• • 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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• See also: List of Provinces

Mimasaka Province

Mimasaka Province (美作国) was one of the many provinces of Japan.

Haji Clan

Legends state that the Haji Clan came directly from Izumo Province to Yamato, however, archaeological evidence shows that they slowly emmigrated here leaving settlements in Mimsaka and Harima Provinces.¹

Kamakura/Muromachi Period

Akamatsu Norisuke served as shugo here during his lifetime.²

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

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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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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• See also: Provinces

Harima Province

Harima Province (播磨国) is one of the many Provinces which once existed in Japan.¹ It also went by the name of Banshū (播州) and is now located in the modern prefecture of Hyōgo.²

One version of the folktale known as banchō sarayashiki is set in this Province, taking place at Himeji Castle.²³

Archaeological evidence from here shows the Haji Clan left settlements here and in Mimasaka as they moved from Izumo to Yamato Province.⁴

Legendary Period

In the pages of the kojiki it is said that Wakatakehiko with his half-brother Kibitsuhiko laid sacred jars on the River Hi in Harima. After this they went to subdue and pacify the area.⁵

Yamanobe no Ohotaka passed through here on his way to catch a swan for the Prince Homutsuwake.⁵

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.⁷

Kamakura/Muromachi Period

Akamatsu Norisuke and Akamatsu Norimura served as shugo here during their lifetime.¹

Azuchi-Momoyama Period

Amago Katsuhisa came under seige by the Mōri in 1578⁶ at Kōzuki Castle here; later commiting suicide.¹

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
2. Yoda, H. and Alt, M. (2016) “Japandemonium: Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopaedia of Toriyama Sekien.”. New York: over Publications, Inc.
3. Yoda, H & Alt, M. (2012) “Yurei Attack: The Japanese Ghost Survival Guide” Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing.
4. Borgen, R. (1975) “The Origins of the Sugawara. A History of the Haji Family”. Monumenta Nipponica. Vol.30 No.4 pp.405-422
5. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
6. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
7. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

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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Provinces

The Japanese provinces (国 kuni or koku) were geographical areas which were establsihed by the Kokugun System and the Taika Reforms came into being in 645AD.

Initially they comprised of 58 kuni with 3 islands provinces, however by 822AD this had changed to 66 kuni and 2 islands provinces.

These areas existed under the Meiji Restoration and were offically abolished in 1871 and replaced with the current Prefectural System.¹ When the Prefectures were established the old provinces were grouped by geographical location into the ‘Five Provinces of Kinai’ and the ‘Seven Circuits.²

During their existence they were lead by Kokushi (Provisional Governors) and Gunji (District Officials).¹

Here follows a list of Provinces on our site. This is not yet completely and will continued to be added to over time.

Provinces of the Kinai

• • Izumi Province
  • Kawachi Province
  • Settsu Province
  • Yamashiro Province
  • Yamato Province

Tōsandō Circuit

• • Dewa Province
  • Hida Province
  • Kōzuke Province
  • Mino Province
  • Mutsu Province
  • Omi Province
  • Shimotsuke Province
  • Shinano Province

Hokurikudō Circuit

• • Echigo Province
  • Echizen Province
  • Etchū Province
  • Kaga Province
  • Koshi Province
  • Wakasa Province

San’indō Circuit

• • Hōki Province (also called Hahaki Province)
  • Inaba Province
  • Izumo Province
  • Tajima Province
  • Tamba Province
  • Tango Province

Tōkaidō Circuit

• • Ise Province
  • Kai Province
  • Kazusa Province
  • Mikawa Province
  • Owari Province
  • Sagami Province
  • Shimōsa Province
  • Suruga Province
  • Tōtōmi Province

Nankaidō Circuit

• • Awa Province
  • Iyo Province
  • Kii Province
  • Sanuki Province
  • Tosa Province

San’yōdō Circuit

• • Aki Province
  • Harima Province (also called Banshu Province)
  • Mimasaka Province

Saikaidaō Circuit

• • Bungo Province
  • Chikuzen Province
  • Hizen Province
  • Hyūga Province (also called Himuka Province)
  • Iki Province
  • Tsushima Province

Pre-Taihō Code

• • Kibi Province

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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• See also: List of Provinces

Yamato Province

Yamato Province (大和国) was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Nara Prefecture.¹²

Inception

During its inception, when the Kokugen System came into effect, it stayed as the centre of government and culture from the 4th century until 784. It then moved to Yamashiro Province and the city of Nagaokakyō.¹

Legendary Period

The Jinnō Shōtōki relates during the reign of Emperor Sujin he summoned the kami Ishikoridome and a descendant of Amatsumara to the village of Uda in this province to fashion a new Sacred Mirror and Sword.

The originals were then entrusted to Toyosukiiribime who built a sacred enclosure in Kasanui in Yamato to worship them in.⁴

After Yamato Takeru died his spirit as a bird flew to Kotobiki in Yamato Province and then Furuchi in Kahachi before finally flying to Takamagahara. A misasagi for him was also built here.⁵

Kofun Period

It is likely the Haji Clan 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.³ The Abe Clan was also based here.¹

Heian Period

By the time of the Heian period the province came under control of the Kōfukuji, Tōdaiji and other great temples.¹

Kamakura and Muromachi Period

During the Kamakura and Muromachi period it is known that Shugo (Provincial Contables) were not appointed here by the shogunate and so this area remained under the control of Kōfukuji. Due to this, Samurai forces here expanded under the temple’s influence.

