XVI. Let the people be employed (in forced labour) at seasonable times. This is an ancient and excellent rule. Let them be employed, therefore, in the winter months, when they are at leisure. But from Spring to Autumn, when they are engaged in agriculture or with the mulberry trees, the people should not be so employed. For if they do not attend to agriculture, what will they have to eat? if they do not attend to the mulberry trees, what will they do for clothing?
XVII. Decisions on important matters’ should not be made by one person alone. They should be discussed with many. But small matters are of less consequence. It is unnecessary to consult a number of people. It is only in the case of the discussion of weighty affairs, when there is a suspicion that 1] venture to substitute Fx, great, for Fe, the reading of the printed editions.
SUIKO. £33 they may miscarry, that one should arrange matters in concert with others, so as to arrive at the right conclusion.
Autumn, 9th month. The Court ceremonies were reformed. In connection with this measure, the following edict was issued:— “On entering or leaving the Palace Gate, one must kneel on both knees, with both hands pressed on the ground, but it is permitted to stand up and walk when the threshold is passed.”
In this month there were first established the Kibumi' painters and the Yamashiro painters.
13th year, Summer, 4th month, 1st day. The Empress commanded the Prince Imperial, the Oho-omi, and also the Princes and Ministers, all to make a vow together, and there- withal to begin to make copper* and embroidery images of Buddha, sixteen feet high, one of each. She also commanded Kuratsukuri no Tori * to be the engineer for the construction of 1 The “ Daishiden ” (“ History of Shotoku Daishi ”) states that the Kibumi, Yamashiro and other painters were instituted for the painting of Buddhist pictures. They were relieved from certain taxes and allowed to make this their profession. There is some doubt whether Kibumi is the name of a place or not. It means literally yellow writing, and some think this is a description of the Buddhist Sutras which were written on tinted paper. Kibumi is also applied to Chinese books.
The Shukai quotes here a passage from a Chinese History of the Liang dynasty to the following effect:—“ In a.D. 541 Pékché sent frequent Envoys - with offerings of their national products. They also asked for a treatise on the Nirvana Sutra, doctors of (ancient) Chinese poetry, and also artizans and painters. These were granted by Imperial command.” This is not the only evidence of the fact that simultaneously with the stream of Chinese civilizing influences which flowed from Corea to Japan at this period, there was a corresponding current from China to Corea. The frequency of Chinese names among the Corean emigrants to Japan is a proof of this. The “‘ Seishiroku,” a sort of peerage of Japan, compiled A.D. 814, shows that at that time nearly a third of the Japanese nobility traced their descent to - Corean or Chinese ancestors in something like equal proportions. The members are: China (Han), 162 families; Pékché, 104; Kory6, 50; Imna, 9, and Silla, 9; doubtful, 47. Total, 381 foreign families out of a grand total of 1177. Many of these were descended from teachers of various kinds, and all must have contributed to the spread of Chinese civilization in the country of their adoption.
2 From the ‘‘ Daishiden” we learn that the “copper” was an amalgam of copper and gold in the proportion of 23,000 kin (pounds) of the former to 759 rio (ounces) of the latter. * i.e. Tori of the Saddlers’ Be.
>On XXII. 16.
134 NIHONGI.
the Buddhas. At this time King Te-hung' of Koryé, hearing that the Empress was making images of Buddha, sent tribute of 300 rid of the yellow metal.
Intercalary 7th month, 1st day. The Prince Imperial ordered all the Princes and Ministers to put on the outer garments called Azrahz.
Winter, roth month. The Prince pa took up his abode in the Palace of Ikaruga.
14th year, Summer, 4th magne, 8th day. Both the sixteen- foot images of Buddha, viz. that of copper and that of em- broidery, were finished, and on the same day the sixteen-foot copper image was enshrined in the Golden Hall” of Gangoji.
