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Biography of Kibi-no Makibi
Name: Kibi-no Makibi
Birth Date: 693
Death Date: 775
Place of Birth: N/A
Nationality: Japanese
Gender: Male
Occupations: minister
Kibi-no Makibi
Kibi-no Makibi (693-775) was a Japanese courtier who became minister of the right. He was a rare example of men of exceptional ability who rose to higher status than that to which their birth entitled them.Kibi-no Makibi, also called Kibi-no Mabi, was born in the region of Kibi, and his father became a minor official in the central government. In 717 Makibi accompanied a Japanese embassy to China as a student and returned to Japan in 735 with the next embassy. During his stay in T'ang China he studied not only Confucianism but also astronomy, military affairs, and folk arts. He was well known in the Chinese court circles for his practical wisdom, courage, and sharp wit.Makibi became a favorite of the Japanese emperor Shomu (reigned 724-749) and was called the Togu Gakushi, or the Scholar of the Eastern Palace. He lectured on Confucian classics and managed to introduce some aspects of …showed first 150 words…
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…showed last 150 words…governmental reforms. He was affectionately referred to as "Minister Kibi." After the death of Emperor Shotoku (Koken Tenno) in 770, there arose a succession controversy in which the Buddhist priest and favorite of Empress Koken attempted to usurp the power of the throne. After this was averted, Makibi's recommendations were rejected by the Fujiwaras, and Emperor Konin ascended the throne. Minister Kibi resigned from all official posts in 771 and died 4 years later. Further Reading For some relevant dates and facts on Makibi see Jean and Robert Karl Reischauer, Early Japanese History, part B (1967). A brief background to the modification of the Chinese system in Japan and Makibi's role in it are in Edwin O. Reischauer and John King Fairbank, A History of East Asian Civilization, vol. 1: East Asia: The Great Tradition (1960). A scroll portraying the adventures of Makibi in China is mentioned in Sir George Sansom, A History of Japan to 1334 (1958).
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