At this time, the Daibu also admonished Marise no Omi, saying:—‘“‘ Thou shouldst not disobey the commands of Prince Ohoye.” Hereupon Marise no Omi, having advanced to a point where he had nowhere to turn for support, burst out weeping and went home again. He remained in his house for more than ten days. Prince Hatsuse suddenly took ill and died. Hereupon Marise no Omi said:—‘‘ Though I live, on whom shall I place my trust?”
‘The Japanese commentators explain this expression as referring to Shotoku Daishi, Prince Ohoye’s father. 2 From duty as a public servant.
XXIII. 8.
164 NIHONGI, The Oho-omi, wishing to put to death Sakahibe no Omi, raised troops which he sent against him. Sakahibe no Omi hearing that an armed force was coming, took with him his second son, Aya, and going outside the gate, sat down on a chair and waited. Then the troops arrived, and Ikuhi, Kume no Mononobe, was made to strangle him. Father and son died together and were buried in the same place. But the eldest son, Ketsu, fled and concealed himself in the tiled house ' of a nunnery, where he had intrigues with one or two of the nuns. Now one of the nuns was jealous and informed on him. The temple was surrounded and he was on the point of being caught, when he got away and went to Mount Unebi. There- fore they searched the mountain. Ketsu had no place to escape to, and committed suicide on the mountain by stabbing himself in the throat. The people of that day made a song, saying:— On Mount Unebi On Mount Unebi Though thin are the trees, May there not be trust in them?
The youth Ketsu Seems to have hidden there.”
1st year, Spring, ist month, 4th day. The Oho-omi together with the Ministers took the Imperial Seal and offered it to the Imperial Prince Tamura. He declined it, saying:—‘‘ The ancestral shrines are a weighty matter. I, the inept one, am wanting in wisdom; how can I presume to undertake their _ charge?” The Ministers humbly persisted in their request, XXIII. 9.
saying:—‘‘ Thou, great Prince, wert the favourite of the late sovereign. Both the spirit realm and this visible world incline their hearts to thee. It isright that thou shouldst continue the Imperial line, and dispense thy radiance down on the people.” On the same day, he assumed the Imperial Dignity. Summer, 4th month, rst day. Tanabe no Muraji was sent to Yakus This year was the year Tsuchinoto Ushi (26th) of the Cycle. and year, Spring, rst month, rath day. The Imperial 1 The “ Tsusho” says that at this period the only part of a temple which had a tiled roof was the Hall of Worship.
2 A Regular Tanka of thirty-one syllables.
3 See above, XXII. 28.
- JOMEI. 165 Princess Takara was appointed Empress-consort. She had two sons and one daughter. The name of the eldest was the ° Imperial Prince Katsuraki [the Emperor who reigned in the Palace of Ohotsu in Afumi];' the second was called the Imperial Princess Hashibito;* the third was called the Im- perial Prince Oho-ama [the Emperor who reigned in the Palace of Kiyomihara].* The Lady Hode no Iratsume, daughter of the Oho-omi Soga no Shima, bore (to him) the Imperial Prince Furubito [also called the Imperial Prince Ohoye}. He also took to him Kaya* no Uneme, of the province of Kibi, who bore to him the Imperial Prince Kaya.
3rd month,.1st day. The senior ambassador from Kory6é named Yon Cha-phé, and the junior ambassador Ya-tok, with the senior ambassador from Pékché, the Eun-sol, Socha, and the junior ambassador the Tok-sol, Muték, offered tribute together.
Autumn, 8th month, 5th day. The Dainin, Mitasuki, Inugami no Kimi, and the Dainin Kusushi® no Ejitsu were sent to Great Thang.° 8th day. The Koryo and Pekché guests were entertained at Court. MEP gth month, 4th day. The Koryé and Pekché guests returned to their own country.
In this month Tanabe no Muraji and his companions returned from Yaku.
Winter, roth month, r2th day. The Emperor removed (the.
palace) to a place near the Hill of Asuka. This was called the Palace of Okamoto.’ In this year the official residences of the three Han * in Oho-kohori at Naniha were repaired.
3rd year, Spring, 2nd month, roth day. People from Yaku emigrated hither.
3rd month, rst day. Wi-chi,’ King of Pékché, sent Prince Phung-chyang as hostage.
