Thereupon the Heavenly Sovereign, ascending a lofty mountain and looking on the land all round, spoke, saying: “In the whole land there rises no smoke; the land is all poverty-stricken. So I remit all the people’s taxes and [forced labour] from now till three years [hence].” Therefore the great palace became dilapidated, and the rain leaked in everywhere; but no repairs were made. The rain that leaked in was caught in troughs, and [the inmates] removed from [its reach] to places where there was no leakage. When later [the Heavenly Sovereign] looked on all the land, the smoke was abundant in the land. So finding the people rich, he now exacted taxes and forced labour. Therefore the peasantry prospered, and did not suffer from forced labour. So in praise of that august reign, it was called the reign of the Emperor-Sage.
[Sect. CXXII.—Emperor Nin-toku (Part IV.—He Loves Princess Kuro).]
His Empress, Her Augustness Iha-no-hime, was exceedingly jealous. So the concubines employed by the Heavenly Sovereign could not even peep inside the palace; and if anything happened, [the Empress] stamped with jealousy. Then the Heavenly Sovereign, hearing of the regular beauty of Princess Kuro, daughter of the Suzerain of Ama in Kibi, and having sent for her, employed her. But she, afraid of the Empress’s jealousy, fled down to her native land. The Heavenly Sovereign, gazing from an upper story upon Princess Kuro’s departure by boat upon the sea, sang, saying: “In the offing there are rows of small boats. My wife Masadzuko of Kurozaki goes down towards her [native] land.”
So the Empress was very angry on hearing this august Song, and sent people to the great strand to drive Princess Kuro ashore, and chase her away on foot. Thereupon the Heavenly Sovereign, for love of Princess Kuro, deceived the Empress, saying that he wanted to see the Island of Ahaji. And when he made his progress and was in the Island of Ahaji, he, gazing afar, sang, saying: “When, having departed from the point of wave-beaten Naniha, I look at the country,—the Island of Aha, the Island of Onogoro, and also the Island of Ajimasa are visible. The Island of Saketsu is visible.”
Forthwith passing on from that island, he made a progress to the land of Kibi. Then Her Augustness Princess Kuro made him grandly reside at a place among the mountain-fields, and presented to him great august food. When for this [purpose] she plucked cabbage in that place to boil into great august soup, the Heavenly Sovereign went to the place where the maiden was plucking the cabbage, and sang, saying: “Oh! how delightful it is to pluck with a person of Kibi the cabbage sown in the mountain fields!
When the Heavenly Sovereign made his progress up, Princess Kuro presented an august Song, saying: “Even though the west wind blow up towards Yamato, and the clouds part, and we be separated, shall I forget [thee]?”
Again she sang, saying: “Whose spouse is it that goes towards Yamato? Whose spouse is it that creeps from beneath like hidden water?”
[Sect. CXXIII.—Emperor Nin-toku (Part V.—The Empress Retires to Yamashiro).]
After this time the Empress made a progress to the land of Ki in order to pluck aralia-leaves for a copious feast; and in the meanwhile the Heavenly Sovereign wedded Yata-no-waki-iratsume. Hereupon, when the Empress was returning in her august vessel loaded full of aralia-leaves, a coolie from Kozhima in the land of Kibi, who was in the service of the Superintendent of the Water-Directors, being on his way off to his own country, met at the great passage of Naniha the vessel of a lady of the train who had got behind, and forthwith told her, saying: “The Heavenly Sovereign has recently wedded Yata-no-waki-iratsume, and plays with her day and night. It must probably be because the Empress has not heard of this thing, that she quietly makes progresses for pleasure.” Then the lady of the train, having heard this narrative, forthwith pursued and reached the august vessel, and reported everything exactly as the coolie had told it. Hereupon the Empress, greatly vexed and angry, threw away into the sea all the aralia-leaves which she had put on board the august vessel. So the place [where she did so] is called by the name of Cape Mitsu. Forthwith without entering the palace, but taking her august vessel away [from it] and ascending the channel against the current, she made a progress up into Yamashiro by the river. At this time she sang, saying: “Oh! the river of Yamashiro where the seedlings grow in succession! As I ascend, ascend the river, oh! on the bank of the river [there] stands growing a sashibu!—a sashibu-tree; below it stands growing a broad-foliaged five hundred [-fold branching] true camellia-tree; oh! he who is brilliant like its blossoms, widely powerful like its foliage, is the great lord.”
