® A half-brother of the Emperor. He lived in Yamashiro.
SUJIN. 157 from Mount Kako’ in Yamato, which she wrapped in her neckerchief and prayed, saying:—‘ This earth represents the Land of Yamato,’ and turned it upside down. By this I know that there will be troubles. If thou dost not speedily take measures, it will assuredly be too late.’”’ Hereupon he recalled all the generals and consulted with them. No long time after, Take-hani-yasu-hiko and his wife Ata-bime conspired to revolt, and arrived suddenly with an army which they had raised. They came each by different roads, the husband by way of Yamashiro, the wife by Oho-saka. They intended to join their forces and attack the capital. Then the Emperor sent Isaseri- hiko no Mikoto to attack the force led by Ata-bime. He accordingly intercepted it at Oho-saka and put it all to a great rout. Ata-bime was killed, and her troops were all slain. Afterwards he sent Oho-hiko and Hiko-kuni-fuku, the ancestor of the Wani no Omi, towards Yamashiro to attack Take-hani- yasu. Here they took sacred jars and planted them at the top of the acclivity of Takasuki in Wani.2 Then they advanced with their best troops and ascended Mount Nara and occupied it. Nowwhen the Imperial forces were encamping, they trod level the herbs and trees, whence that mountain was given the name of Mount Nara.* Then abandoning Mount Nara, they proceeded as far as the River Wakara. Hani-yasu-hiko was encamped on both sides of the river, and the two armies challenged each other. Therefore the men of that time changed the name of the river, and called it the River Idomi,* which is now corrupted into Idzumi.
Hani-yasu-hiko, standing on the bank of this river, inquired of Hiko-kuni-fuku, saying:—‘‘ Why hast thou raised an army and come hither?” He answered and said:—‘‘ Thou, in oppo- sition to Heaven, and regardless of right, dost intend to over- turn the Royal chamber.’ Therefore I have raised a loyal army to punish thy revolt. This is the Emperor’s command.” Hereupon there was a struggle who should shoot first. Hani- yasu-hiko shot first at Hiko-kuni-fuku, but missed him. Then The same as Mount Kagu above referred to. i.e. they sacrificed to the Gods before entering on the campaign. Narasu means to make level.
1 2 3 4 Challenge River. ° We would say the throne.
Vi IT.
1538 NIHONGI.
Hiko-kuni-fuku aimed ‘at Hani-yasu-hiko, hit him in the breast; and killed him. His troops lost courage and retreated. They were consequently pursued and driven in rout ‘to: the north ot the river. More than half had their heads cut off, and of dead bodies there was a pene overflow. Therefore that bere was named Hafu-sono.'
Again the troops fled in fear and their excrements were voided on their breeches. So they took off their armour and ran.. Knowing that they could not escape, they bowed their heads to the ground, and said, ‘‘Our Lord.” Therefore the men of that time called the place where the armour was taken off “‘ Ka- wara,”? and the place where the breeches were defiled they called. Kuso-bakama.* It is now called Kusuba, which ‘is a corruption of this word. | PEOTEONEE the place where they bowed their heads was eles. A-gimi.* After tkis Yamato-toto-hi-momo-so-bime no Mikoto became the wife of Oho-mono-nushi no Kami. This God, however, was never seen in the day-time, but came at night. Yamato- toto-hime no Mikoto said to her husband:—‘‘ As my Lord ‘is never seen in the day-time, I am unable to ‘view his august countenance distinctly; I-beseech him therefore to delay a while, that in the morning -I may look upon the majesty of his beauty.” The Great God answered and said:—‘‘ What thou sayest is clearly right. To-morrow morning I will enter thy toilet- case and stay there. I pray thee be not alarmed at my form.” Yamato-toto-hime no Mikoto wondered secretly in her heart at this. Waiting until daybreak, she looked into her toilet-case. There was there a beautiful little snake,’ of the length and thick- ness of the cord ofa garment. Thereupon she was frightened, and uttered an exclamation. The Great God was ashamed, and changing suddenly into human form, spake to his wife, and ? Afureru is “to overflow,” sono means garden. Hafu is more probably for hafuri, sacrifice.