1 Tenchi Tenno. 2 Wife of Kotoku Tenno. 3 Viz. Temmu Tenno.
4 Kaya is the name of a place. The Uneme generally were called by the names of the places they came from.
® Physician.
6 This Embassy is mentioned in the Thang annals.
7 i.e. “bottom of hill.” In Yamato. 8 Silla, Kory6 and Peékché.
9 Wi-cha, according to the “ Tongkam,” came to the throne in A.D. 641. So there is something wrong here.
XXIII. te.
OGG eae: 166 NIHONGI.
Autumn, gth month, 19th day. The Emperor made a progress to the hot springs of Arima * in the Province of Settsu.
Winter, 12th month, 13th day. The Emperor arrived from the hot springs.
4th year, Autumn, 8th month. Great Thang sent Kao Piao-jén to escort Mitasuki (on his way back from China to Japan). They anchored together at Tsushima. At this time the student-priests Rydng-un and Bin, together with Suguri no Torikahi and Silla Escort Envoys, came in their train.
Winter, roth month, 4th day. The Envoys from the Land of Thang, Kao Piao-jén and his companions, arrived in the harbour of Naniha. Accordingly Mumakahi no Muraji was sent to meet them at E-guchi.” There were thirty-two boats, which, as well as the drums, fifes and flags, were all gaily decorated. He addressed Kao Piao-jén and his companions, saying:—‘‘ Hearing that the Envoy appointed by the Son of Heaven has arrived at the Emperor’s Court, I have come to receive him.’”’ Then Kao Piao-jén answered and said:—‘‘ Ona day when the wind is so chill, it gives me great pleasure that you have been good enough to come to meet me with these gaily-decked boats.” Hereupon Wotsuki, Naniha no Kishi, and Yafushi, Ohoshi-kahachi no Atahe, were appointed to be their guides as far as the front of the official residence. Then Itto, Iki no Fubito, and Yatsushi, Naniha no Kishi, were sent to introduce the guests into the official residence. On the same day, sacred sake * was given them.
5th year, Spring, 1st month, 26th day. The Envoys from Great Thang, Kao Piao-jén and his companions, returned to their own country. The envoys sent to escort them, viz. the Kishi Womaro, Kuromaro and the rest, went as far as Tsushima, and then came back. ¢ 6th year, Autumn, 8th month. A long star was seen in the south. The people of that time called it a besom-star.* 1 Well known to residents at the Treaty Port of Kobe.
2 River-mouth.
* This sake was made under special arrangements from rice grown in certain Temple glebe-lands. Vide “ Yengishiki.” It was customary to offer it to foreign ambassadors.
4 Hahaki-boshi or hoki-boshi, the present name for a comet.
JOMEL. 167 7th year, Spring, 1st month. The besom- star went rages and was seen in the East.
Summer, 6th month, roth day. Peékché sent the Tal-sol, Yu and others with tribute.
Autumn, 7th month, 7th day. The Pékché guests were entertained at Court. In this month a lotus of auspicious omen grew in the Tsurugi pond. There were two flowers on one stalk.
8th year, Spring, 1st month, 1st day. There was an eclipse of the sun.
3rd month. All those who had had illicit intercourse with the Uneme were put on their trial, and were all punished.’
At this time Wosazaki, ‘Miwa no Kimi, by reason of the pain of the examination,’ committed suicide by stabbing himself in the throat.
Summer, 5th month. There were great rains and floods.
6th month. The Palace of Okamoto having been destroyed by fire, the eres removed his residence to the Palace of Tanaka.
Autumn, 7th month, 1st day. Prince Ohomata addressed Toyora no Oho-omi, saying:—‘‘ The Ministers and function- aries are remiss in their attendance at Court. Henceforward, let them attend at the beginning of the hour of the Hare,* and withdraw after the hour of the Serpent. Regulate this by means of a bell.” The Oho-omi, however, did not take this advice.
This year there was a great drought, and there was famine throughout the Empire.
gth year, Spring, 2nd month, 23rd day. A great star floated from East to West, and there was a noise like that of thunder. The people of that day said that it was the sound of the falling star. Others said that it was earth-thunder. Hereupon the Buddhist Priest Bin said:—“ It is not the falling star, but the Celestial Dog,’ the sound of whose barking is like thunder.”
