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===The formation of the Fujiwara===

===The formation of the Fujiwara===

The first to bear the name Fujiwara was [[Fujiwara Kamatari|Nakatomi no 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 no 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 Shrine]], 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.

<table id="lineage" class="toc" summary="Lineage" align=right>

<table id="lineage" class="toc" summary="Lineage" align=right>

  <tr>

  <tr>

   <td><div id="toctitle"><h2>Northern Fujiwara<BR>Regents' Lineage</h2></div>

   <td><div id="toctitle">

 

<h2>Northern Fujiwara<BR>Regents' Lineage</h2></div>

   <ul>

   <ul>

     <li class="toclevel-1">Kamatari (614-669)

     <li class="toclevel-1">Kamatari (614-669)