Forthwith going round by Yamashiro, and arriving at the entrance of the Nara Mountain, she sang, saying: “Oh! the river of Yamashiro where the seedlings grow in succession! As I ascend, ascend to Miya, I pass Nara, I pass Yamato with its shield of mountains; and the country I fain would see is Takamiya in Kadzuraki, the neighbourhood of my home.”
Having sung thus, she returned and entered for some time into the house of a person from Kara named Nurinomi at Tsutsuki.
[Sect. CXXIV.—Emperor Nin-toku (Part VI.—He Follows the Empress Into Yamashiro).]
The Heavenly Sovereign, having heard that the Empress had made a progress up by Yamashiro, made a person,—a retainer called by the name of Toriyama,—give an august Song, which said: “Reach [her] in Yamashiro, Toriyama! Reach [her]! reach [her]! Ah! wilt thou reach and meet my beloved spouse?”
Again he continued by despatching Kuchiko, Grandee of Wani, and sang, saying: “Wilt thou be without thinking even of the Heart that is in the moor of Ohowiko, the moor of Ohowiko, that is by Takaki at Mimoro?”
Again he sang, saying: “If indeed I had pillowed [my head] on thy white arm like the whiteness of the roots, the great roots, that were beaten with wooden hoes by the women of Yamashiro where the seedlings grow in succession, [then] mightest thou say, ‘I know [thee] not!’ ” So when the Grandee of Kuchiko was repeating this august Song [to the Empress], it was raining heavily. Then upon his, without avoiding the rain, coming and prostrating himself at the front door of the palace, she on the contrary went out at the back door; and on his coming and prostrating himself at the back door of the palace, she on the contrary went out at the front door. Then, as he crept backwards and forwards on his knees in the middle of the court, the streams of water reached to his loins. Owing to the grandee being clad in a garment dyed green and with a red cord, the streams of water brushed against the red cord, and the green all changed to red colour. Now the Grandee of Kuchiko’s younger sister Princess Kuchi was in the service of the Empress. So Princess Kuchi sang, saying: “Oh! how tearful is my lord elder brother, saying things in the palace of Tsutsuki in Yamashiro!”
Then when the Empress asked the reason, she replied, saying: “He is my brother, the Grandee of Kuchiko.” Thereupon the Grandee of Kuchiko and also his younger sister Princess Kuchi and likewise Nurinomi [all] three took counsel [together], and sent to report to the Heavenly Sovereign, saying: “The reason of the Empress’s progress is that there are [some] insects reared by Nurinomi,—strange insects changing in three ways, once becoming creeping insects, once becoming cocoons, and once becoming flying birds,—and it is only to go and look at them that she has entered into [Nurinomi’s house]. She has no strange intentions.” When they had thus reported, the Heavenly Sovereign said: “That being so, I want to go and see [these insects], as I think [they must be] strange;” [and with these words] he made a progress up from the great palace. When he entered into Nurinomi’s house, Nurinomi, had already presented to the Empress the three-fold insects reared by him. Then the Heavenly Sovereign augustly stood at the door of the palace where the Empress dwelt, and sang, saying: “Pure as the great roots that were beaten with their wooden hoes by the women of Yamashiro where the seedlings grow in succession:—it is because thou spokest tumultuously that I come in here [with my retainers numerous] as the more and more flourishing trees that I look across at.”
These six Songs sung by the Heavenly Sovereign and by the Empress are Changing Songs which are Quiet Songs.