4 Our Lord. See above. side Pre ® This is one of numerous. evidences of serpent- worship in Ancient Japan. The interlinear Kana ei) snake is worochi, where wHe last ee is a honorific.
said':—‘ Thou didst not contain thyself, but hast caused me shame: I willin my turn put thee to shame.” So treading the Great Void, he ascended to Mount Mimoro. Hereupon ~ Yamato-toto-hime no Mikoto looked up and had remorse.
She flopped down on a seat and with a chopstick stabbed herself in the pudenda so that she died. She was buried -at Oho-chi.. Therefore the men of that time called her tomb the Hashi no haka.'| This tomb was made by men in the day-time, and by.Gods at night. It was built of stones carried from Mount Oho-saka. Now the people standing close to each other’ passed the stones from hand to hand, and thus transported them from the mountain to the tomb. The men of that time made a song about this, saying:— If one passed from hand to hand The rocks Built up On Oho-saka,?
How hard?twould be to send them!?
Winter, roth month, st day. The Emperor gave com-. mand to his Ministers, saying:—‘‘ The rebels have now all: yielded themselves to execution and there is peace in the home district. But the savage tribes abroad® continue to be tumultuous. Let the generals of the four roads now make. haste to set out.” On the 22nd day, the four generals, set out | on their journeys simultaneously.
1 The. Chopstick Tomb.
2 The great acclivity.
* The tombs of men of rank at this period of Japanese History consisted of a round mound of earth varying in size according to the station of the person interred, and containing a vault of megalithic stones, with an.
entrance gallery similar to those of the Imperial Misasagi, but of much smaller size. Many of these are still to be seen in Japan, especially in the provinces near Yamato. Of course it is utterly impossible to pass from hand to hand stones of the size used in constructing these tombs. * The original is Kinai, more familiarly known as Gokinai, and comprising the provinces of Yamato, Yamashiro, Settsu, Kawachi, and Idzumi. — * Lit. outside the sea. This is a Chinese expression which must ‘not.
be taken too literally. The Ainos may be referred to. But the whole passage seems inspired by recollections from Chinese Titerature, and,is probably entirely fictitious.
He 160 NIHONGI, r1th year, Summer, 4th month, 28th day. The generals of the four roads reported to the Emperor the circumstances of their pacification of the savages. This year strange tribes came in great numbers and there was tranquillity throughout the land.
12th year, Spring, 3rd month, 11th day. The following decree was issued:—‘‘ Ever since we received the Celestial Dignity and undertook the guardianship of the ancestral shrines, Our light has been subject to obscuration, and Our influence has been wanting in placidity. Consequently there has been disaccord in the action of the male and female principles of nature, heat and cold have mixed their due order, epidemic disease has been rife, and calamities have befallen . the people. But now in order to be absolved from Our offences and to rectify Our errors, we have reverently worshipped the Gods of Heaven and Earth. We have also dispensed Our instructions and thus pacified the savage tribes, and by force of arms have chastised those who refused sub- mission. In this way authority has. been maintained, while below there are no retired people.’ Education” is widespread; the multitude take delight in their industries;* strange tribes come employing several interpreters; the countries beyond the sea offer allegiance. At this time We think it fit to make a new recension of the people, and to acquaint them with grades of seniority, and the order of forced labour.”
Autumn, 9th month, 16th day. A census of the people was begun and taxes were imposed anew. These are called the men’s bow-end tax and the women’s finger-end tax.*, Therefore the Gods of Heaven and Earth were harmonious. The wind 1 By “retired people” are probably meant those who have concealed them- selves in order to escape from oppression. The phrase occurs in the “ Con- fucian Analects” (Legge, p. 200), where, however, it is used of a voluntary retirement from the world.
2 The “education” is not juvenile education, but the education of the people by the good example of the monarch, with, perhaps, an occasional discourse from the throne.
