Hieda no Are (稗田 阿礼) is primarily known for being instrumental to the compilation of the Japanese textKojiki in 712. While birth and death are unknown, Are was active during the late 7th and early 8th century.
Very little is known about Are's background. A passage in theSeikyūki (西宮記) suggests that Are belongs to theSarume-no-kimi family, who trace their ancestry back to the goddessAme-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto.[1]
Scholars such asKunio Yanagita andSaigō Nobutsuna theorize that Are was a woman. Are was given the title oftoneri (舎人), which is typically a male title.[1][2] However, members of the Sarume-no-kimi family are renowned as shrine maidens to the court, a female institution. In addition, a number of passages within theKojiki appear to have been written by a woman.[1]
During the 7th century,Emperor Tenmu set about to correct inconsistencies within the national history contained in the variousTeiki andKyūji circulating with the nobles. He sorted through them and commanded Are, presently at the age of 28, to memorize them. Are was renowned for their intelligence: "naturally bright and intelligent, Are could recite upon reading but once and memorize upon hearing but once."[1][2][3] Tenmu died before the work could be completed. Later,Empress Genmei orderedŌ no Yasumaro to compile theKojiki based on what Are had memorized. This was completed in 712.
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