Haji clan | |
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Profile | |
Country | Japan |
Haji clan no longer has a chief, and is an armigerous clan |
The Haji clan (土師氏, Haji-uji, Haji-shi) is a Japanese clan. The clan administered earthenware artisans, organized collectively into a group called Haji-be (土師部). During the Yamato period, these artisans worked chiefly on soil-related matters, such as creating haniwa, constructing tombs and kofun, and handling other civil engineering. [1] The kabane titles of the clan are Sukune or Muraji. They were engaged in constructing the tombs of high-ranking people as well as managing the funeral ceremonies of the ōkimi ("great lords"). [1]
The Haji clan claims descent from Ame-no-hohi, the second son of Amaterasu, which makes them relatives of the Japanese Imperial Family. [2] Nomi no Sukune was believed to be the ancestor of the clan. According to legend, he was the inventor of haniwa, [3] the terracotta clay figurines buried with a nobleman and used as a symbolic substitute for junshi, the practice whereby members of high-ranking households would commit suicide upon the passing of the household head, as a way to continue serving them in death.
The clan was later divided into three houses: the Sugawara clan, the Akishino clan , and the Ōe clan . [1]
They are relatives of the Izumo clan who are also descended from Ame no Hohi and run Izumo-taishakyo today. [4] [5] [6] [7]
The clan takes its name from haji ( 土師), a shift from older hani-shi, from 埴 (hani, "red clay", such as used to make terracotta) + 師 (-shi, a Chinese-derived suffix appended to indicate "master" of a craft). The hani-shi were masters of the crafts of earthenware and earthwork engineering.
Haji clan | |
---|---|
Profile | |
Country | Japan |
Haji clan no longer has a chief, and is an armigerous clan |
The Haji clan (土師氏, Haji-uji, Haji-shi) is a Japanese clan. The clan administered earthenware artisans, organized collectively into a group called Haji-be (土師部). During the Yamato period, these artisans worked chiefly on soil-related matters, such as creating haniwa, constructing tombs and kofun, and handling other civil engineering. [1] The kabane titles of the clan are Sukune or Muraji. They were engaged in constructing the tombs of high-ranking people as well as managing the funeral ceremonies of the ōkimi ("great lords"). [1]
The Haji clan claims descent from Ame-no-hohi, the second son of Amaterasu, which makes them relatives of the Japanese Imperial Family. [2] Nomi no Sukune was believed to be the ancestor of the clan. According to legend, he was the inventor of haniwa, [3] the terracotta clay figurines buried with a nobleman and used as a symbolic substitute for junshi, the practice whereby members of high-ranking households would commit suicide upon the passing of the household head, as a way to continue serving them in death.
The clan was later divided into three houses: the Sugawara clan, the Akishino clan , and the Ōe clan . [1]
They are relatives of the Izumo clan who are also descended from Ame no Hohi and run Izumo-taishakyo today. [4] [5] [6] [7]
The clan takes its name from haji ( 土師), a shift from older hani-shi, from 埴 (hani, "red clay", such as used to make terracotta) + 師 (-shi, a Chinese-derived suffix appended to indicate "master" of a craft). The hani-shi were masters of the crafts of earthenware and earthwork engineering.