The Heavenly Sovereign, loving Yata-no-waki-iratsume, deigned to send her an august Song. That Song said: “Will the one sedge-stem of Yata, having no children, wither as it stands? Poor sedge-moor! Sedge-moor indeed is what I may say—poor pure girl!”
Then Yata-no-waki-iratsume replied in a Song, saying: “Even though the one sedge-stem of Yata be alone, if the Great Lord say it is right, even though it be alone [it is right].”
So the Yata Tribe was established as the august proxy of Yata-no-waki-iratsume.
[Sect. CXXVI.—Emperor Nin-toku (Part VIII.—Death of King Hayabusa-wake and Queen Medori).]
Again the Heavenly Sovereign begged for his younger half-sister Queen Medori, using as middle-man his younger brother King Hayabusa-wake. Then Queen Medori spoke to King Hayabusa-wake, saying: “Owing to the violence of the Empress, [the Heavenly Sovereign] has not deigned to take Yata-no-waki-iratsume [into the Palace]. So I will not respectfully serve him. I will become the wife of Thine Augustness.” Forthwith they wedded each other, wherefore King Hayabusa-wake made no report [to the Heavenly Sovereign]. Then the Heavenly Sovereign, going straight to the place where Queen Medori dwelt, stood on the door-sill of the palace. Hereupon, Queen Medori being at her loom, was weaving garments. Then the Heavenly Sovereign sang, saying: “Oh! for whom may be the garments that my Great Lady Medori weaves?”
Queen Medori replied in a Song, saying: “For an august veil for the high-going Falcon-Lord.”
So the Heavenly Sovereign, perceiving her feelings, returned into the palace. At this time when her husband King Hayabusa-wake came, his wife Queen Medori sang, saying: “The lark flies to heaven. Oh! high-going Falcon-Lord, catch the wren.”
The Heavenly Sovereign, hearing this Song, forthwith raised an army, wishing to slay King Hayabusa and Queen Medori, who then fled away together, and ascended Mount Kurahashi. Thereupon King Hayabusa-wake sang, saying: “Owing to the steepness of ladder-like Mount Kurahashi, being unable to clamber [up] the rocks, oh! she takes my hand!”
Again he sang, saying: “Though ladder-like Mount Kurahashi be steep, it is not steep when I ascend it with my younger sister.”
So when they fled thence, and reached Soni in Uda, the Imperial army pursued, overtook, and slew them.
Chief Ohotate of Yamabe, who was the generalissimo of that army, took the jewelled armlet which was wound round Queen Medori’s august arm, and gave it to his own wife. After this time, when a copious feast was to be held, the women of the various families all went to court. Then the wife of Chief Ohotate came with that Queen’s jewelled armlet wound round her own arm. Thereupon the Empress, Her Augustness Iha-no-hime, herself took the oak-leaves [full] of great august liquor and graciously gave them to the women of the various families. Then the Empress, recognizing the jewelled armlet, gave [the wearer] no oak-leaf [-full] of great august liquor, hut forthwith sent her away; and sending for the husband, Chief Ohotate, said: “Owing to that King and Queen’s impropriety, [the Emperor] deigned to send them away. This was nothing strange. And a slave such as thou despoils of the jewelled armlet that was wound round her august arm the body of his lady [that was still] warm, and gives it to his own wife!”—and forthwith he was condemmed to death.
[Sect. CXXVIII.—Emperor Nin-toku (Part IX.—A Wild-goose Lays an Egg).]
Another time, the Heavenly Sovereign, when about to hold a copious feast, made a progress to the Island of Hime, just when a wild-goose had laid an egg on that island. Then, sending for His Augustness the Noble Take-uchi, he asked him in a Song about the laying of an egg by a wild goose. This Song said: “Court Noble of Uchi! thou indeed art a long-lived person. Hast thou [ever] heard of a wild-goose laying an egg in the land of Yamato?”
