In this Japanese name, the surname is Fujiwara.
Fujiwara Hokke
藤原北家
Japanese crest Sagari Fuji.svg
Mon: Sagarifuji
Parent houseFujiwara clan
TitlesVarious
FounderFujiwara no Fusasaki
Founding year8th century
Cadet branches

The Hokke (藤原北家, Fujiwara Hokke, lit. northern house of Fujiwara) was one of the four houses of the powerful Fujiwara clan, the other three being the Nanke, Kyōke and Shikike. The Hokke were the de facto rulers of Japan through their hereditary position as imperial regents (Sesshō and Kampaku). In the Kamakura period, it split into the Five regent houses, who continued to monopolize the regency from the 12th century until 1868. After the Meiji Restoration, these houses were appointed Duke in the new hereditary peerage.

History[edit]

The Hokke was founded by Fujiwara no Fusasaki,[1] the second son of Fujiwara no Fuhito, in the Heian period.[2] Fusasaki had three brothers: Muchimaro, Maro and Umakai, and these four brothers are known for having established the "four houses" of the Fujiwara; the Hokke, Nanke, Kyōke and Shikike.[3]

During the time of Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu, the Hokke became prosperous after Fuyutsugu was appointed kurōdo-no-tō (Head Chamberlain). His son Fujiwara no Yoshifusa became the first sesshō (regent in the place of a child Emperor), and his son, Fujiwara no Mototsune, became kampaku (regent in the place of an adult Emperor). After that, members of the Hokke continued to have a strong relationship with the Imperial Family by marrying Hokke daughters to the emperors. This allowed them to exclude other families and monopolize the regent position.[2]

The Hokke prospered during the time of Fujiwara no Michinaga and Yorimichi. In the Kamakura period, Hokke split into the Five regent houses, Konoe, Takatsukasa, Kujō, Ichijō, and Nijō.[2] These families continued to monopolize the regency until the Meiji Restoration in 1868. When the regency was abolished, a new hereditary peerage (kazoku) was established, and these houses were all appointed as Duke.[4]

Notable members[edit]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric et al. (2005). "Fujiwara no Fusasaki" at Japan Encyclopedia, p. 202, p. 202, at Google Books.
  2. ^ a b c Obunsha Nihonshi jiten ed. 3 旺文社日本史事典 三訂版. Obunsha 旺文社. 2000. 北家. ISBN 9784010353134.
  3. ^ Brinkley, Frank and Dairoku Kikuchi. (1915). A History of the Japanese People from the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era, p. 203., p. 203, at Google Books; excerpt, "Muchimaro's home, being in the south (nan) of the capital, was called Nan-ke; Fusazaki's, being in the north (hoku), was termed Hoku-ke; Umakai's was spoken of as Shiki-ke, since he presided over the Department of Ceremonies (shiki), and Maro's went by the name of Kyō-ke, this term also having reference to his office."
  4. ^ Obunsha Nihonshi jiten ed. 3 旺文社日本史事典 三訂版. Obunsha 旺文社. 2000. 五摂家. ISBN 9784010353134.

References[edit]


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