Fujiwara Regency Government

Timeline

1. 858–990Heian-kyō Imperial Palace · Kyoto CityFujiwara no Yoshifusa and Mototsune served as regents in their capacity as maternal grandfathers or uncles of emperors, governing on their behalf; thereafter the Fujiwara secured the hereditary succession of the regency among the regency houses such as the Kujo branch by placing their daughters as empresses and ensuring their imperial sons ascended the throne.
2. 995–1027Heian-kyō · Kyoto CityFujiwara no Michinaga served as kampaku for nearly thirty years and made three of his daughters empresses, reaching the height of power; the phrase 'this world is my world' recorded in the Midō Kampaku-ki reflects the apex of the regency house, while estate expansion and the construction of Hōshō-ji temple strengthened its economic foundation.
3. 1041–1050Heian-kyō Court · Kyoto CityFujiwara no Yorimichi succeeded Michinaga as kampaku, assisting Emperor Go-Ichijō and Emperor Go-Suzaku; during this period the regency system was stable, the Uji Byōdō-in was built, and aristocratic culture flourished, but after Emperor Go-Sanjō began personal rule (1068) the regency government gradually showed signs of turning point.
4. c. 1086–1156Heian-kyō · Kyoto CityAfter the rise of cloistered rule (insei), the political influence of the regency house declined; in the Hōgen Disturbance the Fujiwara were internally divided and defeated by the Minamoto and Taira samurai, and the regency government, as the regime holding real court power, became defunct in name only, with the center of power shifting to the samurai class.