Ason

Ason (朝臣) is a prestigious title (under the eight kabane system), initially conferred in the Nara period of the history of Japan, on princes who had been reduced to the commonalty.

Notable ason were:

• Fujiwara no Ason, awarded by Emperor Tenji to Nakatomi no Kamatari in 668; the origin of the Fujiwara clan
• Minamoto no Ason, first awarded to his non-heir sons by Emperor Saga (786-842); the origin of the Minamoto clan
• Taira no Ason, awarded to his grandson by Emperor Kammu (737-806); see also Taira clan

Notable holders of ason were:

• Kakinomoto no Ason Hitomaro, poet (c.662-710)
• Isonokami no Ason Maro of the Mononobe clan, administrator, possibly buried in Takamatsuzuka Tomb (640-717)
• Kasa no Ason Maro, poet better known as Sami Mansei (fl. 720)
• Miyamoto no Kintada Ason, poet (889-948)
• Fujiwara Toshiyuki no Ason, poet (fl. 900)
• Onakatomi no Yoshinobu Ason, poet (921-991)
• Minamoto no Muneyuki Ason, poet (d. 983)
• Fujiwara no Ason Sadaie, poet and scholar (1162-1241)
• Taiganin den Taira no Ason Iga no Kami Raiodo Hon Daikoji (Iizasa Ienao), Japanese martial arts teacher (1387-1488)