Haji clan
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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]

History

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 [ja], and the Ōe clan [ja].[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]

Name

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.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Kotobank entry for Hajishi (in Japanese; retrieved 13 July 2022)
  2. ^ Cali, J.; Dougill, J. (2012). Shinto Shrines: A Guide to the Sacred Sites of Japan's Ancient Religion. University of Hawaii Press. p. 69. ISBN 978-0-8248-3775-4. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
  3. ^ Kotobank entry for Hajibe (in Japanese; retrieved 13 July 2022)
  4. ^ "Converting Japan, 1825–1875", The Origin of Modern Shinto in Japan : The Vanquished Gods of Izumo, Bloomsbury Academic, p. 38, ISBN 978-1-4742-7108-0, retrieved 2023-10-24
  5. ^ Cali, Joseph; Dougill, John (2012-11-30). Shinto Shrines: A Guide to the Sacred Sites of Japan's Ancient Religion (Illustrated ed.). Honolulu: Latitude 20. ISBN 978-0-8248-3713-6.
  6. ^ Matsunaga, Naomichi. "Kuni no miyatsuko". Kokugakuin University Encyclopedia of Shinto. Archived from the original on 2023-10-25. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
  7. ^ Matsunaga, Naomichi. "Izumo kokusō". Kokugakuin University Encyclopedia of Shinto. Archived from the original on 2023-10-25. Retrieved 2023-10-25.
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