Difference between revisions of "Abe no Hirafu"

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*seventh century
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* ''seventh century''
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* ''Distinction: General''
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* ''Other Name: Abe no Hikita no Omi Hirafu''
  
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Military leader of the Asuka period. He was dispatched in [[658]] by [[Empress Saimei]] at the head of a force of 180 ships to proceed north and attack the [[Ezo]] people, who held power in northern Japan. The following year he is said to have crossed over to the China mainland to attack the Mishihase, or Suchen, state. This expedition represents the earliest recorded attempt by the Yamato court to extend control over the [[Tohoku]] and [[Hokkaido]] regions. It is possible that the term Mishihase here does not refer to the actual Tungusic state on the China mainland whose name is read Mishihase in Japanese but to some group in Hokkaido.
 
  
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In [[662]], when the state of [[Paekche]] on the Korean Peninsula was threatened with extinction by the combined forces of [[Silla]] and [[T'ang]] China, Abe no Hirafu was sent at the head of a Japanese relief force to attack Silla, but he was defeated in the battle with the T'ang army in [[663]] at a place in Korea called [[Hakusukinoe|Paek Ch'on River (Haku River)]]. As a result, all vestiges of Japanese control on the Korean peninsula were brought to an end.
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[[Empress Saimei]] sent Abe no Hirafu to attack the [[Emishi]], located in Northeastern Japan, in [[658]]. He is supposed to have commanded an impressive 180 ships against the native peoples.
  
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Text taken from Seiichi Iwao's Biographical Dictionary of Japanese History
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In [[659]], he crossed the Japan Sea to China for another military expedition. This time, he attacked the Mishihase (Suchen) State. Iwao Seiichi mentions that this is the first example of Yamato Court efforts to spread the feelers of its control as far as the [[Tohoku]] region and [[Hokkaido]]. If Abe no Hirafu actually attacked the Chinese racial group is a matter of debate. Iwao further mentions that it is possible this group was simply another racial group within Northern Japan.
  
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In [[662]], when the Korean kingdom of [[Paekche]] was being attacked by [[Silla]] and [[Tang]] forces, Abe no Hirafu was sent to aid the former, a Japanese ally. Hirafu was a commander of the rear division, alongside [[Ôyake no Omi Kamara]]. Including the front, rear, and center divisions, the army numbered 27,000.  It is believed that this rear division was a naval force originating in the [[Hokuriku]] region.  The Japanese were completely defeated in [[663]] at the [[Battle of Hakusukinoe]].
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==Sources==
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*Iwao Seiichi. ''Biographical Dictionary of Japanese History''
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*''[[The History of Kanagawa]]'' Kanagawa Prefectural Government, Japan, 1985
 
[[Category:Other Historical Figures]]
 
[[Category:Other Historical Figures]]
 
[[Category:Asuka Period]]
 
[[Category:Asuka Period]]

Latest revision as of 21:27, 9 August 2007

  • seventh century
  • Distinction: General
  • Other Name: Abe no Hikita no Omi Hirafu


Empress Saimei sent Abe no Hirafu to attack the Emishi, located in Northeastern Japan, in 658. He is supposed to have commanded an impressive 180 ships against the native peoples.

In 659, he crossed the Japan Sea to China for another military expedition. This time, he attacked the Mishihase (Suchen) State. Iwao Seiichi mentions that this is the first example of Yamato Court efforts to spread the feelers of its control as far as the Tohoku region and Hokkaido. If Abe no Hirafu actually attacked the Chinese racial group is a matter of debate. Iwao further mentions that it is possible this group was simply another racial group within Northern Japan.

In 662, when the Korean kingdom of Paekche was being attacked by Silla and Tang forces, Abe no Hirafu was sent to aid the former, a Japanese ally. Hirafu was a commander of the rear division, alongside Ôyake no Omi Kamara. Including the front, rear, and center divisions, the army numbered 27,000. It is believed that this rear division was a naval force originating in the Hokuriku region. The Japanese were completely defeated in 663 at the Battle of Hakusukinoe.

Sources

  • Iwao Seiichi. Biographical Dictionary of Japanese History
  • The History of Kanagawa Kanagawa Prefectural Government, Japan, 1985
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