Kimi

was an ancient Japanese hereditary title denoting rank and political standing (a kabane) that was reserved for certain members of the Tomo no Miyatsuko clans, which were clans associated with particular occupations. They became a hereditary title passed down the generations. The kimi rank was lower than the muraji and omi ranks in political power and standing during much of the Kofun period and Asuka period which are collectively grouped as the Yamato period. "Kimi" literally means "Lord" (of a local area). For example, in the name, Kamitsukeno no Kimi Wakako, "Kamitsukeno no kimi" means "Lord of Kamitsukeno" and Wakako is his personal name. Sometimes the character (公) is used in place of (君). List of Kimi (君) Oka no Kimi Yoroshi (岡君宜), sent as envoy to Tang dynasty, China for Emperor Kōtoku. Bungo Province (豊後国) Okita no Kimi Esaka (大分君惠尺, died 675), important member of the court for Emperor Tenmu during the Jinshin War. Okita no Kimi Wakaomi (大分君稚臣, died 679) also called Wakami (稚見), important member of the court for Emperor Tenmu during the Jinshin War. Hi Province (火国 or 肥国) Hi no Kimi Take Wokumi (火君健男組 / 肥君健男組), legendary ancestor of the Hi no Kimi clan who was granted the title by Emperor Sujin for pacifying the area. Hi no Kimi Ite (火君猪手 / 肥君猪手), lived in northern Kyushu in 702 during the reign of Emperor Monmu. Kōzuke Province (上野国) Sami no Sukunamaro (佐味宿那麻呂 / 佐味君少麻呂), fought for Emperor Temmu during the Jinshin War. Mino Province (美濃国) Mori no Kimi Oiwa (守君大石), sent in 661 to rescue Baekje by Emperor Tenji who sent him after in 665 to the Tang dynasty as an envoy. Mori no Kimi Karita (守君刈田), granted the rank of Jikiko-shi by Empress Jitō in 691. Nagato Province (長門国) Ina no Kimi Takami (猪名公高見, died 672), lived during the time of Emperor Kōtoku. Ōmi Province (近江国) Inukami no Kimi Mitasuki (犬上君三田耜 / 犬上御田鍬), sent by Empress Suiko in 614 to Sui dynasty, China returning home 615 from Baekje. Also sent by Emperor Jomei as an envoy to the Tang dynasty, China in 630. Inukami no Kimi Takerube (犬上君健部), minister of Emperor Kōtoku. Inukami no Kimi Shiromaro (犬上君白麻呂), son of Mitasuki, sent as ambassador by Empress Saimei to Goguryeo. Shimotsuke Province (下野国) Kamitsukeno no Kimi Okuma (上毛野君小熊), participated in the feud of the Kuni no miyatsuko of Musashi Province, Omi and his relative Oki. Kamitsukeno no Kimi Katana (上毛野君形名), father of Wakako.