Umakai, founder of the Fujiwara Shikike, was promoted to sangi (councilor) after the Conspiracy of Nagayao and led the government during the Emperor Shomu's era with other brothers, but he died of smallpox which spread in 737.
祖の宇合は長屋王の変の後参議に昇進し、藤原四兄弟たちと共に聖武天皇朝で政権を主導したが、天平9年（737年）の天然痘蔓延により病没してしまう。