Hereupon the Noble Take-uchi spoke in a Song, saying: “August Child of the High-Shining Sun, it is indeed natural that thou shouldest deign to ask, it is indeed right that thou shouldest ask. I indeed am a long-lived person, [but] have not yet heard of a wild-goose laying an egg in the land of Yamato.”
Having thus spoken, he was granted the august lute and sang, saying: “Oh thou prince! the wild-goose must have laid the egg because thou wilt at last rule.”
This is a Congratulatory Incomplete Song.
[Sect. CXXIX.—Emperor Nin-toku (Part X.—A Vessel is Made Into a Lute).]
In this august reign there was a tall tree on the west of the river Tsuki. The shadow of this tree, on its being struck by the morning sun, reached to the Island of Ahaji; and on its being struck by the evening sun, it crossed Mount Takayasu. So the tree was cut down and made into a vessel,—and a very swift-going vessel it was. At the time, this vessel was called by the name of Karanu. So with this vessel the water of the Island of Ahaji was drawn morning and evening, and presented as the great august water. The broken [pieces] of this vessel were used [as fuel] to burn salt, and the pieces of wood that remained over from the burning were made into a lute, whose sound re-echoed seven miles [off]. So [some one] sang, saying: “Karanu was burnt [as fuel] for salt; the remainder was made into a lute; oh! when struck, it sounds like the wet plants standing rocked on the reefs in the middle of the harbour,—the harbour of Yura.”
This is a Changing Song which is a Quiet song.
[Sect. CXXX.—Emperor Nin-toku (Part XI.—His Age and Place of Burial).]
The august years of this Heavenly Sovereign were eighty-three. His august mausoleum is on the Ear-Moor of Mozu.
His Augustness Iza-ho-wake dwelt in the palace of Wakasakura at Ihare, and ruled the Empire. This Heavenly Sovereign wedded Her Augustness Princess Kuro, daughter of the Noble of Ashida, child of So-tsu-biko of Kadzuraki, and begot august children: King Oshiha of Ichinobe; next King Mima; next his younger sister Awomi-no-iratsume, another name for whom was Ihi-toyo-no-iratsume.
[Sect. CXXXII.—Emperor Ri-chiū (Part II.—He is Taken to Iso-no-Kami).]
Originally, when dwelling at the palace of Naniha, [the Heavenly Sovereign] on holding a copious feast when at the great tasting, was intoxicated with the great august liquor, and fell greatly and augustly asleep. Then his younger brother, King Sumi-no-ye-naka-tsu, wishing to take the Heavenly Sovereign, set fire to the great palace. Thereupon the Suzerain of Achi, ancestor of the Suzerains of Aya in Yamato, having taken him away by stealth, set him on an august horse, and caused him to make a progress into Yamato. So [the Heavenly Sovereign] awoke on reaching the moor of Tajihi, and said: “What place is this?” Then the Suzerain of Achi said: “King Sumi-no-ye-no-naka-tsu set fire to the great palace; so I am fleeing with thee into Yamato.” Then the Heavenly Sovereign sang, saying: “Had I known that I should sleep on the Moor of Tajihi, oh! I would have brought my dividing matting,—had I known that I should sleep!”
On reaching the Pass of Hanifu and gazing at the palace of Naniha, the fire was still bright. Then the Heavenly Sovereign sang again, saying: “The group of houses sparklingly burning, as I stand and look from the Pass of Hanifu, is in the direction of the house of my spouse.”
So when they reached the entrance of the Ohosaka mountain, they met one woman. This woman said: “A number of men bearing weapons are barring [the way across] the mountain. Thou shouldst cross it going round by way of Tagima.” Then the Heavenly Sovereign sang, saying: “Oh! on asking the way of the maiden we met at Ohosaka, she tells not [the] direct [way], but tells of the Tagima way.”
So, making his progress up, he dwelt in the temple of the Deity of Isonokami.
