Han-shi - Ayauji

A powerful clan of immigrants active in ancient times. They are said to be descendants of Achi no Omi, the great-grandson of Emperor Ling of the Later Han Dynasty, who is said to have naturalized during the reign of Emperor Ojin. They first lived in Hinokumano, Yamato (Asuka Village, Takaichi County, Nara Prefecture), and in the 16th year of the reign of Emperor Yuryaku, they gathered the Han people, became their attendant minister, and were given the surname Atai. There are the Aya clan of the East Han and the Aya clan of the West Han, but the Aya clan split into many clans and developed, and gained financial and military power, becoming a powerful clan of naturalized clans on a par with the Hata clan. In contrast, the West Han clan did not fare very well.

[Junichi Shida]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

古代において活躍した渡来人の豪族。応神(おうじん)朝に帰化したと伝える中国、後漢(ごかん)霊帝の曽孫(そうそん)、阿知使主(あちのおみ)の後裔(こうえい)と伝えられる。初め大和(やまと)の檜隈野(ひのくまの)（奈良県高市(たかいち)郡明日香(あすか)村）に居住し、雄略(ゆうりゃく)天皇16年に漢部(あやべ)を集めて、その伴造(とものみやつこ)になり直(あたい)の姓(かばね)を賜ったという。東漢(やまとのあや)氏と西漢(かわちのあや)氏があるが、東漢氏は多数の氏に分かれて発展し、財力と武力を得て秦(はた)氏と並ぶ帰化系の有力豪族となった。これに対して西漢氏は、あまり振るわなかった。

［志田諄一］

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