In 1576 Oda Nobunaga finally appointed a shugo to this province.¹

Edo Period

After the start of the Edo Period, the Province was divided into 7 domains with the city of Nara administered by a shogunal commissioner (Bugyō).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. Borgen, R. (1975) “The Origins of the Sugawara. A History of the Haji Family”. Monumenta Nipponica. Vol.30 No.4 pp.405-422
4. Varley, H.P (1980) “A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinnō Shōtōki of Kitabatake Chikafusa.” New York: Columbia University Press.
5. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

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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Hear about Izumo Province on Episode 9 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

• • See also: List of Provinces

Izumo Province

Izumo Province (出雲国), also known as Unshū (雲州), was an old Province of Japan, located in what is now Shimane Prefecture.¹ It formed one of the eight Provinces of the San’indō.¹²

The Province was formed of several districts, two known as Ou and Aika. Miyake no Omi Kanatari and Izumo no Omi Hiroshima came from these districts and were the compilers of the Izumo Fudoki.⁴

Mythological Accounts

There is a story concerning how this area was originally too small and so a Shinto kami made it larger. The tale is known as the ‘kunibiki shinwa‘ (国引神話 – Land Pulling Myth) and can be found in the Izumo Fudoki.

The tale relates how the kami Yatsukamizu Omitsuno finds this place too small, comparing it to a strip of narrow cloth. And so he looks across the ocean and finds places whose land is in excess.

First he sees Silla, and taking land from it using a hoe and dragging it with rope to Izumo he ties it to Kozu, which becomes Kidzuki Cape. He ties the rope to Sahime Mountain, the rope became Sono Long Beach.

Next he took from Saki Country, and tying it to Taku is became Sada Country. Then was Yonami Country, which he took from and tied to Unami, which became Kurami Country. Finally he took from the Tsutsu Cape in Koshi Province. The land he tied to Izumo became Miho Cape, and the rope he used became Yomi Island, the rope he tied to Hikami High Mountain.

Now satisfied he shouted ‘Owe!’ which is apparently why one district in Izumo Province was called Ou. He then thrusts he staff into the ground on an earthern mound to the north-east of the District Office in Ou.⁴

The burial place of Izanami, known as Hibayama, is purported to be located on the boundry of this province and Hahaki. Additionally, the Ifuya Pass is located here. This being the fabled location for the entrance of Yomi. The kami known as Takehiratori is said to be the ancestor of the Royal Representatives here.³

Yamato Takeru

The kojiki says that after Yamato Takeru defeated the Kumaso (Kumaso Rebellions) he returned to the Capital subduing every kami of the mountains and rivers on his way. And venturing through Izumo he decides he wished to slay the ‘Izumo Brave’.

He achieves this by making a friend of him, and crafts a copy of the Braves sword.

Together they bathe in the River Hi and after getting out Yamato Takeru takes the real sword. He then asks to spar together and kills him.

Afterwards making a song which goes as follows:

Alas that the sword girded on the Izumo brave, and wound round with many a creeper, should have had no true blade!

Yayoi and Kofun Periods

This area has been shown to have had a unique culture all the way back in the Yayoi Period. Late Yayoi evidence of an Izumo Alliance which branched east from Izumo to the Hokuriku Region and north to the Oki Islands. In the Kofun Period, this unique culture left behind special distinct tombs, and can be traced up to the Nara Period.⁴

Muromachi / Azuchi Momoyama Period

The area was once though as an area which rivalled the Yamato Court as a religious and political center. Overtime it was successivley controlled by the Sasaki, Yamana, Kyōgoku and Amago families until the 16th Century.¹

One member of the Amago Family, Amago Mochihisa became shugodai (deputy military governor) here in 1392² with Amago Tsunehisa conquering Oki Island and Izumo Province in 1486 during the Ōnin War.¹

Edo Period

In the early Edo Period, the Horio family built a castle here at Matsue and by 1634 it had passed to the Kyōgoku, who were later surplanted by Matsudaira in 1638.

The Matsudaira served as daimyo in this area until the Meiji Restoration. They ruled over the Matsu, Hirose and Mori domains which this province was divided into in 1684.¹

Haji Clan

This family emphasised 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.

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.⁵

Nature

The Izumo Fudoki, and other contemporary sources, talks of a possible vine known as the ‘frosty kurodazura’ (霜黒葛) however no known modern equivelant is known.¹

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. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
4. Carlqvist, A. (2010) “The Land Pulling Myth and Some Aspects of Historical Reality”. Japanese Journal of Religious Studies, Vol. 37, No.2, pp.185-222.
5. Borgen, R. (1975) “The Origins of the Sugawara. A History of the Haji Family”. Monumenta Nipponica. Vol.30 No.4 pp.405-422

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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