3rd month, 15th day. The Emperor’s precious body: became ill at ease, and, the elements of water and earth being inhar- monious, he died in the Palace of Waka-zakura, at the age of seventy.* 1 The Treasury means the office, the Be the staff. The “ Kogo-jui” says;— “Until the reign of the latter Ihare no Waka-zakura (i.e. Richiu Tenno) the three Han failed not to send tribute for many generations. Beside the Sacred Treasury, there was erected an Inner Treasury, where the official property was classified and deposited. Achi no Omi‘and Wang-in ‘(or Wani), the learned men of Pékché, were made to record the ingoings and outcomings. A Treasury Be was first established.” If we allow for the error of two cycles, this year, A.D. 405, is the very year in which Wang-in arrived. But the ‘‘ Nihongi” chronology cannot yet be depended on.
The “ Shoku-in-rei” says:—“ The Interior Treasury Department has one Chief, who has control of gold and silver, jewels, precious utensils, brocade and satin, sarsnet, rugs and mattresses, and the rare objects sent as tribute by the various barbarians.”
3 The character used implies a subordinate rank.
* Other calculations make him sixty-four, seventy-seven, eighty- -five, sti eighty-seven. It is obvious that none of them can be relied on.
XII.
Il.
310 NIHONGI.
Winter, roth month, 4th day. The Emperor was buried in the peraeee on the Plain of Mozu no Mimi.
THE EMPEROR MIDZUHAWAKE.'
(HANZEI TENNO? OR HANSHO TENNO.)
The Emperor Midzuhawake was a younger brother by the same mother of the Emperor Izaho-wake. He was appointed | Prince Imperial in the second year of the Emperor Izaho- wake. The Emperor was born in the Palace of Ahaji. At his birth his teeth were like one bone,® and his appearance was beautiful. Now there was a well called Midzu no wi (the beautiful well) from which water was drawn to wash the Heir* to the Throne. A tajihi® flower had fallen into this well and it was accordingly made the name of the Heir to the Throne. The tajihi flower is what is now the itadori flower. Therefore he was styled the Emperor Tajihi® no Midzuha- wake.
The Emperor Izaho-wake died in Spring, the 3rd month of the 6th year of his reign.
Ist year, Spring, 1st month, znd day. The Heir Apparent assumed the Imperial Dignity.
1 Midzu ha means beautiful teeth.
2 This is explained to mean “the Emperor who turned matters into the right path,” han meaning turn, and sei or sho “ right.”
* In the Bamboo Books (“ Legge’s Chinese Classics”), p. 143, there is. mention of an ancient Chinese king whose teeth were one piece of bone. The “ Kojiki” says (Ch. K., p. 292):—“ The length of his august teeth was one inch, and their breadth two lines, and the upper and lower [row] corre- sponded exactly, like jewels strung [together].”
4 He was not Heir at this time.
®» The Polygonum Cuspidatum. Hepburn.
§ The “ Seishi roku” states that in consequence of this incident Tajihi Be were established in all the provinces to be the villages for the hot baths of the Imperial Princes.
HANZEI. 204 Autumn, 8th month, 6th day. Tsuno hime, daughter of Kogoto, ancestor of the Omi of Ohoyake, was appointed Imperial concubine." She was the mother of the Imperial Princess Kahihime, and of the Imperial Princess Tsubura. Moreover, he took to him the Imperial concubine’s younger sister Otohime, who bore to him the Imperial Princess Takara and the Imperial Prince Takabe.
Winter, roth month. The capital was established at Tajihi’ in Kahachi. It was called the Palace of Shibagaki.
At this time the rain and wind were seasonable, and the five kinds of grain reached maturity; the people enjoyed abundance, and the Empire was at peace.
This year was the year Hinoye Mtma (43rd) of the Cycle.
6th * year, Spring, ist month, 29th day. The Emperor died ' in the chief sleeping-chamber.
1 The word for concubine here is J¢ J\. We have now had three ranks of concubines mentioned, showing that Chinese customs were coming in. In the older reigns the only distinction made is that of the Empress and other consorts.
2 This is hardly consistent with the story of the tajihi flower on the previous page.
3 The original reading is 6th. The “ Shukai” editor would correct it into 5th from the “ Kiujiki.” It signifies extremely little which reading we take, as no reliance can yet be placed on any of the dates given.
