3 We are told above, p. 256,.A.D. 272 of the “ Nihongi” Chronology, that King Sinsa of Pékché was disrespectful, and that Ki no Tsuno no Sukune and others were sent tocall him to an account. At p. 257, A.D, 277, we hear of King Ahwa being disrespectful, and-a Pékché Prince being sent to Japan as a hostage in consequence. Sotsuhiko is a name which has already occurred (p. 242, A.D. 205 of the “ Nihongi” Chronology) in connection with Corean matters. But, as shown above (p. 256), King Sinsa really died in 392, and was succeeded by Ahwa. I strongly suspect that we have in the present passage only another version of the same incident, and that all three versions are much antedated.; Ga) 3 > Gl aap 294 Niwonct.
of “Yosami, caught a strange bird and presented | it to- the Emperor, saying ania i | constantly. spreading nets. and catching birds in- them, but never before have I caught a bird of this kind. I therefore thought it curious, and offer it to His Majesty.” The Emperor sent for Lord Chyu and, pointing to the bird, ‘said +=+“* What bird is this? ” Lord Chyu answered and, said’ -—— Birds of this kind are numerous in Pékché. They can be tamed’so as to be quite obedient to man. Moreover they are swift of flight and prey upon all kinds of birds. The common people in Pékché call them Kuchi.” So it was given to Lord Chyw to be fed and tamed: In no long time he succeeded in taming it. Lord Chyu accordingly fastened to its leg a -soft ~ Jeatherstrap, and attached to-its tail. a small bell.!. Then, placing it on his forearm, he presented it to the Emperor. On this day he went to the moor of Mozu and hunted. At this time a large number: of hen pheasants got up, and the falcon? was-let loose and: made to catch them. It speedily caught several tens of pheasants. In this month the Be of Taka-ama (faleon -sweet). was first established. Therefore the men of that time called the place where the falcon was seca up the village of Taka-ama. - 50th-year, Spring; ard Benth 5th day. A man of Kabachi informed the Emperor, saying:—‘‘ A wild goose has laid an egg on the Mamuta embankment.” That same day a messenger was sent to seer Phe: said:—“ It is true.” « The Emperor hereupon made a: song, in which he inquired of -Takechi no Sukune, spying: — vate eo G Aso lof Uchi! jes nots beyond all other: rn Br. deBI6ES Oe.: = The taka‘or » goshawk.: The H6paibishl imentiGhell: above isa Smaller bird; “probably” the peregrine "falcon. The best! hawks for: hurting”. were iinet iinported to Japan from Corea. pial eck wae; “Say untratislatable makura-kotoba comes in: here. iy eg a oa Pakechis no Sukune’s death is-not mentioned in the “Nihongi.”’ A later authority Says that he died i in this year, having held office for'240 years, and- lived 268 (or'299) ‘years. “Another authority statés that he’ died in-thée's5th year of Nintoku Tenné, at the age of 280. - Still another says that he‘diéd in’ -NINTOKU, 205 -NINTOKU, 205 Thou, beyond all others, A man long in the land— Hast thou not heard That a wild goose has laid an egg In Akitsushima, The land of Yamato??
Takechi no Sukune made a song in reply, saying:— Our great Lord Who rules tranquilly, Right is he, right is he To ask me.
For in Akitsushima, In the land of Yamato, Never have I heard - That a wild goose has laid an egg.