[Sect. CXXXIII.—Emperor Ri-chiū (Part III.—His Rebellious Brother and the Latter’s Retainer Sobakari are Slain).]
Thereupon his younger brother His Augustness Midzu-ha-wake came, and sent [to ask for] an audience. Then the Heavenly Sovereign caused him to be told [these words]: “As I am in doubt whether perhaps Thine Augustness may [not] be of like mind with King Sumi-no-ye-no-naka-tsu, I will not meet and speak with thee.” [His Augustness Midzu-ha-wake] replied, saying: “I have no evil intent. I am not of like mind with King Sumi-no-ye-no-naka-tsu.” [The Heavenly Sovereign] again caused him to be told [these words]: “If that be so, [do thou] now return down, and slay King Sumi-no-ye-no-naka-tsu, and come up [again hither]. At that time I will surely meet and speak with thee.” So he forthwith returned down to Naniha, and deceived [a man] named Sobakari, a man-at-arms in the personal service of King Sumi-no-ye-no-naka-tsu, saying: “If thou wilt obey my words, I shall become Heavenly Sovereign, and will make thee prime Minister, to rule the Empire. How [would this be]?” Sobakari replied, saying: “[I will do] according to thy command.” Then plenteously endowing that man-at-arms, he said: “If that be so, slay the King.” Thereupon Sobakari watched for the time when his King went into the privy, and thrust him to death with a spear. So when [His Augustness Midzu-ha-wake] was making his progress to Yamato taking Sobakari with him, he, on reaching the entrance of the Ohosaka mountain, thought [thus]: “Although Sobakari deserves very well of me, he has truly slain his lord. This is unrighteous.
Nevertheless if I reward not his deed, I may be called untruthful; and if I quite carry out my promise, his intentions are on the contrary to be feared. So, though recompensing his deed, I will destroy his actual person.” Therefore he said to Sobakari: “I will halt here to-day and bestow on thee the rank of Prime Minister, and to-morrow will [continue my] progress up.” So a halt was made at the entrance to the mountain, a temporary palace forthwith built, a copious feast suddenly held, the rank of Prime Minister forthwith bestowed on the man-at-arms, and all the officials made to do obeisance [to him]. The man-at-arms, delighted, thought that he had accomplished his design. Then [His Augustness Midzu-ha-wake] said to the man-at-arms: “To-day I will drink liquor from the same cup as the Prime Minister.” And when they drank together, a bowl large [enough] to hide the face was filled with the liquor presented. Hereupon the King’s child drank first, and the man-at-arms drank afterwards. So when the man-at-arms was drinking, the great cup covered his face. Then [His Augustness Midzu-ha-wake] drew forth a sabre which he had laid under the matting, and cut off the head of the man-at-arms.
Forthwith on the morrow he made his progress up. So the place was called by the name of Chika-tsu-Asuka. Going up and reaching Yamato, he said: “I will halt here to-day and, having purified myself, will go forth to-morrow and worship at the temple of the Deity.” So that place is called by the name of Toho-tsu-Asuka. So going forth to the temple of the Deity of Iso-no-kami, he sent to report to the Heavenly Sovereign that he had come up to serve him after accomplishing the work [with which he had been entrusted]. So [the Heavenly Sovereign] sent for, and met, and spoke with him.
[Sect. CXXXIV.—Emperor Ri-chiū (Part IV.—Various Deeds).]
The Heavenly Sovereign thereupon first appointed the Suzerain of Achi to the office of Treasurer, and likewise bestowed on him domains. Again in this august reign the name of Waka-sakura Tribe was granted to the Grandees of the Waka-sakura Tribe. Again the gentile name of Dukes of Himeda was granted to the Dukes of Himeda. Again the Ihare Clan was established.
[Sect. CXXXV.—Emperor Ri-chiū (Part V.—His Age and Place of Burial).]
The Heavenly Sovereign’s august years were sixty-four. His august mausoleum is at Mozu.