‘ No doubt capital punishment is meant. 2 By torture.
% 5 to7am. Tobe more exact, the beginning of this hour is an hour before daybreak.
* gto 11am. Such early hours are usual in Eastern Courts. The King of Corea at the present day receives his Ministers before daybreak.
° “ The Classic of the Mountains and Seas” (a very ancient Chinese book) DOS OU sa.
XXIIL.13.
168 NIHONGI.
3rd month, 2nd day. There was an eclipse of the sun.
In this year the Yemishi rebelled and did not come to Court. The Dainin, Katana, Kamitsukenu no Kimi, was appointed generalto smite them. But it was he, on the contrary, who was defeated by the Yemishi, and fled into a fortress, where he was eventually besieged by the enemy. His soldiers all slipped away, and the castle became empty. The general was per- plexed and knew not what to do. Then at nightfall he was climbing over the palisade in order to escape, when his wife lamented, saying:—‘‘ Oh, what a shame that.we should be slain by Yemishi!’’ And to her husband she spoke, saying:—‘“‘ Thy ancestors crossed the blue ocean and travelled 10,000 ri to reduce to submission Governments beyond the water, and so hand down to future generations their dread valour. If thou dost now bring disgrace on the name of thy forefathers, thou wilt surely become a laughing-stock to posterity.” So she poured out sake for her husband, and compelled him to drink it. Then she girded on herself her husband’s sword, and bend- ing ten bows, caused the women, of whom there were several tens, to twang the bow-strings. When this was done, her husband roused himself again, and seizing a weapon which was lying on the ground, advanced. The Yemishi thought that the army was still numerous, and by degrees withdrew. Hereupon the routed troops reassembled, and, re-forming their ranks, attacked the Yemishi, whom they greatly defeated, taking them every one prisoners.
roth year, Autumn, 7th month, 19th day. There was a great storm, which broke trees and tore up houses.
gth month. There were continuous rains, and peaches and plums blossomed.
says: “At the Heaven-gate-mountain there isa red dog, called the Celestial Dog. Its lustre flies through Heaven, and as it floats along becomes.a star of several tens of rods (10 feet) in length. It is swift as the wind. Its voice is like thunder, and its radiance like lightning.”
The Celestial Dog FR Fit} is a group of seven stars near the zodiacal constellation fj (Cancer). Giles says that it is in Argo. The interlinear Kana has Ama no Kitsune, or the Celestial Fox.
The Celestial Dog, or Tengu, of modern Japanese superstition is a winged creature in human form with an exceedingly long nose, which haunts moun- tain-tops and other secluded places..It is a favourite subject of artists. See “ Anderson’s British Museum Catalogue,” p. 410.
JOMEI. - 169 Winter, roth month. There was an Imperial progress to the Palace of the hot springs of Arima.
This year Pékché, Silla, and Imna all sent tribute.
11th year, Spring, rst month, 8th day. The Imperial carriage returned from the hot springs.
11th day. The festival of tasting the new rice ' was held, 12th day. There was thunder without any clouds.’
22nd day. There was a storm with thunder.
26th day.. A long star appeared in the north-west. Priest Bin said that it was a besom-star. When it appeared, there - was famine.* Autumn, 7th month. The Emperor made a decree, saying: —‘ This year let there be a great palace and a great temple built.” So the bank of the Kudara* River was chosen as the site for the palace. Herewith the western population built the palace, and the eastern population® built the temple. Agata, Fumi no Atahe, was made architect.
Autumn, gth month. The priests who had studied in Great Thang, viz. Ye-on and Ye-un, entered the capital in the train of the Silla Escort Envoys.
Winter, 11th month, 1st day. The Silla Envoys were enter- tained at Court. Accordingly the Emperor granted them one grade of cap-rank.
12th month, 14th day. There was an Imperial progress to the Palace of the hot springs of Iyo.
In this month a pagoda of nine stories was erected on the bank of the River Kudara.
12th year, Spring, 2nd month, 7th day. A star entered the moon.° Summer, 4th month, 16th day. The Emperor returned from Iyo, and took up his residence in the Palace of Mumaya-zaka.
5th month, 5th day. A great Buddhist maigre entertainment 1 Nihi-name.
