On the other hand, Hatas devoted themselves in industries such as sericulture, metallurgy and land development, which lead them to flourish economically. It is of common knowledge among the historical world that Hatas were not interested in political power.

But once the world enters a turbulent age, they often jumped to the top of power. Chosokabe family of Shikoku region, Shimazu family of Kushu region and Jinbo family of Echigo regions were such examples. They openly called themselves the descendants of Hata-clan, but no all Hatas were open about it.

It seems that Hatas had bilateral characters. They flourished as the influential family in the peaceful times, but during the turbulent times, they stood to fight.

What interests me is that the same can be said regarding the current political world. Ever since World War II, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has been dominating the Japanese politics. They controlled the political world as the ruling party and Prime Ministers were always elected from the LDP.

But dramatic change occurred as we entered the 1990Õs. The political corruption among the LDP surfaced, making ways to Japan Renewal Party lead by Ozawa Ichiro and Japan New Party lead by Hosokawa Morihiro to take great strides into ruling the Japanese Politics. Two parties finally joined together and defeated the LDP. Mr. Hosokawa assumed the office of the Prime Minister. But Hosokawa administration soon collapsed leaving the office to Hata Tsutomu.

Hata was born in Nagano prefecture. Although he currently uses the Chinese characters Hata, his ancestors used a different character for Hata.

According the genealogical table well preserved at the Main household of Hata, their antediluvian patriarch was the First Qin Emperor. Hatas calling themselves as the descendants of the First Qin Emperor is nothing unusual. This Hatas were, in a sense, a typical Hata-clan.

But what is interesting here is that the ancestors of Hata Tsutomu not only called themselves the descendants of the First Qin Emperor but also let Xu Fu appear on their family chart from this time on. As you may know, Xu Fu, a Taoism priest, by the order of the First Qin Emperor, dispatched eastwardly to Mt. Hourai in search for an elixir. One theory suggests that the group of Xu Fu may have arrived in Japan. Mountains of Japan, including Mr. Fuji, may had been the Mt. Hourai where mountain hermits were thought to have resided.

If such would be the case, it is highly probable that the descendants of Xu Fu may still reside in Nagano prefecture where Japan Alps rises its peaks.

I shall return to the relationship between the Hata-clan and Xu Fu later on another chance. So I will stop at this point by only ascertaining you that Mr. Hata Tsutomu was a typical Hata. So, from the Hatas that settled in Nagano, a personage by the name of Hata-no-Takebun became conspicuous. He became famous for serving Emperor Godaigo. His descendants served Ooi-shuridayuu but were defeated by Takeda Shingen. It was during this period that they had their surnames switched to Hata.

Characters may differ, but they are Hatas all the same. Hata Tsutomu is proud of being a Hata and is said to visit the Ushinmatsuri (Cow Festival) held in Koryu-temple, the family temple of Hata-clan located in Uzumasa, Kyoto.

Unfortunately, Hata administration did not last long. But now, Hata Tsutomu is active as the leading member of Minshuto in diverse fields. I am not a supporter of Minshuto, but I shall look forward to his further activity as the member of the prideful Hata-clan.

N.B. All the names are expressed with the last name first as in the Japanese custom.

Translated by Rie Ishida