Now this image of Buddha was too high for the door of the Golden Hall, and it could not be got into it. Hereupon the workmen consulted together and proposed to break down the door of the Hall, and so bring in the image. By the skill, however, of Kuratsukuri no Tori they succeeded in bringing it into the Hall without breaking down the door. On the same day a maigre entertainment* was given, at which there assembled an innumerable multitude of people.
Beginning with this year, festivals were held in all the temples on the 8th day of the 4th month and on the 15th day of the 7th month.
5th month, 5th day. The Imperial commands were given to Kuratsukuri no Tori, saying:—‘ It being my desire to encourage the Inner doctrines, I was about to erect a Buddhist Temple, and for this purpose sought for relics. Then thy grandfather, Shiba Tatto, offered me relics. Moreover, there were no monks or nuns in the land. Thereupon thy father, Tasuna, for the sake of the Emperor Tachibana no Toyohi, took priestly orders* and reverenced the Buddhist law. Also thine aunt Shimame was the first to leave her home and, becoming the forerunner of all nuns, to practise the religion of Shaka. Now, We desired to make a sixteen-foot Buddha, and to that end sought fora good image of Buddha. Thou didst provide a model which met Our wishes. Moreover, 1 This was not the name of the Kory6 king who reigned at this time. 2 The Great Hall of the Temple where the chief image is installed.
3 This means practically a religious service. See above, XX. 14.
+ Lit. left his house.
SUIKO. 135 when the image of Buddha was completed, it could not be brought into the Hall, and none of the workmen could suggest a plan of doing so. They were, therefore, on the point of breaking down the doorway, when thou didst manage to admit it without breaking down the doorway. For all these services of thine, We grant thee the rank of Dainin, and We also bestow on thee twenty cho of. water-fields’ in the district of Sakata in the province of Afumi.” With the revenue.
derived from this land, Tori built for the Empress the Temple ° of Kongé-ji,* now known as the nunnery of Sakata in Mina- buchi.
Autumn, 7th month. The Empress requested the Prince Imperial to lecture on the Shd-man-gid.’ He completed his explanation of it in three days.
In this year the Prince Imperial also lectured on the Hok- ke-kid* in the Palace of Okamoto. The Empress was greatly pleased, and bestowed on the Prince Imperial one hundred cho of water-fields in the Province of Harima. They were therefore added to the Temple of Ikaruga.
15th year, Spring, 2nd month, rst day. A Mibu Be® was established.
gth day. The following edict was made:—‘‘ We hear that Our Imperial ancestors, in their government of the world, bending lowly under the sky and treading delicately on the ground, paid deep reverence to the Gods of Heaven and Earth. They everywhere dedicated temples to the mountains and rivers, and held mysterious communion with the powers of Nature. Hence the male and female elements became har- moniously developed, and civilizing influences blended together. And now in Our reign, shall there be any remissness in the worship of the Gods of Heaven and Earth? Therefore let Our Ministers with their whole hearts do reverence to the Gods of Heaven and Earth.” ° 3 A Sutra or Buddhist Scripture called in Sanskrit the @rimaladevi- simhanada.
5 See Vol. I. p. 280. Also Florenz, Part III. p. 24.
6 This edict is pure Chinese, and sounds very strangely from an Empress who was devoted to Buddhism.
XXII. 17.
SONGS rigs?
136 NIHONGI.
15th day. The Prince Imperial and the Oho-omi, accom- panied by all the functionaries, did worship to the Gods of Heaven and Earth.
Autumn, 7th month, 3rd day. The Dairai,', Imoko Wono no Omi, was sent to the Land of Great Thang.? Kuratsukuri no Fukuri was appointed his interpreter.
In the winter of this year, the pond of Takechi, the pond of Fujihara, the pond of Katawoka, and the pond of Sugahara ‘were constructed in the province of Yamato, and a great canal was dug at Kurikuma in the province of Yamashiro. Moreover, in the province of Kahachi, the ponds of Tokari and Yosami were made. Miyake were also erected in all the provinces.