2 An evil omen, according to the Chinese and Romans.
3 Bin is the Priest quoted above, XXIII. 12, as an authority on astronomical matters.
4 The Japanese name for Pékché.
5 The west is no doubt Kahachi, the east Yamato.
® Chinese history records that Venus entering the moon was looked upon by the diviners as portending mortality among the people.
XXIII. 14.
MMIII 36.
XXITT.16.
170 NIHONGI.
was given, at which by request the priest Ye-on expounded the Muryo jiu ki.’
Winter, roth month, 11th day. Shd-an, a priest who had studied in Great Thang, and the student Kuromasa, Takamuku no Ayabito arrived by way of Silla. The tribute-bearing Envoys of Péekché and Silla came in their company. Each of them * was granted a grade of cap-rank.
This month (the Emperor) removed to the Palace of Kudara.
13th year, Winter, roth month, gth day. The Emperor died in the Palace of Kudara.
18th day. He was temporarily interred north of the Palace. This was called the ‘‘ great temporary tomb” of Kudara. At this time the Heir Apparent, the Imperial Prince Hirakasu wake, was sixteen years old, and pronounced the funeral eulogium.
' Florenz, quoting “‘Bunyu Nanjio,” says this is the Amitayu Sutra or Sukhavati Vytha;.Muryo jiu means ‘ Everlasting life.” 2 i.e. of the Envoys, BOOK XXIV.
THE EMPRESS AME TOYO-TAKARA IKASHI-HI TARASHI HIME.’
(KOGYOKU? TENNO.)
THE Empress Ame toyo-takara ikashi-hi tarashi hime was the great-granddaughter of the Emperor Nuna-kura futo-dama- shiki,* granddaughter of the Imperial Prince Ohoye, Oshizaka no hiko-bito, and daughter of Prince Chinu. Her mother’s name was Princess Kibi.
This Empress conducted the government in conformity with the ancient path.
In the second year of the Emperor Okinaga tarashi-hi hiro- nuka,* she was appointed Empress-consort. This Emperor died in the roth month of the 13th year of his reign.
Ist year, Spring, ist month, 15th day. The Empress-con- sort assumed the Imperial Dignity. Yemishi, Soga no Omi, was made Oho-omi as before. The Oho-omi’s son, Iruka [also called Kuratsukuri], took into his own hands the reins of government, and his power was greater than his father’s.
Therefore thieves and robbers were in dread of him, and things dropped on the highways were not picked up.
29th day. The Dainin, Hirafu, Adzumi no Muraji, who had gone as Envoy to Peékché, returned from Tsukushi, riding on post-horses, and said:—‘‘ The Land of Pékché, hearing of the Emperor’s death, has sent Ambassadors of condolence, along with whom I arrived in Tsukushi. But I wished to take part * This word occurs in the “ Shooking,” p. 328 of Legge’s edition, where it is translated “royal perfection.”
3 Bidatsu Tenno. 4 Jomei Tenno.
XXIV, 2.
DOME Ve 35 172 NIHONGI.
in the funeral ceremonies, and therefore have come on alone in advance. That country, however, is at present greatly disturbed.”
2nd month, 2nd day. MHirafu, Adzumi no Yamashiro no Muraji, Ihakane, Kusakabe no Kishi, and Agata, Yamato no Aya no fumino Atahe, were sent to the Péekché Ambassadors of condolence to inquire their news. The Ambassadors of con- dolence replied, saying:—‘‘ The sovereign of Pékché said to us:—‘ Se-syang is always behaving badly.. I request that he may be delivered to the Envoys on their return.’’”’ The Empress did not consent.
The servants of the Pékché Envoys of condolence said:— “In the 11th month of last year, the Té-sa-phyong,’ Chi- chy6k, died. Moreover the Pékché Envoys flung the Kunluen * Envoys into the sea. In the first month of this year the King’s mother died. Again, Kyoki, the son of the younger Prince, and also his younger sisters by the same mother, four persons in all, with the Lord Ne-sa-phyéng,*? and over forty notables, were banished to an island.” * 6th day. Kory6 Envoys anchored in the harbour of Naniha.
