The
Nihon Shoki or The Chronicles of Japan, are a historiographical collection of writing composed into thirteen books covering the Japanese history from its beginning until
Empress Jitō was forced to relinquish her throne in 697. Prince Osakabe was a contributor to the project since its inception in the 680's. Osakabe, like many other courtiers of the time, was also a poet, and one of his poems is included in the ''
Man'yōshū''. The Volume III of this collection opens with a poem - written by Kakinomoto no Asomi Hitomaro - dedicated to Osakabe. Osakabe's contribution to the reforms undertaken by
Emperor Monmu included the draft of several laws and decrees based on the Chinese model. With small modifications, many of these are still valid today. == Genealogy ==