During the Emperor Kanmu period, family members of Fujiwara Shikike were appointed to important positions; FUJIWARA no Tamaro, the forth son of Umakai, was promoted to Sadaijin (Minister of the left) which was practically the highest position among vassals, while FUJIWARA no Tanetsugu, son of Umakai's third son FUJIWARA no Kiyonari, was in charge of building Nagaoka-kyo (Japan's short-lived eighth century capital).
桓武朝では式家一族は重用され、宇合四男の藤原田麻呂は事実上の臣下最高位であった左大臣にまで昇進し、三男藤原清成の子である藤原種継は長岡京造営の事業を一任されるなどした。