His Augustness Midzu-ha-wake dwelt in the palace of Shibakaki at Tajihi, and ruled the Empire. The length of this Heavenly Sovereign’s august person was nine feet two inches and a half. The length of his august teeth was one inch, and their breadth two lines, and the upper and lower [row] corresponded exactly, like jewels strung together]. The Heavenly Sovereign wedded the Lady of Tsunu, daughter of Kogoto, Grandee of Wani, and begot august children: the Lady of Kahi; next the Lady of Tsubura (two Deities). Again he wedded Oto-hime, daughter of the same Grandee, and begot august children: King Takara; next the Lady of Takabe,—altogether four Kings [and Queens]. The Heavenly Sovereign’s august years were sixty. His august mausoleum is on the Moor of Mozu.
His Augustness Wo-asa-dzu-ma-waku-go-no-sukune dwelt in the Palace of Toho-tsu-Asuka, and ruled the Empire. This Heavenly Sovereign wedded Her Augustness Osaka-no-oho-naka-tsu-hime, younger sister of King Oho-hodo, and begot august children: King Karu of Kinashi; next Nagata-no-oho-iratsume; next King Kuro-hiko of Sakahi; next His Augustness Anaho; next Karu-no-oho-iratsume, another name for whom is So-tohoshi-no-iratsume (the reason for her being given the august name of Queen So-tohoshi was that the refulgence of her person passed through her garments); next King Shiro-biko of Yatsuri; next His Augustness Oho-hatsuse; next Tachibana-no-oho-iratsume; next Sakami-no-iratsume (nine Deities). Altogether the Heavenly Sovereign’s august children [numbered] nine Deities (five Kings and four Queens). Of these nine Kings and Queens, His Augustness Anaho [was he who afterwards [ruled the Empire. Next his Augustness Oho-hatsuse ruled the Empire.
[Sect. CXXXVIII.—Emperor In-giyō (Part II.—His Sickness is Cured by a Korean Physician).]
The Heavenly Sovereign, when first about to rule the succession of Heaven’s Sun, declined, saying: “I have a long sickness; I cannot rule the sun’s succession.” Nevertheless, as from the Empress downwards all the magnates strongly urged him, he forthwith ruled the Empire. At this time the ruler of Shiragi dutifully sent eighty-one vessels with august tribute. Then the chief envoy sent with the august tribute, whose name was Komu-ha-chimu-kamu-ki-mu, was a man deeply versed in the medical art. So he cured the Heavenly Sovereign’s august sickness.
[Sect. CXXXIX.—Emperor In-giyō (Part III.—He Rectifies the People’s Names).]
Thereupon the Heavenly Sovereign, lamenting the transgressions in the surnames and gentile names of the people of all the surnames and names in the Empire placed jars [for trial by] hot water at the Wondrous Cape of Eighty Evils in Words at Amakashi, and deigned to establish the surnames and gentile names of the eighty heads of companies. Again the Karu Tribe was established as the august proxy of King Karu of Ki-nashi; the Osaka Tribe was established as the Empress’s august proxy; and the Kaha Tribe was established as the august proxy of the Empress’s younger sister Ta-wi no Naka-tsu-hime.
[Sect. CXL.—Emperor In-giyō (Part IV.—His Age and Place of Burial).]
The Heavenly Sovereign’s august years were seventy-eight. His august mausoleum is at Naga-ye near Wega in Kafuchi.
[Sect. CXLI.—Emperor In-giyō (Part V.—Prince Karu Loves His Sister Princess So-tohoshi).]
After the decease of the Heavenly Sovereign, it was settled that King Karu of Ki-nashi should rule the Sun’s succession. But in the interval before his accession, he debauched his younger sister the Great Lady of Karu, and sang, saying: “Making rice-fields on the mountain, making hidden conduits run on account of the mountain’s height:—to-day indeed [my] body easily touches the younger sister whom I wooed with a hidden wooing, the spouse for whom I wept with a hidden weeping.”