21st day. The Daibu were sent to the district (government house) of Naniha to inspect the gold and silver sent as tribute by the Land of Koryé, as well as the other things presented by that country. After the Envoys had delivered over all the tribute, they said:—‘‘ The younger Prince died in the sixth month of last year. In the autumn, the gth month, the Prime Minister, Irikasyumi, slew the King, and also put to death Irik6-lyésa and others to the number of more than 180. Then he took the son of the younger Prince and made him King.’ He also made his own relation’ To-syu-ryu Keum-nyu Prime Minister.”
22nd day. The Koryo and Pekché guests were entertained K Vr 2, Prime Minister.
? Kun-luen, ine ae may be the Kunluern mountains between the desert of Gobi and Tibet, or it may be Pulo Condore in the China Sea.
3 AY fe 2B, a Corean officer, Japanese Naidaijin, says a commentator.
4 This is servants’ gossip—not to be taken without many grains of salt. Chi-chyék is alive later on, and Kyoki appears as chief envoy to Japan. See below, XXIV. 4.
5 The “ Tongkam” places these events in A.D. 642, roth month.
6 Lit. of the same surname.
KOGYOKU. 173 at the Naniha district (Government office). The Empress commanded the Oho-omi to send Oho-ama, Tsumori no Muraji, as Envoy to Koryé, Kuhina, Naniha no Kishi, to Pekché, Mato, Kusakabe no Kishi, to Silla, and Nagaye, Sakamoto no Kishi, to Imna.
24th day. Kyoki was sent for and lodged in the house of Adzumi no Yamashiro no Muraji.
25th day. The Koryé and Pekché guests were entertained.
27th day. The Kory6 and Pékché Envoys both took their departure.
3rd month, 3rd day. There was rain without any clouds.
Silla sent Envoys of congratulation on the accession, and also Envoys of condolence.
r5th day. The Silla Envoys took their departure. This month there were continual rains..
Summer, 4th month, 8th day. The Chief Envoy Kyoki and his companions had an audience of the Empress.
roth day. The Oho-omi, Soga, invited Kyoki of Pékché and his companions to his house at Unebi. He had friendly con- versation with them and presented a good' horse and twenty bars of iron. But he did not invite Sé-syang.
This month there were continuous rains.
5th month, 5th day. Kyoki and his companions were invited to witness an archery-hunt* in front of the Miyake of Yosami in the province of Kahachi.
16th day. The ship of the Envoys of the Land of Pékché and the ship of the Kishi anchored together in the harbour of Naniha.
18th day. The Pekché Envoys delivered their tribute, and the Kishi reported their mission..
21st day. One of Kyoki’s companions died.
2and day. A child of Kyoki died. At this time, Kyoki and his wife shrunk with horror from the dead child, and were not present at the funeral ceremonies. It is the general custom in Pékché and Silla when a death occurs that even the parents, brothers, husband or wife, and sisters of the deceased should never look on him again. Judging from this, they are utterly 1 ie. well-broken.
2 The interlinear Kana has uma-yumi, i.e. shooting with bow and arrows from horseback.
XXIV. 4 XXIV. 5.
174 NIHONGI.
wanting in feeling, and not to be distinguished from birds and beasts.
23rd day. Ripe rice was seen.
24th day. Kyoki removed with his wife and children to the house in Ohowi in Kudara, and sent people to bury his child in Ishikaha.'
6th month, 16th day. Fine rain fell.
6th month. There was a great drought.
Autumn, 7th month, 9th day. A guest-star entered the moon.’
22nd day. The Pékché Envoys, the Teé-sa-phyong, Chi- chyék, and his colleagues were entertained at Court.
One writing has:—‘‘ The Té-sa-phyong, Chichyok, and his son the Tal-sol—the name is wanting—the Eun-sol Kun-syon.”
Therewith stout fellows were commanded to wrestle before Kyoki, Chichyok and the others. When the banquet was over, they retired and went to pay their respects at Kyoki’s gate.
23rd day. The pages of Iruka, Soga no Omi, caught a white sparrow.* On the same day at the same time there was a man who put a white sparrow (or sparrows) into a cage and sent it as a present to Soga no Omi.
25th day. The Ministers conversed with one another, say- ing:—‘‘In accordance with the teachings of the village hafuri, there have been in some places horses and cattle killed as a sacrifice to the Gods of the various (Shinto) shrines, in others frequent changes of the market-places,* or prayers to the River- 1 Name of a district in Kahachi.
* This is evidently what we call the “occultation” of a star.
