This Emperor was of distinguished manners and appearance. As a child he possessed the vigour of manhood; when he grew to manhood, his form was gigantic. He excelled in warlike accomplishments, and his will was resolute in the extreme.
When he reached the age of forty-eight, the Emperor Kami- Yamato-Ihare-biko died. Now Kama-Nunagaha-mimi no Mikoto’s disposition was profoundly filial, and his grief and longing knew no bounds. He made the funeral ceremonies his especial care.
His elder half-brother,’ Tagishi-mimi no!Mikoto, was now advanced in years,’ and had a long experience of matters of ’ This book contains the reigns of eight emperors, and covers a period of 483 years, giving an average of over sixty years for each reign. This is far too much for real history, especially when we consider the ages to which these sovereigns are said to have reached. Kdéshé lived to the age of 114, K6éan to 137, and so on. Most of it is not even legendary. The account of the period previous to the accession of Suizei seems to contain a genuine ancient tradition, but the rest is plainly fictitious and the invention of some one imbued with Chinese ideas.
Kami means upper or lord; Nunagaha is the name of a river; mimi means august body.
Suizei means quiet, tranquil.
? The word employed indicates that the mother of this prince was not of full rank, but there is no such stigma as is implied by our word “ bastard.”
* As he was present with his younger brother at a council held by the Emperor Jimmu before starting on his expedition to the East, B.C. 667, we _ SUIZEI. 139 state. Therefore he was again charged with the conduct of affairs, and the Emperor treated him as an intimate friend. This prince, however, was of a perverse disposition, and his natural bent was opposed to justice. During the period of sincere seclusion * his authority at last became independent, and con- cealing his malicious purposes, he plotted the destruction of his two younger brothers.
Now in the year Tsuchinoto U of the cycle, Winter, the 11th month, Kami-Nunagaha-mimi no Mikoto and his elder brother Kami-Ya-wi-mimi no Mikoto learnt privately his intentions and effectively prevented him. When the business of the misasagi was ended, they caused Yumi Be no Waka- hiko to make a bow, and Yamato no Kanuchi? Ama-tsu-ma- ura’ to make a true-deer arrow-point, and the Ya‘ Be to prepare arrows. When the bow and arrows were ready, Kami-Nunagaha-mimi no Mikoto wished therewith to shoot to death Tagishi-mimi no Mikoto, who happened just then to be in a great muro at Kataoka, lying alone on a great couch. Then Kami-Nunagaha-mimi no Mikoto spake to Kami-Ya-wi may suppose that he was at that time twenty years of age at least. We are now in B.C. 585, so that he must have been over 100.
* i.e. of mourning.
* Yumi-be is the Be of bow-makers; Kanuchi, smith.
* Ama-tsu-ma-ura. This name is obviously identical with that of the smith-god, Ama-tsu-mara, mentioned in the “Kojiki” (see Ch. K., p. 55), upon which Chamberlain remarks, “ Obvius hujus nominis sensus foret ‘ Czlestis Penis.” Ma-ura means literally true-heart, or inwards, and hence came to be used as a decent term for penis, corresponding somewhat to our word “nakedness.” In modern times it is a very vulgar word. This is Hirata’s view. Another derivation connects it with Mara, the Indian God of lust, sin, and death.
If Ama-tsu-ma-ura or mara stood alone, we might be disposed with Motowori to pass it by as a proper name of doubtful derivation. But Hirata (“ Koshiden ” v. 48) quotes from old books three other names of deities which contain this element, viz. Oho (great) mara no Mikoto, Ama-tsu-aka (red) mara no Mikoto and Ama-teru (shining) mara take-wo (brave male) no Mikoto. He thinks it sufficient to say that as these are the names of Gods, a phallic interpretation is inadmissible, but in this European scholars will hardly agree with him. There is a Mara no Sukune in the Japanese peerage of the ninth century, known as the Seishiroku. See Index— Phallic worship.
4 Ya, arrow.
TV Vad 140 NIHONGI.
