Changes

*''Japanese:'' [[藤原]]氏 ''(Fujiwara-shi)''

*''Japanese:'' [[藤原]]氏 ''(Fujiwara-shi)''

The Fujiwara clan, one of the classical ''[[uji]]'' (clans), first formed in the 7th century.  They rose to power and prominence in [[Nara period|Nara]] and [[Heian period]] Japan, with the [[Northern Fujiwara]] effectively controlling the reins of power during the transition from the ''[[ritsuryo|ritsuryô]]'' system of government. The period during their height, when they effectively controlled the Imperial throne through careful political manipulation and "marriage politics", is sometimes referred to as the [[Fujiwara period]].

 

The Fujiwara clan, one of the classical ''[[uji]]'' (clans), first formed in the 7th century.  They rose to power and prominence in [[Nara Period|Nara]] and [[Heian Period]] Japan, with the [[Northern Fujiwara]] effectively controlling the reins of power during the transition from the ''[[ritsuryo|ritsuryô]]'' system of government. The period during their height, when they effectively controlled the Imperial throne through careful political manipulation and "marriage politics", is sometimes referred to as the [[Fujiwara period]].

==History==

==History==

===The formation of the Fujiwara===

===The formation of the Fujiwara===

The first to bear the name Fujiwara was [[Fujiwara Kamatari|Nakatomi Kamatari]] (614-669), who was granted the name for his service to the throne, including the assassination of the [[Soga clan|Soga]] chieftain in 645.  The [[Nakatomi clan|Nakatomi family]] were a provincial family, possibly descended from the [[Emishi]] chieftains in eastern Japan who were incorporated into the [[Yamato]] polity. They appear to have had a major influence in [[Hitachi Province]], where they were responsible for the  prominence of [[Kashima Jingu]], a major shrine with an imperial grant overseen by the Nakatomi since at least 645. Though Kamatari is generally thought to have come from Fujiwara in the [[Kinai]], some records say he was originally from Hitachi, though this probably was more true of his immediate ancestors.

The first to bear the name Fujiwara was [[Fujiwara Kamatari|Nakatomi Kamatari]] (614-669), who was granted the name for his service to the throne, including the assassination of the [[Soga clan|Soga]] chieftain in 645.  The [[Nakatomi clan|Nakatomi family]] were a provincial family, possibly descended from the [[Emishi]] chieftains in eastern Japan who were incorporated into the [[Yamato]] polity. They appear to have had a major influence in [[Hitachi province]], where they were responsible for the  prominence of [[Kashima Jingu]], a major shrine with an imperial grant overseen by the Nakatomi since at least 645. Though Kamatari is generally thought to have come from Fujiwara in the [[Kinai]], some records say he was originally from Hitachi, though this probably was more true of his immediate ancestors.

The Nakatomi had created a power base for themselves as court ritualists. It is interesting to note that they are hardly to be found in the [[Kojiki]], but appear much more often in the later [[Nihongi]], possibly indicating their rise to power and a desire to legitimize their position.

The Nakatomi had created a power base for themselves as court ritualists. It is interesting to note that they are hardly to be found in the [[Kojiki]], but appear much more often in the later [[Nihongi]], possibly indicating their rise to power and a desire to legitimize their position.

Fujiwara Kamatari's sons continued to bear his name. Perhaps the most famous is [[Fujiwara Fuhito]] (659-720), who was only 10 years old when his father died. Three years later, in 672, the [[Jishin War]] broke out, and [[Emperor Temmu|Prince Ôama]] succeeded to the throne. The Nakatomi and their descendants fell into disfavor, and Fuhito appears to have been taken in by a scribe (''fuhito'') named [[Tanabe Osumi]] in [[Yamashina Province|Yamashina]].

Fujiwara Kamatari's sons continued to bear his name. Perhaps the most famous is [[Fujiwara Fuhito]] (659-720), who was only 10 years old when his father died. Three years later, in 672, the [[Jishin War]] broke out, and [[Emperor Temmu|Prince Ôama]] succeeded to the throne. The Nakatomi and their descendants fell into disfavor, and Fuhito appears to have been taken in by a scribe (''fuhito'') named [[Tanabe Osumi]] in [[Yamashina]].

In 689, Fuhito was appointed a judge, and from there his fortunes took a turn for the better. He was chosen by [[Empress Jito|Empress Jitô]] (r. 690-697) to aid her after the death of her husband, and later as the guardian of her son, who would eventually become [[Emperor Mommu]]. Fuhito's daughter, [[Fujiwara Miyako|Miyako]], was chosen, along with two other women, as a consort for Mommu in 698. After Mommu's death in 707, Fuhito was made [[Udaijin]] (Minister of the Right) by Empress Gemmei (formerly Empress Jitô). This gave him tremendous power over the administration of the ''ritsuryô'' code, which he had helped implement.

In 689, Fuhito was appointed a judge, and from there his fortunes took a turn for the better. He was chosen by [[Empress Jito|Empress Jitô]] (r. 690-697) to aid her after the death of her husband, and later as the guardian of her son, who would eventually become [[Emperor Mommu]]. Fuhito's daughter, [[Fujiwara Miyako|Miyako]], was chosen, along with two other women, as a consort for Mommu in 698. After Mommu's death in 707, Fuhito was made [[Udaijin]] (Minister of the Right) by Empress Gemmei (formerly Empress Jitô). This gave him tremendous power over the administration of the ''ritsuryô'' code, which he had helped implement.