3 From “authority” to “industries” is copied from a Chinese History of the Han Dynasty. The whole decree is utterly impossible as ‘a document of Japanese History at this period. It is as Chinese as it can be.
4 That is, a tax of animals’ skins and game to be paid by the men, and of textile fabrics to be levied on women. See Ch. K., p. 182.
SUJIN. 161 and rain came in their season, the hundred kinds of grain formed duly. Families did not become extinct, population was sufficient. Profound peace prevailed in the Empire. There- fore he received the title of “ The Emperor, the august founder of the country.”
17th year, Autumn, 7th month, rst day. The following decree was issued:— “Ships are of cardinal importance to the Empire. At present the people of the coast, not having ships, suffer grievously by land-transport. Therefore, let every province be caused to have ships built.”
Winter, roth month. The building of ships was begun.
48th year, Spring, ist month, roth day. The Emperor gave command to Toyoki no Mikoto and Ikume no Mikoto, say- ing:—‘‘ Ye, my two children, are alike in Our affection, and We know not which of you to make Our successor. Do each of you dream, and We will form an augury from your dreams.” Hereupon the two princes, having received this command, performed their ablutions and prayed. In their sleep each of them had a dream. The next dawn the elder brother, Toyoki no Mikoto, reported to the Emperor the story of his dream, saying:—‘‘I myself ascended Mount Mimoro, and turning to the East, eight times I flourished a spear, and eight times dealt blows with a sword.”
The younger brother, Ikume no Mikoto, reported the story of his dream, saying:—‘‘I myself ascended to the summit of Mount Mimoro, and stretched a cord to the four quarters with which to drive away the sparrows which fed upon the grain.”
The Emperor compared the dreams, and spake to his two sons, saying:—‘‘ The elder of you turned to the East only, and it is therefore meet that he should rule the Eastern Land. But the younger looked down generally over the four quarters, and he ought therefore to succeed to Our Dignity.”’
Summer, 4th month, rgth day. Ikume no Mikoto was appointed Prince Imperial, and Toyoki no Mikoto was made ruler of the Eastern Land. He was the first ancestor of the Kimi of Kami-tsuke* and of the Kimi of Shimotsuke.
Now Kodzuke. Fava Me Ailey Bic Eg or hae es 162 NIHONGI.
6oth year, Autumn, 7th month, 14th day. The Emperor addressed his ministers, saying:—‘‘ Take-hi-teru no Mikoto Another version is Take-hina-tori or Ama-no-hina- tori.
brought from Heaven the divine treasures and stored them in the Temple of the Great God at Idzumo. I wish to see them.” Accordingly Take-moro-sumi, the ancestor of the Yata-be no Miyakko, was sent for them One writing says:—‘‘ Also called Oho-moro-sumi.”
that he might lay them before the Emperor. Now at this time Idzumo Furune, the ancestor of the Idzumo no Omi, held charge of the divine treasures. He had gone to the Land of Tsukushi and did not come to meet him. His younger brother, [hi-iri-ne, accordingly received the Imperial command and entrusted them to his younger brother, Umashi-Kara'-hisa and his son Uka-tsuku-nu, and so rendered them up to the Emperor. Now when Idzumo Furune returned from Tsukushi and heard that the divine treasures had been rendered up to the Court, he rebuked his younger brother Ihi-iri-ne, saying:—‘‘ Thou shouldst have waited for some days. What wert thou afraid of that thou didst so lightly part with the divine treasures? ”” On this account . he still, after years and months had passed, cherished wrath against his younger brother and had a mind to slay him. So he deceived his younger brother, saying:—‘‘ Of late the mo” plant grows plentifully in the Yamiya pool. Pray let us go together and see it.” So he followed his elder brother and went there. Before this, the elder brother had secretly made a wooden sword, in appearance like a real sword, which at this time he himself wore. The younger brother was girt with a real sword. When they both came to the head of the pool, the elder brother said to the younger:—‘‘ The water of the pool is limpid and cool; pray let us both bathe in it.” The younger brother agreed to his elder brother’s proposal, and they each took off the sword which he wore and laid it on 1 Note the occurrence of Kara, the name of a Corean Kingdom, in a proper name at a time when it was not supposed that Japan had relations with Corea.