no Mikoto, saying:—‘‘ The right time has now arrived. In words, secrecy is to be prized: in deeds, caution is advisable. Therefore, we have never had any partner in our conspiracy, and the enterprise of to-day is to be carried out by thee and me alone. I will first open the door of the muro. Do thou then shoot him.’ They accordingly went forward and entered in together. Kami-Nunagaha-mimi no Mikoto pushed open the door, while Kami-Ya-wi-mimi no Mikoto’s arms and legs trembled so that he was unable to let fly the arrow. Then Kami- Nunagaha-mimi no Mikoto snatched.the bow and arrows which his elder brother held and shot Tagishi-mimi no Mikoto. The first shot struck him on the breast, the second on the back, and so at length he killed him. Hereupon Kami-Ya-wi- mimi no Mikoto was troubled and submitted himself, yielding the sovereignty to Kami-Nunagaha-mimi no Mikoto, saying:— “IT am thy elder brother.! But I am timid and weak, and unfit for effective action. On the present occasion thou hast specially displayed divine valour, and hast thyself put to death our chief enemy. Is it not expedient that thou shouldst illuminate the Celestial station? and take over the functions of our Imperial ancestors? I will be thy assistant and will attend to the worship of the Gods of Heaven and Earth.” He was the first ancestor of the Oho no Omi. ist year, Spring, rst month, 8th day. Kami-Nunagaha-mimi no Mikoto assumed the rank of Emperor. He made his capital at Katsuraki. It was called the palace* of Takaoka. He honoured the Empress by granting her the title of Kwo- dai-go or Grand Empress.* This was the year Kanoye Tatsu of the cycle. | and year, Spring, rst month. Isuzu-yori-bime was appointed Empress. One writing says:—‘‘ Kaha-mata-bime, daughter of the Agata-nushi of Shiki.”
' In this and other passages of the “ Nihongi,” there is a sort of recog- nition of a right of primogeniture, but cases are numerous where the eldest son is ignored or set aside without very strong reason in favour of a brother, widow, or younger son of the deceased sovereign.
2 i.e. the rank of Emperor.
3 Capital and palace are interchangeable terms in this narrative.
4 Equivalent to Empress Dowager. This is a Chinese title.
One writing says:—“ Itori-hime, daughter of Ohohimoro, Agata-nushi of Kasuga.”
She was the Emperor’s aunt. The Empress bore a son, the Emperor Shiki-tsu-hiko-tama-demi.
4th year, Summer, 4th month. Kami-Ya-wi-mimi no Mikoto died, and was buried on the Northern side of Mount Unebi.
25th year, Spring, ist month, 7th day. The Imperial Prince Shiki-tsu-hiko-tama-demi no Mikoto was made heir to the Imperial throne. | 33rd year, Summer, 5th month. The Emperor took ill, and on the roth day of the same month, he died, at the age of eighty-four.
THE EMPEROR SHIKI-TSU-HIKO-TAMA-DEMI. (ANNE! TENNO.)
The Emperor Shiki-tsu-hiko-tama-demi was the eldest child of the Emperor Kami-Nunagaha-mimi. His mother’s name was Isuzu-yori-bime no Mikoto, the younger daughter of Koto-shiro-nushi no Kami. This Emperor had been made Prince Imperial in the 25th year of the Emperor Kami- Nunagaha-mimi. He was then twenty-one’ years of age. In the 5th month, Summer, of the 33rd year of his reign, the Emperor Kami-Nunagaha-mimi died. In the 7th month of that year, on the 3rd day of the month, the Prince Imperial assumed the Imperial Dignity.
Ist year, Winter, roth month, r1th day. The Emperor Kami-Nunagaha-mimi was buried in the Misasagi on Tsukida Hill in Yamato.: The Emperor honoured the Empress with the title of Kwo- dai-go.
* Anneli means peace.
* The editor of the Shukai edition alters this to eleven, in order to agree with other passages. But when the whole chronology is utterly fanciful, there is no use attempting to make it consistent.
* For purposes of chronology, these reigns begin with the next year following the previous Emperor’s death. The first year of Annei’s reign is therefore B.C.’ 548, although his predecessor died B.C. 549.
IV. 5 142 NIHONGI.
This was the year Midzunoto Ushi of the cycle.
2nd year. The capital was removed to Katashiho. It was called the Palace of Ukiana.
3rd year, Spring, rst month, 5th day. Nuna-soko-naka-tsu . hime no Mikoto was appointed Empress.
Others call her Nuna-so hime.
One writing says:—‘“‘ Kaha-tsu hime, daughter of Haye, Agata-nushi of Shiki.”
One writing says:——‘‘ Daughter of Ohoma no Sukune.”!
Before this, his consort had given birth to two Imperial princes. The first was called Ikishi-mimi no Mikoto, the second, the Emperor Oho-Yamato-hiko-suki-tomo.
One version says:—‘“‘ She bore three princes, the first of whom was called Toko-tsu-hiko-iro-ne; the second, the Emperor Oho-Yamato-hiko-suki-tomo; and the third, Shiki-tsu-hiko no Mikoto.”
11th year, rst month, rst day. Oho-Yamato-hiko-suki-tomo no Mikoto was made Prince Imperial. His younger brother, Shiki-tsu-hiko no Mikoto was the first ancestor of the Wi-tsu-. kahi no Muraji.
38th year, Winter, 11th month, 6th day. The Emperor died at the age of 57.° THE EMPEROR OHO-YAMATO-HIKO-SUKI-TOMO.
(ITOKU® TENNO.)
