Azumino Hirafu - Azumino Hirafu

Date of birth and death unknown. A diplomat and general active in relations with the Korean Peninsula in the mid-7th century. Also known as A-dan Yamashironomuraji Hirao. His family probably had their main residence in Yamashiro. He became an envoy to Baekje in the final years of the Emperor Jomei's reign, and upon hearing of the Emperor's death, he returned to Japan accompanied by a condolence envoy from Baekje, where he received them and reported on the state of Baekje. He also stayed in Baekje's home when King Uija's prince Gyogi and others came to Japan after being banished by the king. In 661 (the 7th year of the reign of Empress Saimei), when Baekje was under attack by the combined forces of Tang and Silla and fell into a critical situation, he was appointed the former commander of the relief force and led an army to Korea together with the latter commander, Abe Hiketa Hirafu, and in 662 he sent Baekje prince Hosho with 170 warships to take the throne. However, his efforts were in vain, and the following year Japan was defeated at the Battle of Baekgang, and Baekje was destroyed.

[Kenichi Yokota]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

生没年不詳。7世紀の中期に対朝鮮半島関係に活躍した外交官、将軍。阿（安）曇山背連(やましろのむらじ)比良夫ともいう。山背に本貫があったのだろう。舒明(じょめい)天皇の末年に百済(くだら)への使節となり、舒明天皇の崩御を聞いて百済からの弔使を伴って帰朝、その応接にあたり、また百済の国情を報告した。また百済義慈王の王子翹岐(ぎょうぎ)らが王に放逐されて来朝したとき、その家に預かっている。661年（斉明天皇7）に百済が唐と新羅(しらぎ)の連合軍に攻められ危急に陥ったとき、救援軍の前将軍に任ぜられ、後将軍阿倍引田(ひけた)比羅夫らとともに軍を率いて渡韓することになり、662年百済王子豊璋(ほうしょう)を170艘(そう)の軍船を率いて送って行き王位につかせた。その効なく、翌年白村江(はくすきのえ)に日本は大敗し、百済は滅んだ。

［横田健一］

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