The Fujiwara Clan in Jujutsu Kaisen, Uro vs. Okkotsu Hidden Historical References

The Fujiwara were a real clan, not a jujutsu one. They were the aristocratic house that controlled Japan's imperial court for most of the Heian period, and the house that destroyed Sugawara no Michizane, the scholar Jujutsu Kaisen names as Okkotsu Yuta's ancestor. So when Uro Takako demands "Are you one of the Fujiwara?!" in Season 3, Episode 12, she is not asking about Yuta's cursed technique. She is asking whether he comes from the people who used her and threw her away, more than a thousand years ago.

Below: who the Fujiwara actually were, what they did to Michizane, why Uro carries a grudge that old, and whether Yuta may carry both bloodlines at once.

Season 3, episode 12 of Jujutsu Kaisen was absolutely stunning. The scene had impact in the original manga too, but the anime team's dedication really showed in the quality of the production.

Among the exchanges in that episode, Uro Takako's fight with Okkotsu featured the line, 'Are you one of the Fujiwara?!'

While ‘Fujiwara’ and the term ‘Fujiwara clan’ may sound familiar to Japanese audiences, they may not immediately resonate with those overseas. In this article, we will introduce you to both the Fujiwara clan as a historical entity and the person said to be Okkotsu Yuta's ancestor. Hopefully, this will help international fans enjoy Jujutsu Kaisen on a deeper level.

Note: The dialogue in this article is based on the Japanese version to better convey the characters' original intent.

The Fujiwara Clan, the Family That Ruled the Heian Period

The Fujiwara clan was a family that monopolized real power in the imperial court during Japan's Heian period, roughly 794 to 1185. They would send daughters as imperial consorts, and when the resulting princes became emperors, they would wield political power as grandfathers through marriage. By repeating this kind of strategic marriage over many generations, the Fujiwara clan's influence over the center of government became immense.

Anyone who stood in their way was exiled or destroyed without mercy. In Jujutsu Kaisen, the story portrays the Fujiwara clan's control extending into the world of sorcery as well. You could say they placed not just politicians but sorcerers too under their dominion, and both Sugawara no Michizane and Uro Takako, whom we'll discuss next, were people whose lives were at the mercy of Fujiwara’s power in different ways.

Sugawara no Michizane, Ancestor of Okkotsu Yuta

When Uro said to Okkotsu he was 'one of the Fujiwara' (of Fujiwara bloodline), the ancestor actually revealed in the story was a different person, Sugawara no Michizane. Yet there's an undeniable connection between the two families. In fact, you could say they had a deeply fated, antagonistic relationship.

Okkotsu Yuta and Gojo's Bloodlines Revealed in Jujutsu Kaisen 0

Okkotsu's bloodline was revealed in Jujutsu Kaisen 0, a one-shot manga published before the serialization began, which was later adapted into a theatrical film. Gojo Satoru tells Okkotsu that he is a descendant of Sugawara no Michizane. Gojo also mentions that his own family is one of the three great sorcerer families and that Okkotsu is a distant relative.

Sugawara no Michizane was a real historical figure, regarded as one of the ‘Three Great Vengeful Spirits’ in Japan. He is said to have become a vengeful spirit after death and brought calamities. Jujutsu Kaisen builds on this legend, depicting Michizane as a legendary sorcerer of enormous power. Okkotsu's exceptionally abundant cursed energy is largely attributed to this bloodline.

So what kind of person was Sugawara no Michizane, a real person in Japanese history?

Sugawara no Michizane: The Life of a Scholar Brought Down by the Fujiwara Clan

From here on, we're discussing Japanese history as it has been passed down. It may be a bit complex, but Michizane is exactly the kind of person whose bloodline befits Okkotsu's extraordinary strength.

Sugawara no Michizane was a scholar and statesman of the Heian period, roughly 794 to 1185. From childhood he composed waka poetry and rose to become a brilliant individual, reaching the highest academic position in the imperial court.

Michizane Sugawara / 前賢故実 巻之5 - 国立国会図書館デジタルコレクション

In an effort to curb the Fujiwara clan’s influence, Emperor Uda promoted Michizane to Minister of the Right, the second highest post in the imperial court. The highest position, Minister of the Left, was held by Fujiwara no Tokihira. Even as a scholar by background, Michizane had risen to stand alongside the head of a powerful noble family.

Fujiwara no Tokihira's Scheming and Michizane's Exile to Dazaifu

However, in 901, Fujiwara no Tokihira filled Emperor Daigo's head with false accusations. He claimed that Michizane was plotting to depose the emperor and place his own son-in-law on the throne. Emperor Daigo, who was only fifteen, believed this and exiled Michizane to Dazaifu in Kyushu. Dazaifu was far from Kyoto, the center of the capital at the time, making it a remote frontier outpost. It was effectively banishment.

Amid conditions where even basic necessities were scarce, Michizane died two years later without ever proving his innocence.

From Vengeful Spirit to 'God of Scholarship'

But then, strange incidents began occurring one after another following Michizane's death. Fujiwara no Sugane, who had been involved in the exile, was killed by a lightning strike, and Fujiwara no Tokihira died young from illness. Lightning even struck the Seiryoden, the emperor's residence, killing multiple nobles.

Terrified that this was the work of Michizane's vengeful spirit, the people built the Kitano Tenmangu shrine in Kyoto to appease his anger and enshrined Michizane as a deity.

Today, Michizane is known throughout Japan as the 'god of scholarship,' but it all began with fear of his vengeful spirit. There are approximately twelve thousand shrines dedicated to Michizane across the country. Kyoto's Kitano Tenmangu and Fukuoka's Dazaifu Tenmangu remain places where many people visit to pray today.

Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

〒602-8386, Bakurocho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto

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It was the Fujiwara clan that brought down Michizane. Sugawara and Fujiwara had a clear antagonistic relationship in Japanese history.

Uro Takako's Past and Her Hatred of the Fujiwara

Now let's return to the story of Jujutsu Kaisen, which is fiction.

Let's look back at what was depicted in the manga and consider why Uro hates the Fujiwara clan so much.

The Jitsugetsu Seishin-tai, Assassination Squad Under the Fujiwara

In the story's setting, Uro Takako was a sorcerer who lived during the Heian period. Through a contract with Kenjaku, the story's mysterious puppet master, she was resurrected in another body a thousand years later in the present day.

The history revealed in the story is harrowing. She was the captain of the Jitsugetsu Seishin-tai, an assassination unit directly under the Fujiwara clan. This unit operated on a principle of absolute devotion, and its members were forbidden from even having names. Uro carried out countless 'tasks' for her masters within this organization.

Incidentally, the unit name Jitsugetsu Seishin is thought to derive from a four-character idiom meaning the sun, moon, and stars of the heavens. The connection to Uro's technique of manipulating the sky is clear.

A Name Given for Execution

When a certain member of the Fujiwara clan committed fratricide, Uro was given the name 'Uro Takako' for the first time so she could take the blame and be executed in the guilty party's place. Execution as a sacrifice. The reason she received a name was so her life could end. All her skills as an assassin, all her loyalty, all the years she had devoted. None of it was ever repaid.

Carrying this past with her, Uro faced her second life. This time, to 'become someone,' to live for herself. That became the guiding principle of her existence.

Why Uro Was Furious at Yuta

I think you can understand why Uro harbored such hatred toward the Fujiwara clan. Now let's explore why Uro perceived Okkotsu as 'one of the Fujiwara.'

Yuta's Kindness Triggered Uro

During the battle at the Sendai Barrier, what triggered Uro's explosive anger was a certain remark from Okkotsu.

'Living only for yourself will eventually hit a limit.' He wasn't forcing anything on her, just expressing sincerely the value of living for others. But to Uro's ears, it sounded like something entirely different.

'Live for someone else.' 'You don't need to become anything.' Those were the very values the Fujiwara clan had forced on Uro in the past. Abandon your name, erase yourself, serve your masters. The logic that had bound her a thousand years ago and ultimately discarded her. That same logic was now being repeated by the young man standing before her.

Despite her abilities, Uro went unrecognized by anyone and ultimately faded away without ever becoming someone of note. It’s easy to understand why she would erupt in anger, shouting, ‘It’s always people like you!! You’re the ones who stand in my way!!’

We must also note the precariousness of Okkotsu too, wearing himself down while trying to dedicate himself to others. But that's a topic for another time.

Is Yuta a Descendant of Both Sugawara and Fujiwara?

As mentioned before, Okkotsu is a descendant of Sugawara no Michizane. Historically, Sugawara was the side persecuted by Fujiwara. Yet to Uro, Okkotsu appeared to be of Fujiwara.

Only the author knows the true intention here. But let’s explore this a little. Please note that what follows includes information from the original manga that hasn't appeared in the anime.

Even Yuta Doesn't Know

At the end of Jujutsu Kaisen 0, Gojo only conveyed the fact that Okkotsu was 'a descendant of Sugawara no Michizane.' The Fujiwara connection never came up. Then in the Sendai Barrier arc (original manga chapters 176 to 178), Uro recognizes Okkotsu as 'one of the Fujiwara.' Later, in an interlude in the original manga volume 20, Okkotsu himself is shown confused, wondering whether his bloodline is the Sugawara family as Gojo said, or the Fujiwara family as Uro said.

"Fujiwara...? Mr.Gojo said Sugawara...., anyway, maybe he said wrong it." / Jujutsu Kaisen Comics Vol.20 / (c) Gege Akutami, Shueisha

What Gojo Meant by 'Both Could Be Right'

The turning point came in original chapter 261. In a scene where Okkotsu directly asks Gojo, ‘I was told I have Fujiwara blood, but didn’t you say Sugawara, Gojo-sensei?’, Gojo responds to the effect that ‘both might actually be correct.’ (He also adds, ‘You might even have been born more blessed than I was.’)

With Gojo's words, the story explicitly hints at the possibility that Okkotsu carries the blood of both Sugawara and Fujiwara.

This is not without historical precedent. Among Heian nobility, political marriages were the norm, and even rival clans would intermarry. Records show that Sugawara no Michizane's daughter married into the Fujiwara clan. Over more than a thousand years and countless generations, it wouldn't be surprising if the blood of once rival families had merged within one person.

From a Japanese perspective, having not only Sugawara no Michizane’s lineage but also Fujiwara blood would feel like the ultimate luxury.

Two Contrasting Figures

One who was discarded by those in power, and one who carries the blood of a noble house. One who wishes to 'live for herself,' and one who naturally speaks of 'living for others.'

There are many contrasts. Uro, who died a thousand years ago bearing resentment, and Okkotsu, who fights for others despite his cursed bloodline and overwhelming power. But when you trace back to the roots, the fundamental difference between these two comes down to the era they were born in and the environment around them.

When Okkotsu said at the end that he was 'blessed,' he may have been speaking not only about his bloodline.

Anticipation Grows for What Comes Next

Episode 12 was packed with impressive animation and direction, truly a great watch.

I won't go into detail to avoid spoilers, but there are many shocking and exciting developments ahead, so anime-only fans should have high expectations. Of course, depending on the person, you might find yourself dealing with great sorrow….

It's been a while since the original manga concluded, but I still occasionally reread the final volumes and surrounding chapters. Jujutsu Kaisen is really good at making its big moments hit.