The Nakatomi clan from which the Fujiwara clan emerged had been involved in religious affairs and had produced strong opponents of Introduction of Buddhism, such as NAKATOMI no Kamako and NAKATOMI no Katsumi.
藤原氏の前身である「中臣氏」は神祇に関わり、仏教伝来に際しては中臣鎌子、中臣勝海らの強硬な反対者を出している。