16th year, Summer, 4th month. Imoko, Wono no Omi, came back from the Land of Great Thang. The Thang country called him So In-ko.* An envoy from Great Thang named P’ei Shih-ch‘ing, with a suite of twelve persons, arrived at Tsukushi in company with Imoko no Omi. Wonari, Naniha no Kishi, was sent to bring the guests of Great Thang, P’ei Shih-ch‘ing and the others, and a new official residence was erected for them over the Koryé6 official residence at Naniha.
6th month, 15th day. The guests anchored in the harbour of Naniha. Thirty gaily decked boats were sent to meet them at Yeguchi (river-mouth), and they were lodged in the new official residence. Hereupon Torimaro, Nakatomi no Miya- 1 sth rank. See above, p. 128.
2 Thang, Fg, is the Chinese dynasty of that name. China is here called Thang retrospectively, as that dynasty did not come into power until 618. The epithet “great” is found in all the older editions, but the ‘‘ Shukai” editor strikes it out. “Great” is prefixed in China to the name of the reigning dynasty only. Subsequent writers omit it.
Thang is in Japan pronounced To, as in Tojin, which in our own day is (or perhaps I should say, was) a popular word for foreigners of all nation- alities.
8 So In-ko is 4 PY fy. The two last characters are meant as a phonetic representation of Imoko. The first is taken, according to Dr. Florenz, from Soga, to which house Dr. Florenz says (on what authority I do not know) that Wono belonged. The Japanese commentators suggest that #4 is merely a phonetic equivalent of sy, the first character of Wono (little moor). But this is open to the objection that these two characters are not pronounced alike in China, though they are in Japan.
SUIKO. Pg toko no Muraji, Nukade, Ohoshi Kahachi no Atahe and O-hei, Fune no Fumibito, were appointed their official entertainers.
Now Imoko no Omi represented to the Empress, saying:— ‘‘ When I was leaving, the Thang Emperor gave me a letter. But while passing through the Land of Peékché, the men of Peékché searched me and took it from me. Therefore 1 am unable to present it.” Hereupon the Ministers advised, saying:—‘‘ An Envoy, though he lose his life, should not lose his message. Such is (the duty of) an Envoy! How can any one be so remiss in it as to lose the letter of the Great Country?”’ And they accordingly condemned him to banish- ment. Now the Empress made an order, saying:—‘“‘ Although Imoko is guilty of losing the letter, We cannot easily punish him, for in that case the guest of the Great Country would hear of it, and this is undesirable.” So he was pardoned and left unpunished..
Autumn, 8th month, 3rd day. The Thang guests entered the capital. On this day seventy-five caparisoned horses were sent to meet the Thang guests on the Tsubaki no ichi high- way, where Hirafu, Nukada be no Muraji, delivered a message of welcome to them.
12th day. The Thang guests were summoned to Court, and caused to state the object of their mission. Abe no Tori no Omi and Idaku, Mononobe no Yosami no Muraji, acted as introducers of the guests.
Now the presents from the Land of Great Thang were placed in the courtyard. Then the Chief Envoy, P’ei-Shih- ch‘ing, bearing in his own hands the letter (of credence), made obeisance twice, and declared the purport of his mission. He then stood up.
This letter was as follows:—‘‘ The Emperor greets the Sovereign of Wa.' Your Envoy, the provincial governor, the 1 There is here a distinction made. Emperor is written § lott the latter of these characters is omitted in describing the Sovereign of Japan. Wa was the ordinary name for Japan, both in China and Corea, and in the latter country it is in use to this day. The Japanese object to it, and have never called their country by this name. The “Shaku-nihongi” says:—‘ Wono no Imoko, the Envoy who visited China, (proposed to) alter this term into Nippon, but the Sui Emperor ignored his reasons and would not allow it. The term Nippon was first used in the period Wu-Téh, under the Thang Dynasty (618-626).” Another Chinese authority gives 670 as XXII. 19, XG 620s 138 - NIHONGI.
Dairai, So In-ko, and his suite have arrived, and have given us full information.
