Wie25: 186 NIHONGI.
appeared.”” The Emperor was struck with awe, and made no _ further endeavour to find it. Afterwards the Idzushi short ACD AO1e Nolo sword went of its own accord to the Island of Ahaji, where the people of the island considered it a God, and erected for the short sword a shrine, in which it is worshipped until this day.’
Formerly there was a man, who riding in a ship, cast anchor in the land of Tajima. He was therefore asked, saying:— ‘Of what country art thou?” He answered and said:—‘‘I am a son of the king of Silla, and my name is Ama no hihoko. So he dwelt in Tajima, and took to wife Mata no wo, daughter of Mahetsu mimi [One version has Mahetsu mi and another Futo-mimi] of that province, who bore to him Tajima Morosuke, the grandfather of Kiyo-hiko.
goth year, Spring, 2nd month, 1st day. The Emperor commanded Tajima Mori to go to the Eternal Land* and get the fragrant fruit that grows out of season, now called the Tachibana.* goth year, Autumn, 7th month, r4th day. The Emperor died in the Palace of Maki-muku at the age of 140,® and in Winter, the 12th month, the roth day, was buried in the misasagi of Fushimi, in Suga-hara.
The next year, Spring, the 3rd month, the 12th day, Tajima Mori arrived from the Eternal Land, bringing of the fragrant fruit that grows out of season eight sticks and eight bundles.‘ Thereupon Tajima Mori wept and lamented, saying:— “ Receiving the Celestial Court’s command, Afar I went to a remote region: 1 Tajima Mori was apparently selected for this mission on account of his descent from a king of Silla. But the Tokoyo no Kuni, or Eternal Land, can hardly have been Corea, where the Orange is little, if at all, grown in the present day. It was more likely China.
? The Orange, vide Ch. K., p. 198.
3 The chronology, as usual, will not bear investigation.
* The meaning of the characters which I have thus rendered is doubtful. The corresponding passage in the “ Kojiki” is corrupt and equally obscure. I do not feel sure that Motoodri has cleared it up quite satisfactorily, in spite of the amount of recondite learning he has brought to bear on it..
2 OM Gh a Ge owe, ncton SUININ. 187 Ten thousand ri I crossed the waves, Distantly I passed over the weak water.!
This Eternal Land Is no other than the mysterious realm of Gods and Genii To which ordinary mortals cannot attain; Therefore in going thither and returning Ten years have naturally passed.
Beyond my expectation, I braved alone the towering billows, Turning my way again towards my own land.
Thus, trusting in the spirits of the Emperors, I hardly accomplished my return.
But now the Emperor is dead, I am unable to report my mission.
Though I should remain alive, What more would it avail me?” ® Then turning his face towards the misasagi of the Emperor, he wept aloud, and so of himself he died. When the ministers heard of it they all shed tears.
Tajima Mori was the first ancestor of the Miyake* no Muraji.
1 Said by the Chinese to be north of Fuyu (in Manchooria). It does not support ships.
2 The sentiment and diction of this speech are thoroughly Chinese. It is not exactly poetry, but nearly so.
3 Miyake, written with characters which mean “three storehouses.” Mi, however, is more probably the honorific prefix.
AOD, Wit WaliRe2?
BOOK VII. THE EMPEROR OHO-TARASHI-HIKO-OSHIRO-WAKE. ' (KEIKO' TENNO.)
THE Emperor Oho-tarashi-hiko-oshiro-wake was the third child of the Emperor Iku-me-iri-hiko-isachi. The Empress his mother was named Hibasu-hime no Mikoto. She was the daughter of Prince Michi no ushi of Tamba. The Emperor Iku-me-iri-hiko-isachi, in the 37th year of his reign, raised him to the rank of Prince Imperial. He was then twenty-one years of age. In the goth year of his reign, Spring, the second month, the Emperor Iku-me-iri-hiko-isachi died. | | ist year, Autumn, 7th month, 11th day. The Prince Imperial assumed the Imperial Dignity. The chronological epoch was altered accordingly. This year was the year Kanoto Hitsuji (8th) of the Cycle.