4 The age of this Emperor is not stated here. The “ Kojiki” says sixty.
OXITT-2% BOOK aX Pit.
THE EMPEROR WO-ASA-TSUMA WAKUGO NO SUKUNE.! (INGIO? TENNO.)
THE Emperor Wo-Asa-tsuma wakugo no Sukune was a younger _ brother by the same mother of the Emperor Midzuha wake.
From infancy to puberty,® the Emperor was kind and unas- suming. When he attained to manhood, he became very ill and lost the free use of his limbs.
The Emperor Midzuha wake died in Spring, the 1st month of the 5th year of his reign. Hereupon the Ministers held counsel, saying:—‘‘ There are at the present time the Imperial Princes Wo-Asa-tsuma wakugo no Sukune and Oho-Kusaka, children of the Emperor Oho-sazaki. The Imperial Prince Wo-Asa-tsuma wakugo no Sukune, however, is the elder, and of an affectionate, dutiful disposition.” So they chose a lucky day, and kneeling down, offered him the Imperial signet. The Imperial Prince Wo-Asa-tsuma wakugo no Sukune declined it, saying:—‘‘ I am an unlucky man, long afflicted with a grievous disease, which I cannot shake off. I am unable to walk. Of myself, without informing the Emperor, I have secretly treated my disease by self-mutilation,‘ in the hope of getting rid of it, but still Iam not healed. Therefore the former Emperor chid me, saying:—‘ What greater extreme of unfilialness can there be than this conduct of thine, in wantonly mutilating thy body * Wo, male; Asa-tsuma (morning-wife) is the name of a place; wakugo, young child; Sukune, name of dignity.
* Ingio is from the “Shooking,” the Canon of Yaou, § 1, where Legge translates “‘ sincerely courteous.”
* The words translated infancy and puberty are in the original descriptive of the mode of dressing the hair at these periods of life in China.
* The precise meaning is doubtful.
because thou sufferest from disease? However long thou mayst live, thou must never succeed to the throne.’ Moreover, the two Emperors, my elder brothers, despised me and thought me a fool, as is known to all the Ministers. Now the Empire is a great organization: the Imperial Dignity is.a vast institu- tion: and to be the father and mother of the people is the office of a sage. How can such a charge be given to a fool? Make another choice of some wise Prince, and let him be esta- blished as Emperor. I, the unworthy one, may not presume to fill the office.” The Ministers bowed down twice, and said: —‘‘ The Imperial Dignity should not be long vacant; the com- mand of Heaven should not be modestly refused. We, thy servants, fear that if thou, the Great Prince, dost delay the time, and in opposition to the general desire dost refuse to rectify the name and dignity, the nation’s hopes will be disap- pointed. We pray therefore that the Great Prince, notwith- standing his sufferings, will yet assume the Imperial Dignity.” The Imperial Prince Wo-Asa-tsuma wakugo no Sukune said:— “It is a weighty matter to take charge of the ancestral temples and the temples of the earth and of grain.’ I, the unworthy one, am grievously ill, and am incompetent to fill this office worthily.” He continued to decline it, and would not give his consent. Hereupon all the Ministers persisted in their petition, saying:—‘‘In the humble opinion of thy servants, thou, the Great Prince, art eminently worthy to take over charge of the Temples of thy Imperial.Ancestors. Even the myriad people of the Empire all deem thee fit. We pray thee, O Great Prince, to give thy consent.”. ist’ year,’ Winter, 12th month. The Prince’s concubine, Osaka no Oho-nakatsu hime no Mikoto, was grieved at the mutterings of vexation of the Ministers, and taking in her own person water for washing the hands, came before the Imperial Prince and addressed him, saying:—‘‘ Thou, O Great Prince, having declined to assume the Dignity, it has remained vacant for years and months. The Ministers and functionaries are grieved, and know not what to do. I pray thee, O Great Prince, comply with the peas wish, and, however reluctantly, assume the Imperial Dignity.”” The eclinuperial Prince, however, 1 ie. “the state.”