The Emperor Oho-Yamato-hiko-suki-tomo was the second child of the Emperor Shiki-tsu-hiko-tama-demi. His mother’s name -was Nuna-soko-naka-tsu-hime, grandchild of Koto-shiro- nushi no Kami, and daughter of the Prince* of Kamo. He was made Prince Imperial in the 11th year, Spring, the Ist month 1A title, derived by Yamada from Sukuna, small, and e or ye, elder brother.
* Admirable virtue..; 4 Prince is here =f, a lower rank than && -f or Imperial Prince.
IToKv. 143 of the Emperor Shiki-tsu-hiko-tama-demi’s reign. He was then 16 years of age. In the 38th year of that reign, Winter, the 12th month, the Emperor Shiki-tsu-hiko-tama-demi died.!
Ist year, Spring, 2nd month, 4th day. The Prince Imperial assumed the Imperial Dignity.
Autumn, 8th month, rst day. The Emperor Shiki-tsu-hiko- tama-demi was buried in the Misasagi above Mihodo no wi, south of Mount Unebi.
gth month, 14th day. The Empress was honoured with the title of Grand Empress. This was the year Kanoto U of the cycle. | and year, Spring, Ist month, 5th day. The capital was removed to Karu.” It was called the Palace of Magariwo.
2nd month, 11th day. Ama-toyo-tsu-hime no Mikoto was made Empress.
One version has:—‘“‘ Idzumi hime, daughter of Oto-wite, son of Haye, Agata-nushi of Shiki.”
One version has:—‘‘Ihi-hime, daughter of Futo-ma- waka-hiko, Agata-nushi of Shiki.”
This Empress was the mother of the Emperor Mi-matsu- hiko-Kayeshine.
One version has:—‘‘ The Emperor’s younger brother by the mother’s side,* Takeshi-hiko-kushi-tomo se no Mikoto.” * 22nd year, Spring, 2nd month, 12th day. Mi-matsu-hiko- Kayeshine no Mikoto was made Prince Imperial. He was then 18 years of age.
34th year, Autumn, gth month, 8th day. The Emperor died.
* These repetitions seem intended to conceal the want of any real information about this period.
2 In Yamato.
3 The Japanese word for brother by the mother’s side is hara-kara, “ of the same belly,” as to which a paper by the present writer on the “ Family in Ancient Japan,” contributed to the Japan Society’s Journal, may be con- sulted.
4 It is not clear what is meant by this.
TVS 20% BOAT 5 144 NIHONGI.
THE EMPEROR MI-MATSU-HIKO-KAYESHINE. (KOSHO' TENNO.)
The Emperor Mi-matsu-hiko-Kayeshine was the eldest son of the Emperor Oho-Yamato-hiko-suki-tomo. The name of the Empress, his mother, was Ama-toyo-tsu-hime no Mikoto. She was the daughter of Ikishi-mimi no Mikoto.
The Emperor had been made Prince Imperial in Spring, the second month of the 22nd year of the reign of the Emperor Oho- Yamato-hiko-suki-tomo. The Emperor Oho-Yamato-hiko- suki-tomo died in autumn, the ninth month of the 34th year of his reign. On the 13th day of the roth month of the following year, the Emperor Oho-Yamato-hiko-suki-tomo was buried in the Misasagi over the Masago Valley to the south of Mount Unebi. ' Ist year, Spring, ist month, 9th day. The Prince Imperial assumed the Imperial Dignity.
Summer, 4th month, 5th day. The Empress was honoured with the title of Grand Empress.”
7th month. The capital was removed to Wakigami.* It was called the Palace of Ikegokoro. This year was the year Hinoye Tora of the cycle.
2gth year, Spring, Ist month, 3rd day. Yoso-tarashi-hime was appointed Empress.
One version says:—‘‘ Nunaki-tsu hime, daughter of Haye, Agata-nushi of Shiki.”.
One version has:—‘‘ Oho-wi-hime, daughter of Toyo- aki-sata-wo of the Land of Yamato.”
The Empress gave birth to Ama-tarashi-hiko-kuni-oshi-bito no Mikoto, and to the Emperor Yamato-tarashi-hiko-kuni-oshi- bito.
68th year, Spring, 1st month, 14th day. Yamato-tarashi- hiko-kuni-oshi-bito no Mikoto was made Prince Imperial. He } Filial piety manifested. * Kwo-dai- 6. * In Yamato.
Koan. 145 was twenty years of age. Ama-tarashi-hiko-kuni-oshi-bito no Mikoto was the first ancestor of the Wani no Omi, 83rd year, Autumn, 8th month, 5th day. The Emperor B.c. 393. died.
THE EMPEROR YAMATO-TARASHI-HIKO-KUNI-OSHI-BITO. (KOAN' TENNO.)
