Saeki no komaro (佐伯子麻呂)

Saeki no Komaro (the year of birth unknown - 666) was a government official of zo-daikinjo (the seventh grade of twenty-six of cap rank, which corresponds to Shoshii, Senior Fourth Rank and Jushii, Junior Fourth Rank of Taiho Ritsuryo, Taiho Code). His Kabane (family name) was Omi.

He started serving for Naka no Oe no Oji (later the Emperor Tenji) in 644. In June, 645, he was involved in the assassination of SOGA no Iruka which was carried out in the Imperial Court; SOGA no Iruka was a minister and one of the most powerful politicians in chodo (the Imperial court). It is said that before the assassination, he was too nervous to eat anything.

It is said that on the assassination, he stabbed Iruka to death, who was just asking Empress Kogyoku what was happening. It is said that, in November of the year, he was also involved in the affair of defeating Furuhito no Oe no Miko, who was a rival of Naka no Oe no Oji.

In 666 when Naka no Oe no Oji visited Komaro who was ill in bed, Naka no Oe no Oji praised Komaro's achievements, which made Komaro cry.

Soon after that, Komaro is thought to be deceased.

[Original Japanese]