2nd year, Spring, 3rd month, 3rd day. The elder lady* of Inabi in Harima was appointed Empress.
Another version has:—‘‘ The younger lady of Inabi in Harima.”
She had two sons, the first of whom was named the Imperial Prince Oho-usu, and the second Wo-usu no Mikoto.
In one writing it is said:—‘‘ The Empress bore three sons. The third was named the Imperial Prince Waka- Yamato-neko.”
The Imperial Prince Oho-usu and Wo-usu no Mikoto were born as twins* on the same day with the same placenta. The ' Great road or great conduct.? Oho-iratsume.
’ There seems to have been a question which of twins was to be con- sidered the elder. One idea was that the last born should be senior, because he occupied the higher place in the womb.
_KEIKO. 189 Emperor, wondering at this, informed the mortar.’ Therefore he gave these two Princes the names of Great Mortar (Oho- usu) and Little Mortar (Wo-usu). Now this Wo-usu no Mikoto was also called Yamato Woguna and again Yamato- dake no Mikoto.?. Whilst a child he had a manly spirit; when he arrived at manhood his beauty was extraordinary. He was a rod in height, and his strength was such that he could lift a tripod.’ |. 3rd year, Spring, 2nd month, 1st day. Divination was made a.p. 73. as to whether the Emperor should make a progress to the Land of Kii to perform sacrifices to all the Gods of Heaven and Earth. It was found to be unlucky, and the Imperial car was accordingly countermanded. Ya-nushi-oshiho-dake-wo-goro 1 The Chinese character used here is fff, which properly means a pestle, and is more particularly applied to that arrangement of a mortar and pestie in which the latter is set on a pivot and worked by the foot. This is called the Kara-usu in Japan. Here, however, is one of those cases where we must put aside the Chinese character and be guided by the Japanese word, which is unquestionably wswz, a term applied to any arrangement for hulling or grinding grain. The usu is properly the mortar rather than the pestle (Acme), but it is used for the combination of both, and for querns or hand-mills, which are also in use in Japan.
The usu here referred to is probably of the kind shown in the annexed illustration. Stone pestles resembling in shape that in the right hand upper corner are among the stone, im- plements figured in Kanda’s work on this subject.
Hardy, in his “ Manual of Buddhism,” p. 158, says:—‘‘The eastern pestle is found in every house, and is connected with as many super- stitions and ceremonies as the besom among Pestle and Mortar. the old wives of Europe.”
The “ Shukai” editor suggests that by Great Mortar and Little Mortar the lower and upper stones of the hand-mill were meant. But there is no reason to doubt the statement below (A.D, 610) that hand-mills were first introduced in Suiko’s reign.
2 Woguna means boy, Yamato-dake means hero of Yamato. It is by the last of these names that he is best known to posterity.
3 A Chinese phrase.
VII. 3.
WA Eig 190 NIHONGI.
no Mikoto [one version has Take-wi-goro] was sent and caused to do sacrifice. Hereupon Ya-nushi-oshiho-dake-wo-goro no Mikoto went thither, and stayed at Kashihara in Abi, where he sacrificed to the Gods of Heaven and Earth. He lived here for nine years, and took to wife Kage-hime, the daughter of Uji-hiko, who was the ancestor of the Ki no Atahe.'' She was the mother of Takechi no Sukune.
