Minister - Omi

It is one of the ancient surnames. There are theories about its origin, such as "Oomi" (large body) and Korean, but it is thought to have originated from an honorific title of "O" (large) added to the honorific word "mi" (divine spirit). The name "omi" was given to many clans of ancient imperial descendants before Emperor Kōgen, but its origin is unreliable. There are more than 200 clans with the surname "omi", and many of them, such as Katsuragi no Omi, Soga no Omi, and Kibi no Omi, took their clan names from the places where they lived, and some wielded power as in-laws of the imperial family. This shows that the clans with the surname "omi" had a monarchical and independent character. The head of a powerful clan with the surname "omi" was appointed as a minister (oomi), and became the highest official in the Yamato Imperial Court, assisting the emperor. When the eight-rank surname system was established (684), influential clans with the surname Omi were bestowed the second-ranking surname Ason, and continued to make up a privileged aristocratic class.

[Maenozono Ryoichi]

"A Study of Ancient Japanese Social Organization (Completely Revised Edition)" by Ota Ryo (1955, Kunimitsu Shobo) " "Clan Names" by Abe Takehiko (1966, Shibundo) " "The Establishment of Ancient Japanese Clan Genealogies" by Mizoguchi Mutsuko (1982, Gakushuin University)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

古代の姓(かばね)の一つ。語源については「おおみ（大身）」説や朝鮮語で解釈する説があるが、神霊語、敬称語のミに「大」を意味するオを付した尊称に起源すると考えられる。臣は、孝元(こうげん)天皇以前の古い皇裔(こうえい)氏族に多く与えられたが、その出自は信用できない。臣姓氏族は二百数十を数え、その多くは葛城臣(かつらぎのおみ)、蘇我臣(そがのおみ)、吉備臣(きびのおみ)のように居住地の地名を氏の名に負い、皇室の外戚(がいせき)となって権勢を振るうものもあった。このことは、臣姓氏族が君主的で独立的な性格を有していたことを物語る。有力な臣姓氏族の族長は大臣(おおおみ)に任命され、大和(やまと)朝廷の最高責任者となって天皇を補佐した。八色(やくさ)の姓(かばね)制定（684）に際し、臣姓の有力氏族は第二位の朝臣(あそん)を賜姓され、その後も特権的貴族階級を構成した。

［前之園亮一］

『太田亮著『全訂日本上代社会組織の研究』（1955・邦光書房）』▽『阿部武彦著『氏姓』（1966・至文堂）』▽『溝口睦子著『日本古代氏族系譜の成立』（1982・学習院大学）』

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