Azuma Kagami

The Azuma Kagami (吾妻鏡/東鑑 – Mirror of Eastern Japan) is a very important literary account of the Kamakura Shogunate written in an awkward form of Chinese aside from a few letters and documents.

Authorship for the book is believed to have been unknown shogunate scribes from the time.

The book itself comprises of 52 chapters covering the period from 1180 to 1266 written chronologically; though it was compiled between 1266 and 1301.

To compile the book a number of sources were drawn from, these being the gempei seisuiki, heike monogatari, meigetsuki, diaries and travel accounts, as well as military family and religious institutional records.

The most famous of the remaining copies is the Hōjō Edition as it was later used by Tokugawa Ieyasu as a manuel for government.¹

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.

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• • Period: Kamakura Period / Muromachi Period
  • Occupation: shugo
  • Family: Akamatsu Norimura (father)
  • Birth: 1311
  • Death: 1371

Akamatsu Norisuke

Akamatsu Norisuke (赤松 範資) was a member of the Akamatsu Family living from 1311-1371. He was the son of Akamatsu Norimura.

During his life he aided his father against the Kamakura Shogunate and served as shugo in Harima, Bizen and Mimasaka Provinces.

Later in his life he became a Tendai Monk under the name of Jiten.¹

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.

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• • Period: Muromachi Period
  • Occupation: shugo
  • Family: Akamatsu Yoshinori (father) Akamitsu Noriyasu (son)
  • Birth: 1373
  • Death: 1441

Akamatsu Mitsusuke

Akamatsu Mitsusuke (赤松 満祐) was a member of the Akamatsu Family and son of Akamatsu Yoshinori², living from 1373-1441.¹²

He served as shugo for three different provinces in Honshu during the Muromachi Shogunate.

In 1441 we see him angered by the attempts of Ashikaga Yoshinori‘s attempts to relocate some of his lands. And so he assassinated him. Shogunal forces, led by Yamana Sōzen then defeated Mitsusuke later the same year leading to him committing suicide. This became known as the Kakitsu Incident.¹

His son Noriyasu helped him in the assassination attempt.²

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.

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• • First Ruler: Akamatsu Norimura
  • Final Ruler: –
  • Dissolution: –
  • Parent House: Murakami-Genji
  • For a full list of Clans: See Japanese Clans.

Akamatsu Family

The Akamatsu Family (赤松氏) was a descendant clan of the Minamoto, founded by Akamatsu Norimura in 1336 after he allied with Ashikaga Takauji to fight the Kamakura Shogunate; later being made shugo of Harima.

They were one of only four families who were eligable to head the Samurai Dokoro (Board of Retainers) during the Muromachi Shogunate. ¹

The family was all but destroyed by the Yamana and Hosokawa Families in 1441 after Akamatsu Mitsusuke assassinated the shogun Ashikaga Yoshinori. This was known as the Kakitsu Incident.

They did regain some power afterwards but finally lost their domain in 1521 after being attacked and defeated by their vassals the Uragami Family.¹

Members

• • Akamatsu Mitsusuke (1373-1441)
  • Akamatsu Noriyasu
  • Akamatsu Norimura (1277-1350)
  • Akamatsu Norisuke (1311-1371)
  • Akamatsu Yoshinori (1358-1427)

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.

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Aki Province

Aki Province (安藝國/安芸国) was one of the many provinces in Japan.

Legendary Period

According to one version of events in the nihongi, the kami Susano-o comes to the River Ye in this province. Here he meets Ashi-nadzu-te-nadzu and his wife Inada no Miya-nushi Susa no yatsu-mimi.

They are both filled with sorrow as the kami is pregnant and soon Yamata no Orochi will come to consume the child. Susano-o makes them brew sake, which the dragon drinks and then falls asleep; after Susano-o calls the dragon an awful kami and offers to serve him.

He then cuts up the Dragon with his sword called, Orochi no Aramasa. When he cuts the Dragons tail, he finds inside of it Kusanagi.¹

The Emishi were sent to Harima, Sanuki, Iyo, Aki and Aha Provinces by Emperor Keikō as they were too violent and scared those that lived around Mount Mimoro.¹

Kamakura Period

Takeda Nobumitsu became shugo (military governor) of Aki Province in 1221, for aiding the Kamakura Shogunate during the Jōkyū Disturbance.²

Muromachi Period

There were at least 10 Takeda shugo during the Muromachi Shogunate from this province, this lineage having been started by Takeda Nobumitsu after his involvement in the Jōkyū Disturbance.²

Amago Tsunehisa extended his families power into Aki and Bingo Provinces fighting against the Mōri and Ōuchi Families.²

Footnotes

1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697″. Tuttle Publishing.
2. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.

