Kibi no Makibi - Kibi no Makibi

A politician and scholar of the Nara period. Also written as "Makibi." He was the son of Shimotsumichi no Ason Kunikatsu, a powerful lord in Kibi. His mother was a member of the Yang Gui (Yagi) clan. In 716 (Reiki 2), he became a student sent to Tang China, and entered the country the following year. He studied classics, history, and the arts, and together with Abe no Nakamaro, he achieved fame in Tang China. On his return to Japan in 735 (Tenpyo 7), he presented 130 volumes of Tang rituals, calendars, music books, weapons, musical instruments, surveying tools, and other items. After serving as Daigakujutsu (Assistant Professor of the University), he was appointed Togu Gakushi (Graduate Scholar), and lectured on the Book of Rites and Book of Han to Crown Prince Abe (later Empress Koken). Dazai no Shoni Fujiwara Hirotsugu was jealous of the important positions held by Makibi and the monk Genbo, and in 740 he raised an army under the pretext of killing the two men, but was defeated and killed. In 746 he was given the surname Kibi no Ason. In 751 (Tenpyo Shoho 3) he became a deputy envoy to Tang China, entered the country the following year, and returned to Japan in 754. He was appointed Dazai no Daini, and during his term in office he built Ito Castle. In 764 (Tenpyo Hoji 8) he was instrumental in putting down the rebellion of Fujiwara no Nakamaro. He served as councilor, Chue no Daisho, Chunagon, and Dainagon, and in 766 (Tenpyo Jingo 2) he was promoted to Udaijin. After the death of Emperor Shotoku, his opinion was not accepted in the selection process for the Imperial succession, and he retired after Emperor Konin ascended to the throne. He died on October 2, 6th year of the Hōki era.

[Kenichi Yokota]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

奈良時代の政治家、学者。「真吉備」とも書く。吉備の豪族下道朝臣(しもつみちのあそん)国勝の子。母は楊貴(やぎ)（八木）氏。716年（霊亀2）遣唐留学生となり、翌年入唐。経史、衆芸を学び、阿倍仲麻呂(あべのなかまろ)とともに唐で名声をあげた。735年（天平7）帰朝、唐礼130巻、暦書、音楽書、武器、楽器、測量具などを献じた。大学助を経て東宮学士に任ぜられ、阿倍皇太子（後の孝謙(こうけん)天皇）に『礼記(らいき)』『漢書(かんじょ)』などを講義した。大宰少弐(だざいのしょうに)藤原広嗣(ひろつぐ)は、真備と僧玄昉(げんぼう)が重用されるのをねたみ、740年2人を討つ名目で挙兵、乱を起こしたが敗死した。746年吉備朝臣の姓(かばね)を賜った。751年（天平勝宝3）遣唐副使となり翌年入唐、754年帰国。大宰大弐に任ぜられ、在任中に怡土城(いとじょう)を建設した。764年（天平宝字8）藤原仲麻呂の反乱鎮定に功をたてた。参議、中衛大将(ちゅうえのだいしょう)、中納言(ちゅうなごん)、大納言を歴任、766年（天平神護2）右大臣に昇った。称徳(しょうとく)天皇崩御後、皇嗣(こうし)冊立に自説がいれられず、光仁(こうにん)天皇の即位後致仕した。宝亀(ほうき)6年10月2日没。

［横田健一］

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