4th year, Spring, 2nd month, 11th day. The Emperor made a progressto Mino. Hiscourtiers represented to him, saying:— “In this province there is a handsome woman named Oto-hime, of perfect beauty. She is the daughter of the Imperial Prince Yasaka Irihiko.” The Emperor wished to obtain her to be his consort, and went to the house of Oto-hime.? Oto-hime, hearing that the Emperor was coming in his carriage, straight- way concealed herself in a bamboo-grove. Hereupon the Emperor provisionally caused Oto-hime to go and reside in the Kuguri Palace, and letting loose carp in a pond, amused himself by looking at them morning and evening. Now Oto-hime wished to see the carp sporting, so she came secretly and stood over the. pond. The Emperor forthwith detained her, and had intercourse with her. Hereupon Oto- hime thought:—‘‘ The way of a husband and wife is the prevailing rule both now and of old time. But for me it is not convenient.” So she besought the Emperor, saying:—‘‘ Thy handmaiden’s disposition is averse to the way of conjugal intercourse. Unable to withstand the awe of the Imperial commands, she has been placed for a while within the curtain. But it gives her no pleasure. Her face too is hideous, and sheis unworthy of being added to the side courts. Thy handmaiden, however, has an elder sister, by name Yasaka Iri-hime, of a beautiful countenance, and also of a virtuous disposition. Let her be placed in the hinder palace.” The Emperor assented, and having summoned Yasaka Iri-hime, made her his consort. She bore to him seven sons and six daughters. The name of 1 In this passage the province now known as Kii is called indifferently Kz or K7i.
2 Oto-hime means simply “ younger lady.” There are frequent cases in the ‘““Nihongi” where a woman seems to have no other name than ‘elder lady” or ** younger lady.”
~KEIKO. Igl the first was the Emperor Waka-tarashi-hiko, of the second the Imperial Prince Iho-ki Iri-hiko, of the third the Imperial Prince Oshi-wake, of the fourth the Imperial Prince Waka- Yamato-neko, of the fifth the Imperial Prince Oho-su-wake, of the sixth the Imperial Princess Nunoshi, of the seventh the Imperial Princess Nunaki, of the eighth the Imperial Princess Thoki no Iri-hime, of the ninth the Imperial Princess Kako- yori-hime, of the tenth the Imperial Prince Isaki no Iri-hiko, of the eleventh the Imperial Prince Kibi no Ye-hiko, of the twelfth the Imperial Princess Takaki no Iri-hime, and of the thirteenth the Imperial Princess Oto-hime.
Again he took as consort the Lady’* Midzuha, younger sister of Ihaki-wake, of the Miho House, who bore to him the Imperial Princess Ihono. His next consort, named Ikaha-hime, bore to him the Imperial Prince Kami-kushi’? and the Imperial Prince Inase no Iri-hiko. The elder of these two, the Imperial Prince Kami-kushi, was the first ancestor of the Miyakko of Sanuki. The younger, the Imperial Prince Inase no Iri-hiko, was the first ancestor of the Harima no Wake.*® His next consort was named Takada-hime, daughter of Kogoto of the Abe House, who bore to him the Imperial Prince Take-kuni Kori-wake. He was the first ancestor of the Wake of Mimura, in the Province of Iyo. His next consort, named Oho-tane-hime, of _Kami-naga in Hiuga, bore the Imperial Prince Hiuga no Sotsu- hiko. He was the tirst ancestor of the Kimi of Amu.* His next consort, named Sotake-bime, bore the Imperial Prince Kuni-chi-wake, the Imperial Prince Kuni-se-wake [one version has the Imperial Prince Miya-chi-wake] and the Imperial Prince Toyoto-wake. The elder of these, the Imperial Prince Kuni-chi-wake, was the first ancestor of the Wake of Minuma. The youngest brother, the Imperial Prince Toyo-to-wake, was the first ancestor of the Wake of the Province of Hi.’
Now the children of the Emperor, male and female, from first to last, numbered eighty in all. With the exception, however, of Yamato-dake no Mikoto, the Emperor Waka- 3 Wake, separation, branch, was a title which implied descent from the Imperial line.
* In Nagato. 5 Now Hizen and Higo in Kiushiu.
VII 5s.
VII. 6, De O2s invasion 7s 192 NIHONGI.
tarashi-hiko and the Imperial Prince Ihoki no Iri-hiko, the other seventy and odd children were all granted fiefs! of provinces and districts, and each proceeded to his own province. Therefore, those who at the present time are called Wake of the various provinces are the descendants of these separated (wakare) Princes.’