Former Provinces of Japan
Kinai	Izumi * Kawachi * Settsu * Yamashiro * Yamato
Tōsandō	Dewa * Hida * Kōzuke * Mino * Mutsu * Omi * Shimotsuke * Shinano
Hokurikudō	Echigo * Echizen * Etchū * Kaga * Koshi * Wakasa
San’indō	Hōki * Inaba * Izumo * Tajima * Tamba * Tango
Tōkaidō	Ise * Kai * Kazusa * Mikawa * Owari * Sagami * Shimōsa * Suruga * Tōtōmi
Nankaidō	Awa * Iyo * Kii * Sanuki * Tosa
San’yōdō	Aki * Harima * Mimasaka
Saikaidaō	Bungo * Chikuzen * Hizen * Hyūga * Iki * Tsushima
Pre-Taihō Code	Kibi

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Kujō Yoritsugu

Kujō Yoritsugu (九条 頼嗣) was a member of the Kujō Family living from 1239-1256AD, he was the son of Kujō Yoritsune. During his life his was appointed shōgun of the Kamakura Bakufu in 1244 after suceeding his father. He would later be replaced by Prince Munetaka in 1252AD.¹

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.

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The Kabane System was a system of division between different clans (uji). It was also known as the Shisei system and developed from the interchange of ideas from Paekche.

This system saw to it that the uji would give the imperial monarch needed services as well as acting to reinforce imperial authority outside of Yamato through the use of regional members given kabane titles. This allowed provincial leaders to be incorporated into the kabane system even if they had no direct relation to an uji family.

The uji created more types of Be professions allowing uji groups to grow and spread into new branch families. Marriage alliances would link high and low ranking members of the uji at court together.

During the 6th century the four major level of kabane were Omi (臣), Muraji (連), Tomo no miyatsuko and Kuni no miyatsuko (国造). But by the 7th century this system came to be dismantled into a system of a corps of officials charge with leading a place for a specific time.

The Taika Reforms would emphasise the need for this change so that the Emperor could consolidate power. A few consessions were made and in 664 the uji were divided into ‘Great uji‘, ‘Small uji‘ and ‘tomo no miyatsuko.’

By 670 the titles had become hereditary to male descendants and in 684 the Yakusa no Kabane system was created.¹

Yakusa no Kabane

The Yakusa no Kabane (八色の姓) was a system established in 684 by Emperor Tenmu to strengthen imperial authority. This system involved bestowing eight honorary titles (kabane) to certain families after the events of the Jinshin no Ran.¹

These titles were Mahito, Ason (Asomi) (朝臣), Sukune, Imiki, Michinochi, Omi (臣), Muraji (連) and Inagi (Inaki).¹²

The titles of Mahito and Ason were given to close Imperial relatives. Sukune and Imiki to members with illustrious lineage. With the other titles bestowed to lesser officials. The titles were appended to family names.

The highest four titles were used to reconcile the kabane status of families with a heirarchy based on rank and office and a legal ruling made it that an uji’s prestige was a criteria for promotion. The Taihō Code however, in 702, did away with this provision.¹

Kabane Titles

The Kabane (姓) were hereditary titles indicative of the social rank and duty of the uji no kami. The kabane were also held by the uji no kami’s close kin and originally may have been to show deference from the uji no bito to the uji no kami.¹

The titles of Omi (臣), Muraji (連) and Miyatsuko (国造) were traditionally given to those who were in service at court. Kimi (君/公), Atae ,(直) and Obito were given to regional lords with Imiki and Fuhito given to families of continental origin (Kikajin).¹

This system was reorganised in 684 into the Yakusa no Kabane, but did not fully die out until the 10th century.¹²

Individuals/Clans who held these titles:

Ason:

• • Kasa
    • Kasa Kanamura
    • Kasa Maro
  • Ō no Yasumaro
  • Yamabe no Akahito