Fuyutsugu became inextricably connected with the royal line when his daughter, [[Fujiwara Nobuko|Nobuko]] (alt. reading Junshi), became the senior consort of Saga's son, Prince Masanaga (later [[Emperor Nimmyo]]), while Saga's daughter, [[Minamoto Kiyohime]], became a consort of Fuyutsugu's son, [[Fujiwara Yoshifusa|Yoshifusa]] (804-872). Fuyutsugu's grandson, Prince Michiyasu, would eventually come to the throne as [[Emperor Montoku]], but not before the former's death. Fuyutsugu was posthumously granted the supreme role of [[Dajodaijin|Dajôdaijin]] (Prime Minister). With the Fujiwara and Imperial lines so co-mingled, the stage was set for a period of regency by the scions of the Fujiwara family.

Fuyutsugu became inextricably connected with the royal line when his daughter, [[Fujiwara Nobuko|Nobuko]] (alt. reading Junshi), became the senior consort of Saga's son, Prince Masanaga (later [[Emperor Nimmyo]]), while Saga's daughter, [[Minamoto Kiyohime]], became a consort of Fuyutsugu's son, [[Fujiwara Yoshifusa|Yoshifusa]] (804-872). Fuyutsugu's grandson, Prince Michiyasu, would eventually come to the throne as [[Emperor Montoku]], but not before the former's death. Fuyutsugu was posthumously granted the supreme role of [[Dajodaijin|Dajôdaijin]] (Prime Minister). With the Fujiwara and Imperial lines so co-mingled, the stage was set for a period of regency by the scions of the Fujiwara family.

After the death of Saga-in in 842, reports surfaced of a planned coup by supporters of [[Crown Prince Tsunesada]], son of [[Emperor Junna]] and his queen-consort, [[Princess Masako]], later known as the [[Jowa Coup|Jôwa Coup]]. Those accused were sent into exile, including [[Tomo Kowamine]] and [[Tachibana Hayanari]], and Prince Michiyasu became the new Crown Prince, eventually reigning as Emperor Montoku. There seems to have been little motive for Prince Tsunesada in this coup, and suspicion has since fallen on Michiyasu's uncle, Yoshifusa, as well as his grandmother, queen-mother [[Tachibana Kachiko]] (786-850). The resulting power vacuum left Yoshifusa the senior member of the Daijôkan. In 848, he was named Udaijin and began acting as the leader of the Council, despite the presence of [[Minamoto Tokiwa]] as [[Sadaijin]] (Minister of the Left).  In 857 he was formally named Prime Minister. In addition to all of this, his daughter [[Fujiwara Akirakeiko|Akirakeiko]] was Montoku's queen-consort, allowing Yoshifusa a great deal of sway in the politics during Montoku's reign.

After the death of Saga-in in 842, reports surfaced of a planned coup by supporters of [[Prince Tsunesada|Crown Prince Tsunesada]], son of [[Emperor Junna]] and his queen-consort, [[Princess Masako]], later known as the [[Jowa Coup|Jôwa Coup]]. Those accused were sent into exile, including [[Tomo Kowamine]] and [[Tachibana Hayanari]], and Prince Michiyasu became the new Crown Prince, eventually reigning as Emperor Montoku. There seems to have been little motive for Prince Tsunesada in this coup, and suspicion has since fallen on Michiyasu's uncle, Yoshifusa, as well as his grandmother, queen-mother [[Tachibana Kachiko]] (786-850). The resulting power vacuum left Yoshifusa the senior member of the Daijôkan. In 848, he was named Udaijin and began acting as the leader of the Council, despite the presence of [[Minamoto Tokiwa]] as [[Sadaijin]] (Minister of the Left).  In 857 he was formally named Prime Minister. In addition to all of this, his daughter [[Fujiwara Akirakeiko|Akirakeiko]] was Montoku's queen-consort, allowing Yoshifusa a great deal of sway in the politics during Montoku's reign.

In 858, Montoku died. His successor was nine year old Korehito, later known as [[Emperor Seiwa]] (r. 856-876). Yoshifusa was designated as regent for the young Seiwa until he came of age. While the official term ''sesshô'' was not yet in use for the Imperial regent, this was effectively the office Yoshifusa now held. This regency should have ended in 864, but that was interrupted by the [[Otenmon Coup|Ôtenmon Coup]], when the Ôtenmon gate burned down. Arson was suspected, and [[Dainagon]]<ref>Need to confirm this</ref> (Senior Counselor) [[Tomo Yoshio]] and Yoshifusa's son, Udaijin [[Fujiwara Yoshimi]] came under suspicion. Sadaijin [[Minamoto Makoto]] was also suspected and agents were sent to arrest him. Yoshifusa, on learning about it, entered the royal presence and found that the agents were not sent by an imperial command. He freed Tomo, Minamoto, and others who had been arrested. Later, however, new accusations arose against Tomo Yoshio and his son, [[Tomo Nakatsune|Nakatsune]], and their property was confiscated and they were sent into exile.

In 858, Montoku died. His successor was nine year old Korehito, later known as [[Emperor Seiwa]] (r. 856-876). Yoshifusa was designated as regent for the young Seiwa until he came of age. While the official term ''sesshô'' was not yet in use for the Imperial regent, this was effectively the office Yoshifusa now held. This regency should have ended in 864, but that was interrupted by the [[Otenmon Coup|Ôtenmon Coup]], when the Ôtenmon gate burned down. Arson was suspected, and [[Dainagon]]<ref>Need to confirm this</ref> (Senior Counselor) [[Tomo Yoshio]] and Yoshifusa's son, Udaijin [[Fujiwara Yoshimi]] came under suspicion. Sadaijin [[Minamoto Makoto]] was also suspected and agents were sent to arrest him. Yoshifusa, on learning about it, entered the royal presence and found that the agents were not sent by an imperial command. He freed Tomo, Minamoto, and others who had been arrested. Later, however, new accusations arose against Tomo Yoshio and his son, [[Tomo Nakatsune|Nakatsune]], and their property was confiscated and they were sent into exile.