In this month, the Emperor, hearing that the daughters of Kambone, Mino no Miyakko, the elder’s name being Ane-toho- ko, and the younger’s being Oto-toho-ko, were both of distin- guished beauty, sent Oho-usu’ no Mikoto with orders to examine the countenance of these women. Now Oho-usu no Mikoto had secret intercourse with them, and did not report his mission. For this reason the Emperor was wrath with Oho-usu no Mikoto. | Winter, the 11th month, rst day. The Emperor returned from Mino and removed the capital to Maki-muku. This was called the palace of Hi-shiro.
12th year, Autumn, 7th month. The Kumaso? rebelled, and did not bring tribute.
8th month, 15th day. The Emperor made a progress to Tsukushi.* | gth month, 5th day. On arriving at Saha in Suwo, the Emperor, standing with his face to the south,’ addressed his Ministers, saying:—‘‘ To the southwards, smoke rises abun- dantly. There must certainly be brigands there.” So he halted, and sending in advance Take-moro-gi, ancestor of the Omi of Oho, Unade, ancestor of the Omi of Kusaki, and Natsu-bana, ancestor of the Kimi of the Mononobe, made them to reconnoitre. Now there was here a woman, by name * This points to something like a feudal system. But the analogy to European feudalism must not be too closely pressed. Cf. Ch. K., p. 203.
? This omits to notice that Wake is a much older term.
3 The country of the Kumaso was the southern part of the island of Kiu- shiu corresponding to the present provinces of Hiuga, Ohosumi, and Sat- suma. Kuma and So are the names of two tribes.
* Tsukushi is used in two senses. It sometimes stands for the whole island of Kiushiu, sometimes for only the northern part of it, viz. the two provinces of Chikugo and Chikuzen..
° The Emperor of China stands with his face to the south on state occa- sions. But here it seems only to mean that the Emperor looked southwards.
KEIKO. 193 Kamu-nashi-hime, whose. followers were exceedingly numerous. She was the chieftain of that whole country. When she heard that the Emperor’s messengers had arrived, she broke off branches of the hard wood of Mount Shitsu. On the upper branch ' she hung an eight-span sword, on the middle branch she hung an eight-hand mirror, and on the lower branch a Yasaka jewel. She also hoisted a white flag on the bow of her ship, and having come to meet them, addressed them, saying:— “I beseech you, do not have recourse to arms. None of my people, I assure you, are rebellious. They will presently submit themselves to virtue? But there are mischievous brigands. The name of one is Hanatari.? He has assumed an unauthorized title. In the mountains and valleys he has called men together, and is encamped at Kahakamiin Usa. Another is called Mimi-tari.t| He is a mischievous brigand, tapacious, frequently plundering the people. He dwells at Kahakami in Mike. The third is called Asa-hagi. He has secretly assembled a following, and dwells at Kahakami in Takaha. Thename of the fourth is Tsuchi-wori-wi-wori.’ He lives concealed at Kahakami‘ in Midori no, and relying solely on the difficulties of the mountains and rivers, plunders the people greatly. All the places to which these four have betaken themselves are strong places. Each of them therefore makes his relations chiefs of one place, and they all say they will not obey the Imperial command. I pray you attack them suddenly, and fail not.”
Hereupon Take-moro-gi and the others first enticed the followers of Asa-hagi, and gave them presents of trowsers of red material and all manner of curious objects. Then having made them beckon to the four unsubmissive men, who came accompanied by their followers, they seized them and put them all to death.
The Emperor ultimately pursued his journey to Tsukushi, and arrived at the district of Nagawo in the province of Buzen, * It was the ancient custom in Japan to deliver letters or presents fastened to branches of trees. To the Emperor’s virtuous influence. 3 Nose-depend. 4 Ear-depend. ® Earth-break-well-break. 6 Kaha-kami means the upper course of a river.