The Emperor Yamato-tarashi-hiko-kuni-oshi-bito was the IV. to. second child of the Emperor Mi-matsu-hiko-kayeshine. His mother’s name was Yoso-tarashi-hime. She was the younger sister of Okitsu Yoso, the ancestor of the Ohari no? Muraji.
The Emperor was made Prince Imperial in Spring, the rst month of the 68th year of the reign of the Emperor Mi-matsu- hiko-kayeshine. The Emperor Mi-matsu-hiko-kayeshine died in Autumn, the 8th month of the 83rd year of his reign.
Ist year, Spring, ist month, 7th day. The Prince Imperial 8.c. 392. assumed the Imperial Dignity.
Autumn, 8th month, 1st day. The Empress was honoured with the title of Grand Empress. This year was the year Tsuchi no to Ushi of the cycle.
2nd year, Winter, roth month. The capital was removed to 2.c. 391. Muro. It was called the Palace of Akitsushima.
26th year, Spring, 2nd month, 14th day. The Emperor 2.c. 367. appointed his niece,® Oshi-bime, Empress.
One version has:—‘‘ Naga-hime, daughter of Haye, Agata-nushi of Shiki.” One version has:—‘‘ Isaka-hime, daughter of Isaka-hiko, The Empress was the mother of the Emperor Oho-Yamato- neko-hiko-futo-ni.
38th year, Autumn, 8th month, 14th day. The Emperor Mi- B.c. 355. matsu-hiko-kayeshine was buried in the Misasagi on Mount Hakata in Wakigami.
76th year, Spring, ist month, 5th day. Oho-Yamato-neko- Iv. 11.
MINAS Seay.
146 NJHONGI.
hiko-futo-ni no Mikoto was made’ Prince Imperial. He was then twenty-six years of age.
_ Io2znd year, Spring, 1st’ month, gth, day. The Emperor died.
THE EMPEROR OHO-YAMATO-NEKO!-HIKO-FUTO-NI. (KOREI? TENNO.)
The Emperor Oho-Yamato-neko-hiko-futo-ni was the eldest child of the Emperor Yamato-tarashi-hiko-kuni-oshi-bito. His mother’s name was Oshi-bime. He had been appointed Prince Imperial in Spring, the 1st month of the 76th year of the reign of the Emperor Yamato-tarashi-hiko-kuni-oshi-bito. In Spring,. the 1st month of the ro2nd year of his reign, the Emperor Yamato-tarashi-hiko-kuni-oshi-bito died. In. Autumn, the gth, month, 13th day, the Emperor Yamato-tarashi-hiko-kuni-oshi-. bito was buried in the Misasagion Tamade Hill.
Winter, 12th month, 4th day. The Prince Imperial removed the capital to Kuroda.* It was called the Palace of Ihodo.. | 1st year, Spring, ist month, 12th day. The Prince Imperial assumed the Imperial Dignity. He honoured the Empress with the title of Grand Empress. This year was the year Kanoto Hitsuji of the cycle.. — | Te _ 2nd year, Spring, 2nd month, 11th day. Hoso- Pume. no Mi- koto was appointed Empress. One version. has:—‘‘ Kasuga no Chichi- eee yamaka- hime.” One version has:—‘‘ Mashita- -bime, daughter of sey Agata-nushi of Tohochi.”
The Empress was the mother of the Panaiee Oho- nate. neko-hiko-kuni-kuru. A concubine named Yamato no kuni-ka- hime [aéso called Haye-irone| was the mother of Yamato-to-to- 1 Several of the Emperors’ names have the element Yamato-neko (neko is a honorific), and one Emperor styles himself Yamato-neko in an edict, although this was not his name. It may be suspected that Yamato- neko was at one time a general title for the sovereigns of Japan.
KocEn. - 4g hi-momo-so bime no Mikoto and of Hiko-i-saseri-hiko no Mikcto [also. called Kibi-tsu-hiko no ee and Yamato- toto-waka- ya-bime no Mikoto.: Another concubine Haye-iroto was the mother of: PKS! sajima no Mikoto and of Waka-take-hiko no Mikoto. - The’ younger of these, namely, Waka-take-hiko no sap de was the -first ancestor of the Kibi no Omi.? 36th year, Spring, ist month, rst day. Hiko-kuni-kuru-no Mikoto was made Prince Imperial. 76th year, Spring, 2nd month, 8th day. The Emperor d died.
THE EMPEROR OHO-YAMATO-NEKO-HIKO-KUNI-KURU.
(KOGEN? TENNO.)
DVR a The Emperor Oho- Yamato-neko-hiko-kuni-kuru was the eldest |.
child of the Emperor Oho-Yamato-neko-hiko-futo-ni. His mother’s name was Hoso-bime, daughter of Oho-me,* Agata- nushi of Shiki. He had been created Prince Imperial in Spring, the rst month of the 36th year of the reign of the Emperor Oho- Yamato-neko-hiko-futo-ni. He was then nineteen years of age. The Emperor Oho-Yamato-neko-hiko-futo-ni died in Spring, the 2nd month of the 76th year of his reign.