2 Defined as “a water plant with round leaves and stems which vary in length according to the depth of the water.” It is edible.
SUJIN. 163 the bank of the pool. Having bathed in the water, the elder brother came first to land; and taking the younger brother’s real sword, girded it on himself. Afterwards the younger brother, surprised, took up his elder brother’s wooden sword, but on coming to mutual blows, the younger brother was unable to draw the wooden sword. So the elder brother smote his younger brother, Ihi-iri-ne, and killed him. Therefore the men of that day made a song, saying,— The sword girt on By the warrior of Idzumo (Where many clouds arise!)— There is the sheath enwound with creepers, But, alas! there is no blade.
Hereupon Umashi-Kara-hisa and Uka-tsuku-nu proceeded to Court, where they reported this affair in detail. Accordingly, Kibi-tsu-hiko and Takenu-kaha-wake were sent to put to death Idzumo Furune. Therefore the Omi of Idzumo, in dread of this, desisted for a while from the worship of the Great God.
Nowa man of Higami, in Tamba, named Hika-tohe, made a representation to the Prince Imperial, Iku-me no Mikoto, saying:—‘‘ One of my children isa young infant. Yet of his own accord he has said this:—‘ These are the Gods worshipped by the men of Idzumo—Idzumo of the gem-like water-plant* and the sunken stone *—viz. the true-kind-beautiful-august-mirror, the pinion-flapping-beautiful-august-God, the bottom-treasure- august-treasure-master; the august-spirit-plunged-in-the-water- of-the-mountain-stream, the peacefully-wearing (jewels?)-august- deity, the bottom-treasure-august-treasure-master.’ * These do not seem like the words of a young infant. May they have been spoken by divine inspiration?”
Hereupon the Prince Imperial reported to the Emperor, who accordingly caused them to be worshipped.
62nd year, Autumn, 7th month, 2nd day. The following edict was issued:— ‘“‘ Agriculture is the great foundation of the Empire. It is See above, p. 54.
The mo, above referred to.
Perhaps a precious stone found at the bottom of rivers.
The Shiki says that this is the description of two deities only.
co w bo =.
Vio 164 NIHONGI.
that upon which the people depend for their subsistence.’ At present the water of Hanida of Sayama in Kahachi is scarce, and therefore the peasants of that province are remiss in their husbandry. Open up therefore abundance of ponds and runnels, and so develop the industry of the people.” Winter, toth month. The Yosami pond was made. t1th month. The Karusaka pond and the Sakahori pond were made.. One version has:—‘‘ These three ponds were made when the Emperor dwelt in the Palace of Kuhama.” 65th year, Autumn, 7th month. The Land of Imna® sent Sonaka-cheulchi and offered tribute. Imna is more than 2000 ri to the north of Tsukushi, from which it is separated by the sea. It lies to the south-west of Ké-rin. In the 68th year of his reign, Winter, the 12th month, 5th day, the Emperor died at the age of 120." _ In the following year, Autumn, the 8th month, 11th day, he was buried in the Misasagi above the road at Yamanobe.
1 The above two sentences are copied word for word from a Chinese history.
2 The traditional Japanese pronunciation of this nameis Mimana. I have followed here, as elsewhere, the Corean pronunciation of Corean proper names. On any estimate of the length of the ri, the distance given is far too. great.
Imna or Mimana is also known as Kara. It is a small kingdom lying to the S.W. of the River Naktong.
Kérin, in Japanese Kirin, is another name for Silla (in Japamene Shinra or Shiragi). See “Early Japanese History” 1 i | Aneel. ps43: Sonaka-cheulchi looks like a genuine Corean name.
3 The age given here is inconsistent with other data found in the “ Nihongi” itself, and with the “ Kojiki,” which makes him 168 at the time of his death.
