The descendants of the Fujiwara clan split into five different families (Konoe, Takatsukasa, Kujo, Nijo and Ichijo) during the Kamakura period, and these five families continued to monopolize the posts of regent and chief adviser to the Emperor, exercising their influence within the narrow circle of court nobles; however, they remained isolated from mainstream politics until the Meiji period.
鎌倉時代に入ると藤原氏の嫡流は近衛家・鷹司家・九条家・二条家・一条家の五摂家に分立し、五摂家が交代で摂政・関白を独占し続け公家社会においては一定の影響力を持ち続けるが、政治の中枢とは隔絶し明治に至る。