UN, By SOLS 715 314 NIHONGI.
was loath to consent, and turning his back upon her, sat without saying a word. Hereupon Oho-nakatsu hime no Mikoto was afraid, and not knowing how to retire, remained in attendance on the Prince for four or five half-hours. It was then the rath month, and the wind was blowing fierce and chill. The water in the basin which Oho-nakatsu hime had brought overflowed and became frozen on her arm. Unable to endure the cold, she was almost dying. The Imperial Prince looked round, and was shocked. He helped her to her feet, and said to her:—“‘ The succession to the Dignity is so weighty a matter that I could not abruptly assume it. Therefore I have not complied up to the present. Now, however, the request of the Ministers is manifestly just. Why should I persist in my refusal?’ Hereupon Oho-nakatsu hime looked up delighted, and told all the Ministers, saying:—‘‘ The Imperial Prince is about to give ear to the request of the Ministers. Now is the time to offer him the Imperial signet.” Thereupon the Ministers were much rejoiced, and on that same day delivered up to him the Imperial signet with repeated obeisances. The Imperial Prince said:—‘‘ Ye Ministers have, on behalf of the Empire, made a joint request of unworthy me. How can I presume to persist in refusing it?” So he assumed the Imperial Dignity.
This year was the year Midzunoye Ne (49th) of the Cycle.
and year, Spring, 2nd month, 14th day. Osaka no Oho- nakatsu hime was appointed Empress. On this day there was established on behalf of the Empress the Osaka Be.
The Empress was the mother of the Imperial Prince Kinashi Karu, of the Imperial Princess Nagata no Oho-iratsume, of the Imperial Prince Sakahi no Kuro-hiko, of the Emperor Anaho, of the Imperial Princess Karu no Oho-iratsume, of the Imperial 1 The “ Kojiki” says that the Osaka Be was established as the Empress’s na-shiro, which Chamberlain renders by “ proxy.” I would prefer to call it “name-sake.” The object was to perpetuate the name of the Empress—at least, if this account is correct. But there was an Osaka Be already in existence. It is mentioned in the 39th year of Suinin’s reign. Besides, the Osaka Be were the executioners, a circumstance with which it is difficult to reconcile the statement in the text. It is true, however, that the Empress’s full name was Osaka no Oho-nakatsu hime, Osaka being the name of her residence.
INGIO. 315 Prince Yatsuri no Shiro-hiko, of the Emperor Oho-hatsuse Waka-take, of the Imperial Princess Tajima no Tachibana no Oho-iratsume, and of the Imperial Princess Sakami.
At an earlier period, when the Empress was at home with her mother, she was walking alone in the garden, when the Miyakko of the Land of Tsuke passed along the road which was beside the garden. He was on horseback, and looking over the hedge, he addressed the Empress, and said mockingly: —‘* What an excellent gardener thou art.’’ He also said:— ‘‘Pray, madam, let me have one of those orchids.” The Empress accordingly plucked an orchid root, and gave it to the man on horseback, asking him for what purpose he wanted the orchid. The man on horseback answered and said:—‘‘I am going to the mountain, and it is to brush away the midges.” Then the Empress reflected on this within her mind, and recognized the want of respect in the words of the man on horseback. So she addressed him, saying:—“ Sir,’ I shall not forget this.”
Afterwards, in the year in which the Empress attained the felicitous rank, she sought out the man on horseback who had asked her for an orchid, and having stated his former offence, wished to have him put to death. Hereupon the man who had asked for the orchid knocked his forehead on the ground, and making a deep obeisance,” said:—‘‘ Truly thy servant’s guilt is deserving of ten thousand deaths. At that time, however, I did not know that thou wert of high rank.” Hereupon the Empress remitted the penalty of death, but deprived him of his title and called him Inaki.* 3rd year, Spring, 1st month, 1st day. An envoy was sent to Silla to procure a good physician.
XIII. 5.
Autumn, 8th month. The physician arrived from Silla, and was forthwith made to treat the Emperor’s disease. No long time after, he was healed of his disease. The Emperor was 1 The Chinese character translated “sir” means literally head or chief. The Japanese word intended is probably Obito or Obuto, which, I take it, is an abbreviation of Oho-bito, great man. In Chinese Tajen (in Corean Tain), i.e. great man, is used as a personal pronoun in addressing men of rank. Our own word “master” (magister, magnus) has a somewhat similar history.
2 Kowtow in Chinese.
* Inaki was a lower title than Miyakko.
DOUME, (6).
NQUU EA.
316 NIHONGI.
rejoiced, and having rewarded the physician liberally, sent him back to his own country.