BOOK...Vi. THE EMPEROR IKU-ME-IRI-HIKO-I-SACHI. (SUININ: TENNO.)
THE Emperor Iku-me-iri-hiko-i-sachi was the third child of the Emperor Mimaki-iri-hiko-iniye. The Empress his mother was called Mimaki-hime. She was the daughter of Oho-hiko no Mikoto. The Emperor was born in the Palace of Midzu- gaki in the 29th year of the Emperor Mimaki, the 50th year of the cycle, Spring, the 1st month, the 1st day. From his birth he was of a distinguished appearance; when he grew to manhood, he had superior talent and large principles. His disposition was to be guided implicitly by truth and to avoid dissimulation.
The Emperor loved him, and retained him near his own person. At the age of twenty-four,? in accordance with the prognostic of a dream, he made him Prince Imperial.
’ The Emperor Mimaki-iri-hiko-iniye died in Winter, the r2th month of the 68th year of his reign.
Ist year, Spring, 2nd day. The Prince Imperial assumed the Imperial Dignity..
Winter, roth month, 11th day.’ The Emperor Mimaki was buried in the Misasagi over the road at Yamanobe.
11th month, 2nd day. The Empress was granted the * This does not agree with what precedes. He was born in the 29th year of his father’s reign, and made Prince Imperial in the 48th. He would therefore be only twenty, and not twenty-four. Note that the Japanese always count both the year of birth and the current year in their calculations of age.
* This does not agree with the date on the previous page.
Wale?
BGs 265 166 NIHONGI.
honorary title of Grand Empress. This was the year Midzu- noye Tatsu of the cycle.
and year, Spring, 2nd month, gth day. Saho-hime was appointed Empress. She gave birth to Homu-tsu-wake no Mikoto. From his birth the Emperor loved him, and kept him near his own person. When he grew to manhood, he could not speak. | Winter, roth month. The capital was removed to Maki- muku. It was called the Palace of Tamaki. In this year the man of Imna, Sonaka cheulchi,' asked permission to return to his country. Therefore gifts were liberally bestowed on him, and there were entrusted to him asa present for the King of Imna r00 pieces of red silk. But the Silla people waylaid. and robbed him, and at this time began the iii between the two countries.”
One account says:—‘‘In the reign of the Emperor Mimaki, there was a man with horns on his forehead* who came riding in a ship and anchored in the Bay of Kebi in the land of Koshi. Therefore that place was called Tsunoga.* He was asked what countryman he was. He replied, saying:—‘ I am the son of the King of Great Kara. My name is Tsunoga arashito, and I am also called Ushiki arishichi kanki.» It having come to my ears that there is in the Land of Japan a sage Emperor, I wished to offer 1 Corean pronunciation. The Japanese would be Sonaka shichi.
2 There is probably some historical foundation for this. But the chrono- logy must be wrong. According to the Tongkam, Kara (Imna) was not formed into a kingdom until A.D. 42, and hostilities between Kara and Silla are first mentioned in that work in A.D. 94. They were also at war in 97, 115, 116, and 203. See “Early Japanese History” in bil Nae a Nad ’ The ancient Chinese Emperors are so depicted.
4 Now Tsuruga in Echizen. A derivation from Tsuno-nuka (horn-fore- head) seems intended.
5 The Chinese characters in the text are probably intended to be read with their Japanese pronunciation, and | have accordingly in this instance followed the traditional Kana rendering. If the Corean pronunciation were followed, we should read Tonoka Arasateung and Usaki ari cheulchi kanki. The Shiki says that kanki is a Silla rank equal to the Japanese senior 3rd rank. From a passage in Keidai Tenno’s reign, year 23, it would appear that Arashito, or ArasAteung, was the name of some office or dignity.
SUININ. * 167 SUININ. * 167 him my allegiance and came to Anato.’' Now in that land there was a man named Itsutsu-hiko, who spoke to thy servant, saying:—‘I am the King of this land, and there is no other king but me. Do not thou therefore proceed further.” But when I observed him closely and saw what manner of man he was, I knew surely that he was not a king. So I departed again from that place, and not knowing the road, anchored at one island and bay after another, going round by way of the Northern Sea and passing the Land of Idzumo until I arrived here.”