Atahe:

• • Chikatsu Afumi no Yasu no atahe
  • Ki no Atahe
  • Ohoshikafuchi no Atahe
  • Yamashiro no Atahe

Omi:

• • Abe no Omi
  • Ahata no Omi
  • Ahe no Omi
  • Ana no Omi
  • Chita no Omi
  • Haguri no Omi
  • Hozumi no Omi
  • Ichihiwi no Omi
  • Iga no Omi
  • Izumo no Omi.
    • Izumo no Omi Hiroshima
  • Kakinomoto no Omi
  • Kashihade no Omi
  • Kasuga no Omi
  • Kibi no Omi
  • Kusaki no Omi
  • Miyake no Omi
    • Miyake no Omi Kanatari
  • Muza no Omi
  • Noto no Omi
  • Oho no Omi
  • Ohoyake no Omi
  • Taki no Omi
  • Tsunuyama no Omi
  • Wani no Omi
  • Wonu no Omi
  • Yamashiro no Uchi no Omi

Kimi

• • Amu no Nagato no Kimi
  • Harima no Aso no kimi
  • Himeda no kimi
  • Homujibe no kimi
  • Ichishi no kimi
  • Inugami no kimi
  • Ise no Ihitaka no kimi
  • Iyo no Wake no kimi
  • Kamitsuke no kimi
  • Kamo no kimi
  • Kibi no homuji no kimi
  • Miwa no kimi
  • Mononobe no kimi
  • Mori no kimi
  • Muketsu no kimi
  • Murokata no kimi
    • Idzuhime
  • Ōmiwa no kimi
  • Sanuki no Aya no kimi
  • Sasa no kimi
  • Sasakiyama no kimi
  • Shimotsuke no kimi
  • Tagima no Magari no kimi
  • Takebe no kimi

Kuni no miyatsuko

• • Chikatsu Atsufumi kuni no miyatsuko
  • Himuka no kuni no Miyatsuko
  • Ise no Sana no miyatsuko
  • Izumo no miyatsuko
    • Izumo no Omi Hiroshima
  • Ki no kuni no miyatsuko
    • Ki no kuni no miyatsuko no aya
    • Arakahatobe
  • Minu no kuni no miyatsuko
  • Mototsu no kuni no miyatsuko
  • Tajima no kuni no miyatsuko

Muraji

• • Haji Clan
    • Haji no Mino
  • Kagamidzukuri no muraji – The Mirror Makers, descendants of Ishikoridome.³
  • Kusakabe no muraji
  • Nagahatabe no muraji
  • Nukada Be no muraji
  • Takehi
    • Takehi no muraji
  • Witsukahi no muraji
  • Wohari no muraji

Sukune

• • Haji Clan
    • Haji no Umate

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
3. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.

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• • See also: Court Titles, Imperial Titles, Provincial Titles, Be, Sesshō and Kampaku

The Uji (氏) were kinship groups, also at times known as shisei.² The origins of the title appear to be of korean linguistical descent and not a native term developed in Japan.³

Before the Nara Period they were extended familiy groups which included servants.¹² This system served to act as replacement to the older ujizoku system where only family from the direct line were included as part of the uji.¹

Traditionally the head of the uji was called the uji no kami with family members being the ujibito. Those that served them usually formed part of the group called Be.¹²

It was the role of the uji no kami to honor the families titulary kami, or ujigami.

The Yamato Court would bestow titles upon them known as kabane.¹ These titles were numerous and the one granted was dependant on the persons political role and social status.³

Prior to the Taika Reforms the uji system affected all parts of the Yamato States organisational structure.¹

At court the uji were broken into two classes. Those that were involved in the politics of court life, and those who were service nobility (tomo no miyatsuko).³

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
2. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
3. Borgen, R. (1975) “The Origins of the Sugawara. A History of the Haji Family”. Monumenta Nipponica. Vol.30 No.4 pp.405-422

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Provincial Titles

• • See also: Court Titles, Imperial Titles, Be, Uji, Sesshō and Kampaku
    

This pages serves to list the various Provincial Titles used in the past and up to this day.

No doubt this page will continue to be updated as we continue our research. This page may also merge with Imperial and Court Title at a later date if we feel it necessary.

