Ō no Yasumaro

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Portrait of Ō no Yasumaro by Kikuchi Yōsai (19th century)
Portrait of Ō no Yasumaro by Kikuchi Yōsai (19th century)
In this Japanese name, the family name is Ō.

Ō no Yasumaro (太 安万侶? ?-723) was a Japanese nobleman, beaureaucrat, and chronicler. He may have been the son of Ō no Homuji (多品治), a participant in the Jinshin War of 672.[1]

He is most famous for compiling and editing the Kojiki, the oldest extant Japanese history written in Japanese. Empress Genmei (r. 707-721) charged Yasumaro with the duty of writing the Kojiki in 711. using the differing 'clan chronicles' (帝記) and 'native myths' (旧辞). It was finished the following year in 712.[2]

Yasumaro most probably also played an active role in compiling the Nihon Shoki, which was finished in 720 A.D.[3]

Yasumaro became clan head in 716, and died in 723.[4]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Philippi, D: "Kojiki", page 546. University of Tokyo Press, 1968
  2. ^ Obunsha Japanese Encyclopedia 3rd Edition
  3. ^ Obunsha Japanese Encyclopedia 3rd Edition
  4. ^ Philippi, D: "Kojiki", page 546. University of Tokyo Press, 1968
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