53rd year. Silla did not attend the Court with tribute.
sth month.. Takahase, ancestor of the Kimi of Kédzuke, was sent to ask the reason of the failure -to send tribute. On his way he took a white deer, and returning with it, presented it to the Emperor. He then chose another day and started ‘on his journey. Shortly after, the Emperor sent in addition Taka- hase’s younger brother Tamichi, and commanded him, saying:— ‘“‘ Tf Silla-is recalcitrant, raise an army and invade that land,” So he gave him chosen troops. «Silla raised an army and made opposition.. Now -the Silla. men offered battle daily. ‘But Tamichi made strong his barriers, and would not go out: - Now a Silla’ soldier who had been let out. from the camp was taken prisoner. So being questioned as to the condition of affairs, he answered, saying:—‘‘ There are mighty men, called the ‘Hun- dred Thrusters,’* nimble and valorous, who always form the right van of the army. Therefore if you observe this and attack the left, it will be routed.” Now ao allowed the: left-to the 78th year’ of Nintoku Tenno’s reign, which, as one account says that ‘he was born in the gth year of Keikd Tenno, would make him 312 years of age at his ‘death. ‘It has been suggested that there were séveral persons of this. name who succeeded each other as hereditary prime ministers. But” the simpler explanation is that the chronology at this pomons is wildly inaccurate, as there is plenty of other evidence to show. ~ +See Ch. K., p. 283. Wild geese do not nest in Japan.
2 It may be onl one man of this name.
296 NIHONGI.
be vacant, and filled up the numbers of the right. Hereupon Tamichi, drawing up his picked cavalry,’ attacked their left, upon which the Silla troops were defeated. Accordingly letting go his men, he bore down on the enemy and slew several hun- dreds of them. So he took prisoners the people of four villages, with whom he returned to Japan.”
55th year. The Yemishi rebelled. Tamichi was sent to attack them. He was worsted by the Yemishi, and slain at the Harbour of Ishimi.* Now one of his followers obtained. Tamichi’s armlet and gave it to his wife, who embraced the armlet and strangled herself. When the men of that time heard of this they shed tears. After this the Yemishi again made an incursion and carried off some of the people. Accord- ingly they dug up Tamichi’s tomb, upon which a great serpent started up with glaring eyes, and came out of the tomb. It bit the Yemishi, who were everyone affected by the serpent’s poison, so. that many of them died, and only one or two escaped. Therefore the men of that time said: ‘ Although dead, Tamichi at last had his revenge. How can it be said that the dead have no knowledge?” | 58th year, Summer, 5th month. By the road which passes to the south of the grove of firs at Arehaka,‘ there suddenly sprang up two kunugi’® trees, which joined over the road so that the ends of their branches met.
Winter, roth month. The Land of Wu and the Land of Koryo together attended the Court with tribute.° 6oth year, Winter, roth month. The guardians of the * I do not regard this as any proof that the Japanese had cavalry at this time. The author is, I think, only using a Chinese phrase which suggested itself to his memory.
* The “Tongkam” mentions descents by Japanese in 440 in which a number of Coreans were carried off.
’ In Kadzusa. This is the traditional kana for ff a How the last character came to be read SAzsmz7 is not clear.
* Arehaka means ruined tumulus. The well-known temple of Tennoji at Osaka now stands here.
® Quercus serrata, Hepburn.
® It is not to be supposed that China or even Koryé ever sent “tribute” to Japan. Presents were no doubt exchanged, which both sides very likely represented to their subjects as “ tribute.”
NINTOKU. 297 Shiratori misasagi’ were told. off as labourers on the public works. Now the Emperor approached the place of the works. Hereupon Meki, one of the guardians. of the misasagi, became suddenly changed into a white deer, and ran away. Upon this the Emperor commanded, saying:—‘‘ This misasagi has always been empty, and therefore I meant to abolish its guardians and for the first time to employ them as labourers. But now that I see this portent, I am filled with profound awe. Let not the guardians of the misasagi be disturbed.” So he gave them to the Hashi no Muraji.’
62nd year, Summer, 5th month. The Governor* of the province of Tétomi presented a memorial, saying:—‘“‘ There is a great tree which has floated down the Ohowigaha until it was stopped in a bend of the river. Itis tengirths*in size. It has one stem which divides into two at the extremity.” Now Akoko, Atahe of Yamato, was sent to make a boat of it. He conveyed it by way of the Southern Sea, and brought it to the Harbour of Naniha, where it was enrolled among the number of the Imperial vessels.
