Who is widely believed to be the final compiler of the Man'yōshū?

Who is widely believed to be the final compiler of the Man'yōshū? Ōtomo no Yakamochi is the standard answer.

The Man'yōshū was assembled in stages during Japan's Nara period rather than produced by one compiler at a single moment. Its poems reach back to older court and folk traditions, while many later entries reflect the eighth-century world surrounding the imperial court and provincial administration.

Yakamochi was both a statesman and a major waka poet. He contributed roughly 480 poems to the anthology, and the final datable poem is attributed to him in 759. The last books, especially Books 17–20, have a diary-like quality because they preserve poems and exchanges connected with his life and poetic circle.

“Final compiler” is more precise than simply calling him the author. Earlier poets and collectors supplied much of the material, and the exact editorial history remains uncertain. Still, Yakamochi is widely regarded as the person who gave the collection its final form, making him the canonical quiz answer.