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The Northern Fujiwara is a
family that ruled the Northeastern (Tohoku)
region of Japan from the 12th to the 13th centuries, ultimately conquered by
the Kanto warriors lead by
Minamoto no Yoritomo. They succeeded the semi-independent
Emishi families of the 11th century who were successively brought down
by the Minamoto clan loyal to the
Imperial throne based in
Kyoto.
During the 12th Century, during the zenith of their rule,
they attracted a number of artisans from Kyoto and created a magnificent
capital city,
Hiraizumi, in what is now
Iwate prefecture. They ruled over an independent kingdom that derived
its wealth from gold mining, horse trading and as middlemen in the trade in
luxury items from continental Asian states and the far northern Emishi and
nascent
Ainu states. They were able to keep their independence vis-a-vis Kyoto
by the strength of their warrior bands until they were overwhelmed by
Minamoto no Yoritomo in
1189.
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