• • 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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• • See also: Sacred Regalia

Divine Treasures

Divine Treasures appear to be some form of previous items gifted to Japan or brought to Japan by kami in the distant past.

Reign of Sujin

Under the rule of this Emperor there is made mention of Sacred Treasures which had been brought to earth by Takehiratori and housed in the Izumo Shrine.¹²

In his 60th year of reign he sends Takemorosumi to collect them. The carer for them, Izumo Furune, was away in Kyushu and so his brother Ihiirine gives them to his other brother Umashikarahisa and his son Ukatsukunu to take them to the Empeor. Furune is furious and so kills Ihiirine. Umashikarahisa and Ukatsukunu inform the Emperor of the murder and so Kibitsuhiko and Takenumakahawake are sent to kill Furune.¹

Reign of Suinin

During the reign of this Emperor we see mention of Divine Treasures brought from Silla by Amenohihoko consisting of three gems (Habuto, Ashidaka and Ukaka) as well as an Idzushi short sword, Idzushi spear, sun mirror, and Kumahimorogi.

Initially they were stored in Tajima Province but later the Emperor sends for them.

Kiyohiko brings them, however, he attempts to hide one of the swords from the Emperor in his robes until he accidently shows it after drinking some sake.

After this the Emperor decides to take all the treasures and place them in the Sacred Treasury.

Following another inspection the sword again is found missing, Kiyohiko is asked about its whereabouts telling the Emperor it appeared by him during the night but was gone by morning.

It was later found in Ahajishima where it was them given a shrine and worshipped as a kami.¹

There also appears to be other divine treasures mentioned during this reign which may or may not be the same treasures. The Emperor notes he has not heard of the ‘Divine Treasures’ for some time and so sends the Mononobe Tochine no Ōmuraji to check on them. He makes a report and is put in charge of them.¹

Footnotes

1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
2. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.

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• • Period: Legendary Period
  • Occupation: Five Daibu / Ōmuraji
  • Family: –
  • Birth: –
  • Death: –

Tochine

Tochine is a mentioned during the reign of Emperor Suinin and is stated as a member of the Mononobe Clan with the rank of Ōmuraji.

He is said to have been one of the Five Daibu alongside Hikokunifuku, Takehi no Muraji, Ohokashima and Takenumakahawake. They are gathered by Emperor Suinin to talk of the wisdom of the previous Emperor.

Later in the Emperors reign he notes he has not heard of the Divine Treasures for some time and so sends the Tochine to check on them. He makes a report and is put in charge of them.¹

Footnotes

1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

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• • Period: Legendary Period
  • Occupation: Shinto Priest
  • Family: –
  • Birth: –
  • Death: –

Igakashikowo

Igakashikowo (伊香色雄命) is a man who lived during the reign of Emperor Sujin.

In the kojiki we see that he was instructed by Emperor Sujin to make 80 heavenly platters and to establish shrines to the earthly kami.

He is additionally ordered to worship with red-coloured shields and spears the kami of Sumisaka in Uda and with black-coloured shields and spears the kami of Ohosaka.¹²

In the nihongi we see him make pottery alongside the Mononobe Clan which is then taken by the Emperor to worship the kami.³

Footnotes

1. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
2. Chamberlain, B. H. (1932) “Translation of the Kojiki.” Kobe: J.L. Thompson & Co.
3. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

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• • Period: Legendary Period
  • Occupation: –
  • Family: Ikagashikome (daughter)
  • Birth: –
  • Death: –

Ōhesoki

Ōhesoki (大綜麻杵命) is stated to have been the father to Ikagashikome.¹²³

He is additionally said to have been the ancestor of the Mononobe Clan.²

Footnotes

1. Ponsonby, F. (1959) “The Imperial House of Japan.” Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society.
2. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
3. Varley, H.P (1980) “A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinnō Shōtōki of Kitabatake Chikafusa.” New York: Columbia University Press.