4th year, Autumn, gth month, gth day. The Emperor made a decree, saying:—‘‘ In the most ancient times, good govern- ment consisted in the subjects having each one his, proper place, and in names’ being correct. It is now four years since We entered on the auspicious office..Superiors and inferiors dispute with one another: the hundred surnames? are not at peace. Some by mischance lose their proper surnames; others purposely lay claim to high family. This is perhaps the. reason why good government is not attained to. Deficient in wisdom although Weare, howcan We omit to rectify these irregularities? Let the Ministers take counsel, and inform me of their deter- mination.” All the Ministers said:—‘‘ If Your Majesty, restor- ing that which is lost and correcting that which is perverted, will thus determine Houses and surnames, your servants will stake their lives in recommending the adoption of such a measure.”
28th day. The Emperor made a decree, saying:—‘* The ministers, functionaries, and the Miyakko of the various pro- vinces each and all describe themselves, some as descendants of Emperors, others attributing to their race a miraculous origin, and saying that their ancestors came down from Heaven.’
However, since the three Powers of Nature’ assumed distinct forms,’ many tens of thousands of years have elapsed, so that single Houses® have multiplied:and have formed anew ten thousand surnames of doubtful authenticity. Therefore let the people of the various Houses and surnames wash themselves and practise abstinence, and let them, each one calling the Gods to witness, plunge their hands in boiling water.”.The caldrons of the ordeal by boiling water were therefore placed on the ‘‘ Evil. Door of Words” spur of the Amagashi Hill. Every- 1 Literally surnames and personal names, What is really meant is titles. There-were no proper surnames at this time. See above, p. 27. - 2 The word for “hundred surnames” is ff KE, which is also used for the nation generally, and in later times in Japan for the peasantry. Here its original meaning must be kept in view.
3 The “Sei-shi-roku ” contains numerous instances of this. - * Heaven, Earth, and Man. Vide Mayers, p. 302: 5 Since the creation, as we would say. © iL . INGIO. 317 body was told to go thither, saying:—‘‘ He who tells the truth will be uninjured; he who is false will assuredly suffer harm.”
This is called Kuka-tachi. Sometimes mud was put into a caldron and made to boil up. Then the arms were bared, and the boiling mud stirred with them. Sometimes an axe was heated red-hot and placed on the palm of the hand.
Hereupon every one put on straps of tree-fibre, and coming to the caldrons, plunged their hands in the boiling water, when those who were true remained naturally uninjured, and all those who were false were harmed. Therefore those who had falsi- fied (their titles) were afraid, and slipping away beforehand, did not come forward. From this time forward the Houses and surnames were spontaneously ordered, and there was no | longer any one who falsified them.* 5th year, 7th month, 14th day. There was an earthquake. Before this time Tamada no Sukune, grandson?’ of Katsuraki no Sotsuhiko, had been commanded to superintend the temporary burial of the Emperor Midzu-ha-wake. On the evening after the earthquake, Aso, Ohari no Muraji, was sent to examine the condition of the shrine of temporary burial. Now all the men assembled, and none were absent except Tamada no Sukune, who was not present. Aso reported to the Emperor, saying:— “Tamada no Sukune, the High Officer of the Shrine of temporary interment, was not to be seen at the temporary place of interment.’ Accordingly, Aso was sent again to Katsuraki to see Tamada no Sukune. On this day it so happened that Tamada no Sukune had gathered together men and women and was holding revel. Aso made a statement of all the circumstances to Tamada no Sukune. Tamada no Sukune was afraid that trouble might ensue, and gave Asoa horse as a present. However, he secretly waylaid Aso and killed him on the road. Therefore he ran away and concealed himself within the precinct of the tomb of Takechi no Sukune. When the Emperor heard this, he sent for Tamada no Sukune.
1 This measure can only have been applicable to a dominant caste. The nation cannot have all been subjected to the ordeal at Amagashi. Doubtless, then as now, the bulk of the people cared little for genealogies, and indeed had none but personal names.
2 Below, XIV. 20, he is the son of Sotsuhike.
XIII. 8.
318 | NIHONGI, Tamada no Sukune was suspicious, and put on armour under his clothing and so presented himself. The border of the armour projected from within his garment. The Emperor, in order to ascertain clearly how this was, made an Uneme, named Woharida, present sake to Tamada no Sukune. Now the Uneme observing distinctly that there was armour underneath his clothing, reported this particularly to the Emperor. The Emperor got ready soldiers and was about to kill Tamada-no Sukune, when he secretly ran away and hid in his house. The Emperor again despatched soldiers, who surrounded Tamada’s house, took him, and put him to death.