We having reverently received the precious command’ (of Heaven), rule over the universe. It is Our desire to diffuse abroad Our civilizing influences, so as to cover all living things, and Our sentiment of loving nurture knows no dis- tinction of distance.
Now We learn that Your Majesty, dwelling separately beyond the sea, bestows the blessings of peace on your subjects, that there is tranquillity within your borders, and that the manners and customs are mild.
With the most profound loyalty, you have sent Us tribute from afar, and We are delighted at this admirable token of your sincerity.
Our health is. as usual, notwithstanding the increasing warmth of the weather.
Therefore We have sent P’ei-Shih-ch‘ing, Official Enter- tainer of the Department charged with the Ceremonial for the reception of Foreign Ambassadors, and his suite, to notify to you the preceding. We also transmit to you the products of which a list is given separately.”
Then Abe no Omi came forward, received the letter, and advanced with it. Ohotomo no Kurafu no Muraji came out to ‘meet him, and réceived the letter, which he laid on a table before the Great Gate, and reported to the Empress. When the ceremony was over, they (the Chinese Ambassador and his suite) retired.’
On this occasion, the Imperial Princes, the other Princes, and the Ministers all wore golden hair ornaments on their heads, and their clothing was all of brocade, purple, and embroidery, with various-coloured figured thin silks.
In one writing it is stated that the colour of the garments corresponded in all cases with that of the official caps.
the date when Nippon began to be officially used in China. The “ Tong- kam” gives the same date as that in which the Japanese officially notified this term to the Corean Government as the proper appellation of their country. 1 The Dei gratia of Europ ean Sovereigns. 2 It appears from this and other passages that at this period the Court was literally the courtyard in front of the Emperor’s Hall of Audience. None but the principal Ministers entered the Hall itself.
= SUIKo. 139 16th day. The Thang guests were entertained at Court.
gth month, 5th day. The guests were entertained at Oho- kohori in Naniha.
11th day. The Thang guest, P’ei Shih-ch‘ing, took his departure. Accordingly, Wono no Imoko no Omi was appointed Chief Envoy, Kishi no Wonari Second Envoy, and Fukuri Interpreter. They were despatched in company with the Thang guests. Now the Emperor addressed the Thang Emperor in the following terms:— “The Emperor of the East respectfully, addresses the Emperor of the West. Your Envoy, P’ei Shih-ch‘ing, Official Entertainer of the Department of foreign receptions, and his suite, having arrived here, my long-harboured cares were dissolved. This last month of autumn is somewhat chilly. How is Your Majesty? We trust well. We are in our usual health. We now send the Dairai, So In-ko, the Dairai, Wonar1, and others to you. This is respectfully presented, but informal.”
At this time there were sent to the Land of Thang the students Fukuin, Yamato no Aya no Atahe, Emyo, Nara no Wosa,’? Kuromaro, Takamuku no Ayabito, and Ohokuni, Imaki no Ayabito, together with the student-priests Hifumi (or Nichi- bun), Imaki no Ayabito, Shoan, Minabuchi no Ayabito, Eon, Shiga no Ayabito, and Késai, Imaki no Ayabito, in all eight persons.
In this year many persons from Silla came to settle in Japan.
XXIL. 22.
17th year, Summer, 4th month, 4th day.. The Viceroy * of A.D. 609.
1 Emperor is here in the first case RK & (Tenn6); in the second & it (Ko-tei).
A Chinese History of the Thang dynasty gives a different version of the opening words of this letter. It says: “The Emperor (JK -) of the place where the sun comes forth addresses a letter to the Emperor (K -F) of the place where the sun sets.” The Chinese Emperor complained of the rudeness of this barbarian letter. It is pretty clear from this incident that the word Nippon (sun-origin) for Japan was not yet in use officially. Cf. “ Ishonihonden,” I. 22.
2 Wosa means interpreter. No doubt the name and office here coincided.
* From very early times Kiushiu, or such part of it as submitted to the Tenn0o’s rule, was governed by a viceroy, as I have ventured to translate Dazai Ft 36. Vide “ Early Japanese History,” p. 56. Hereditary kings DOG MAD i 140 NTHONGI.
