Wake no Kiyomaro was born in Bizen Province (now Wake; Okayama) to a family of politically important; devoted Buddhists who hoped to keep Buddhism and politics separate through religious reform.

He became a trusted advisor to Emperor Kammu; a position which he used to encourage the development of Buddhism in a direction which would prevent it from posing a threat to the government.

Usa Jingu; also known as Usa Hachimangu; is a Shinto shrine in the city of Usa in Oita Prefecture. Emperor Ojin; who was deified as Hachiman-jin (the tutelary god of warriors); is said to be enshrined in all the sites dedicated to him; and the first and earliest of these was at Usa in the early 8th century. The Usa Jingu has long been the recipient of Imperial patronage; and its prestige is considered second only to that of Ise.