Ist year, Spring, ist month, 14th day. The Prince Imperial assumed the Imperial Dignity. He honoured the Empress with the title of Grand Empress. This year was the year Hinoto I of the cycle..
4th year, Spring, 3rd month, 11th day. The capital was removed to Karu. It was called the Palace of Sakahibara. ~ 6th year, Autumn, gth month, 6th day. The Emperor Oho- Yamato-neko-hiko-futo-ni was buried in the Misasagi on ] Muma- Zaka* at Kataoka.
* The “ Kojiki” genealogies differ‘a good deal, One must be wrong; and both, doubtless, leave much to be desired in accuracy.
3 Great-eyes..
BIC era BiCae200+ LE 148 | NIHONGI.
“th year, Spring, 2nd month, 2nd day. Uchi-shiko-me’ no Mikoto was appointed Empress. She had three children, two boys and one girl. The name of the eldest was Oho-hiko no Mikoto; of the second, the Emperor Waka-Yamato-neko-hiko. Oho-hihi; and of the third, Yamato-toto-hime no Mikoto.
One version has:—‘‘The Emperor’s brother by the mother’s side was Sukuna-biko-wo-kokoro ' no Mikoto.”
A concubine named Ika-shiko-me no Mikoto was the mother of Hiko-futo-woshi-makoto no Mikoto. The next concubine, named Hani-yasu-hime, daughter of Awotama of Kahachi, was the mother of Take-hani-yasu no Mikoto.
The elder brother Oho-hiko no Mikoto was the first ancestor of the Abe no Omi, the Kashihade? no Omi, the Ahe no Omi, the Sasaki-yama no Kimi, the Tsukushi no Miyakko, the Koshi no Miyakko and the Iga no Omi, in all seven families.
Hiko-futo-woshi-makoto no Mikoto was the grandfather of Takechi no Sukune.
22nd year, Spring, 1st month, 14th day. Waka-Yamato- neko-hiko-oho-hihi no Mikoto was made Prince Imperial. He was sixteen years of age.
57th year, Autumn, gth month, 2nd day. The Emperor died.
THE EMPEROR WAKA-YAMATO-NEKO-HIKO-OHO-HIHI. (KAIKWA* TENNO.)
The Emperor Waka-Yamato-neko-hiko-oho-hihi was the second child of the Emperor Oho- Yamato-neko-hiko-kuni-kuru. His mother’s name was Uchi-shikome, the ancestor of ‘the Hodzumi no Omi, and younger sister of Uchi-shiko-wo no. Mikoto.
The Emperor had been created Prince Imperial in Spring, the rst month of the 22nd year of the reign of the Emperor Oho-Yamato-neko-hiko-kuni-kuru. He was then sixteen years. of age.
1 Small-prince-manly-heart. 2 This word means steward. 3 Civilization.
KarIkwa. 149 The Emperor Oho-Yamato-neko-hiko-kuni-kuru died in Autumn, the 9th month of the 57th year of his reign.
In Winter, the 11th month, 12th day, the Prince Imperial assumed the Imperial Dignity.
ist year, Spring, Ist month, 4th day. The Empress was honoured with the title of Grand Empress.
Winter, roth month, 13th day. The capital was removed to Kasuga. It was called the Palace of Isa-kaha. This year was the year Kinoye Saru of the cycle.
5th year, Spring, 2nd month, 6th day. The Emperor Oho- Yamato-neko-hiko-kuni-kuru was buried in the Misasagi on the island of Tsurugi-ike.’
6th year, Spring, Ist month, 14th day. Ika-shiko-me no Mikoto was appointed Empress. [She was his father’s concu- éine.| The Empress was the mother of the Emperor Mimaki- ir1-hiko-i-niye.
The Emperor had previously taken to himself as concubine Taniha no Takano-hime. She was the mother of Hiko-yu- musumi no Mikoto. [AJdso called Hiko-komosu no Mtkoto.| There was a subordinate concubine named Oke-tsu-hime, younger sister of Oke-tsu no Mikoto, the ancestor of the Wani no Omi, She was the mother of Prince *? Hiko-imasu.
28th year, Spring, rst month, 5th day. Mimakzi-iri- bike no Mikoto was created Prince Imperial. He was nineteen years of age.
60th year, Summer, 4th month, 9th day. The Emperor died.
Winter, roth month, 3rd day. He was buried in the Saka- moto Misasagi at Isa-kaha in Kasuga.
One version has:—‘‘ The Misasagi of Saka no kami.’’* His age was then 115.
