Hieda no Are

Hieda no Are (稗田阿礼) is primarily known for being instrumental to the compilation of the Japanese text Kojiki in 712. While birth and date are unknown, Are was active during the late 7th and early 8th century.

Background

Very little is known about Are's background. A passage in the Seikyūki (西宮記) suggests that Are belongs to the Sarumenokimi family, who trace their ancestry back to the goddess Amenouzume no Mikoto.

Scholars such as Kunio Yanagita and Saigō Nobutsuna theorize that Are was a woman. Are was given the title of toneri (舎人), which is typically a male title. However, members of the Sarumenokimi family are renowned as shrine maidens to the court, a female institution. In addition, a number of passages within the Kojiki appear to have been written by a woman.

Kojiki

During the 7th century, Emperor Temmu set about to correct inconsistencies within the national history contained in the various Teiki and Kyūji circulating with the nobles. He sorted through them and commanded Are, presently at the age of 28, to memorize them. Are was renowned for his / her intelligence: "naturally bright and intelligent, Are could recite upon reading but once and memorize upon hearing but once." Temmu died before the work could be completed. Later, Empress Gemmei orders Ō no Yasumaro to compile the Kojiki based on what Are had memorized. This was completed in 712.

References

• Kurano, Kenji (1958). Nihon Koten Bungaku Taikei 1: Kojiki. Tōkyō: Iwanami Shoten. ISBN 4-00-060001-X. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
• Nihon Koten Bungaku Daijiten: Kan'yakuban [A Comprehensive Dictionary of Classical Japanese Literature: Concise Edition]. Tōkyō: Iwanami Shoten. 1986. ISBN 4-00-080067-1.
• Yamaguchi, Yoshinori (1997). Shinhen Nihon Koten Bungaku Zenshū 1: Kojiki (in Japanese). Shōgakkan. ISBN 4-09-658001-5. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)