Noble title of ancient Japan
Mahito (真人) was one of the hereditary noble titles of ancient Japan. It was the highest in the "Yakusa no kabane" system of eight "kabane" titles.
History.
Mahito was the highest in the "Yakusa" "no kabane" system of eight "kabane" titles (the second being "Ason" and the third being "Sukune"), which was established in October 684, during the reign of Emperor Tenmu. "Mahito" was originally a Chinese Taoist term for hermit, "shinjin", but it was read as "mahito" in the "Yakusa no kabane" system, and was given the descendants of the Imperial Family after Emperor Ōjin.
At the beginning of the enactment, the title was given to 13 clans, after which the number was increased to 60 clans. Later, it was given to members of the Imperial Family who were demoted to nobility.
However, during the Nara period, the "kabane" system was abolished, and the number of clans taking the title gradually decreased.
References.
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