This year the Imperial Prince Nukada no Ohonakatsu hiko hunted in Tsuke. Now the Imperial Prince, looking down over the moor from a mountain-top, espied something in shape like a hut. So he sent a messenger to look at it. The messenger returned and said:—‘‘It isa muro.” Accordingly he sent for Ohoyama-nushi, the Inaki of Tsuke, and inquired of him, saying:—‘‘ That thing which is on the moor—what kind of muro is it?” He informed him, saying:—“‘ It is an ice-muro.” The Imperial Prince said:—“‘ How is the ice stored? Moreover, for what is it used?” He said:—‘‘ The ground is excavated to a depth of over ten feet. The top is then covered with a roof of thatch. A thick layer of reed grass is then spread, upon which the ice is laid. The months of summer have passed and yet it has not melted. As to its use—when the hot months ’ The tomb, or rather cenotaph, of Yamato dake. | 2 Who were charged with matters connected with the misasagi. Se above, p. 181.
3 Provincial governors FJ are now mentioned for the first. time.
4 The character rendered “girth” is [J], which is a measure of half a cubit according to some, of three feet. by others...However, a ten-girth tree is merely a loose expression for a large tree.
DU BI.
AD wggas 298 NIHONGI.
come it is placed in: water or sake and thus used.’ - The Imperial Prince straightway brought some of that- ice, and presented it to the Palace. The Emperor was delighted with it, and from that time forward it became the rule.always to store up ice from the last month of winter until the second month of spring when the ice melts.
65th year. In the province of Hida there was a man called Sukuna, who was so formed that on one trunk he had two faces: The’ faces were turned away from each other. The crowns met, and there was no nape of the neck. Each had hands and feet. There’ were knees, but no popliteal spaces or-~ heels. He was strong and nimble. He carried swords on his right and on his left side, and used bow and arrow with all four hands at once. On this account he was disobedient to the Imperial command, and took a pleasure in plundering the people. -Hereupon the Emperor sent Naniha-neko « Take- furu-kuma, ancestor of the. Omi of neu who oe him to death.
67th year, Winter, roth month, ai day. The Tenpshoe made a progress to the plain of Ishitsu in Kahachi, where he fixed upon a site for a misasagi.
18th day. The building of the misasagi was commenced. On this day there was a deer which suddenly got up in the moor and ran in among the labourers, where it lay down: and died. Now, its sudden death appearing strange, they looked to see where it was hurt, upon which a shrike came -out of its ear and flew away. Accordingly they looked into: its ear, and found that ‘the skin was all bitten off. So this was the reacen why ie called that place the. ais of Mozu: no mimi.
' This year, at a fork. 6 the River. Kahashima,:in the central division of the Province of Kibi, there was'a great water-snake which harassed the: people. Now when travellers were passing that place on their journey, they were surely affected by its poison, SO that many died.” _ Hereupon. Agata- -mori, ® the | ances- 1 Shrike-ear.’ “This ° plain: lies inland: from | Sakai, near ‘Osaka. The misasagi’ is still’ intact, and ‘is,: perhaps, the largest of its kind ‘in Japan. Riehfu’ Tenno and Hanzei Tennd are Pane one on: Sony! ace of Nintoku.- 2 District-warden.