This is a Hind-Lifting Song. Again he sang, saying: “The rattle-rattle of the hail against the bamboo-grass:—After I shall have certainly slept, what though I be plotted against by people! When I shall have slept a good sleep delightfully, if there is the disorder of the cut Hydropyrum latifolium, let there be disorder,—when I shall have slept a good sleep!”
This is a Rustic Lifting Song.
[Sect. CXLII.—Emperor In-giyō (Part VI.—War Between Prince Karu and Prince Anaho).]
Therefore all the officials and likewise the people of the Empire turned against the Heir Apparent Kara, and towards the August Child Anaho. Then the Heir Apparent Karu, being alarmed, fled into the house of the Grandee the Noble Oho-mahe Wo-mahe, and made a provision of implements of war. (The arrows made at this time were provided with copper arrow-insides; so those arrows are called by the name of Kara arrows.) Prince Anaho likewise made implements of war. (The arrows made by this Prince were just the arrows of the present time: they are called Anaho arrows.) Thereupon Anaho raised an army, and beleaguered the house of the Noble Oho-mahe Wo-mahe. Then, when be reached the gate, heavy ice-rain was falling. So he sang, saying: “Come thus under cover of the metal gate of the Noble Oho-mahe Wo-mahe! We will stand till the rain stops.”
Then the Noble Oho-mahe Wo-mahe came singing, lifting his hands, striking his knees, dancing, and waving his arms. The Song said: “The courtiers are tumultuous, [saying] that the small bell of the garter of the courtiers has fallen off. Country-people, too, beware!”
This Song is of a Courtier’s Style. Singing thus, he came near and said: “August Child of our Heavenly Sovereign! Come not with arms against the King thine elder brother. If thou shouldst come against him with arms, people will surely laugh. I will secure him and present him to thee.” Then Prince Anaho disbanded his troops and went away. So the Noble Oho-mahe Wo-mahe secured Prince Karu, and led him forth, and presented him [to Prince Anaho]. The captive Prince sang, saying: “Maiden of heaven-soaring Karu! if thou cry violently, people will know. Cry quietly like the doves on Mount Hasa.”
Again he sang: “Maiden of heaven-soaring Karu! Come and sleep, and [then] pass on, oh maiden of Karu!”
[Sect. CXLIII.—Emperor In-giyō (Part VII.—Death of Prince Karu and Princess So-tohoshi).]
So Prince Karu was banished to the hot waters of Iyo. Again when about to be banished, he sang, saying: “The heaven-soaring birds, too, are indeed messengers. When thou hearest the voice of the crane, ask my name.”
These three songs are of a Heaven-Soaring style. Again he sang, saying: “If they banish the Great Lord to an island, he will indeed make the remaining return voyage. Beware of my mat! Mat indeed in words,—beware of my spouse!”
This Song is of a Partly Lowered Rustic style. Queen So-tohoshi presented a Song [to him]. That Song said: “Let not thy feet tread on the oyster-shells of the shore of Ahine with its summer herbs! Pass there [after] having made clear!”
So when afterwards again, being unable to restrain her love, she went after him, she sang, saying: “Thy going has become long past. I will go, oh! to meet thee. Wait! I cannot wait.” (What is here called yama-tadzu is [what is] now [known by the name of] tatsuge.)
So when in her pursuit she reached [the place where prince Karu was, he, who had been] pensively waiting, sang, saying: “Alas! beloved spouse, who settledst the whereabouts of our grave, setting up flags in the great vale, setting up flags in the little vale of Hatsuse the hidden castle! Alas! beloved spouse, whom I see after [our many troubles], prostrate like a tsuki bow, standing like an adzusa bow!”
Again he sang, saying: “Driving sacred piles in the upper reach, driving true piles in the lower reach of the river of secluded Hatsuse, and hanging on the sacrificial piles a mirror, hanging on the true piles true jewels:—if they said that the younger sister whom I love like a true jewel, that the spouse whom I love like a mirror were [there], I would go home, I would long for my country.”
