The father of Yamakuma no Okimi was a son of Emperor Tenmu and he had many younger brothers, but he was in obscurity during the reign of Empress Jito because he had few opportunities to play an active part in political affairs (some people believe this was because Empress Jito disliked him).
父は天武天皇の皇子では比較的年長でありながら、持統朝では活躍の場を与えられず、不遇をかこった（持統天皇に嫌われていたとの意見がある）。