Tsukushi reported to the Empress that Buddhist priests from Pékché, named To-heun and Hyé-mi,’ at the head of ten others and seventy-five laymen, had anchored in the harbour of Ashigita in the province of Higo. Then Tokomaro, Naniha no Kishi, and Tatsu, Funa no Fumibito, were sent to ask them why they came. They answered and said:—‘‘ The King of Péekché commanded us to go on a mission to the Land of Wu.” In that country, however, there is civil war. We were not allowed to enter it, and were returning to our own land again when we suddenly met with a storm, and were tossed about upon the sea, until most fortunately we anchored on the Imperial coast. At this we were greatly rejoiced.”
5th month, 16th day. Tokomaro and his companion returned, and made their report to the Empress. Tokomaro and Tatsu were straightway sent back to accompany the men of Pekché, and to escort them to their own country. When they arrived at Tsushima, the ten priests all expressed a wish to remain (in Japan), and the matter having been laid before the Government, they were permitted to do so. Accordingly, they were caused to dwell in the Temple of Gango6ji.
Autumn, gth month. Imoko, Wono no Omi, came back from the Land of Great Thang. Only the Interpreter Fukuri did not return.
18th year, Spring, 3rd month. The King of Kory6 sent tribute of Buddhist priests named Tam-chhi and Pop-chong. Tam-chhi knew the five (Chinese) classics.» He was more- over skilled in preparing painters’ colours, paper, and ink. He also made mills. This was apparently the first time that mills were made.".
Autumn, 7th month. An Envoy from Silla named Chukof Ito are mentioned in the Chinese annals as ruling in the north of Kiushiu under the sovereign of Yamato in the 3rd century. The Interlinear Kana gives Oho-mikoto-mochi, Great-august-thing-holder, as the Japanese equivalent for Dazai. But I am disposed to think that this is a mere trans- lation, like many of the Kana renderings of Chinese titles, and that this word was not a real title of the viceroy.
1 In Japanese Dokin and Emi.
2 Wu is of course here a mere geographical term. The Honan country is intended.
* It is not quite clear what sort of mills is intended. Probably hand-mills: _ SUIKO. 141 syé-sa, Nama’ of Satok-pu, and an Imna Envoy named Syu Chi-mé, Té-sya” of Ték-pu, arrived in Tsukushi.
gth month. Messengers were sent to fetch the Envoys from Silla and Imna.
Winter, roth month, 8th day. The Envoys from Silla and Imna arrived in the capital. On this day Hirafu, Nukadabe no Muraji, was made Chief Officer over the caparisoned horses sent to meet the Silla guests, and Ohotomo, Kashihade no Omi, Chief Officer over the caparisoned horses sent to meet the Imna guests. Accordingly they were lodged in the official building at Kahabe in Ato.
gth day. The Envoys paid their respects at Court. On this occasion Kahakatsu, Hada no Miyakko, and Usagi, Hashi no Muraji, were ordered to act as introducers for Silla, and Shiwo-futa, Hashibito no Muraji, and Ohoko, Abe no Omi, as introducers for _Imna. They brought them in together by the South Gate, and made them stand in the middle of the Court. Now, Ohotomo no Kurafu*® no Muraji, Soga no Toyora no Yemishi no Omi, Sakamoto no Nukade no Omi and Abe no Toriko no Omi got up together from their places, and going forward, prostrated themselves in the Court. Hereupon the guests of the two countries each made repeated obeisance, and declared the purport of their mission. Then the four Daibu stood up, and going forward, informed the Oho-omi. The Oho-omi got up from his place, and standing before the Hall, listened to their statement. When this was done, all the guests were given presents, each according to his rank.
17th day. The guests were entertained at Court. Nihe, Kahachi no Aya no Atahe was made table-companion for Silla, and Kuso, Nishikori no Obito, table-companion for Imna.
23rd day. The ceremonies of the reception of the guests having come to a close, they went away.