1 Ike means a pond or artificial lake.
2 Where Prince stands alone without the word Imperial before or after it, it represents the Chinese character =E, which in the “ Nihongi” is applied sometimes to the kings or princes of Corea, but more usually to Japanese princes who did not belong to the family of the reigning sovereign.
3 It is difficult to say whether Saka-moto and Saka no kami are proper names or merely descriptions. They mean respectively the “bottom of the acclivity” and the “ top of the acclivity.”
BO: Days Worag ou BGs 130 BRE OF.
BOOK. V.
THE EMPEROR MIMAKI-IRI-BIKO-I-NIYE. (SUJIN' TENNO.)
THE Emperor Mimaki-iri-biko-i-niye was the second child of the Emperor Waka-yamato-neko-hiko-oho-hi-hi. His mother’s name was Ika-shiko-me, daughter of Oho-he-so-ki, no Mikoto, the ancestor of the Mononobe House.”.
The Emperor was created Prince Imperial at the age of nineteen. He was of a quick intelligence, and in his boyhood was fond of manly devices. When he grew up to manhood, he was of wide culture and circumspect in his behaviour. He honoured profoundly the Gods of Heaven and Earth...His mind was constantly directed to the. management of the Celestial Institution.’ | The Emperor Waka-yamato-neko-hiko-oho-hihi died in Summer, the 4th month of the 60th year of his reign.
rst year, Spring, rst month, 13th day. The Prince Imperial assumed the Imperial Dignity. He honoured the et with the title of Grand Empress.
and month, 16th day. Mimaki-hime was appointed Em- press. Before this she had given: birth to the Emperor Iku- me-iri-hiko-i-sachi, Kuni- kata-hime no. Mikoto, Chichi-tsuku Yamato-hime no Mikoto, Yamato-hiko no Mikoto, and Ika-tsuru- .2. hiko no Mikoto. By aconcubine, Tohotsu Ayume ma-kuwashihime, daughter of Araka, the Tohe of the Land of Kii, he had. Toyo-suki-iri-hiko no. Mikoto,, anda subordangte con- hada named Ohari no Olio-ama. ir at y aes “One version has:—‘“* Ya- ee -ama- irohe, daughter of _ Oho um no- -Sukune.”
boars Sijin fieanie honouring thé Gods ||...# In Japanese.Uii. 3 The sovereignty.
SOyIN.. 1st bore to’ him Ya-saka-iri-hiko no Mikoto, Nunaki-iri-bime no Mikoto, and Toho-chi-ni-iri-bime no Mikoto. _ This year was the year Kinoye Saru of the cycle.
3rd year, Autumn, gth month. The capital was removed to Shiki. It was called the Palace of Midzu-gaki. 4th year, Winter, roth month, 13th day. The Emperor issued a decree, saying:—-‘‘When our Imperial ancestors gloriously assumed the Supreme Rank, was it for the benefit of themselves alone? It was doubtless in order that they ‘might thereby shepherd men and spirits,‘ and regulate the Empire. Therefore it was that from generation to generation they were able to extend their unfathomable merit, and in their day to spread abroad their perfect virtue.
We, having now received at their hands the mighty inheri- tance, lovingly nourish our good subjects. In so doing, let us follow obediently in the footsteps of our Imperial ancestors, and long preserve the unbounded felicity. And ye too, Our Ministers and functionaries, should you not co-operate with all loyalty in giving peace to the Empire?’’?
5th year. There was much pestilence throughout the country, and more than one half the people died.
. 6th year. The people took to vagabondage, and there was rebellion, the violence of which was such that by worth alone it could not be assuaged.’
Therefore, rising early in the morning and being full of awe until the evening, the Emperor requested punishment* of the Gods of Heaven and Earth.
Before this the two Gods. Ama-terasu no Oho- oer anid Yamato no Oho-kuni-dama*® were worshipped together within the Emperor’s Great Hall. He dreaded, however, the power of these Gods, and did not feel secure in their dwelling together. Therefore he entrusted Ama-terasu no Oho-kami to Toyo-suki-iri-bime no Mikoto to be worshipped at the village The Kana has simply hito, men.
*. This decree is'a mere cento of Chinese phrases.
3 Le, a the virtues of the Sov ereign commanding the respect and obedience of the people. ->%-In accordance: with the Chihese, notion that national’ calamities ae owing tothe faults of the Emperor.
5 The numen of Be great land of Y amato.
A Ve OR Bre. oes PCLT 152 NIHONGI.
of Kasanuhi in Yamato, where he established the sacred en- . closure of Shiki. Moreover, he entrusted Yamato-oho-kunidama no Kami to Nunaki-iri-bime no Mikoto to be worshipped. But Nunaki-iri-bime no Mikoto was bald and lean; and there- fore unfit to perform the rites of worship.
