It was during the 9th century that the Emperor started to withdraw from public life and the Fujiwara family controlled the Court and subsequently the Country. This family became virtual rulers of Japan from about 856 until 1160 AD.
Under the Fujiwara leadership Japanese culture flourished and the Chinese influences were abandoned. During this period corruption weakened the central governing of Japan resulting in it being divided into large hereditary estates. These estates were granted to the noble families because of their positions at court. Now that Japan was being divided into provinces small armies were formed for protection, the leaders of these groups were usually members of the Taira and Minamoto clans; the imperial princes had founded both families. The Taira dominated the Southwest and the Minamoto in the east. By the 12th century both clans were extending their power into the court itself resulting in war.
After 2 wars, the first in 1156, the second in 1159/60 the Tara defeated the Minamoto and seized control of Japan under the leader Kiyomori. Kiyomori married his daughter to an imperial prince and their son became Emperor in 1180. Whilst the Taira were dominating Japan through the court, the Minamoto clan staged another uprising and defeated the Taira clan in a war that lasted from 1180 to 1185. Yoritomo, the leader of the Minamoto clan became leader of Japan ending an imperial administration of Japan and replacing it with a military dictatorship that was to last for 700 years.