1gth year, Summer, 5th month, 5th day. The Empress went to gather medicinal herbs on the plain of Uda.’
1 Nama is a Silla official titke—the 13th rank. The original has Nami, wrongly, I think. Saték-pu is the name of a place.
2 Té-sya was the 12th official rank in Silla. 3 Or Kuhi.
4 This was the day fixed for this purpose by the Calendar. The custom is frequently mentioned by later writers. The herbs gathered were mushrooms, RAT eas XXII. 24.
ALD OL.
142 NIHONGI.
At cockcrow they assembled by the pond of Fujihara, and at daybreak they set out. Ahata no Hosome no Omi was made to lead the van, while Nukadabe no Hirafu no Muraji brought up the rear. On this day the colour of the clothing of the various Ministers agreed with the colour of their official caps. They each wore hair ornaments, which in the case both of the Daitoko and Shétoko were made of gold, of the Dainin and Shoénin of leopards’ tails, and of the Dairai and lower ranks of birds’ tails.’ | Autumn, 8th month. Silla sent Peuk-cheul-chi,? Nama of Saték-pu, and Imna sent Chhin-chi and Chu-chi, the Té-sya of Seup-pu together, with tribute.
20th year, Spring, 1st month, 7th day. A banquet, with sake, was given to all the high functionaries. On this day, the Oho-omi proposed the health of the Empress, and sang a song, saying:— When I look on the august sky,’ Whence there stands forth, From its manifold fence (of clouds) Which conceals her, The Great Sovereign Who rules us tranquilly, For myriads of ages (say we) May it ever be thus!
For thousands of ages too May it ever be thus!
With deep reverence We would serve her; With profound obeisance We would serve her; And so ends my song.
fungus for moxa or scented flag for making the perfumed and gaily- ornamented balls called Kusu-dama, hung. up by the Japanese in their temples and houses. Also various other herbs.
1 In Loochoo at the present day rank is indicated by the material of the hair-pin. See Chamberlain in “ J.A.S.T.”
2 The traditional transliteration is Horinchi.
3 The Empress’s appearance among her courtiers is compared to the sun (from whom she is descended) issuing from among the clouds. The metre is regular zaga-uta.
SUIKO. 143 The Empress replied, saying:— My good Soga!
The sons of Soga— Were they horses, They would be steeds of Hiuga: Were they swords, They would be good blades of Kure.! Right indeed Seems the Great Sovereign To have in her service The sons of Soga!
2nd month, 28th day. The body of the former Empress- consort Katashi-hime? was removed and re-interred in the Great Misasagi of Hinokuma.
On this day funeral orations were pronounced on the Karu * highway. First of all, Tori, Abe no Uchi no Omi, pronounced an eulogistic decree of the Empress, and made offerings to the spirit of the deceased of such things as sacred utensils and sacred garments,‘ fifteen thousand kinds in all.
Secondly, the Imperial Princes, each in the order of their rank, pronounced funeral orations. Thirdly, Womaro, Naka- tomi no Miyatokoro no Muraji, pronounced the eulogistic address of the Oho-omi. Fourthly, the Oho-omi, at the head of the Omi of the eight families,? caused Marise, Sakahibe no xxi. 26. Omi, to read the written eulogiums of the nobility.°. The people of that time said that Marise and Womaro delivered their eulogiums well, but that Tori no Omi delivered his badly.
5th month, 5th day. An excursion was made to gather medicinal herbs. They assembled at Hada and proceeded together to the Court. The dress was the same as for the Uda excursion.
1 Kure is Wu in China. See above, XXII. 22. The “ Shiki” says this is the name of a good sword.
2 Wife of Kimmei Tenno and mother of YOmei Tenno and Suiko Tenno. The Misasagi named was that of her husband. This is a case of double interment. ‘Two stone coffins have been found in some misasagi.
3 Or Karo.
4 The “Shukai” gives what appears to me a violent and unnecessary emendation of this passage.
5 Lit. bellies. Eight is here used loosely for a great number, all.
6 Fe WE. In Japanese Uji and Kabane, i.e. noble houses and titles or surnames..
XXII 27.