3 A lucky omen.
4 This is an old custom in China. A Chinese book, JA )I| GZ, says that ina certain village there is a pond. At this pond thereis astone cow. In years of drought, the peasants kill a cow and, mixing its blood with mud, smear it on the back of the stone cow, with prayers.
The “ Kogojiui,” an ancient Japanese book, speaks of sacrifices of oxen to the Ohotsuchi (great-earth) nushi (master) no Kami. The flesh was eaten by the peasants.
The practice of changing the market-place as a means of averting drought is also an old Chinese custom. The present custom of closing the city gates of Sdul, the capital of Corea, to put a stop to excessive rain, may be com- pared with it.
A modern commentator denounces both these customs (sacrifice of animals and changing the market-place) as contrary to the spirit of Shintoism.
— KOGYOKU. He Gods. None of these practices have had hitherto any good result.” Then Soga no Oho-omi answered and said:—‘“‘ The ‘Mahayana Sutra’ ought to be read by way of extract’ in the temples, our sins repented of, as Buddha teaches, and thus with humility rain should be prayed for.”
27th day. In the South Court of the Great Temple, the images of Buddha and of the Bosatsu,’? and the images of the four Heavenly Kings, were magnificently adorned. A multitude of priests, by humble request, read the ‘‘ Mahayana Sutra.” On this occasion Soga no Oho-omi held a censer in his hands, and having burnt incense in it, put up a prayer.
28th day. A slight rain fell.
29th day. The prayers for rain being unsuccessful, the reading of the ‘‘ Sutra ’’ was discontinued.
8th month, 1st day. The Emperor made a progress to the river-source of Minabuchi. Here he knelt down and prayed, worshipping towards the four quarters, and looking up to Heaven.* Straightway there was thunder and agreat rain, which eventually fell for five days, and plentifully bedewed the Empire. (One writing has:—‘ For five days there was continuous rain, and the nine grains ripened.”’| Hereupon the peasantry throughout the Empire cried with one voice, ‘‘ Bansai,” and said, ‘‘ An Emperor of exceeding virtue!”
6th day. The Pékché Envoys, viz. the Associate Official and the rest, took their departure. They were given a large ship and three boats.
This day at midnight it thundered in the south-west corner, and there was wind and rain. The ship in which the Associate Official and his companions were embarked ran ashore and was wrecked.
’ The tendoku ( Hi 38) is the reading of passages of a book to repre- sent the whole. I have seen a dozen priests each with a pile of books on his right, of which he took one, read a few words at the beginning, made the pages defile rapidly before him, and then reading a few words at the end, passed it to a gradually increasing pile on his left. In this way a eh takes only a few seconds to dispose of, and although the Buddhist scriptures are pretty voluminous, an hour or two of this sort of thing makes some impression on them.
2 Boddhisatwa.
* This is the Chinese as ss ae to the Buddhist style, which had been without result.
XO T6: 176 NIHONGI.
13th day. The rank of Shédtoko was conferred on the Pékché hostage, the Tal-sol, Chyang-pok. One grade of rank was conferred on the guests of middle and lower condition, and’ they each received presents according to their station.
15th day. A ship was given to the Associate Official of Pékche and his companions, in which they were sent off.
16th day. The Koryo Envoys returned to their country.
26th day. The Pékché Envoys returned to their country.
gth month, 3rd day. The Empress commanded the Oho- omi, saying:—‘“‘ It is our wish to build a great temple. Let labourers be levied from Afumi and Koshi.” Moreover, charge was given to the various provinces to have ships built.
roth day. The Empress commanded the Oho-omi, saying: —‘‘] wish the building of a palace to be begun in this month, and completed not later than the 12th month. Let building- timber be taken from the various provinces. Accordingly, workmen for building the palace were levied from Tétomi on the east, as far as Aki on the west.
21st day. ‘The Yemishi of the Koshi neighbourhood, several thousand in number, made their submission.
Winter, roth month, 8th day. There was an earthquake, with rain.
gth day. There was an earthquake. This night there was an earthquake, with wind.
rath day. The Yemishi were entertained at Court.
t5th day. Soga no Oho-omi entertained the Yemishi in his house, and personally made kind inquiries after their welfare.
On this day, the ship of the Silla Envoys of condolence, and the ship of the Envoys of congratulation on the accession, anchored at the island of Iki.