Having thus sung, they forthwith killed themselves together. So these two songs are Reading Songs.
[Sect. CXLIV.—Emperor An-kō (Part I.—He Slays King Oho-kusaka).]
The august child Anaho dwelt at the palace of Anaho at Isonokami, and ruled the Empire. The Heavenly Sovereign sent the Grandee of Ne, ancestor of the Grandees of Sakamoto, to the residence of King Oho-kusaka, on behalf of his younger brother Prince Oho-hatsuse to command thus: “I wish Thine Augustness’s younger sister Queen Waka-kusaka to wed Prince Oho-hatsuse. So do thou present her.” Then King Oho-kusaka did obeisance four times, and said: “Owing to a supposition that there might be some such Great Commands, I have kept her always indoors. With reverence will I respectfully offer her according to the Great Commands.” Nevertheless, thinking it disrespectful [merely] to send a message, he forthwith, as a ceremonial gift from his younger sister, made [the Grandee of Ne] take a push-wood jewel headdress to present [to the Heavenly Sovereign]. The Grandee of Ne forthwith stole the jewel headdress meant as a ceremonial gift, and slandered King Oho-kusaka, saying: “King Oho-kusaka would not receive the Imperial Commands, but said: ‘An soror mea fiet eædem stirpis [viri] inferior storea?’ and, grasping the hilt of his cross-sword, was angry.” So the Heavenly Sovereign, having in his great anger slain King Oho-kusaka, took that King’s chief wife Nagata-no-oho-iratsume, and made her Empress.
[Sect. CXLV.—Emperor An-kō (Part II.—He is Slain by King Ma-yowa).]
After this, the Heavenly Sovereign, being on [his] divine couch, was sleeping at midday. Then he spoke to his Empress, saying: “Is there anything on thy mind?” She replied, saying: “Being the object of the Heavenly Sovereign’s generous favour, what can there be on my mind?” Hereupon the Empress’s former child, King Ma-yowa, who was seven years old that year, happened to be just then playing outside the apartment. Then the Heavenly Sovereign, not knowing that the young King was playing outside the apartment, spoke to the Empress, saying: “I have constantly something upon my mind, namely [the fear] that thy child King Ma-yowa, when he comes to man’s estate, may, on learning that I slew the King his father, requite me with a foul heart.” Thereupon King Ma-yowa, who had been playing outside the apartment, and whose ear had caught these words, forthwith watched for the Heavenly Sovereign to be augustly asleep, and, taking the great sword [that lay] by his side, forthwith struck off the Heavenly Sovereign’s head, and fled into the house of the Grandee Tsubura. The Heavenly Sovereign’s august years were fifty-six. His august mausoleum is on the mound of Fushimi at Sugahara.
Then Prince Oho-hatsuse, who at that time was a lad, was forthwith grieved and furious on hearing of this event, and went forthwith to his elder brother King Kuro-biko, and said: “They have slain the Heavenly Sovereign. What shall be done?” But King Kuro-biko was not startled, and was of unconcerned heart. Thereupon King Oho-hatsuse reviled his elder brother, saying: “For one thing it being the Heavenly Sovereign, for another thing it being thy brother, how is thy heart without concern? What! not startled, but unconcerned on hearing that they have slain thine elder brother!”—and forthwith he clutched him by the collar, dragged him out, drew his sword, and slew him. Again, going to his elder brother King Shiro-biko, he told him the circumstances as before. The unconcernedness again was like [that shown by] King Kuro-biko. [So King Oho-hatsuse,] having forthwith clutched him by the collar, pulled him along, and dug a pit on reaching Woharida, buried him as he stood, so that by the time he had been buried up to the loins, both his eyes burst out, and he died.
[Sect. CXLVII.—Emperor An-kō (Part IV.—Death of Prince Ma-yowa and of the Grandee Tsubura).]