144 NIHONGI.
This year a man emigrated from Pékché whose face and body were all flecked with white, being perhaps affected with white ringworm. People disliking his extraordinary appear- ance, wished to cast him away on an island in the sea. But this man said:—‘‘If you dislike my spotted skin, you should not breed horses or kine in this country which are spotted with white. Moreover, I have a small talent. I can make the figures of hills and mountains. If you kept me and made use of me, it would be to the advantage of the country. Why should you waste me by casting me away on an island of the sea?” Hereupon they gave ear to his words and did not cast him away. Accordingly he was made to draw the figures of Mount Sumi' and of the Bridge of Wu in the Southern Court. The people of that time called him by the name of Michiko no Takumi, and he was also called Shikomaro.’
Another man of Pékché named Mimachi emigrated. to Japan. He said that he had learned from Wu their style of music and dancing. He was accordingly lodged at Sakurawi, and young people collected who were made to learn from him these arts. Hereupon Deshi,*? Manu no Obito, and Seibun, Imaki no Ayabito, learned dancing from him, and handed it down (to their pupils).
2ist year, Winter, 11th month. The ponds of Waki no Kami, Unebi, and Wani were constructed, and a great highway laid from Naniha to the capital.* 12th month, 1st day. The Prince Imperial took a journey to Katawoka. Now a starving man was lying by the road- side. He asked his name, but there was no answer. The Prince Imperial, seeing this, gave him to eat and to drink, and taking off his own raiment, clothed with it the starving man, saying to him, “ Lie in peace.” Then he made a song, saying:— Alas! for The wayfarer lying An hungered for rice On the hill of Katawoka ‘In Sanskrit, Suméru. The central mountain or axis of every universe, the support of the tiers of heaven, according to the Buddhist system.
* Shiko means ugly. 3 Deshi means pupil.
+ Which was then at Tachibana in Yamato.
SUIKO. 145 (The sunshiny).
Art thou become Parentless?
Hast thou no lord Flourishing as a bamboo? Alas! for The wayfarer lying An hungered for rice!!
2nd day. The Prince Imperial sent a messenger to see the starving man. The messenger returned and said:—‘‘ The starving man is already dead.” Hereupon the Prince Imperial was greatly grieved, and accordingly caused him to be buried at that place, a mound erected, and firmly closed.’
Many days after, the Prince Imperial called for his personal XXII. 28. attendants, and said to them:—‘“‘ The starving man who was lying on a former day on the road was no ordinary man. He must have been an upright man.” A messenger was sent to see. On his return he reported that when he went to the mound and made inspection, the heaped-up earth had not been disturbed, but on opening the tomb and looking in, there was no corpse. It was empty, and there was nothing but the garment folded up and laid on the coffin. Thereupon the Prince Imperial sent the messenger back a second time to fetch the garment, which he continued wearing as before.
The people of that time wondered much at this, and said:— ‘* How true it is that a sage knoweth a sage.’’ And they stood more and more in awe of him.
22nd year, Summer, 5th month, 5th day. An excursion for ap. 614. medicinal herbs was made.
6th month, 13th day. Mitasuki, Inugami no Kimi, and Yatabe no Miyakko were sent to the Land of Great Thang.
Autumn, 8th month. The Oho-omi fell ill. For his sake a thousand persons, men and women, entered religion.
23rd year, Autumn, 7th month. Mitasuki, Inugami no Kimi, «.p. 615.
' Metre, irregular naga-uta.
2 There was a passage leading to the interior of burial mounds of persons of some rank, which was closed with earth and stones after the interment. It is possibly this process which is intended by the term 3, which means both to seal and to pile up earth. In the case of the burial of a vagrant, however, it is more probable that there was no vault, but simply a heap of earth raised over the grave.
VOI, ET; ts >. EG Sey, ADs OL7s Xela) 303 146 NIHONGI.
and Yatabe no Miyakko arrived from the Land of Great Thang. An envoy from Pékché accompanied Inugami no Kimi to our Court.
