Fujiwara no Umakai

Fujiwara no Umakai (藤原 宇合) was a Japanese statesman, courtier, general and politician during the Nara period.

Career
He was a diplomat during the reign of Empress Genshō; and he was minister during the reign of Emperor Shōmu. In the Imperial court, Umakai was the chief of protocol (Shikibu-kyō).


 * 716 (Reiki  2): Along with Tajihi no Agatamori (多治比縣守), Abe no Yasumaro (阿倍安麻呂) and Ōtomo no Yamamori (大伴山守), Umaki was named to be part of a Japanese diplomatic mission to Tang China in 717-718.  Kibi no Makibi and the Buddhist monk Genbō were also part of the entourage.
 * 724 (Jinki 1, 1st month): Umakai led an army against the emishi; but this military campaign was later judged to have been unsuccessful.
 * 729 (Tenpyō 1): The emperor invested Umakai with the power to raise an army to quash a revolt, but the cause for alarm was dissipated without the need for military action.
 * 737 (Tenpyō 9): Umakai died at age 44. A smallpox epidemic caused the deaths of Umaki and his three brothers.

Genealogy
This member of the Fujiwara clan was son of Fujiwara no Fuhito. Umakai had three brothers: Muchimaro, Fusasaki, and Maro. These four brothers are known for having established the "four houses" of the Fujiwara.

Umakai's children included: Fujiwara no Hirotsugu and Fujiwara no Momokawa