Nel eSs 194 NIHONGI.
where he erected a travelling palace and dwelt there. There- fore the name of that place was called Miyako.’
Winter, roth month. He arrived in the Land of Ohokida. The form of this region is wide and beautiful. Therefore it was called Ohokida.’
When he came to the village of Hayami, there was there a woman named Haya-tsu-hime. She was chieftain® of one place. When she heard that the Imperial car was coming, she went out in person to meet the Emperor, and reported to him, saying:—‘‘ In this mountain there is a great cavern called the Rat’s Cave. There are two Tsuchi-gumo* who dwell in this cave. One is called Awo,*® and the other Shira.’ Again at Negino, in the district of Nawori, there are three Tsuchi- gumo. The name of the first is Uchi-zaru,’ of the second Yata,® and of the third Kunimaro.® These five men are alike mighty of frame, and moreover have numerous followers. They all say that they will not obey the Imperial command. If their coming is insisted on, they will raise an army and offer resist- ance.” The Emperor, provoked by this, could not advance on his journey. So he halted at the village of Kutami, where he erected a temporary palace muro, and dwelt therein. Then he consulted with his Ministers, saying:—‘‘ Let us now put in motion ‘a numerous army.and slay the Tsuchi-gumo. If, fearing the might of our arms, they should conceal themselves in the mountains and moors, they will assuredly do future mischief.” Accordingly he gathered camellia trees, and made of them mallets for weapons. Then selecting his bravest soldiers, he gave them the mallet-weapons. Therewith they pierced through the mountains, cleared away the grass, and attacking the Tsuchi-gumo of the cave,’ defeated them at Kahakami in Inaba. The whole band were killed, and their blood flowing reached to the ancle. Therefore the men of that day called — * Capital. 2 Great field.
3 The reader will observe that there are numerous cases of the “ monstrous. regiment of women ” in these old legends.
° Country-fellow. Note again that the Tsuchi-gumo have; Japanese names, and inhabit old-settled parts of Japan.
10 The interlinear gloss has iha-muro, rock-muro.
KEIKo. 195 the pees where the camellia mallets were made Tsubaki-no- ichi," and the place where the blood flowed they called Chida.? Then, in order to attack Uchi- -zaru, he crossed straight over Mount Negi. At this time the arrows of the enemy, shot cross- wise from the mountain, fell like rain in front of the Imperial army. The Emperor retreated to Shiro-hara, where he made divination on the river-bank, and accordingly arraying his troops, he first attacked Yata on the moor of Negi, and defeated him. Upon this Uchi-zaru felt that he could not gain the victory, and prayed that his submission should be accepted. This, however, was refused, and they all flung themselves into a ravine and were killed. In the beginning, when the Emperor was about to attack the enemy, he made a station on the great moor of Kashihawo. On this moor there was a stone six feet in length, three feet in breadth, and one foot five inches in thickness. The Emperor prayed, saying:—‘“If we are to succeed in destroying. the Tsuchi-gumo, when we kick this stone, may we make it mount up like a Kashiha leaf.” Accord- ingly he kicked it, upon which, like a Kashiha leaf, it arose to the Great Void. Therefore that stone was called Homishi2 The Gods whom he prayed to at this time were the God of Shiga, the God of the Mononobe of Nawori, and the God of the Nakatomi of Nawori—these three Gods..
11th month. He arrived at the Land of Hiuga, and erected a travelling palace, wherein he took up his residence. This was called the palace of Takaya.