11th month, 2nd day. A banquet was given to the Pékché guest.
11th day. The Koryo Buddhist priest Hyé-Cha returned to his country.
24th year, Spring, Ist month. Peach trees and plum trees bore fruit.’
3rd month. Three men from the Island of Yaku* came hither as emigrants.
Summer, 5th month. Seven persons from Yaku arrived.
Autumn, 7th month. Twenty more persons arrived from Yaku. There were first and last in all thirty persons. They were all settled in Enowi. They never went away again, but all died there. | Autumn, 7th month. Silla sent the Nama, Chuk Syé-sa, with tribute of an image of Buddha.* 25th year, Summer, 6th month. It was reported from the province of Idzumo that there was in the district of Kando a gourd of the size of an amphora.* In this year there were good crops of the five kinds of grain.
26th year, Autumn, 8th month, 1st day. Koryé sent envoys with tribute of local productions, and reported that Yang-Ti* of the Sui dynasty had invaded that country with a force of 300,000 men, but had, on the contrary, been beaten by them.‘ They therefore sent a present of two captives, named Chén- kung and P‘u-t‘ung, with such things as flutes, cross-bows, and catapults—ten in all. They also sent one camel, bred in their country.
1 In a similar notice below, XXII. 39, the author is satisfied with the more probable statement that they blossomed.
2 Off the south coast.of Satsuma.
3 A later work informs us that this image was of gold, two feet high. It was set up in Hokoji. It sent forth rays of light, and worked miracles from time to time.
4 Some understand here a musical instrument, the body of which was of earthenware.
6 This statement is corroborated both by Chinese and Corean history. The events referred to took place in A.D. 612.
SUIKO. 147 This year Kahabe no Omi' was sent to the province of Aki with orders to build ships. On arriving at the mountain, he sought for ship timber. Having found good timber, he marked it and was about to cut it, when a man appeared, and said:— ‘‘ This is a thunder-tree, and must not be cut.’ Kahabe no Omi said:—‘“ Shall even the Thunder-god oppose the Imperial commands?” So having offered many mitegura,’ he sent workmen to cut down the timber. Straightway a great rain fell, and it thundered and lightened. Hereupon Kahabe no Omi drew his sword, and said:—‘‘ O Thunder-god, harm not the workmen; it is my person that thou shouldst injure.” So he looked up and waited. But although the God thundered more than ten times, he could not harm Kahabe no Omi. Then he changed himself into a small fish, which stuck between the branches of the tree. Kahabe no Omi forthwith took the fish, and burnt it. So at last the ships were built.
27th year, Summer, 4th month, 4th day. It was reported from the province of Afumi that in the river Gamafu * there was a creature in the shape of a man.’
Autumn, 7th month. There was a fisherman of the pro- vince of Settsu, who cast his net in the Horiye.* Something entered his net formed like a child, which was neither a fish noraman. Its name was unknown.
28th year, Autumn, 8th month. Two men of Yaku were cast away on the island of Idzu.° Autumn, roth month. The top of the Misasagi’ of Hino- kuma was covered with pebbles. Outside the boundary the earth was piled up into a hill, and each of the noble houses ‘* ' T have omitted here and in several other places a frivolous note of the “ Original Commentary,” to the effect that “ the personal name is wanting.”
2 Offerings of cloth.
* Gamo. 4 A bad omen.
® Hori-ye is literally an artificial canal. Here it is the name of a branch of the river at Osaka, no doubt originally artificially excavated.
6 Probably Vries Island, or one of the adjacent islands. Or Shima may here mean promontory.
7 At this day several of the misasagi are thickly covered with a layer of paving-stones, loosely put down, probably in order to prevent the earth from being washed away by rains. An example may be seen at Tarumi, near Kobe, and another on: the hill above Nara.
poe Tee XXII. 31.
XXII. 32.
A.D. Oote >, OI ee 148 — NIHONGI.