Prince Osakabe
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| Prince Osakabe 刑部親王 | |
|---|---|
| Chancellor of the Realm | |
| Tenure | 703 – 705 |
| Successor | Prince Hozumi |
| Born | Unknown |
| Died | 2 June 706 |
| Spouse | Princess Asuka Unknown concubine |
| Issue |
|
| Father | Emperor Tenmu |
| Mother | Shishihito no Kajihime-no-iratsume |
Prince Osakabe (刑部(忍壁)親王, Osakabe Shinnō) (died June 2, 705) was a Japanese imperial prince who helped write the Taihō Code (681 A.D.),[1] alongside Fujiwara no Fuhito. The Code was essentially an administrative reorganization, which would serve as the basis for Japan's governmental structure for centuries afterwards.
Prince Osakabe was born to Emperor Tenmu and Kajihime no Iratsume in approximately 663 A.D.[2]
According to the Nihon Shoki in the fifth month, on the fifth day of 679 A.D. Prince Osakabe, Prince Kusakabe, Prince Otsu, Prince Takechi, Prince Kawashima, and Prince Shiki, all swore to Emperor Tenmu that they wouldn't engage in future succession disputes. This occurred after Emperor Tenmu ascended the throne after the Jinshin War.[3] In the first months of 704 A.D. he, Prince Naga, Prince Toneri, and Prince Hozumi were collectively awarded two hundred households by Emperor Monmu and Empress Genmei.[4]
Along with Prince Kawashima, Osakabe was appointed to lead the emperor's 681 initiative, which was tasked with compiling the Imperial Chronicles and Fundamental Dicta.[5]
