Background
Umakai Fujiwara was born in 694. He was the 13th son of Fuhito.
Umakai Fujiwara was born in 694. He was the 13th son of Fuhito.
He served three emperors: Gemmei, Gensho and Shomu. In 716, he was sent to Cnina (Tang Dynasty; as a state envoy and subsequently appointed Lord of Hitachi (Ibaraki Prefecture). He distinguished himself in a successful military campaign against the Ezo Tribe (the Ainus) in 724. He was appointed a Court Councillor and Master of Court Ceremonies. Although his was one of the four major branches of the Fujiwara family (Shiki-ke), it declined in power and prestige because of the rebellion of his son, Hirotsugu. He is supposed to be the author of Hitachi Fiidoki (topography of Hitachi Province) while he was lord of that district.