Winter, 11th month, 11th day. The Emperor Midzu-ha- wake was buried in the Mimihara Misasagi.
7th year, Winter, 12th month, Ist day. There was a banquet in the new Palace." The Emperor in person played on the lute,” and the Empress stood up and danced. When the dance was ended, she did not repeat the compliment. At that time it was the custom at a banquet for the dancer, when the dance was ended, to turn to the person who occupied the highest place, and say, “I offer thee a woman.” Now the Emperor said to the Empress:—‘‘ Why hast thou failed to say the usual compliment?” The Empress was afraid. She stood up again and danced, and when the dance was over, she said:—‘‘I offer thee a woman.” The Emperor forthwith inquired of the Empress, saying:—‘‘ Who is the woman whom thou offerest me? I wish to know her name.’ The Empress could not help herself, and addressed the Emperor, saying:— “It is thy handmaiden’s younger sister, whose name is Oto- hime.” *® Otohime’s countenance was of surpassing and peerless beauty. Her brilliant colour shone out through her raiment, so that the men of that time gave her the designation of Sotohori Iratsume.*- The Emperor’s wishes had dwelt upon 1 The interlinear kana has miya, palace, for, oftener rendered muro. But nihi-muro, new muro, is probably the word really meant.
* Koto.: * Otohime means simply “the ) ounger lady.” ry “Child of Light! thy limbs are burning, Thiough the vest which seems to hide them.”
INGIO, 319 Sotohori Iratsume, and therefore it was that he insisted on the Empress’s offering her to him, while the Empress, knowing this, was reluctant to make the compliment. Now the Emperor was delighted, and the very next day he despatched a messenger tosummon Otohime. At this time Otohime dwelt with her mother at Sakata in the land of Afumi. But she feared the feelings of the Empress and therefore refused to come. Again seven times she was sent for, and yet she obstinately refused and did not come. Upon this the Emperor was displeased, and again gave command to one of the Toneri, a Nakatomi named Ikatsu’ no Omi, saying:—‘‘ The damsel Otohime, who was given to.me by the Empress, has not come although sent for. Do thou go thyself and bring Otohime here with thee, and I will surely reward thee liberally.” Hereupon Ikatsu no Omi, having received the Imperial command, withdrew, and having concealed a stock of provisions in his clothing, went to Sakata, where he prostrated himself in Otohime’s courtyard, and said:—‘‘ By command of the Emperor, I summon thee.” Otohime answered and said:—‘‘ Far be it from me not to fear the Emperor’s command. But I am unwilling to hurt the Empress’s feelings. Thy handmaiden will not come, though it should cost her her life to refuse.” Then Ikatsu no Omi answered and said:—‘‘As thy servant has received the Emperor’s commands, I must bring thee back with me. If I bring thee not back, I shall surely incur punishment. Therefore it is better to die lying prostrate in this courtyard than to return and undergo the extreme penalty.”” So for seven days he lay prostrate in the courtyard, and although food and drink were offered to him, he refused to taste them, but secretly ate the provisions in his bosom. Hereupon Otohime said:—‘‘ By reason of the Empress’s jealousy, thy handmaiden has already disobeyed the Emperor’s commands. To be the ruin of my Lord, who art his faithful servant, would be another crime on my part.” Accordingly she came along with Ikatsu no Omi. When they reached Kasuga in Yamato they had food by the well of Ichihi. Otohime herself gave sake to the Omi, and soothed his spirit. The Omi that same day arrived at the 1 As he was Toneri, the I[katsu no Omi is clearly a mere title, like the no Kami’s of recent times.
