Kibi no Makibi

was a Japanese scholar and noble during the Nara period. Also known as .

Early life Kibi no Makibi was born in Shimotsumichi County, Bitchu Province (present-day Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture) as Shimotsumichi-no Asomi Makibi, as a son of Shimotsumichi-no Asomi Kunikatsu. Shimotsumichi clan was a line of local elites and came from the greater Kibi clan. Kibi was also the ancient name of the area he came from (Kibi Province), which encompassed Bitchu, Bizen, Bingo and Mimasaka Provinces.

Career In 717-718, Kibi was part of the Japanese mission to Tang China (Kentōshi) with Abe no Nakamaro and Genbō. Kibi stayed in China for 17 years before returning to Japan. He is credited with bringing back a number of things, introducing to Japan the game of go and the art of embroidery.