12th month, 5th day. Counsel was held how they should attack the Kumaso. Hereupon the Emperor addressed his Ministers, saying:—‘‘ We have heard that in the Land of the Kumaso there are two men named Atsukaya and Sakaya, who are the leaders of the Kumaso. Their followers are exceedingly numerous, and are called the eighty Kumaso braves. It will be better not to touch their spear-points. For if we raise a small force, it will be insufficient to exterminate the brigands, while if a large army is put in motion, the people will suffer harm. Is there no means of subduing this country without active measures, and without resorting to the might of arms?” Then Wika eto: WA a6 tr, WORE Teele PND RS els $s AeDaroy 196 NIHONGI.
one of the ministers stood forward and said:—‘‘A Kumaso brave has two daughters, the elder named Ichi-fukaya, and the younger Ichi-kaya. Their beauty is perfect, and their hearts are brave. Offer valuable presents, and under the pretence of bestowing them beneath thy standard, take advantage of this to gain intelligence of the enemy, and attack them unawares. So without ever a sword-edge being stained with blood, the enemy will surely yield themselves up.” The Emperor gave command, saying:—‘‘ Let it be so.” Thereupon the presents were offered, and the two women, deceived by them, were bestowed beneath the tent. The Emperor straightway had intercourse with Ichi-fukaya, and made.a show of affection for her. Then Ichi-fukaya told the Emperor, saying:—‘‘ Be not anxious lest the Kumaso should not submit. Thy handmaiden has an excellent plan. Let me have one or two soldiers to follow me.” She then returned to her home, and prepared much strong sake, which she made her. father drink. He _ be- came drunk and lay down to sleep. Ichi-fukaya then secretly cut her father’s bowstring. Thereupon one of the soldiers who had escorted her came up and killed the Kumaso brave. The Emperor was provoked by such excessively unfilial conduct and put Ichi-fukaya to death. But Ichi-kaya he gave to the Miyakko of the Land of Ki.
13th year, Summer, 5th month. The Kumaso country having been all subdued, the Emperor accordingly dwelt in the palace of Takaya. When he had lived there six years, there was a beautiful woman in that country named Mihakashi-hime.! So he took her and made her his concubine. ' She bore to him the Imperial Prince Toyo-kuni-wake. He was the first ancestor of the Miyakko of the Land of Hiuga.
17th year, Spring, 3rd month, 12th day. The Emperor made a progress to the district of Koyu,® where he visited the little moor of Nimo. Then looking down towards the east, he said to his courtiers:—‘‘ This country faces directly the quarter of the Rising Sun.” Therefore he named that country Hiuga.? On this day he mounted upon a great stone in the middle of the moor, and feeling a longing.for the capital, made this poetry:— * The lady of the august sword.? In Hiuga. * For Hi-muka, i.e. sun-fronting.
K EIKO. 197 Oh! how sweet!
From the quarter of my home, Clouds arising come hither! Yamato Is the most secluded of lands. Yamato Retired behind Mount Awo-gaki, Which encompasses it in its folds, Is beautiful.
Let those whose lives are sound Stick (in their hair) by way of headdress Branches of the white evergreen oak Of Mount Heguri— (Fold within fold).
This child!?
This is called a song of longing for one’s country.
Nill ors 18th year, Spring, 3rd month. The Emperor, when about to 4-D: 88.
turn his way towards the capital, made a tour of inspection to the Land of Tsukushi.* He first arrived at Hina-mori. There was at this time on the bank of the River Ihase a crowd of men assembled. The Emperor, looking down on them from afar, addressed his courtiers, saying:—‘‘ Who are these men who are assembled? Are they an enemy?” So he sent two men, Hinamori the Elder and Hinamori the Younger, to see. Now Hinamori the Younger returned and reported, saying:—‘‘Idzumi-hime, the Kimi of Muro-kata, is about to offer your Majesty a banquet, and therefore have people gathered together.”
Summer, 4th month, 3rd day. The Emperor arrived at the district of Kuma. In this place there were two brothers called Kuma-tsu-hiko.* The Emperor first sent to summon Kuma the Elder to him. Accordingly he came along with the messenger. Then he summoned Kuma the Younger, but he would not come. Therefore he sent soldiers and put him to death.