XIII. 10.
UN Sai) 320 NIHONGI.
capital, and having lodged Otohime at the house of Akoko, the Atahe of Yamato, made his report. to the Emperor. The Emperor was greatly rejoiced. He commended Ikatsu no. Omi, and showed him liberal favour. The Empress, however, showed her vexation, and Otohime could therefore not approach the interior of the Palace. Accordingly, a separate building: was erected for her at Fujihara, and she dwelt there.’ On the night that the Empress gave birth to the Emperor Oho- hatsuse, the Emperor for the first time went to the Fujihara Palace. The Empress hearing this, was angry, and said:— ** Many years have passed since I first bound up my hair and became thy companion in the hinder palace. It is too cruel of thee, O Emperor. Wherefore, just on this night when I am in childbirth and hanging between life and death, must: thou go to Fujihara?’.So she went out, set fire to the. parturition house, and was about to kill herself. The. Emperor, hearing this, was greatly shocked, and said:—‘‘ We are wrong.’ So with explanations he soothed the mind of the. Empress.
8th year, Spring, znd month. The Emperor went to Fuji-. hara and secretly observed how matters were with Sotohori Iratsume. That night Sotohori Iratsume was sitting alone, thinking fondly of the Emperor. Unaware of his approach,, she made a song, saying:— This is the night My husband will come. The little crab— The spider’s action To-night is manifest.”
The Emperor, when he heard this song, was touched by it,. and made a song, saying:— 1 Hence perhaps the name Soto-wori-hime, or the Lady who lives without, as opposed to Oho-nakatsu hime, the dame of the Great Interior.
£ It was considered that when a spider clung to one’s garments, it was a sign that an intimate friend would arrive. Little crab is another name for spider. Sotohori hime was in after times looked on as the “ Muse. of> poetry.” This poem is a regular Tanka, as are the others in this passage.
INGIO. 321 Loosening and removing The brocade sash Of small pattern, Not often have I slept— But one night only.
The next morning, the Emperor looked at the cherry flowers beside the well, and made a song, saying:— As one loves the cherry Sweet of blossom, Did I love another, Then her I should not love— The girl whom I love.
This came to the Empress’s ear, and she was very wroth. Hereupon Sotohori Iratsume addressed the Emperor, saying:— “‘ Thy handmaiden desires to be always near the Royal Palace, and night and day without ceasing to view the glory of Your Majesty. But the Empress, being thy handmaiden’s elder sister, is, on her account, continually resentful towards Your Majesty, and is also vexed because of thy handmaiden. I pray therefore that I may be removed far from the Royal dwelling, and I wish to live at a distance. This might perhaps cause the Empress’s jealousy somewhat to abate.” The Emperor xt 12. forthwith built anew a palace in Chinu in Kahachi, and made Sotohori Iratsume to dwell there. And for this reason he frequently went a-hunting to the moor of Hine.
gth year, Spring, 2nd month. The Emperor made a progress a.p. 420. to the Palace of Chinu..
Autumn, 8th month. The Emperor made a progress to Chinu.
Winter, roth month. The Emperor made a progress to Chinu.
roth year, Spring, ist month. The Emperor made a progress a.p. 421. to Chinu. Hereupon the Empress addressed him, saying:— ‘““Thy handmaiden is not a whit jealous of her younger sister. Only she fears that the people may be distressed by Your Majesty’s frequent progresses to Chinu. I humbly pray thee to diminish the number of thy visits.” Thereafter his excursions thither were infrequent.
ay XIII. 13.
322 NIHONGI.
11th year, Spring, 3rd month, 4th day. The Emperor made a progress to the Palace of Chinu. Sotohori Iratsume made a song, saying:— For ever and ever, Oh! that I might meet my Lord! As often as drift beachward The weeds of the shore of ocean (Where whales are caught).
Then the Emperor spake to Sotohori Iratsume, saying:— ‘No other person must hear this song. For if the Empress heard it, she would surely be greatly wroth.”’ Therefore the men of that time gave a name to the shore-weed and called it Na-nori-ahi-mo.’; Before this time, when Sotohori Iratsume dwelt inthe Palace of Fujihara, the Emperor commanded Ohotomo Muruya no Muraji, saying:—‘‘ Of late we have gotten a beautiful woman, the younger sister of the Empress by the same mother.? In Our heart we dearly love her, and it is Our desire that her name should be handed down to after ages. How can this be done?” In accordance with the Imperial command, Muruya no Muraji proposed a plan for the Emperor’s approval. Conse- quently the Miyakko of the various provinces were charged to establish Fujihara Be on behalf of Sotohori hime.
