 The earliest record was the (c. 797) Shoku Nihongi history (Gras 2004: 45) , which mentions a hōsōshi exorcist officiating at the burial ceremonies for Emperor Shōmu (756), Emperor Kōnin (781), and Emperor Kanmu (806).
<clarity>  The earliest record was the (c. 797) Shoku Nihongi history (Gras 2004: 45) , which mentions a hōsōshi exorcist officiating at the burial ceremonies for Emperor Shōmu (756), Emperor Kōnin (781), and Emperor Kanmu (806).
 The earliest record was the (c. 797) Shoku Nihongi history , which mentions a hōsōshi exorcist officiating at the burial ceremonies for Emperor Shōmu (756), Emperor Kōnin (781), and Emperor Kanmu (806).