NINTOKU; 299 tor of the Omi of Kasa, a man of fierce temper and of great bodily strength, stood over the pool of the river-fork and flung into the water three whole calabashes, saying:—‘‘ Thou art continually belching up poison. and therewithal plaguing travellers. I will kill thee, thou water-snake. «If thou canst sink these calabashes, then will I take myself away, but if thou canst not sink them, then will I cut up thy body.” Now the water-snake changed itself into a deer and tried to draw down the calabashes, but the calabashes would not sink. So with upraised sword he entered the water and slew the water-snake. He further sought out the water- snake’s fellows. Now the tribe of all the water-snakes filled a cave in the bottom of the pool. He slew them every one, and the water of the river became changed to blood. Therefore that water was called ‘‘ The pool of Agata- At this time pestilential vapours arose more and more, and there were one or two cases of rebellion. Hereupon’ the Emperor, rising early in the morning and going to bed (late) at night, lightened the taxes, reduced the imposts, and so was generous to the people. He dispensed virtue and practised kindness, therewithal encouraging the indigent. He showed sympathy for the dead, and inquired after the sick, providing for the orphan and the widow. In this way the decrees of his Government were diffused into wide operation, and the Empire was at peace, so that for over twenty years nothing untoward happened.
87th year, Spring, Ist month, 16th day. The Emperor died. °'~ ' The traditional kana rendering of the Chinese character translated “water-snake” is midzuchi. Midzu is water, and chi a honorific term mean- ing “elder.” Midzuchi means indifferently water-snake or water-god, the two ideas being intimately associated in the Japanese mind. Dennys, in his “ Folk Lore of China,” quotes from the JVorth China Herald as fol- lows:—“‘ The River-God is in every case (where the waters of inundations were abated by them) a small water-snake, which popular fancy has con- verted into a deity.” The poisonous breath of serpents is an article of popular faith in many countries.
* From “ Hereupon ” down to “ operation” is taken almost verbatim from a Chinese book.
300 NIHONGI.
Winter, roth month, 7th day: -He was buried in the misa- ang! on Mozu moor.’
_ 1} The Emperor's age is not given here. The “ Kojiki” makes him eighty- three years of age at his death. Others say 110. But if we allow him to have been at least. sixteen when he fell in love with Kami-naga-hime (see above, p. 259) in A.D. 282, he cannot have been ae than 132 at the time of his death, ' BOOK XII. THE EMPEROR IZA-HO-WAKE. (RICHIU' TENNO.)
THe Emperor Iza-ho-wake was the eldest son of the Emperor Ohosazaki. His mother’s name was Iha no hime no Mikoto. She was the daughter of Katsuraki no Sotsuhiko. He was made Prince Imperial in Spring, the 1st month of the 31st year of the reign of the Emperor Ohosazaki. He was then fifteen years of age. The Emperor Ohosazaki died in Spring, the rst month of the 87th year of his reign.
After the period of mourning, and in the interval before he assumed the exalted Dignity, he wished to take Kurohime,’ the daughter of the Hata no Yashiro no Sukune, to him as concubine. The wedding presents*® having been already given, he sent the Imperial Prince Nakatsu of Suminoye to give notice of the lucky day. Now Prince Nakatsu having assumed the elder Prince’s name, by this means seduced Kurohime. On this night the Imperial Prince Nakatsu * came away, having forgotten his wrist-bells in Kurohime’s house. On the follow- ing night, the Heir to the Throne, not knowing that the Imperial Prince Nakatsu had himself seduced her, went there. He entered the chamber, drew aside the curtain, and sat down upon the jewel-couch. Then there was a sound of bells at the head of the couch. The Heir wondering at this, inquired of XII. 2.
1 That is, “ He who treads in the middle” (the right path).
? Black lady. 3 Probably a trait of Chinese manners.
4 Nakatsu means “ of the middle,” tsu in this and similar words being the genitive particle. Sica aca he 302 NIHONGI.
Kurohime, saying:—‘‘ What bells are these?”’ She answered and said:—“‘ Are they not the bells which thou didst bring last night? Wherefore dost thou ask thy handmaiden any more about them?” The Heir naturally concluded that the Im- perial Prince Nakatsu had assumed his name and by this means seduced Kurohime, so he retired in silence.