Agatanushi

• • Agatanushi – (県主) This position was given to those who governed over small territories called ‘agata.’ ‘Nushi‘ in this title meaning Chief. These areas were smaller than larger ‘kuni‘ and existed during the Kunigata System of adminstration during the time of the Yamato Court. Originally it was thought the Agatanushi were hereditary chieftains from small tribal states known as bozoko kokka.¹
  • We see an early mentioning of this title (and kuni no miyatsuko) during the reign of Emperor Seimu when he gives Takeuchi no Sukune the title of Ōomi (大臣) to oversee the Ōkuniōkuni no kuni no miyatsuko (Rulers of the Great Countries and Small Countries) and Ōagata ōagata no agata nushi (Department Lords of the Great and Small Departments).³⁴

Gunji

• • Gunji – (郡司) This position was given to people to govern the administration of a gun (district), which was a smaller part of a larger kuni under the Ritsuryo System. This position was under the jurisdiction of the kokushi. In total there were four gunji ranks performing such tasks as law enforcement and land registration. These people would come from the local chiefs (kuni no miyatsuko). These positions were hereditary and were appointed for life. Should peasant uprisings occour it is often we saw the gunji siding with the people and not the kokushi. This post eventually dissapeared with the rise of shōen, with the former office holders becoming leaders of warrior bands known as bushidan.¹

Kokushi

• • Kokushi – (国司 – National Masters²) This was one of the provincial titles given to adminstrators (shi) of a Province (kuni) under the Ritsuryo System. In total there were four classes kami (守 – Governor), suke (介 – Vice-Governor), jō (掾 – Commisioner) and sakan (目 – Inspector). The term kokushi originally applied to all of these ranks, but later would only apply to kami. Those that held these position were usually chosen from central government and assigned to a kokufu (Provincial Headquarters) for a period of 4 to 6 years where they were given income from state lands for their support. Their duties involved, the supervision of the military, police, land registry and tax bureau. During the middle of the 10th centruy with the rise of shōen the authority of the kokushi declined and it became an empty title. However, this title was still used during the Muromachi Period for its prestige.¹ They would be assisted by the Shugo.²

Kuni no Miyatsuko

• • See: List of people who held this title.
  • Kuni no Miyatsuko – (国造) This was a position held by local chiefs of ‘kuni’ during the 6th and 7th centuries and often we see them given honorific titles of Omi, kimi and atae. By 645 and the Taika Reform this position was replaced by the Kuni no mikotomochi and Kokushi.¹² Between the Taika Reforms and the start of the Kokugun System the kuni no miyatsuko system was abandoned but the title was retained by those presiding over Shinto Rites in the kuni. This later role became known as the Shin Kokuzō (‘New’ Kuni no Miyatsuko) as kokuzō is an alternate way to read the Kanji for miyatsuko.¹
  • We see an early mentioning of this title (and agata nushi) during the reign of Emperor Seimu when he gives Takeuchi no Sukune the title of Ōomi (大臣) to oversee the Ōkuniōkuni no kuni no miyatsuko (Rulers of the Great Countries and Small Countries) and Ōagata ōagata no agata nushi (Department Lords of the Great and Small Departments).³⁴

Shugo

• • Shugo – (守護 – Military Governor) This was one of the provincial titles during the Kamakura Period and of which only warriors from the Kanto area could attain this position.² The origins of the position may have been during the Taira-Minamoto war when people seem to have been irregularly given this position. It was only authorised nationally in 1185.¹ They were military leaders of a shōen or a kuni which represented the shogun² and they, with the jitō were the major governing posts during the Kamakura Shogunate.¹
  • Overall they had a limited authority and were required to defer to the bakufu or even shogun if it pertained to a serious matter. They would assist the Kokushi and were specifically in charge of recruiting soldiers and maintaining public order.² Additionally they had some criminal jurisdiction over some types of offenders and also held limited authority over the gokenin. Their criminal jurisdiction covered murder and rebellion, though these responsibilites (called Daibon Sankajō and dating to the 1190’s) were not formalised until 1232 in the Goseibai Shikimoku. The only real power they held was to organise and lead a palace guard duty (Ōban’yaku) in Kyoto.¹
  • For the time they held this position they rarely visited the province they watched over, leaving that to deputies (shugodai) of which there was only one per province. This changed after the Mongol Invasion in 1274 when shugo were then required to live in their province.¹
  • The title of shugo was not hereditary and did not include the right to income producing lands. They were also prohibited from confirming the private land rights of the gokenin, except for pro-forma validations of the Shogunates own confirmation (ando).¹
  • In the 1280’s we see the Hōjo Family having many members with the title of shugo until their destruction in the 1330’s, During the Muromachi Period only four or five people retained this title. Afterwards we see a new wave of shugo from the Ashikaga Family and from local jitō.¹

