Fujiwara Shiki-ke

The Fujiwara Shiki-ke was a cadet branch of the Fujiwara clan of Japan.

History

It was founded by Fujiwara no Umakai, i.e., one of the four great houses of the Fujiwara, founded by the so-called, who were sons of Fujiwara no Fuhito.
The epithet Shiki-ke derives from the fact that the founder Umakai held the office of Shikibu-kyō, or the head of the Shikibu-shō. Thus, Shiki-ke may be translated the "Ceremonials House."
The other branches were the Fujiwara Nan-ke, Fujiwara Hok-ke, and the Fujiwara Kyō-ke.
Umakai's son mounted a rebellion named after his name in 740, which ended with suppression and his death, spelling ill-fortune for the Shikike. The Nanke then gained hegemony again until Nakamaro mounted his own uprising.
Shikike came into ascendancy with Fujiwara no Momokawa. The notorious who enticed and held sway over Emperor Heizei is also of the Shikike clan.