Among the researchers of ancient history, however, popular view it that the word "kudaranai" (meaning "no Paekche") or "kudara-deha-nai" ("not being Paekche"). Kudara ("Paekche") was an ancient Korean state during 4-7 AD that was closely tied to the Yamato court. As Buddhism was introduced from Paekche, this popular etymological theory deserves some attention.

At the Battle of Hakusukinoe in 663, Japan fought against the allied forces of Tang and Silla by forming an alliance themselves with Paekche. Unfortunately, Japan and Paekche lost this battle, and upon surrender, Japan had allowed the Paekche prince to flee to Japan. It was only natural that Japan received large influx of refugees from Paekche during the same period.

As seen here, ancient Japanese culture was greatly influenced by Paekche. As there is a Buddha statue called Kudara Buddha in Horyu-temple, among the arts and architectures of Aska era are many that are in the lineage of Paekche. Products from Paekche symbolized the continental civilization and were regarded as stylish. Consequently, products other than of Paekche were considered something valueless and such trend had spread to give birth to the word "Kudaranai", meaning "no Paekche".

The truth is yet to be confirmed, but ancient Japan sympathized so much with Paekche that such theory was born. According to the Horse-Rider theory promoted by Namio Egami, the Imperial family is the descendants of the mounted warrior people identified as Puyo of Manchuria, same as the royal family of Paekche.

Such may be the reason why most of the immigrants depicted in "Kojiki" and "Nihon-Shoki" are people from Paekche. Celebrities such as Kudara-no-konikishi and the scholar Wani are the typical examples of such.

But when we consider whether those Paekche immigrants were actually from Paekche, it turns out that not all are so. Some of them claimed Paekche descent while they were actually from Silla. The Hata-clan that succeeded in number were the typical of these false immigrants.

In the history textbook a decade ago, Hata-clan is described as immigrants from Paekche. This was because "Kojiki" and "Nihon-Shoki" both clearly stated that Hata-clan migrated from Paekche and there were even statements describing that Silla interrupted their migration to Japan. Whoever reads such description would regard Hata-clan as immigrants of Paekche ancestry. Given such circumstances, Yoshinori Yasumoto, an ancient history researcher, claims that judging from its vocal sounds, "Yuduki" of "Yuduki-no-kimi" who lead the Hata-clan means Paekche (Kudara).

But, the cultures of Hata-clan all indicate Silla influence. The wooden seated image of the Buddha Amida of Koryu-temple, known as the first to be designated as national treasure, is without a doubt, a Silla Buddha. The tiles of the temples related to Hata-clan are all Silla style. With all such evidences, it is obvious that Hata-clan were from Silla.

Then why did Hata-clan claim Paekche descent? They may have passed themselves off as Paekche descent because they wanted to please the Imperial family who were of the same descent as the royal family of Paekche. But nothing has been confirmed. The Hata-clan who claimed Paekche immigrants while they were actually from Silla may have been the "kudaranai" people in real sense. Or the word "Kudaranai" itself may have been the cipher indicating Hata-clan were not the real Paekche immigrant.

Translated by Rie Ishida