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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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• Co-ordinates: 35°00′48″N 135°51′10″E
• Region: Kansai Region
• Prefecture: Osaka Prefecture
• Founded: 593AD
• Affiliation: Buddhism

Shitennō-ji

Shitennō-ji (四天王寺) is a Buddhist Temple said to have been constrcuted by Shōtoku Taisha in thanks to the ‘four heavenly kings’ he believed who had helped him win against the Mononobe Clan.

This temple is the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan and can be found in the city of Osaka, founded in 593AD.

Within the temple there is a ceremonial hawk-roost placed inside to commemorate the event when Taisha (who had transformed into a Hawk during this event) protected the temple against the spirit of the defeated Mononobe Moriya after his vengeful spirts turned into a flock of woodpeckers which began to hurl themselves to death against the temple.

Due to this event legends say that no woodpeckers can been seen at the temple anymore. This tale, and the legends which followed are narrated in the book known as the Genpei Seisuiki.¹

Footnotes

1. Yoda, H. and Alt, M. (2016) “Japandemonium: Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopaedia of Toriyama Sekien.”. New York: over Publications, Inc.

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Emperor Sushun

Emperor Sushun (崇峻天皇) was the thirty-second Emperor of Japan.

He was placed on the throne by Soga no Umako after winning a skirmish against Mononobe no Moriya who wished for someone else on to reside upon the throne. As Emperor, he disliked Buddhism and planned to dislodge Umako from his political position.¹
Umako discovered this and had his nephew killed and buried without ceremony the same day.¹²

Footnotes

1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
2. Tsurumi, P. (1981) “Early Female Emperors” Historical Reflections Vol.8 No.1 pp.41-49.

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• Reign: 539-571AD
• Period: Asuka Period
• Family: Emperor Keitai (father) Emperor Senka (brother) Emperor Bidatsu (son) Emperor Yomei (son) Empress Suiko (daughter)
• Burial Place: –
• Order of Succession: Predecessor Emperor Senka * Successor Emperor Bidatsu

Emperor Kinmei

Emperor Kinmei (欽明天皇) is the twenty-ninth Emperor of Japan. His brother was the Emperor Senka, his sons being Bidatsu and Yomei, his daughter is known to have been the First Empress Suiko.¹

During his reign Buddhism first made an appearance in the country. Emperor Kudara from Korea gifted images of the Buddha and scriptures. The Emperor, unsure what to do with them asked his Ministers at the time. Soga no Iname decided that Buddhism should be tried, whereas the Mononobe and Nakatomi Clans opposed the idea. The Emperor decided to give the gifts to Iname, asking him to giv Buddhism a try, however soon after a pestilence ensued pushing back the acceptence of Buddhism.

He took as his consorts two of Soga no Iname’s daughters.²

Some tales, relating to En no Ozunu, state that the Mountain known as Golden Peak came to Japan during his reign, the mountain moving itself from India. Inside of it was said to be all the gold in the world which would one day cover everything.³

Footnotes

1. Tsurumi, P. (1981) “Early Female Emperors” Historical Reflections Vol.8 No.1 pp.41-49.
2. Martin, P. (1997) ”The Chrysanthemum Throne”. Gloucestershire: Sutton Publishing Limited.
3. Tyler, R. (1987) “Japanese Tales.” New York: Pantheon Books.

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• Reign: 536-539AD
• Period: Kofun Period
• Family: Emperor Keitai (father) Emperor Ankan (brother) Emperor Kinmei (brother)
• Burial Place: –
• Order of Succession: Predecessor Emperor Ankan * Successor Emperor Kinmei

Emperor Senka

Emperor Senka (宣化天皇) was the twenty-eighth Emperor of Japan.

Prior to his reign the Emperor both ruled as well as reigned. However, during the reign of Senka, he established Iname Soga as his executive first Minister much to the annoyance of the Mononobe and the Nakatomi Clan.¹

Footnotes

1. Martin, P. (1997) ”The Chrysanthemum Throne”. Gloucestershire: Sutton Publishing Limited.

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