Now the Imperial Prince Nakatsu, fearing that trouble would come of this, was about.to. kill.the. Heir to the Throne, and secretly raising a force, surrounded his Palace. Then Heguri no Tsuka no Sukune, Mononobe no Ohomahe no Sukune, and Achi no Omi, the ancestor of the Aya no Atahe, these three -men, gave information to the Heir, but he would not believe them. One version says ean Heir was drunk ang would not. get up.” Therefore the three men assisted the Heir, and making him mount on horseback, caused him to escape.
3 One account says:—‘ Ohomahe no Sukune coule’ the Heir to. the Throne in his arms and mounted him ona horse.”’
The Imperial Prince Nakatsu, not. knowing that he was absent, set fire to his Palace.. The fire. lasted all-night without being extinguished. When the Heir arrived at the Hanifu Hill in the Province of Kahachi he became sober, and looking back to’ Naniha, he saw the blaze of fire. He was greatly alarmed, and fled hastily by way: of Ohosaka in the direction of Yamato. When he got as far as Mount Asuka, he met a girl at the entrance of the mountain, of whom he inquired, saying:— ‘Are there any men on this mountain?” She answered and said:—‘‘ This mountain is full.of many armed men. Thou hadst better - go round and cross over by the Tagima. road,” Hereupon the Heir thought to himself:—“ By listening to. the words of this girl I have been enabled to escape ae Us So he made a song, saying # —: At Ohosaka, The girl that I met— Wrap ph a ee Sea _. When. Lasked her the way, Fest fa She said not, “right on,” nesceyrs ur She said, “ Tagima way.” Sarre ey liure RICHIU. "393 So. he turned aside again, and having raised the troops of that district, made them follow him, and crossed over by way of Mount Tatsuta. At this time several tens of armed men came in pursuit of him. The Heir, looking at. them from a distance, said:—‘‘ Who are those men who are coming? — And why is their pace so hurried? Can they be an enemy?” Accordingly they hid themselves on the mountain, and waited. When they approached, one man was sent to inquire of them, saying:—‘‘ What men are ye, and whither go ye?” They answered andsaid:—‘‘ We are fishermen of Nojima in Ahaji. Hamako, the Muraji of Adzumi,’ on behalf. of the Imperial Prince Nakatsu [One account says Sato-tomo, Muraji of Adzumi], has sent us in pursuit of the Heir to: the Throne.” eee he brought out the troops which were in ambush, and surrounding them, captured* them everyone. At this time - Akoko, the Atahe of Yamato, who from the first had loved Prince Nakatsu, and was privy to his conspiracy, secretly assembled choice troops to the number of several hundred at Kurusu in Kakibami, and on behalf:of Prince Nakatsu with- stood the Heir. Now the Heir, not knowing that. he was beset with troops, went out for several ri: from the mountain. He was stopped by a large force of armed men, and was unable to advance. So he sent a messenger and. inquired of them, saying:—‘‘ What men are ye?” They answered and said:— ‘‘ Akoko, Atahe of Yamato.” And in their turn they questioned the messenger, saying:—‘‘ Who has Bone thee?”’ He said:— ‘“The Prince Imperial has sent me.’.Then Akoko, fearing lest there might be a numerous army: there, said to the mes- senger:—‘“‘ Information has reached me that something unusual has happened to the Prince Imperial, and in order to assist him I am waiting upon him with this force that I have pre- pared.” The Heir, however, doubted his intentions, and tried to kill him. Whereupon Akoko was afraid, and offering as a - present. his own younger sister Hinohime,’ through her begged that his.capital offence might be pardoned. He was pardoned See above, p. 256, where his ancestor was made prefect of the fisher- amen.
3 The Princess of the Sun. EA ODD As WE, +g.
304 NIHONGI.
accordingly. It was prolably at this time that the custom began of the Atahe of Yamato sending tribute of ladies of the Palace.’