~ It so happened that at this time the Emperor died, so he was detained and served the Emperor Ikume for three years.
Then the Emperor inquired of Arashito, saying:—‘‘ Dost thou wish to return to thy country?” He answered and said:—‘‘ I earnestly desire to do so.” The Emperor then addressed Arashito, saying:—‘‘If thou hadst not lost thy way, thou wouldst certainly have arrived here sooner—in time to serve the late Emperor. Do thou, therefore, change the name of thy country. In future take the august name VI. 4. of the Emperor Mimaki and make it the name of thy country. So he gave Arashito red silk stuffs and sent him back to his native land. This was the reason why the name of that country is called Mimana.? Hereupon Ara- shito took the red silk which had been given him, and stored it in the magazine of his country. The people of Silla hearing this, raised an army and proceeding thither robbed him of all the red silk. This was the beginning of the enmity between these two countries.”
One writing says:—‘‘ In the beginning, when Tsunoga Arashito was still in his own land, he went into the country with an ox loaded with implements of husbandry. The ox suddenly disappeared, and seeking for it by its tracks, he found that the foot-prints ceased in a certain village. Now there was here an old man who said:—‘ The ox which thou art in search of entered this village, and the 1 Anato, lit. hole-door, is the ancient name of Nagato (long-door) or Chéshiu. The door is the Strait of Shimonoseki. 2 Imna, according to the Corean pronunciation of the characters.
Oey 168 NIHONGI.
village chiefs said:—‘‘ With the implements which he is carrying let us fell the ox. We must surely prepare to slay and eat him. If the owner comes in search of him, we shall indemnify him with something.” So they slew and ate him. If thou art asked what thing thou desirest as the price of the ox, do not ask for treasures, but say that thou wishest to have the God worshipped by the village. Tell them so.’ Presently the village chiefs came and said:—‘ What dost thou desire as the price of thy ox?’ And he replied as the old man had instructed him. Now the God whom they worshipped was a white stone. So they gave the white stone tothe owner of the ox, and he accordingly brought it away with him and placed it in his bed-chamber. This divine stone became changed into a beautiful maiden, upon which Arashito was greatly re- joiced, and wished to be united to, her. But while he was away in another place, the maiden suddenly disappeared. Arashito was greatly alarmed, and inquired of his wife, saying:—‘ Whither has the maiden gone?’ She replied and said:—‘ She has gone towards the East.’ So he went in search of her, and at length, drifting far over the sea, he thus arrived in our country. The maiden whom he sought came to Naniha, where she became the Deity of the Himegoso shrine. Then proceeding to the district ot Kusaki, in the Land of Toyo, she afterwards became the Deity of the Himegoso shrine. She is worshipped in both these places.”
3rd year, Spring, 3rd month. The Silla prince, Ama no hi-hoko,’ arrived. The objects which he brought were—one Ha-buto gem, one Ashi-daka gem, one red-stone Ukaka gem, one Idzushi short sword, one Idzushi spear, one sun-mirror, one Kuma-himorogi,” seven thingsin all. These were stored in the Land of Tajima,* and made divine things for ever..
' This means “The sun-spear of Heaven,” and is purely Japanese. It cannot be a Corean name.
