Chapter 107: The Great Figure Whose Fame Shook Tang China and Japan

"Abe no Nakamaro, a great figure of the Nara period, was renowned throughout China and Japan; no one in the Nara era could match his achievements, and across Japanese history, few could rival him."

Professor Beishan glanced at the group, sensing they still did not fully grasp the magnitude of Abe no Nakamaro’s accomplishments.

He then spoke plainly.

"When it comes to Japanese onmyōji, I imagine the first name that comes to mind is Abe no Seimei, whom you consider the greatest onmyōji."

The group nodded in silent agreement.

Abe no Seimei’s contributions and achievements laid the foundation for the future development of onmyōdō and exerted profound influence upon it.

"Yet those who truly understand onmyōdō and history do not consider Abe no Seimei the greatest."

Or rather, they believe someone else could stand beside him."

Take, for example, Gwanle Sōjō—he not only introduced to Japan the art of Dunjia , yin-yang, and the five elements, but also trained many great onmyōji, such as Yang Hu-yu Chen, revered in Japan as the 'Ancestor of Calendar Studies'; Ōtomo no Takatō, honored as the 'Ancestor of Astronomy'; and Yamabe no Hidetatsu, called the 'Ancestor of Dunjia Arts'."

In short, Gwanle Sōjō was the pioneer of Japanese onmyōdō, his name equal to that of Abe no Seimei."

Upon hearing this, the group realized the implication behind Professor Beishan’s words, their faces filled with shock.

"Could it be... Abe no Nakamaro also..."

"Yes. Abe no Nakamaro was also a renowned figure in onmyōdō—his achievements, like Gwanle Sōjō’s, rivaled and even surpassed those of Abe no Seimei."

Professor Beishan grew excited, his voice trembling.

"Unlike Abe no Seimei, whose fame remained confined to Japan, Abe no Nakamaro’s name was also renowned in Tang China."

You know Kūkai, right? He traveled to China, obtained Buddhist scriptures, and profoundly influenced Japanese Buddhism. Abe no Seimei also went to China, and legend says he became a disciple of Bo Dao Shangren."

Both were formidable figures—after studying in China, they returned to Japan and became legendary."

The group nodded vigorously.

They were familiar with what Professor Beishan said: China’s legendary, almost divine brilliance far outshone Japan’s. Figures like Abe no Seimei and Kūkai each traveled to China, returned as if gold-plated, achieving extraordinary status."

Just as they wondered why Professor Beishan had suddenly brought this up, he shifted his tone.

"They merely went to China to study and take masters. Abe no Nakamaro was different—he achieved extraordinary success in China. He took the imperial examinations, passed as a jinshi, and was appointed Left Counselor of the Imperial Court and Governor-General of Annan. The Tang Emperor held him in high esteem, cherished him deeply, and upon his return to Japan, granted him the title of Duke."

The Tang Dynasty, one of China’s most glorious dynasties, was famed for its tributary states from myriad nations. Yet Abe no Nakamaro attained the jinshi degree and rose to noble rank within that brilliant empire."

Anyone familiar with Tang Dynasty Chinese history would know a man named Chao Heng."

Chao Heng was precisely Abe no Nakamaro’s Chinese name."

"Chao Heng?!"

Tsuchimikado Kenji, who loved ancient Chinese poetry, turned pale.

"Professor Beishan, is the Chao Heng you mean the one mentioned in Li Bai’s poem 'Mourning Chancellor Chao'?"

Tsuchimikado Kenji adored ancient poetry and spent his free time reading it daily.

Anyone who loves ancient poetry would know Li Bai—the poet hailed as the 'Immortal of Poetry,' whose talent echoed through history."

Tsuchimikado Kenji’s favorite poet was Li Bai—he had read and studied every one of Li Bai’s poems. One poem in particular left a deep impression on him, because it concerned Japan—more precisely, a Japanese person."

It was 'Mourning Chancellor Chao'!"

Li Bai wrote this poem for his close friend Chao Heng, who was returning to Japan. As a Japanese, Chao Heng drowned in a storm at sea during his voyage."

Upon hearing of his friend’s tragic death, Li Bai was heartbroken and composed this lament for Chao Heng."

Tsuchimikado Kenji never imagined Abe no Nakamaro was Chao Heng—the close friend of the great Tang poet Li Bai."

Suddenly, he fully grasped the magnitude of Abe no Nakamaro’s achievements: a man renowned in Japan, equally celebrated in China, and accepted as a peer by China’s most illustrious figures."

"Yes, I mean the Chao Heng in Li Bai’s poem 'Mourning Chancellor Chao.'"

"He was Abe no Nakamaro—not only Li Bai’s friend, but also a close companion of other great Tang poets like Wang Wei, Chu Guangxi, and Zhao Ye (Hua)."

At this, Tsuchimikado Kenji gasped, his aged eyes widening. He recognized every Chinese name Professor Beishan mentioned—they were all famed poets in Chinese history."

Then,

After Tsuchimikado Kenji explained the identities of Li Bai and Wang Wei, Professor Beishan recounted more of Abe no Nakamaro’s deeds in Tang China and Japan; the group sat speechless in awe."

They finally understood why Abe no Nakamaro’s achievements surpassed those of Abe no Seimei."

Suddenly,

As Professor Beishan concluded, he added softly:

"You know, people revere the powerful, and often there are those who falsely claim to be powerful figures or their descendants, seeking vanity and attention—yet this, too, is another form of admiration for strength."

"There is a rumor that Abe no Seimei himself once claimed descent from Abe no Nakamaro."

"What?!"

Everyone jolted upright; had Abe no Mitsu not been present, they would have leapt to their feet.

Even so, they were utterly stunned.

The greatest onmyōji, Abe no Seimei—this legendary figure had once pretended to be the descendant of another?!"

Merely this fact alone proves how mighty Abe no Nakamaro was—even Abe no Seimei revered him and took pride in being linked to him."

"Don’t take it as fact—it’s only a rumor. Historians fiercely debate whether Abe no Seimei truly claimed descent from Abe no Nakamaro; many believe it’s false."

Professor Beishan waved his hand, fearing he had spoken a rumor too casually and that they might believe it. After all, it remained a disputed claim—neither proven nor definitively disproven."

In truth, he mentioned it only because he had just learned Abe no Nakamaro was a transcendent."

A great figure from the era preceding the Heian period—a transcendent. Perhaps this rumor wasn’t false after all. But he had no proof. As a historian, he could not speak without evidence—he was responsible for his words."

"It’s not false. It’s true."

Without warning, a lazy, middle-aged voice echoed through the room.

In an instant,

Everyone turned sharply, staring fixedly at Abe no Mitsu, their expressions stunned, their minds reeling.

"True??" Professor Beishan, fearing he had imagined it, asked hesitantly.

His temples throbbed visibly, veins bulging with shock, his voice nearly a groan.

Abe no Mitsu picked up a pastry with a toothpick, ate it, and nodded.

"True."