The Heir took up his abode in the shrine of Furu no Iso no Kami. Hereupon the Imperial Prince Midzuha wake, discover- ing the absence of the Heir, sought him out and followed him: The Heir, however, suspected the intentions of the Prince, his younger brother, and would not send for him. Then the Imperial Prince Midzuha wake sent a message to the Heir, saying:—‘‘ Thy servant has not a black heart. Only, distressed at the absence of the Heir, he has come hither.’”’ Hereupon the Heir sent a message to the Prince, his younger brother, saying:—‘‘I have escaped hither alone in fear of the rebellion of Prince Nakatsu. Why should I not suspect thee? So long as the Imperial Prince Nakatsu lives his sole endeavour will still be to do me a mischief, and I wish sooner or later to. get rid of him. Therefore, if thou hast really not a black heart, return again to Naniha, and kill the Imperial Prince Nakatsu. After that I will see thee.’”’ The Imperial Prince Midzuha wake represented to the Heir, saying:—‘‘Is not the Great Man’s? anxiety excessive? At present the Imperial Prince Nakatsu’s. unprincipled conduct is detested by the officials and the people alike. His own household, moreover, are against him, and think him a brigand. He stands alone, and there is nobody whom he can consult: I knew of his rebellion, but I had not received the commands of the Heir, and was therefore merely indignant at it. Now that I have received an order, why should I make any difficulty about killing the Imperial Prince Nakatsu? All that I fear is that when I have killed him thou mayest still suspect thy servant. I pray that a trusty person may be selected, and I desire that he should make clear my loyalty.” Accordingly the Heir joined to him Dzuku no Sukune and so despatched him. Hereupon the Imperial Prince Midzuha wake made lament, saying:—‘‘ The Heir and the Imperial. Prince Nakatsu are both my elder brothers: which shall I obey? Which shall I oppose? If, however, I destroy the unprincipled and_adhere to the righteous, who can suspect " Uneme. -2. & Chinese honorific for “you.”: Chi 15 fe Soe: -RICHIU. 305 me?’’ So he went to Naniha and observed the state of things with the Imperial Prince Nakatsu. The Imperial Prince Nakatsu, thinking that the Heir had fled away and’ disap- peared, had made no preparation. Now he had a Hayato! named Sashihire. Prince Midzuha wake sent for Sashihire secretly and tampered with him, saying:—‘ If thou wilt kill the Imperial Prince for me, then will I surely reward thee liberally.” So he took off his coat and trousers of brocade and gave them to him. Sashihire, relying on his words of allure- ment, all by himself took his spear, and watching the time when the Imperial Prince Nakatsu went into the privy, stabbed him to death, and entered the service of Prince Midzuha wake. Hereupon Dsuku no Tsukune made representation to the Im- perial Prince Midzuha wake, saying:—‘‘ Sashihire has killed his own lord for the sake of another, and although for us he has done a great service, yet towards his own lord his conduct has been heartless in the extreme. Shall he be allowed to live?” So he killed Sashihire.
That same day the Prince proceeded towards Yamato, and at midnight arrived at Iso no Kami, and made his report. Hereupon the Heir summoned to him the Prince his younger brother, and was liberal of his favour to him, granting him the Mura-ahase official granaries. On this day Hamako, Muraji of Adzumi, was arrested.
Ist year, 2nd month, 1st day. The Prince Imperial assumed the Dignity in the Palace of Waka-zakura at Ihare.
Summer, 4th month, 17th day. The Emperor summoned before him Hamako, Muraji of Adzumi, and commanded him, saying:—‘‘ Thou didst plot rebellion with the Imperial Prince Nakatsu in order to overturn the State, and thy offence is deserving of death. I will, however, exercise great bounty, and remitting the penalty of death, sentence thee to be branded.”* The same day he was branded near the eye.
* See above, p. 100. In this passage it seems used asa general name for retainer. Chamberlain renders it “ man-at-arms” in the corresponding passage of the “ Kojiki.”