* The text and interpretation of this poem present considerable difficulty, and the above rendering is in parts only tentative. The “ Kojiki” makes three distinct poems of it, and attributes them to Yamato-dake no Mikoto. Cf. Ch. K., p. 219. Awo-gaki means green-fence. ‘ Fold within fold” is a mere epithet, or makura-kotoba, of Mount Heguri.
* Tsukushi is here evidently the northern part of the island.
5 Prince of Kuma.
VII.
14 Wilts.
198 NIHONGI.
11th day. Proceeding by the sea route, he anchored at a small island in Ashikita, where he partook of food. Then he told Wo-hidari, ancestor of the Yama no Ahiko,' to give him some cold water. Just at this time there was no water in the island, and he did not know what to do. So looking up, he prayed to the Gods of Heaven and the Gods of Earth, when suddenly a cool spring bubbled forth from the side of a cliff. This he drew and put before the Emperor. Therefore that island was called Midzushima.’ That spring still exists in the cliff of Midzushima.
5th month, 1st day. Setting sail from Ashikita, he proceeded to the Land of Hi.* Here the sun went down, and the night being dark, they did not know how to reach the shore. A fire was seen shining afar off, and the Emperor commanded the helmsman, saying:—‘‘ Make straight for the place where the fire is.” So he proceeded towards the fire, and thus was enabled to reach the shore. The Emperor made inquiry respecting the place where the fire was, saying:—‘‘ What is the name of this village?” The people of the land answered and said:— “‘Toyomura, in the district of Yatsushiro.”” Again he made inquiry respecting the fire:—‘‘ Whose fire is this?”, But no owner could be found, and thereupon it was known that it was not a fire made. by man. Therefore that country was called Hi no Kuni.* 6th month, 3rd day. He crossed over from the district of Takaku to the village of Tamakina. At this time he killed a Tsuchi-gumo of that place called Tsudzura.
16th day. He arrived at the Land of Aso.’ The level tracts of that Land were wide and far-reaching, but no dwellings of men were to be seen. The Emperor said:—‘“‘ Are there any people in this country?” Now there were two Deities, one called Aso-tsu-hiko, and the other Aso-tsu-hime, who suddenly assuming human form, sauntered forward and said:—‘‘ We 1 Ahiko appears to be a title similar to Atahe, Sukune, etc. It is derived by the Japanese commentators from a, I, my, and hiko, prince.
2 Water-island. 3 Now Hizen and Higo.
4 The Land of Fire.; *° The name Aso is preserved in Mount Aso, a very curious volcanic mountain in the province of Higo.
KEIKO, 199 two are here. How can it be said that there are no men?” Therefore that place was called Aso.'
Autumn, 7th month, 4th day. He arrived at Mike” in the further Land of Tsukushi,? where he dwelt in the temporary Palace of Takata. Now there was here a fallen tree 970 rods in length. The hundred functionaries passed backwards and forwards stepping on this tree. The people of that day made a song, saying:— The morning hoar-frost # August tree pole-bridge! The Lords of the Presence Pass over it— The august tree pole-bridge!
The Emperor inquired, saying:—‘‘ What tree is this?” There was there an old man who said:—‘‘ This tree is a Kunugi tree.* Before it fell down, when the rays of the morning sun fell on it, it overshadowed the Hill of Kishima; when the rays of the evening sun fell on it, it covered Mount Aso.” The Emperor said:—‘‘ This tree is a divine tree. Therefore let this country be called the Land of Mike.” ° 7th day. He reached the district of Yame, where, crossing Mount Mahe, he looked down to the south upon Aha no Saki, and spake, saying:—‘‘ The peaks and glens of this mountain follow each other fold upon fold. They are exceedingly beautiful. May it be that a God dwells in this mountain?” Then Saru-ohomi,’ the Agata-nushi of Minuma, represented to the Emperor, saying:—‘“‘ There is a female Deity named Yame- tsu hime, who dwells always among these mountains.” This is therefore the reason why this country is called the Land of Yame.
8th month. He arrived at the village of Ikuha,* where he 1 Aso is a dialectical variation for nanzo or nazo, how or why.
