Sugawara clan

The Sugawara clan (菅原氏／菅家, Sugawara-uji/Kanke) was a Japanese aristocratic family claiming descent from Ame-no-hohi. Founded in 781, they served the Imperial Court as scholars and government officials since the clan's foundation until the early modern period when the clan divided into six branches.

In the mid-Heian period, Sugawara no Michizane served as Minister of the Right, but the clan weakened soon after being demoted from the upper court nobility, kugyō. They continued to serve as heads of the Imperial University, until Sugawara no Tamenaga became Associate Counselor, after which the clan reentered the upper court nobility. The clan later divided into six branches, the , , , , and , all of which stayed in upper court nobility.