* Literally “inked.” The branding consisted in tattooing a mark on the face or other part.of the person. Until quite recently criminals were branded on the arm with ink, each prison having its own special mark. Branding was originally one of the “ five punishments” of China.
Xx XII. 6.
a) ba il bes 306 | NIHONGI.
Accordingly the men of that time spoke of the “‘ Adzumi eye.” The fishermen of Nojima who had been Hamako’s followers were also pardoned their offence, and employed as labourers at the official granaries of Komoshiro in Yamato.
Autumn, 7th month, 4th day. Kurohime, daughter of Hata no Sukune, was appointed Imperial concubine. She was the mother of the Imperial Prince Oshiha of Ichinobe in Ihazaka, of the Imperial Prince Mima, and of the Imperial Princess Awomi.
One account says:—‘‘ The Imperial Princess [hi-toyo.”
His next concubine, the Imperial Princess Hatahi, was the mother of the Imperial Princess Nakashi.
This year was the year Kanoye Ne (37th) of the Cycle.
2nd year, Spring, ist month, 4th day. The Imperial Prince Midzuha wake was appointed Heir ' to the Throne.
Winter, roth month. The capital was established at Ihare. At this time Heguri no Dsuku no Sukune, Soga no Manchi no Sukune, Mononobe no Ikofutsu no Ohomuraji, and Tsubura no Oho-omi together administered the affairs of the country. t1th month. The Ihare pond was made. 3rd year, Winter, 11th month, 6th day. The Emperor launched the two-forked boat * on the pond of Ichishi at Ihare, and went on board with the Imperial concubine, each separately, and feasted. The Lord Steward* Areshi set sake before the Emperor. At this time a cherry flower fell into the Emperor’s cup. The Emperor wondered at this, and sending for Mononobe no Nagamake no Muraji, commanded him, ‘saying:—‘‘ This flower has come out of season. Whence does it come? Do thou thyself seek.” Hereupon Nagamake no Muraji went himself and sought for the flowers. He found them on Mount Wakikamunomuro and presented them to the © Emperor. The Emperor was delighted to get such a rare thing, and so made them the name of the Palace. Therefore 1 Note that the brother was made heir, though there were children.
3 i.e. one in one fork of the boat, the other in the other.
4 Kashihade no Omi. The context shows that this is here an official designation, and not a mere title, much less a surname.
RIcHIv. 397 it was called the Palace of Ihare no Wakazakura.! This was the origin of the name. | In this month the original title of ‘‘ Nagamake no Muraji”’ was altered to ‘‘ Wakazakura Be no Miyakko,” and the Lord Steward, Areshi, was styled Wakazakura Be no Omi.
4th year,’ Autumn, 8th month, 8th day. Local Recorders were appointed for the first time in the various provinces, who noted down statements, and communicated the writings of the four quarters. | Winter, roth month. The Iso no kami conduit was ex- cavated.
5th year, Spring, 3rd month, rst day. The three Deities _who dwell in Tsukushi appeared within the palace and said:— ““Why are we robbed of our people? We will now disgrace thee.” Hereupon the Emperor prayed, but his prayer was not answered.
Autumn, gth month, 18th day. The Emperor went a- hunting to the Island of Ahaji. On this day the Kahachi Horse-keepers’ Be were in attendance on the Emperor, and held the bit. Before this the Horse-keepers’ Be had been branded * on the face, and none of their wounds had yet healed. Now the God Izanagi, who dwells in the island, spoke by the mouth of a hafuri, saying:—‘‘I cannot endure the stench of blood.” Accordingly divination was made, and the answer was, ‘“‘ The God dislikes the smell of the branding of the Horse-keepers’ Be.” Therefore from that time forward the branding of the Horse- keepers’ Be was utterly discontinued.
19th day. There was a sound as ofa blast of wind which cried aloud in the Great Void, saying:—‘*O thou Prince, inheritor of The Sword! ”* Again there was a voice which * ie. young cherry. This cannot be-correct. See above, 3rd year of Jingo Kogu, whose capital was also at Ihare, and was called Wakazakura.
