line of regents and advisors; Sekke
Historical term for the five Fujiwara families (Konoe, Takatsukasa, Kujō, Nijō, Ichijō) that monopolized the positions of regent (sesshō) and chief advisor (kanpaku) in the Heian period and beyond.
The Sekke consisted of five families of the Fujiwara clan.
近衛家は摂家の一つとして知られている。
The Konoe family is known as one of the Sekke.
the five regent houses; five Fujiwara families serving as imperial regents
From 摂 (se, 'to administer') + 家 (ke, 'family'), referring to the families that administered the imperial government as regents and advisors.