24th day. There was an earthquake at midnight.
This month summer ordinances were put in force. There was rain without clouds.
_ | The writer had probably in his mind a passage of the “ Liki” (Legge’s translation, Vol. I. p. 276), of which the following is an extract:—“Ifin the second month of summer the governmental proceedings of winter were observed, hail and cold would injure the grain; the roads would not be passable, and violent assaults of war would come.” The general purport is that bad government is the cause of bad weather, pestilence and other disasters. I am not sure, however, that the Japanese writer adopts this KoGyoku. L327 11th month, 2nd day. There was great rain, with thunder.
5th day. At midnight there was a thunder-clap in the north- west corner.
8th day. It thundered five times in the north-west corner.
gth day. The weather was warm, as in spring.
.Ioth day. Rain fell.
11th day. The weather was warm, as in spring.
13th day. There was a thunder-clap in the northern quarter, and wind sprang up.
16th day. The Empress celebrated the festival of tasting the new rice. On this day the Prince Imperial and the Oho- omi each personally-tasted the new rice.’
12th month, rst day. The weather was mild, as in spring.
3rd day. It thundered five times during the day, and twice at night.
gth day. It thundered twice in the east, and there was wind and rain.
13th day. The mourning ceremonies for the Emperor Okinaga tarashi-hi hiro-nuka were begun. On this day, the Shotoko, Tokudai, Kose no Omi, pronounced a_ funeral eulogium on behalf of Prince Ohomata. Next the Shotoko Hosome, Ahata no Omi, pronounced a funeral eulogium on behalf of the Imperial Prince Karu. Next the Shotoko, Muma- kahi, Ohotomo no Muraji, pronounced a funeral eulogium on behalf of the Oho-omi, 14th day. Okinaga no Yamana no Kimi pronounced an eulogium of the Imperial line. ee 20th day. It thundered three times in the north-east corner.
2tst day. The Emperor Okinaga tarashi-hi hiro-nuka was buried on the Hill of Name-hazama.
On this day the Empress removed her residence to the Palace of Woharida.
One writing says:—‘‘ To the temporary palace in the southern courtyard of the Eastern Palace.”
23rd day. It thundered once in the night with a splitting noise.
theory. He may only mean that the weather was unseasonable, without intending to saddle the Empress with the responsibility for it.
1 They probably celebrated this ceremony in their own houses.
WO) by BL: N XXIV. 7.
XXIV. 8.
XXIV. 9.
178 NIHONGI.
30th day. The weather was mild, as in spring.
This year Yemishi, Soga no Oho-omi erected his own ancestral temple at Taka-miya in Katsuraki, and performed an eight-row dance.' Finally he made a song, saying:— In order to ford The River Hiro-se of Oshi In Yamato, I adjust my garters And gird up my loins!?
Moreover he levied all the people of the land as well as the serfs of the 180 Be, and constructed two tombs at Imaki in preparation for his death.* One was called the Great Misasagi, and was intended as the tomb of the Oho-omi; one was called the Small Misasagi, and was meant for the tomb of Iruka no Omi. It was his desire that after his death other people might not be troubled. Moreover he assembled all the Mibu people of Kamutsumiya,* and made them do forced labour on the precincts of the tombs. Hereupon Princess Kamutsumiya no Oho-iratsume* was wroth, and exclaimed, saying:—‘‘ Soga no Omi wantonly usurps the Government of the land, and does many outrageous things. In Heaven there are not two suns: in a state there cannot be two sovereigns. Why should he, at his own pleasure, employ, in forced. labour, all the people of the fief?” From this her hate began to gather, and she at length shared in the common downfall.° This year was the year Midzunoye Tora (39th) of the Cycle..
and year, Spring, ist month, 1st day. In the morning great clouds of five colours‘ covered all the sky, except in the north-east, where they were wanting. A mist of a uniform blue colour arose from the earth on all sides.
These were assumptions of Imperial rank. Vide “ Legge’s Chinese Classics,” Vol. I, p. 18.
? Hiro-se means a broad ford. Apparently Soga, in these lines, is supposed to hint at his secret ambition of usurpation.
* It was not unusual to build sepulchral mounds during the esto of the intended occupant. Nintoku Tenné is an example.
