The Relationship between Personality and State in Ancient Japan

Abstract

The article is based upon the analysis of certain reports contained in the historical chronicle
“Shoku nihongi”, which are concerned as the retsuden, or traditional biographies, mainly dealing
with the fi gures of famous Buddhist monks and high-ranked offi cials. The attempt is made to
trace the specifi c points of relationships between the individuality and the state in Nara period.
The main attention is paid to such information, as name, genealogical data and the characteristics
of personal qualities of an offi cial.