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Fujiwara (ii).
Japanese family of courtiers, regents (sessho, kanpaku) and artists. They wielded enormous power during much of the Heian period (AD 794–1185) and played a leading role in the regency government (sekkan seiji; AD 967–1068). The years 894–1185 are often referred to as the Fujiwara period. The Fujiwara clan was founded by Nakatomi no Kamatari (614–69), who had assisted Prince Naka no Oe (later Emperor Tenji, reg 661–72) in the coup of 645 that eliminated the rival Soga family. In 669 Tenji bestowed on Nakatomi the name Fujiwara (‘wisteria field’). The Fujiwara reached the height of their power with the regent Fujiwara no Michinaga (966–1028), after whose time Fujiwara dominance at court began to decline. The family also produced a number of skilled calligraphers who were instrumental in establishing or influencing styles of aristocratic Japanese-style (Wayo) calligraphy, such as those of the Sesonji and Hosshoji schools (see JAPAN, §VII, 2(ii)). (1) Fujiwara no Sari and (2) Fujiwara no Kozei, along with ONO NO MICHIKAZE, were renowned as the Sanseki (‘three brush traces’; Three Masters), so designated because of their accomplishments in both Chinese- and Japanese-style calligraphy, but several other members of the family also achieved fame as calligraphers or painters. Two great legacies of the Fujiwara period and monuments to Fujiwara taste are the Hoodo (Phoenix Hall) of BYODOIN at Uji, south-east of Kyoto, and a sculpture installed within it of Amida (Skt Amitabha) by JOCHO. The following members have entries:
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