Final answer:
The daughters and women of the Fujiwara clan held significant political and social importance in ancient Japan. They secured power through marriage alliances and intermarriage with the imperial family, effectively controlling the throne through the regency system. Their status as royal family members gave them influence and allowed them to mediate between the court and officials.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Fujiwara clan held significant importance for daughters and women in ancient Japan. They played a crucial role in political and social affairs, mainly through marriage alliances and intermarriage with the imperial family. Daughters of the Fujiwara clan often became empresses or consorts to emperors, giving their family influence and power.
Additionally, the Fujiwara clan used their daughters as means of securing political control. They forced emperors to abdicate once a son was born to ensure a Fujiwara regent was always in power. This led to a regency system, where Fujiwara regents held de facto rule over emperors, making personnel and policy decisions on their behalf.
The daughters and women of the Fujiwara clan were also influential in the court. They held positions of power, such as imperial princesses, and had great influence in shaping policies and mediating between the royal family and officials. Their status as royal family members allowed them to maintain good relations with their brothers and run their husbands' families.