* We have not yet got down to times of ‘accurate chronology. Wani’s arrival was in 405, and it is not likely that recorders were appointed till a good many years later. Examples of these “statements” occur frequently below. Most of them fall under the description of folk-lore.
* Probably the three children of the Sun-Goddess mentioned at p. 37.
* The branding here is not a criminal punishment, but only a distinctive mark.
® The sword was one of the Regalia. _ x eZ XII. 9.
308 NIHONGI.
said:—‘‘ Thy younger sister! of bird-frequented Hata has gone to be buried at Hasa. [Another version is:—‘Sanakita no Komotsu? no Mikoto has gone to be buried at Hasa.”’]| Sud- denly a messenger arrived in haste, who said:—‘‘ The Imperial concubine is dead.” The Emperor was greatly shocked, and - straightway ordering his carriage,* returned.
2and day. The Emperor arrived from Ahaji.
Winter, roth month, 11th day. The Imperial concubine was buried. After this the Emperor, vexed with himself that he had not appéased the divine curse, and had so caused the death of the Imperial concubine, again sought to ascertain where the fault lay. Some one said:—‘‘ The Kimi of the Cart-keepers * went SONEVIO; to the Land of Tsukushi, where he held a review of all the Cart-keepers’ Be, and he took along with them the men allotted to the service of the Deities. This must surely be the offence.” The Emperor straightway summoned to him the Kimi of the Cart-keepers and questioned him. The facts having been ascertained, the Emperor enumerated his offences, saying:— _ “© Thou, although only Kimi of the Cart-keepers, hast arbitrarily appropriated the subjects of the Son of Heaven.’ This is one offence. Thou didst wrongfully take them, comprising them in the Cart-keepers’ Be after they had been allotted to the service of the Gods of Heaven and Earth. This is a second offence.” So he imposed on him the expiation of evil and the expiation of good,’ and sent him away to Cape Nagasa, there to perform the rites of expiation. After he had done so, the Emperor commanded him, saying:—‘‘ Henceforward thou mayest not have charge of the Cart-keepers’ Be of Tsukushi.”’ So he confiscated them all, and allotted them anew, giving them to the three Deities.
6th year, Spring, 1st month, 6th day. The Imperial Princess Hatahi of Kusaka was appointed Empress.’
* Kurohime, the Imperial concubine, is meant.
? Apparently another name for Princess Hata.
3 The word carriage is not to be taken too literally, The kana interlinea~ gloss has Ohon miima ni tatematsurite, which means “ mounted his horse.”
6 ie. a fine of the articles required in the ceremony of purgation or expiation. See above, p. 48.
7 She was the Emperor’s half-sister.
RicHivu. | 309 gth day. A Treasury was. instituted and a Treasury > ae established.
2nd month, 1st day. The Emperor sent for Futohime no Iratsume and Takatsuru no~Iratsume, daughters of Prince Funashi wake, and having bestowed them in the Empress’s palace,? made them both his concubines.* Upon this the two concubines lamented continually, saying:—‘‘ Alas! Whither has the Prince, our elder brother, gone?” The Emperor heard their lamentation, and inquired of them, saying:—‘‘ Why do ye lament?” They answered and said:—‘‘ Thy handmaidens’ elder brother, Prince - Washizumi, is strong and nimble. Alone he has taken a running leap over an eight-fathom house, and gone away. Many days have passed that we have not spoken to him face to face. Therefore do we lament.” The Emperor was pleased to hear of his great strength, and sent for him. But he would not come. Again messenger: after messenger was sent to summon him, but still he would not come, and continued to reside in the village of Suminoye. After this the Emperor ceased to demand his presence.’ He was the first ancestor of the two houses of the Miyakko of Sanuki and the Wake of Ashikuhi in Aha.