After Saeki Muraji Komaro and Katsuragi Wakainukai Muraji Amita

fter Saeki Muraji Komaro and Katsuragi Wakainukai Muraji Amita

In the Isshi Incident, Saeki Muraji Komaro and Katsuragi Wakainukai Muraji Amita, who were appointed as the executioners to kill Sogano Iruka, became immobile from fear at the very moment of the execution, and as a result, Nakanooeno Oji killed a person.He had no choice but to cut it.

At the time, Nakanooeno Oji was in a position of power to succeed the throne, so the future emperor had his very blade stained with human blood.

This is a catastrophic failure for the two nominated actors.

What happened to the two after this?

In fact, these two people continued to be treated well even after this (strictly speaking, there is no record of Amita in historical materials).

Saeki Muraji Komaro was dispatched to Yoshino as a general when he defeated Furuhitono Oe (AD 645.11), and it is proved that Nakanooe trusted him very much. For Prince Nakanooe, Komaro went beyond the framework of being one of his valuable retainers, but as a comrade who overcame the difficult situation of the Isshi Incident, he was a one-of-a-kind consultant with whom he could share any topic.

In the 5th year of Tenchi (AD 666.3), when Komaro fell ill, he visited the crown prince in person and lamented his illness. “The Crown Prince himself visited the house of Saeki Muraji Komaro to visit him when he was ill”（Nihonsyoki）.

Komaro must have sensed a faint sense of fulfillment in his life in his sickbed.

There is no record of Amita, but in the 13th year of Emperor Tenmu (AD 685), when the eight colors of the family name were given, the Wakainukai clan, who are believed to be descendants, were the Agatainukai clan and the Amainukai clan. Together with Mr. and others, he was given the family name of 'Sukune'. Saekino Nuraji is also the family name of 'Sukune', which is of the same rank, so it is evaluated that there is no superiority or inferiority between them. By the way, the eight colors of family names are the eight family names of “Mahito, Asomi, Sukune, Imiki, Doshi, Omi, Muraji, and Inaki”, and they were ranked according to their affinities with the imperial family for each clan.

Komaro and Amita had failed in their plan, but Nakanooe felt that they had “human decency and kindness” in the two men who hesitated to kill someone. I think they have gained more trust. Nakatomino Kamatari's broad-mindedness and decency are evident in this area, which is why Nakatomino Kamatari chose Nakanooeno Oji as the partner to accomplish the Taika Reforms.

Conversely, if the two had killed Iruka without hesitation, they might have been evaluated as cold-hearted and shunned, or at worst, executed. Human subtleties are subtle, and this is a case that makes me feel that it is reflected in politics and personnel affairs.

Den-Asuka Itabuki no Miya Ruins: 41 minutes walk east from Kashiharajingu-mae Station. Taken on November 30, 2020

Attributed Site of Asuka Itabuki no Miya: A quiet site today.

　The name of this site is Den Asuka Itabuki no Miya Ato (Attributed Site of Asuka Itabuki no Miya). Den or “attributed” is attached to the name because the ancient structural remains are in three layers. The possibilities that the first period is that of Emperor Jomei and Asuka no Okamoto no Miya (630 on), the second period is that of Empress Kōgyoku and Asuka no Itabuki no Miya (643 on), and the third period is that of Empress Saimei and Nochi no Asuka no Okamoto no Miya, and Emperor Tenmu and Emperor Jitō and Asuka no Kiyomihara no Miya (672–694) have been pointed out (Nihon rekishi chimei taikei). Therefore, it is difficult to prove that this was the site of Asuka Itabuki no Miya.

　It was, however, without a doubt, located in the vicinity. That statement can be made because after Iruka was assassinated, Naka no Ōe immediately entered Hōryūji temple (Asukadera) and fortified it. The Shoki entry says, 中大兄即入法興寺、為城而備 (the actual distance between Itabuki no Miya and Asukadera was about 500m).

　The Isshi Incident was carried out under the greatest tension.

　At first, the assignation of Iruka was to be done by Saeki no Muraji Komaro and Katsuragi no Wakainukai no Amita, but they froze out of fear when the time came. As Kurayamada no Ishikawa no Maro was reading aloud the memorials his voice faltered, and Iruka looked at the suspicious scene, and just as he asked Yamada no Maro why his voice faltered Naka no Ōe no Ōji himself jumped out and cut at Iruka’s head and shoulder with a sword. If the initial act was even just a moment late,

it may have been Naka no Ōe no Ōji and his loyal retainer Kamatari who would have been killed.

　The entry in the Shoki is 出其不意、以剣傷割入鹿頭肩.

Where is Oharida no Miya?

　Kōgenji temple in Asuka is thought to be Toyura no Miya (the palace where Kashikiya Hime was coronated). It is easy to guess that Oharida no Miya was nearby, and for a long time it was thought that Kokyū Iseki was its site. The place is next to Kōgenji, and the idea that Toyura no Miya expanded and the area next to it became Oharida no Miya is reasonable based on political circumstances described in the Shoki.

　 However, after that an earthenware vessel was discovered with the words Oharida on it written in ink from a Nara period well at Ikazuchi no Oka Tōhō, leading to the interpretation that the site of Oharida no Miya was at Ikazuchi no Oka Tōhō, and not at the traditional Kokyū Iseki.The east of Ikazuchi no Oka Tōhō is beyond the Asuka River on the opposite bank from Kokyū Iseki, about 300–400m from it.

　Those who were used to thinking that Kokyū Iseki was Oharida no Miya found the idea of Ikazuchi no Oka Tōhō a bit hard to accept. I considering how to explain the interesting discovery of an earthenware vessel with the words Oharida written on it from a Nara period well.Kokyū Iseki and Ikazuchi no Oka Tōhō: which was the site of Oharida no Miya in the time of Shōtoku Taishi?

　 I thought no definitive proof had been found.Oharida no Miya, where there was probably a big fuss when welcoming the Envoy to Sui China.Just thinking that the picture is of Ikazuchi no Oka Tōhō excites my imagination.A summary of the archaeological excavation follows.

　Kokyū Iseki, early 7th century: remains of a garden, excavations of a group of buildings.

　Ikazuchi no Oka Tōhō, Nara period well: earthenware vessel with the inked words “Oharida.”

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　The picture is of Ikazuchi no Oka Tōhō.