{ 3 Augiist tree. 3 Now Chikugo.
* Morning hoar-frost is a makura-kotoba. The only connection between it and the rest of the poem is that hoar-frost melts, and that ke (for ki) tree is also the first syllable of kesu, to melt. The Presence is of course the Imperial Presence.
® Quercus Serrata, Hepburn. ° August tree.
AAO as 16783 A.D.
74 OF WOE: ~ ey.
200 NIHONGI.
partook of food. On this day the stewards left behind the drinking cup. Wherefore the men of that day called the place where the drinking cup had been forgotten Ukuha, The present name I[kuha is a corruption of this. In old times the common people of Tsukushi called a drinking-cup Ukuha.
19th year, Autumn, gth month, zoth day. The Emperor arrived from Hiuga.
20th year, Spring, 2nd month, 4th day. The Princess Ihono was made to sacrifice to Ama-terasu no Oho-kami.
25th year, Autumn, 7th month, 3rd day. Takechi no Sukune was commissioned to inquire into the geography of the various provinces of the Northern' and Eastern? circuits and the condition of.the people.
27th year, Spring, 2nd month, 12th day. Takechi no Sukune returned from the East Country and informed the Emperor, saying:—“ Inthe Eastern wilds there is a country . called Hitakami.* The people of this country, both men and women, tie up their hair in the form of a mallet, and tattoo their bodies. They are of fierce temper, and their general name is Yemishi. Moreover, their land is wide and fertile. We should attack them and take it.”
Autumn, 8th month. The Kumaso again rebelled, and made unceasing inroads on the frontier districts.
Winter, roth month, 13th day. Yamato-dake no Mikoto was sent to attack the Kumaso. He was at this time sixteen years of age. Thereupon Yamato-dake no Mikoto said:—‘“‘I desire to take with me some good archers. Where are there any good archers?’ Some one told him, saying:— ‘In the province of Mino there is a good archer named Oto- hiko-gimi.” Thereupon Yamato-dake no Mikoto sent Miyado- hiko, a man of Katsuraki, and summoned to him Oto-hiko- gimi. Therefore Oto-hiko-gimi came and brought with him Ishiura no Yokotachi, Tako no Inaki,‘ and Chichika no Inaki of the province of Ohari, and followed Yamato-dake no Mikoto on his expedition.
1 Including Mutsu and Dewa.
2 Or Adzuma, the region round what is now Tokio.
3 Sun-height. So called from its eastern position. Hi-tachi, sun-rise, is a name of similar purport.
+ One of the lower ranks of the local nobility.
KEIKO. 201 12th month. Having arrived at the Land of Kumaso, he inquired into the state of things, and the character of the country in respect of facilities of access. Now the Kumaso had a leader named Torishi-kaya, also called the Brave of Kahakami, who assembled all his relations in order to give them a banquet. Hereupon Yamato-dake no Mikoto let down his hair, and disguising himself as a young girl, secretly waited until the banquet should be given by the Brave of Kahakami. Then with a sword girded on him underneath his inner garment, he entered the banqueting muro of the Brave of Kahakami and remained among the women. The Brave of Kahakami, enchanted with the beauty of the young girl, forth- with took her by the hand, and made her sit beside him. He also offered her the cup, and made her drink, and thus amused himself with her. By and by the night grew late, and the com- pany fewer. Also the Brave of Kahakami became intoxicated. Hereupon Yamato-dake no Mikoto drew the sword which he had in his inner garments, and stabbed the Brave of Kahakami in the breast, but did not kill him outright. The Brave of Kahakami, bowing down his head to the ground, said:—‘‘ Wait a little. I have something to say.” Then Yamato-dake no Mikoto stayed his sword and waited. The Brave of Kahakami addressed him, saying:—‘‘ Who is thine Augustness?”’ He answered and said:—‘‘I am the child of the Emperor Oho- tarashi-hiko, and my name is Yamato Woguna.” The Brave