Name Abe Hirafu | ||
 | ||
People also search for Buyeo Pung, Liu Rengui, Buyeo Yung, Munmu of Silla | ||
The name and origin of the father of Abe no Hirafu is not exactly known, because both Nihon Shoki and Kojiki sources, both written several decades after Abe no Hirafu death, have contradiction and bear the marks of being fixed to glorify genealogy of when-living clans.
Events of the life
After reaching adulthood, Abe no Hirafu (阿部 比羅夫) was a governor of Koshi Province. In 658, Abe no Hirafu has defeated the Mishihase in "Watarishima" (which may mean Tsugaru Peninsula or Hokkaido) at the request of the native inhabitants. His men continued to raid and plunder in Hokkaido and Okushiri Island until 660, bringing numerous trophies and prisoners to court. Hist trophies has included at least 2 live bears, 70 bear hides, and 353 prisoners. In March 660, local allies asked for his military assistance at Ishikari River in Hokkaido, where he again make a victory.
In 662, he and when-hostage prince Buyeo Pung were assigned by his lord (who was soon to become the Emperor Tenji) to participate in an expedition to the Korean peninsula to restore the fallen allied kingdom of Baekje. Abe no Hirafu was assigned the command of the rear division out of three divisions available. His division was an entirely naval unit. He arrived to continent in August 662 and was recalled after the defeat in the Battle of Baekgang in August 663.
Abe no Hirafu might be the ancestor of one or more of the Abe clans, as well as the Ando and Akita clans.