14th year, Autumn, 9th month, 12th day. The Emperor hunted in the island of Ahaji. Now the deer, monkeys, and wild boar, like dust-clouds, confusedly, filled the mountains and valleys. They sprang up like flames of fire, they were dispersed like flies. And yet all day long not a single beast was caught. Herewith the hunt was suspended, and divination was made anew. Thenthe God of the Island* gave an oracular utterance, ? Na-nori-ahi means “ mutually to tell one’s name,” and mo is the general word for seaweed. ‘There is a Seaweed so called, but what this circumstance has to do with the story is not clear. - 2 The traditional kana has haha-hara-kara. As hara-kara by its deriva- tion means “of the same womb,” it is needless to prefix haha, mother. But this shows that when these kana glosses were written, hara-kara had come to mean simply brother or sister, as it does at present.
3 Tzanagi. ' INGIO. EX: saying:—‘‘ It was by my intent that no beast was caught. In the bottom of the sea of Akashi there is a pearl.. If this pearl is sacrificed to me, ye shall be able to catch all the beasts.”” Here- upon they proceeded to assemble the fishermen of the various places, and made them search the bottom of the sea of Akashi. When they dived into the sea, however, they were unable to reach the bottom. But there was one fisherman named Wosashi, a fisher of Naga-zato in the province of Aha, who excelled all the fishers. He tied a rope to his loins, and went down to the bottom of the sea. After some time he came forth, and said:—‘‘ In the bottom of the sea there is a great sea-ear,! and this place is shining.”” Everybody said:—‘‘ Probably the pearl which the God of the Island has asked for is in this sea- ear’s belly.” Again he went in and searched for it. Hereupon Wosashi came to the surface with the great sea-ear in his arms, but his breath had ceased, and he died on the surface of the waves. Afterwards a rope was let down and the bottom of the sea was measured. The depth was found to be sixty fathoms. When the sea-ear was split open, a true pearl was found in its belly, in size like a peach. This was offered to the God of the Island, and a hunt being made, they caught many beasts. But they grieved that Wosashi had met his death by entering the sea, and made a tomb, in which they reverently interred him. That tomb exists at the present day.
23rd year, Spring, 3rd month, 7th day. The Imperial Prince Kinashi Karu was made Heir to the Throne. He was fair to look upon, and those who saw him spontaneously loved him. His sister by the same mother,’ the Imperial Princess Karu no Oho-iratsume, was also beautiful. The Heir Apparent’s thoughts were constantly bent on becoming united to the * The ahabi or Haliotis tuberculata.
* The prominence given to brotherhood and sisterhood by the same mother in the ‘ Nihongi,” as in Homer, has not, it appears to me, the sig- nificance attributed to it by McLennan’s theory, which would trace back such terms to a time when the mother was the only parent as to whom there could be no doubt. It seems to me that the father’s parentage is here taken for granted, the phrase really meaning brother or sister by the mother’s side as we// as by the father’s, and that such phrases are merely indications of polygamous customs, not necessarily of promiscuity or polyandry.
Nee XIII. 14.
XIII. 15.
324 NIHONGI.
Imperial Princess Oho-iratsume, but he dreaded the guilt,’ and was silent. But his passion had become so violent that he was well-nigh on the point of death. Hereupon he thought to himself, “I will not die for nothing. It may be a crime, but how can I endure?”’ At last he became secretly united to her, and so his desperate passion became somewhat abated. Accordingly he made a song, saying:— On the foot-dragging mountain, Rice-fields are made; So high is the mountain, The water- pipes are run beneath— Like them the hidden tears That I wept for my spouse, The unshared tears That I wept for my spouse, But to-day, this very day, Freely our bodies touch.”
24th year, Summer, 6th month. The soup for the Emperor’s meal froze, and became ice. The Emperor wondered, and had divination made in order to learn the meaning of it. The diviner said:—‘‘ There is domestic disorder,® perhaps the illicit intercourse of near relations with one another.” Then some one said:—‘‘ The Heir Apparent, Kinashi Karu, has seduced his younger sister by the same mother, the Imperial Princess Karu no Iratsume.”’ So examination was made, and it was found that these words were true. The Heir Apparent being the successor to the Throne, it was impossible to punish him, 1 See Ch. K., Introd., p. xxxviii.. I do not feel sure that Chamberlain is right in suciag to Chinese influence the stigma attached to unions of brothers and sisters of the full blood. See a paper on “The Family and Relationships in Ancient Japan,” in the “ Transactions of the Japan Society,”