7th year, Spring, 2nd month, 15th day. The Emperor decreed as follows:—‘‘ Of old our Imperial ancestors greatly extended the vast foundation, and under the later Emperors the institution became more and more exalted. The royal in- fluence spread and flourished. But now that it has devolved upon Us, numerous calamities have unexpectedly befallen it. It is to be feared that from the absence of good Governmentin the Court, We have incurred the blame of the Gods of Heaven and Earth. Would it not be well to commit the matter to the Sacred Tortoise ' and thereby ascertain the cause of the calamity?”
Accordingly, the Emperor hereupon proceeded to the plain of Kami-asachi, where he assembled the 80 myriads of Deities, and inquired of them by means of divination. At this time the Gods inspired Yamato-to-to-hi-momoso-hime no Mikoto to say as follows:—‘‘ Why is the Emperor grieved at the disordered state of the country? If he duly did us reverent worship it would assuredly become pacified of itself.” The Emperor in- . quired, saying:—‘‘ What God is it that thus instructs me?”
The answer was:—‘‘I am the God who dwells within the borders of the land of Yamato, and my name is Oho-mono- nushi no Kami.”
Now, having obtained this divine message, the Emperor worshipped as he was told, but without effect. Then, having bathed and practised abstinence, and purified the interior of the Hall, he prayed, saying:—‘‘ Is Our observance of due cere- monies towards the Gods not yet complete? This non- acceptance iscruel. We pray that We may be further instructed in a dream, and the divine favour thereby consummated.”
That night he had a dream. A man of noble appearance stood opposite to him in the door of the hall, and, announcing himself as Oho-mono-nushi no Kami, _ said:—‘‘ Let the ? The ancient Japanese divination was by roasting deer’s shoulder-blades and observing the cracks thus caused, not by the shell of a tortoise, which is the Chinese practice.
SUJIN. 153 Emperor grieve no more for the disorder of the country. This is my will. If thou wilt cause me to be worshipped by my child, Oho-tata-neko, then will there be peace at once. More- over the lands beyond the sea will of their own accord render submission.”
Autumn, 8th month, 7th day. Yamato-to-to-kami-asachi- hara-ma-guhashi-hime, Oho-mina-kuchi-no Sukune, the an- cestor of the Hodzumi no Omi, and the Kimi of Wo-umi in Ise had all three the same dream, which they reported to the Emperor, saying:—‘‘ Last night we had a dream in which there appeared a man of noble aspect, who admonished us, saying:— ‘Let Oho-tata-neko no Mikoto be appointed master of the worship of Oho-mono-nushi-no-oho-kami, and let Ichi-shi no .Naga-ochi be appointed master of the worship of Yamato no Oho-kuni-dama no Kami. Then assuredly the Empire will have profound peace.’ ” The Emperor, when he learned the words of the dream, was more and more delighted in his heart. By a proclamation to the Empire he sought for Oho-tata-neko, who was accordingly found in the village of Suye, in the district of Chinu,' and sent to the Emperor, who forthwith proceeded in person to the plain of Kami-asachi, and assembled all the Princes and Ministers, and the eighty Be. He then inquired of Oho-tata-neko, saying:— “Whose child art thou?’ He answered and said:—‘‘ My father’s name is Oho-mono-nushi no Oho-kami. My mother’s name is Ikudama-yori-bime, daughter of Suye-tsu mimi.”
Also called Kushi-hi-kata-ame-hi-kata, daughter of Take-chinu-tsumi.
The Emperor said:—‘‘ Now we shall be prosperous.” So he ascertained by divination that it would be lucky to send Ika- shiko-wo to distribute offerings to the Gods. He also divined that it would be unlucky to take advantage of this opportunity to worship other Gods.’
11th month, 8th day.* The Emperor took the articles 4 for 1 In Idzumi. > Than the two above mentioned.
* The original has cyclical characters which would make it the 56th day of the month. I have adopted an emendation which does not make obvious nonsense. But where the whole series of dates is fictitious, it is hardly worth while noticing minor inaccuracies of this kind.
4 Of pottery.
AWE B.C. Qo.
Aig fey 154 NIHONGI.
the worship of the Gods which he ordered Ika-shiko-wo to have ‘made by the hands of the eighty Mononobe, and: appointed Oho-tata-neko. Master of the worship of Oho-mono-nushi no Oho-kami. Moreover he made Nagaochi Master of the worship of Yamato no Oho-kuni-dama no Kami.
After that, he divined that it would be lucky to worship the other Gods. So he took the opportunity of separately wor- shipping the assemblage of eighty myriads of Deities. He also settléd which were to be Heavenly shrines and which Earthly shrines, and allotted land and houses for the service of the Gods. Thereupon the pestilence first ceased; the country at length had peace, the five kinds of grain were produced, and the peasantry enjoyed abundance.
