Mutô Sukeyori was an early-Kamakura period samurai who held the titles of Dazaifu Shôni, Chikugo no kami, and shugo of Chikuzen, Buzen, Hizen, and Tsushima provinces.
He was the son of Mutô Yorihira; the Mutô clan was originally from Musashi province, and had been retainers to the Taira clan, but later became retainers to Minamoto no Yoritomo. Serving in that capacity, in 1191/1, Sukeyori traveled with Taira Moritoki to Ise and Shima provinces, on an inspection tour confirming the extermination of the Taira.
He journeyed to Kyushu in 1193, where he succeeded Amano Tôkage as Chinzei Bugyô. In 1226, he was then appointed Dazaifu Shôni, and took over the administration of the entire island.
He is buried in Dazaifu alongside his son Mutô Sukeyoshi, who took the name Shôni (after their government post), marking the beginning of the Shôni clan.
References
- "Mutô Sukeyori." Asahi Nihon rekishi jinbutsu jiten 朝日日本歴史人物事典. Asahi Shimbun-sha.
- Plaque on-site at the gravesite of Mutô Sukeyori and Sukeyoshi.