Changes

* ''seventh century''

* ''seventh century''

* ''Distinction: General''

* ''Distinction: General''

[[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.

[[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 cross 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 [[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. The Japanese were completely defeated in [[663]] at the [[Battle of Hakusukinoe]].

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==

==Sources==

Iwao Seiichi's ''Biographical Dictionary of Japanese History''

*Iwao Seiichi. ''Biographical Dictionary of Japanese History''

 

[[Category:Other Historical Figures]]

[[Category:Other Historical Figures]]

[[Category:Asuka Period]]

[[Category:Asuka Period]]