8th year, Summer, 4th month, 6th day. A man of the village of Takahashi, named Ikuhi, was appointed Brewer to the Great Deity.
Winter, r2th month, zoth day. The Emperor caused Oho- tata-neko to worship the Great Deity. On this day, Ikuhi, in ‘person, presented to the Emperor sacred sake, with a song, as follows:— This sacred sake Is not my sacred sake: Tis sacred sake brewed By Oho-mono-nushi, Of Yamato, How long ago!
How long ago!* Having thus sung, they feasted in the Shrine of the God. As soon as the feast was over, the various high officials sang as follows:— » The Hall of Miwa (Of sweet sake fame), Even its morning door We would go forth from— The door of the Hall of Miwa.
>> Hereupon the Emperor sang as follows:— “How long ago” is'in Japanese Heubvisa: an obvious - allusion to- the Brewer’s name, Ikuhi, in short a pun. ee _SUJIN.” 155 ' The Hall of Miwa © (Of sweet sake fame), Even its morning-door I would push open-— The door of the Hall of Miwa.'
So the door of the Shrine of the God was thrown open, id the Emperor. proceeded on his way.
He who was called Oho- tata-neko was the first ancestor of the Kimi of Miwa.
gth year, Spring, 3rd month, 15th day. The ae had a dream in, which a divine person appeared to him and in- structed him, saying:—‘‘ Take eight red shields and eight red spears and do worship to the God of Sumi-zaka. Take more- over eight black shields and eight black apeats and do wor- ship to the God of Oho-zaka.”
Summer, 4th month, 16th day. In accordance with the in- struction he had received in the. dream, he worshipped the Gods of Sumi-zaka and Oho-zaka.’
roth year, Autumn, 7th month, 24th day. He proclaimed to the company of Ministers, saying:—‘‘ For the guidance of the people, the chief thing is education. Now that I have performed due rites to the Gods of Heaven and Earth, all calamity has become spent. The distant savages, however, do _ not receive our calendar because they are yet unaccustomed to the civilizing influences of our rule.: We will, therefore, select some of our company of Ministers and despatch them to the four quarters, so that they may cause our Will to be known.”
gth month, gth day. The Emperor sent Oho-hiko -no Mikoto to the northern region, he sent Takenu-kaha wake to the Eastern Sea,’ he sent Kibi*-tsu-hiko to the Western toad ; The sentiment of these pRens: seems to be the. same as that of our own.
“We won't go home till morning.” ~ Metre irregular.
~ 2- However unhistorical all as may be, one thing clearly appears from it, ' viz., that in the early days of Japan the king and high priest were identical. Both the civil and religious functions, however, might be equally delegated.
* In the original T6-kai, whence Tokaido, Base sea-road, the. great igh. way from Kioto to the East and-also the spree nces lying to each side of se ibid is the ancient name for * Bizen, Bingd, and Bittchiu, w ich lie west of Yamato. SO ee os ree GES | Shean ahs tu BiGAEoO.
WE Gp.
2. NIHONGI, he sent Tamba no chi-nushi no Mikoto to Tamba. On this occasion he addressed them, saying:—‘‘If there be any who do not receive our instructions, prepare war and smite them.” Having said so, he granted them all alike seals and ribbons,’ and appointed them generals.
27th day. Oho-hiko no Mikoto arrived at the top of the Wani acclivity. Now there was there a maiden who sang as follows:— One version has:—‘‘ Oho-hiko-no Mikoto arrived at the Hira-zaka acclivity, in Yamashiro. Now there was by the road-side a young woman who sang as follows: ””»— Ah! Prince Mimaki-iri! Unaware that some are stealthily Preparing to cut The thread of thine own life, Thou amusest thyself like a lady!
Another version is:— Unaware that some are preparing To slay thee, On the watch At the great gate, Thou amusest thyself like a lady!* Wondering at this, Oho-hiko inquired of the maiden, saying: —‘‘ What are these words that thou sayest?” She answered and said:—‘‘ I was saying nothing: I was only singing.”” So she sang over again the above song, and suddenly disappeared. Oho-hiko accordingly returned and reported these circumstances to the Emperor. Upon this Yamato-toto-hi momo so bime no Mikoto, the Emperor’s aunt by the father’s side, a shrewd and intelligent person, who could foresee the future, understood what was portended by this song, and told the Emperor that it was a sign that Take-hani-yasu-hiko* was about to plot treason against him. ‘I have heard,” she said, ‘“‘that Ata- bime, Take-hani-yasu-hiko’s wife, came secretly and took earth 1 The seals and ribbons are Chinese, and could not have been used as emblems of office in Japan at this time. The word for general is Shogun, so familiar at a later period of Japanese History.
2 The text of this poem is very doubtful. The “ Kojiki” has a third version. Prince Mimaki-iri is the Emperor.