Northern Fujiwara

Historically, it was believed that the Northern Fujiwara were of mixed Japanese-Emishi descent; however, genealogical records trace their lineage to Fujiwara no Hidesato. Fujiwara no Kiyohira, after his father's death, was raised as a member of the Kiyohara clan as his mother remarried into a Kiyohara family in Dewa Province. However, Kiyohira, with the aid of Minamoto no Yoshiie, became independent and established themselves in Hiraizumi (in present-day Iwate Prefecture) in 1087, when he won the victory in the Gosannen War. == History ==

After its foundation by Fujiwara no Kiyohira in 1087, the Northern Fujiwara clan ruled the Mutsu and Dewa Province for over a century. Along with Kiyohira, the next two generations of Fujiwara no Motohira and Hidehira saw the zenith of Northern Fujiwara's power in the Tōhoku region. Hidehira had remained neutral during the Genpei War, but when Yoshitsune took refuge in Hiraizumi, he decided to protect him. Thus, the Battle of Ōshū began. Yasuhira's forces were defeated one after another, and on October 2, he fled Hiraizumi leaving it afire. Yoritomo entered Hiraizumi the next day. Yasuhira was found and killed in Nienosaku, Hinai, Mutsu Province (present-day Ōdate, Akita Prefecture) on October 14. The Battle of Ōshū resulted in the destruction of the Northern Fujiwara clan. This marked the end of the tumultuous period of civil war that began in 1180, and the completion of Yoritomo's nationwide domination and the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate. == Notable members ==

Below is a family tree of the Fujiwaras who show up most frequently in historical accounts. • a.k.a. Izumi (no) Saburo (Adopted kin are not shown.) ==See also==