Korean Peninsula, and for generations they produced military officers skilled with bow and horse. His father Karitamaro was also a man who supported the court's military affairs.
His father Karitamaro died. As if succeeding his father, Tamuramaro served as a military officer in bodies such as the Inner Palace Guards and was increasingly valued at court. Later records describe him as a man of fine build: when angry, even wild beasts would fall; when he smiled, even children would warm to him.
Emperor Kanmu was pressing a war to subdue the people of the Tōhoku region who did not obey the court (the Emishi). Tamuramaro was appointed deputy to Ōtomo no Otomaro, the envoy for the eastern campaign, and for the first time became involved in the fighting in Tōhoku.
In this year, when the capital moved to Heian-kyō, Tamuramaro went north as deputy general and won great success in the fighting with the Emishi. It is thought that as he gained experience on the ground, he learned not only to suppress by force but also the importance of understanding the other side's circumstances.
Emperor Kanmu appointed him seii taishōgun, making him commander-in-chief of the war in Tōhoku. The title later became that of the head of warrior governments, but originally it was the post of commander of the army for wars against the Emishi. Tamuramaro became the warrior most closely linked with that name.
Around this time he is said to have built Kiyomizu-dera in Higashiyama, Kyoto, together with the monk Enchin. The temple preserves a story that Tamuramaro met Enchin while hunting deer, was admonished against taking life, and turned his heart to the Buddha's teaching. Kiyomizu-dera is still one of Kyoto's most famous temples.
He led a large army north, pressed the war with the Emishi, and brought the region of Isawa (around Ōshū, Iwate) under the court's control. In earlier fighting the court's armies had repeatedly suffered heavy losses, but Tamuramaro's expedition achieved unprecedented results.
He built Isawa Castle as the court's base. That year the Emishi leaders Aterui and More surrendered with their followers. Tamuramaro brought the two back to the capital and pleaded that their lives be spared and that they be sent home, but the court nobles would not listen, and the two were put to death.
North of Isawa he built Shiwa Castle (around Morioka, Iwate), extending the court's rule further north. Through Tamuramaro's work a wide area of Tōhoku came under the court's control. Later, many legends about Tamuramaro arose among the people of Tōhoku.
At court the view was raised that war and the building of the new capital were causing the people suffering, and Emperor Kanmu decided to halt both undertakings (the Debate on Virtuous Government). The next expedition planned for Tamuramaro did not take place, and that year he became a councillor and joined in government as well.
When the retired Emperor Heizei clashed with Emperor Saga and tried to head for the eastern provinces (the Kusuko Incident), Tamuramaro, on Emperor Saga's orders, blocked his way and settled the conflict without letting it grow. Partly for this service he rose to Major Counsellor and became a senior statesman of the court.
He died of illness at his villa in Awata, Kyoto. Emperor Saga deeply mourned his death, and Tamuramaro was buried at Yamashina in Kyoto. Legend says he was buried standing in his armor, facing the capital, and later samurai revered him as the model of a warrior.
SaichōKūkaiSugawara no MichizaneSei ShōnagonFujiwara no MichinagaMurasaki ShikibuFujiwara no YorimichiTaira no Kiyomori
People of the Heian period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.