Northern Fujiwara

The Northern Fujiwara (奥州藤原氏 Ōshū Fujiwara-shi) were a Japanese noble family that ruled the Tōhoku region (the northeast of Honshū, also known as Ōshū) of Japan during the 12th century, 1094-1104, as their own realm. They succeeded the semi-independent Emishi families of the 11th century, who were gradually brought down by the Minamoto clan loyal to the Imperial Court in Kyoto. They ruled over an independent region that derived its wealth from gold mining, horse trading, and serving as middlemen in the trade in luxury items from continental Asia and from the far northern Emishi. They were able to keep their independence vis-à-vis Kyoto by the strength of their warrior bands until they were ultimately conquered by the Kantō samurai.