Northern Fujiwara

The Northern Fujiwara is a family that ruled the Northeastern (Tohoku) region of Japan from the 12th to the 13th centuries, ultimately conquered by the Kanto warriors lead by Minamoto no Yoritomo. They succeeded the semi-independent Emishi families of the 11th century who were successively brought down by the Minamoto clan loyal to the Imperial throne based in Kyoto.

During the 12th Century, during the zenith of their rule, they attracted a number of artisans from Kyoto and created a magnificent capital city, Hiraizumi, in what is now Iwate prefecture. They ruled over an independent kingdom that derived its wealth from gold mining, horse trading and as middlemen in the trade in luxury items from continental Asian states and the far northern Emishi and nascent Ainu states. They were able to keep their independence vis-a-vis Kyoto by the strength of their warrior bands until they were overwhelmed by Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1189.