* In the district of Idzu-shi (which I take to be for Idzu-ishi, sacred stone), a name which is suggestive of stone-worship. The “ Kojiki” mentions eight objects, not at all the same, however, and calls them the Eight Great SUININ. 169 One version says:—‘‘ In the beginning, Ama no hi-hoko, riding in a ship, anchored at the land of Harima, where he dwelt in the village of Shisaha. Then the Emperor sent to Harima Ohotomo nushi, the ancestor of the Miwa no Kimi, and Nagaochi, the ancestor of the Yamato no Atahe, and inquired of Ama no hi-hoko, saying:—‘ Who art thou, and to what country dost thou belong?’ Ama no hi-hoko answered and said:—‘I am the son ofthe King of Silla. Hearing that in the Land of Japan there was a sage monarch, I gave my country to my younger brother, Chiko,’ and have come to offer my allegiance and to bring tribute of the following objects, viz.—a Ha-boso” gem, an Ashi-daka gem, an Ukaka red-stone (or Akashi) gem, an Idzushi short sword, an Idzushi spear, a sun-mirror, a Kuma-himorogi, and an Isasa sword—eight objects in all.’ So the Emperor gave orders to Ama no hi-hoko, saying:— ‘Do thou dwell in either of these two villages—Shisaha in the land of Harima, or Idesa in the island of Ahaji, at thy pleasure...Then Ama no hi-hoko addressed the Emperor, saying:—‘ In regard to a dwelling-place for thy servant, if the celestial favour is bestowed on him so far as to grant thy servant the place of his desire, thy servant will himself proceed to and visit the various provinces, and.
he hopes that he may be granted the place which is agree- able to his mind.’ This was agreed to. Thereupon Ama no hi-hoko, ascending the river Uji, went northwards, until he arrived at the village of Ana, in the province of Ohomi.
Afterwards, he proceeded onwards, from the province of Ohomi, through the province of Wakasa, and going west- ward arrived at the province of Tajima. So there he Deities of Idzushi. Vide Ch. K., p. 261. Possibly the Idzushi short sword and the Idzushi spear were stone weapons. ‘This passage is one of several evidences that Japan owes to Corea one element of the Shinto religion. The “ Yengi-shiki” mentions several Corean Gods as being worshipped in Japan. The “ Kojiki” mixes up this legend with that of Arashito given above. Indeed both are probably founded on the same occurrence.
" I can’t find any king of this name in Silla History.
* Ha-boso means leaf-slender and Ashi-daka leg-high. They are probably names of places.
BiG 20: Vio BiGnr25% 170 NIHONGI.
fixed his dwelling-place. Therefore the potters of Kagami no hasama,’ in the province of Ohomi, are the servants of Ama no hi-hoko. Accordingly Ama no hi-hoko took to wife Matawo, the daughter of Futomimi, a man of Idzushi in Tajima, who bore to him Tajima Morosuke, who was the father of Tajima no Hinaraki, who was the father of Kiyohiko, who was the father of Tajima-mori.” 4th year, Autumn, gth month, 23rd day. The Empress’s elder brother by the mother’s side, Prince Sahohiko, plotted treason and tried to endanger the State. Therefore he watched for an occasion when the Empress was enjoying her leisure, and addressing her, said as follows:—‘‘ Whom dost thou love best—thy elder brother or thy husband?” Upon this, the Empress, ignorant of his object in making this inquiry, straight- way answered and said:—‘‘I love my elder brother.” Then he enticed the Empress, saying:—‘‘If one serves a man by beauty, when the beauty fades, his affection will cease.? There are now many beautiful women in the Empire. They will come one after another and seek affection. How, then, canst thou trust always to thy beauty? It is my wish, therefore, to ascend to the immense felicity,? and of a certainty to rule over the Empire along with thee.. So making high our pillows,’ we -shall complete a long hundred years. Would not this be delightful? I beg thee, therefore, to slay the Emperor for me.” So he took a dagger, and giving it to the Empress, said:— ‘“Gird on this dagger among thy garments, and when the Emperor goes to sleep, do thou stab him in the neck, and thus kill him.” Upon this the Empress trembled in her heart within, and knew not what she should do. But in view of the determination of the Prince, her elder brother, she felt that remonstrance would be useless. Therefore she took the dagger, and having herself nowhere to deposit it, she placed it in her garments, intending all the while to remonstrate with her elder brother.
5th year, Winter, roth month, 1st day. The Emperor pro- 1 Mirror-valley. 2 A Chinese saying. > i.e. to take possession of the throne. + A Chinese metaphor meaning “in security.”
SUININ. 171