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
3. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
4. Chamberlain, B. H. (1932) “Translation of the Kojiki.” Kobe: J.L. Thompson & Co.

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Haji Clan

The Haji Clan (土師氏) was a Japanese clan which claimed descent from the Shinto kami Amenohohi in the 12 generation. From the 5th to 7th centuries they were part of the uji class. Their private familiy records would have been useful in the compiliation of the Nihongi, the stories of the haniwa and Haji Be (mentioned below) likely drawn from these records.

This clan held many connections with people from Silla who lived in Japan, perhaps even marrying them. This led to them introducing Taoist and Buddhist beliefs into funerary practises. Their introduction of Buddhism is mentioned in the Sairinji Engi.

Ancestry

The clan is said to have been founded by Nomi no Sukune, though this can be a dubious claim. This claim is seen during the reign of Emperor Suinin when he bestowed the name of Haji on Nomi no Sukune after he took 300 potters and made the first haniwa to replace the practise of human sacrifice that was in use before this when high officials and imperial familiy members died.

However, not all branches of the clan claim descent from Nomi no Sukune. The Shinsen Shōjiroku, written in 815 states three branches of the Haji claimed him as an ancestor, with three others claiming Umashikaraine or Iirine as their ancestors, both of these men also being 12th generational descendants of Amenohohi. Later in 1106 Sugawara no Tsuratsune wrote the Kanke Godenki, inside he tried to rectify the family tree, placing Umashikaraine and Iirine as ancestors of Nomi no Sukune.

One of their legendary ancestors is said to have defeated a kami in a singing contest.

One branch of the Haji lived near the site apparently that of Emperor Suinins tomb, which may have helped in joining the Haji Clan with the story of the haniwa.

Associations with Haji Be and Asobibe

Nomi no Sukune’s name change also put him in charge of a group called the Haji Be. It was this group of people who made the pottery, with the Haji Clan overseeing the process.

It is thought they lived close by to the Haji Be with the Shinsen Shōjiroku saying they lived in Yamashiro, Yamato, Izumi and Settsu Province. The Nihongi additionally mentions Haji living in Kawachi. Aside from Yamato province, the Nihongi and Wamyō Ruijishō mention Haji communities or villages in these places called ‘Haji no Sato.’ Some instances see Haji no Sato and Haji members mentions together suggesting they lived together.

Branches of the family started to develop their own productions. Not only making the haniwa, they also worked on vessels for Imperial use. One branch with their Haji Be came to specialise in pottery for court use, taking the name of Niehaji (贄土師). Other branches developed to take charge of funerary rite (over taking the role of the Asobibe), making objects for funerary usage as well as funerary rites for high court nobility and the Imperial Family.

Some of the Haji did live in the same area of the Asobibe, meaning they would have been familiar with their functions allowing them to easily take over from them.

Kofu Period 300-538AD

The family would emphasise ties to Izumo, their ancestral home, likely due to the importance it had gained in the Kojiki and so they consilidated their geneology with the Izumo Magistrates.

They claimed to originally have held the title of Omi, but this was usually left for Izumo Magistrate family. It is perhaps their ties to this family which made them state this claim. Reliable sources show us they held title muraji which was appropriate to their status.

The Kanke Godenki says the great-grandson of Nomi no Sukune, Haji no Mino was granted the title of muraji during the reign of Nintoku. We also see the earliest mention of ‘Haji no Muraji’ in the Nihongi during Nintoku’s reign, however, no name is given to which Haji. Perhaps here the Kanke Gogenki was trying to rationalise the family history.

It is likely they came from Izumo to Yamato during the 5th century as the Yamato Court arose here. Legends say they came directly, but archaeological evidence shows they slowly emmigrated leaving settlements in Mimasaka and Harima Province. The story of Nomi no Sukune is therefore likely a fabrication to explain the Haji taking over Yamato land from older less influential familes.

