There is a theory that this KAKINOMOTO no Saru might be Hitomaro himself, made to change his name like WAKE no Kiyomaro through being involved in political strife and provoking the displeasure of a member of the Imperial family.
この柿本サルこそが、政争に巻き込まれ皇族の怒りを買い、和気清麻呂のように変名させられた人麻呂ではないかとする説もある。