Fujiwara no Fuhito (藤原不比等: 659–720) was a powerful member of the imperial court of Japan during the Asuka and Nara periods. Second son of Fujiwara no Kamatari (or, according to one theory, of Emperor Tenji), he had sons by two women, and those sons were the founders of the four principal lineages of the Fujiwara clan: the South, North, Ceremonial, and Capital lineages. Also, he had four daughters by two other women. three by Kamohime, one by Tachibana no Michiyo. One daughter by Kamohime became Emperor Mommu's wife Miyako, who in turn gave birth to Emperor Shōmu. The daughter by Michiyo became the empress of Shomu. The Asuka period is the period in Japanese history occurring from 538 A.D. - 710 A.D. The arrival of Buddhism marked a change in Japanese society and it affected the Yamato government as well. ... The Nara period (Japanese: 奈良時代, Nara-jidai) of the History of Japan covers the years from about AD 710 to 794. ... Fujiwara no Kamatari (藤原鎌足, 614–669 A.D.) was the founder of the Fujiwara clan in Japan. ... ... The Fujiwara clan (藤原氏 Fujiwara-shi) was a clan of regents who had sort of monopoly to the Sekkan positions, Sesshō and Kampaku. ... Emperor Mommu (文武天皇) (683-707) was the 42nd imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Emperor Shōmu (聖武天皇 Shōmu Tennō) (701 - May 2, 7561) was the 45th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ...

During the reign of Emperor Mommu, the government ordered that only the descendants of Fuhito could bear the Fujiwara surname and was able to be appointed in the Office of Daijokan, the center of administratives.

Fuhito was 13 years old when the Jinshin incident occurred. His father Kamatari had been a strong supporter of Emperor Tenji, but Kamatari had already died and Fuhito was too young to be appointed a governmental officer, so he wasn't involved in this political conflict. In 688 he appeared first as a courtier. Events Emperor Justinian II of the Bulgarians. ...

In 697 Prince Karu, the son of Prince Kusakabe and therefore grandson of Emperor Temmu and Empress Jitō, was appointed to the crown prince. Fuhito supported this appointment strongly and got the favor of Empress Jitō. Since then his promotion in the court began. In 701 Prince Obito, later the emperor Shomu was born by Miyako. He succeeded to make Obito the crown prince and made his other daughter a wife of Obito. Until then only a royal lady could be promoted to the empress, but he succeeded his daughter the empress of Obito, the emperor Shomu. It was the first empress who didn't derive from the imperial household. Events End of the reign of Empress Jito of Japan Emperor Mommu ascends to the throne of Japan Approximate date of the Council of Birr, when the northern part of Ireland accepted the Roman calculations for celebrating Easter. ... Prince Kusakabe (草壁皇子, Kusakabe no miko: 662-689) was a Japanese imperial crown prince from 681 until his death. ... Emperor Temmu (天武天皇 Temmu Tennō) (c. ... Jito Tenno (From Ogura Hyakunin Isshu) Tomb of Emperor Temmu and Empress Jitō Empress Jitō (持統天皇 Jitō Tennō) (645 – December 22, 7021) was the 41st imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Events September 30 - John VI succeeds Sergius I as Pope. ...

He moved Yamashina-dera, the Buddhist temple which was the main temple his clan supported, to Nara and renamed it Kofuku-ji. After his death, Kasuga shrine, the main temple of the Fujiwara clan was settled near to Kofuku-ji in 768. Nara (Japanese: 奈良市, Nara-shi) is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan, near Kyoto. ... Five-story pagoda at Kofukuji Kofukuji (興福寺) is a Buddhist temple in the city of Nara, in Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... Kasuga Shrine The Kasuga Shrine (Japanese: 春日大社, Kasuga-taisha) is a Shinto shrine in the city of Nara, in Nara Prefecture, Japan. ... Events Charles (Charlemagne) and Carloman divide the Frankish kingdom after the death of their father Pippin the Short. ...

He participated in the edition of state law, called Taiho ritsuyo. He also join its revision, Yoryo ritsuryo but before its finish, he died in the summer of 720. When he died, he was appointed Udaijin, one of ministers. Events Umayyad caliph Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz succeeded by Yazid II ibn Abd al-Malik The Nihonshoki (日本書紀), one of the oldest history books in Japan, is completed Births Bertrada, wife of Pippin III (d. ...

After his death the court honored him with two titles 文忠公(Bunchu Ko) and 淡海公(Omi Ko, Lord of Omi) and with the office of Daijodaijin, the highest office of the court.