Takahashi Ujibumi


Takahashi Ujibumi is a historical clan record of the Takahashi clan. It served as an appeal for court arbitration between two fighting clans.
The author is unknown, but the contents suggest that it was composed prior to 789. The text only survives today in fragments quoted in other texts such as Honchō Gatsuryō, Seiji Yōryaku, and Nenjū Gyōji Hishō.
Both the Takahashi and Azumi clans served in the Royal Table Office. Conflict between the two clans erupted with many conflicts occurring after 716. Seeking arbitration and a resolution to the conflict, both clans submitted their clan records to the imperial court. This is the Takahashi record; the Azumi clan record is unknown.

Contents

Pieced together, the text consists of three major sections:
The text is highly valued as the oldest existing clan record. In addition, the Nihon Shoki makes reference to the Kashiwade clan, a title bestowed up the Takahashi clan. This suggests the possibility that the Takahashi clan record, at least in part, was used as a reference in compiling Nihon Shoki while also suggesting that parts of it may be even older.
Linguistically, the text includes a number of passages utilizing the archaic Jōdai Tokushu Kanazukai spellings. However, there are some inconsistencies which indicate that parts of it date to a late 8th century.