Fujiwara no Umakai

Fujiwara no Umakai was a Japanese statesman, courtier, general and politician during the Nara period. The third son of Fujiwara no Fuhito, he founded the Shikike branch of the Fujiwara clan.

Career

He was a diplomat during the reign of Empress Genshō and a minister during the reign of Emperor Shōmu. In the Imperial court, Umakai was the chief of protocol.716 : Along with Tajihi no Agatamori, Abe no Yasumaro and Ōtomo no Yamamori, Umakai was named to be part of a Japanese diplomatic mission to Tang China in 717-718. Kibi no Makibi and the Buddhist monk Genbō were also part of the entourage.724 : Umakai led an army against the emishi; but this military campaign was later judged to have been unsuccessful.729 : The emperor invested Umakai with the power to raise an army to quash a revolt, but the cause for alarm was dissipated without the need for military action.737 : Umakai died at age 44. The 735–737 Japanese smallpox epidemic caused the death of Umakai and his three brothers.

This member of the Fujiwara clan was son of Fujiwara no Fuhito. Umakai had three brothers: Muchimaro, Fusasaki, and Maro. These four brothers are known for having established the "four houses" of the Fujiwara.
Umakai's children included: Fujiwara no Hirotsugu and Fujiwara no Momokawa