Fujiwara

Fujiwara, noble family that controlled the Japanese emperors and dominated the imperial court from the 9th to the 12th century. In 669 Emperor Tenji granted Nakatomi no Kamatari, his ally against the over-mighty Soga clan, the surname Fujiwara (“Wisteria Arbour”), after the place where they had plotted together. The Fujiwara quickly gained power over the imperial family by marrying Fujiwara daughters to successive emperors. In 858 Yoshifusa Fujiwara acquired the office of sessho (regent)—hitherto restricted to the imperial line—which then became hereditary. His nephew Mototsune became the first kampaku (chancellor), an even more powerful office created specifically for him. The Fujiwara enhanced their position by persuading successive emperors to retire early, ensuring long Fujiwara regencies. The greatest Fujiwara statesman was Michinaga, whose daughters married five emperors. The Fujiwara period, also known as the Heian period (794-1185), saw a great flowering of court literature and the arts, including the famous Tale of Genji by Shikibu Murasaki, and unparalleled peace secured by Fujiwara political skill. However, central authority waned and military clans began to dominate the provinces. Fujiwara power declined after Michinaga's death, and finally in 1160 the Taira clan ousted them and took control of the court. Fujiwara Teika and other family members retained great prestige in poetry and cultural matters.