Asuka Period 538-710AD

In 641 we known the Haji supervised their first imperial funeral.

In 645 the Taika Reforms reorganised the court, and so the power of the Haji changed. The Taiho Code created an ‘Office of Mausolea’ calling for ten Hajibe to serve under it and senior Haji Clan members to take charge of funerals for princes or nobles of the third rank or above. As they oversaw funerary rites for high officials and princes, their role became more bureaucratic with a semblence to their former selves.

During the conflict between the Soga and Mononobe Clans we know of two Haji members who undertook important duties for Soga leader, however, in 645 when the Soga were destroyed the Haji had shifted their alliances.

During the Jinshin War in 672 members of the Haji supported Emperor Tenmu, though one Haji was caught by the future Emperors forces. Haji no Umate fought during the Jinshin War seeing a long career afterwards before his death in 711AD. His later acts of placing offering on the tomb of Tenmu from Silla shows the Haji branching out into foreign diplomacy, including greeting envoys, undertaking diplomatic missions and also going to China as students.

Umate life saw him gratned the title of sukune, this during the time when Haji no Oi was head of the clan.

The eventual adoption of buddhism when Emperess Jito died in 703AD and was cremated changed the Haji status when it came to haniwa production and as funerary supervisors.

Nara Period  710-794AD

In 728AD a new outer fifth rank was created at court, and it seems the Haji family were to be appointed to this rank and only ever promoted under exceptional circumstance. It was impossible for them to achieve the higher ranks now.

By 729 a new edict saw the ‘Office of Mausolea’ remade into a bureau with many Haji appointed as directors here until 768. This allowed them to achieve the junior fifth rank. After 768 it was given to princes and those of imperial descent.

Haji no Ushikatsu was the last Haji to be director of the Bureau of Mausolea. In 751 it appears he was rather fortunate, his rank going from outer to inner, and in 755 he was promoted to junior fifth rank upper grade. He was the first Haji to acheive this since 728 and it is likely this was due to the fact he helped in the establishment of Todaiji.

Many other Haji held connections to Todaiji, helping in its construction, but also later in the Sutra Copying Office (Shakyōjo). In fact, Haji is the second most common name in this office. The Kodai Jimmei lists 5 proof readers, 14 sutra copyists and 11 Haji involved in the construction of Todaiji.

Heian Period

An edict in 797AD finally ended their connections to funerals.

Becoming the Sugawara Clan

The clan eventually wished to change their name from Haji. On the 25th day, 6th month of 781, 15 members of the Haji Family, headed by Haji no Sukune Furuhito took a petition before the Kanmu..

The petition stated their ancestor was the creator of the haniwa and they oversaw their creation to be used in funerals. However now their clan only takes charge of funerals, their job had changed. As this was not what their ancestor had wanted they asked for their name to be changed to Sugawara where they now dwelt. This was granted by the Emperor.

Furuhito managing to change the families name encured they could once again rise above the outer fifth rank which has been imposed on them in 728AD.

After this name change two other branches of the Haji followed suit, changing their names to Akishino and Ōe. As late as 867AD Haji still came to the capital to request their name be changed to Sugawara.

Legacy

The 14th century document known as the Sompi Bummyaku compiled geneologies of only six families, one of which being the Haji Clan, showing that they were considered impotant to the past of Japan.

Poets and Scholars

Poetry by Haji members can be seen in the Man’yōshū. poems by Haji members in this text are numbers 557-8, 825, 843, 3660, 3844-5, 3955, 4047 and 4067.

One of the most prolific poets was Haji no Mimichi who has 5 that survive.

One of his poems goes as follows:

They had many notable scholars during their time, one being Haji no Oi who helped compile the Taiho Codes. During the Nara Period there were many unnamed Haji known for their learning.¹

Members

• • Haji no Mimichi
  • Haji no Mino
  • Haji no Oi
  • Haji no Sukune Furuhito
  • Haji no Umate – d.711
  • Haji no Ushikatsu
  • Nomi no Sukune

Footnotes

1. Borgen, R. (1975) “The Origins of the Sugawara. A History of the Haji Family”. Monumenta Nipponica. Vol.30 No.4 pp.405-422

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