4 The serfs of the late Prince Shdtoku Daishi.
® Shotoku Daishi’s daughter. 6 See below, XXIV, 13.
7 Rainbow-tinted.
Kocyoxu. 179 roth day. A great storm. 2nd month, 20th day. Peach-blossoms first appeared. 25th day. The leaves and flowers of herbs and trees were injured by hail. In this month there were wind, thunder, and_ ice-rain. Winter ordinances were in force. 3rd month, 13th day. The official quarters of the Pékché guests at Naniha and the houses of the people took fire. 25th day. The flowers and leaves of the herbs and trees were injured by frost. In this month there were wind, thunder, rain and ice-rain. Winter ordinances were in force. Summer, 4th month, 7th day. A great storm, with rain. 8th day. A wind sprang up and the weather was chilly. 2oth day. There was a west wind‘ and hail. The weather was cold, and people wore three wadded garments. 2tIst day. The Viceroy? of Tsukushi sent a mounted messenger with a message to the Empress, saying:—‘‘ The Prince, the younger brother of Kyoki, son of the King of Pekché, has arrived in company of the tribute Envoys.” 25th day. It was reported from the province of Ohomi that hail had fallen there one inch in diameter. 28th day. The Empress removed her residence from the temporary palace to the new Palace of Itabuki in Asuka. 5th month, 16th day. There was an eclipse of the moon. _ 6th month, 13th day. The Viceroy of Tsukushi sent a mounted messenger with a message to the, Empress, say- ing:—‘‘ Kory6 is sending Envoys to our Court.” When the Ministers heard this, they said:—‘‘ Koryé has not come to Court since the year Kanoto i,* and this year they are coming to Court.”
23rd day. The Pékché tribute-ships anchored in the port of Naniha.
Autumn, 7th month, 3rd day. Several Daibu were sent to the district (Government house) of Naniha to inspect the Pékché tribute and presents. Hereupon the Daibu inquired of the tribute Envoys, saying:—“ The national tribute offered by ' The west wind in Japan comes from North China and Siberia, and resembles our east wind in character. 2 Dazai.. FFAs 630, XXIV to.
XT at, 180 NIHONGI.
you is less than by previous precedent. The articles sent to the Oho-omi are of no better quality than those which were returned in a former year; and, in defiance of previous prece- dent, no articles at all have been brought for the Ministers. How is this?”
The senior Envoy, the Tal-sol, Chi-sa, and the junior Envoy, the Eun-sol, Kun-sy6n, together answered and said:—‘‘ The deficiency will be speedily supplied.” Chia-s&% was a son of the hostage, the Tal-sol, Mu-cha.
In this month the water of the Mamuta pond stank greatly, and was covered with small grubs, which had black mouths and white bodies.
8th month, 15th day. The water of the Mamuta pond changed, and became like indigo juice. Its surface was covered with dead grubs. Moreover the running water in the drains became coagulated to the thickness of three or four inches, and the fishes, both great and small, stank, as when they are scorched to death in summer. They were therefore unfit for food.
gth month, 6th day. The Emperor Okinaga tarashi-hi hiro-nuka was buried in the Oshi-zaka Misasagi.
A certain writing says:—‘‘ The Emperor Hironuka is also called the Emperor Takechi.”
t1th day. Kibi no Shima, the Empress’s grandmother, died.
17th day. The Empress instructed Wite, Hashi no Saba no Muraji, to superintend the funeral ceremonies of her grand- mother. From the time that the Empress’s grandmother took ill, until the beginning of the mourning, the Empress never left her bedside, and was assiduous in attending to her nourishment.
1gth day. The Empress’s grandmother was buried on the Hill of Mayumi.
On this day there was great rain, with hail.
zoth day. The work of constructing the tomb of the Empress’s grandmother was discontinued, and presents of silk and cloth’ were given to the Omi, the Muraji, and Tomo no Miyakko, each according to his rank.
In this month the water of the Mamuta pond gradually changed, and became white. Moreover, it was no longer ill- smelling.
1 Of hemp or mulberry bark fibre.
KOGYOKU. 181 Winter, roth month, 3rd day. The Ministers and Tomo no Miyakko were entertained in the Court of the Imperial Residence, and the matter of bestowing Dignities was con- sidered. Ultimately instructions to the Governors of Provinces were given as before ordered, and no change was made. They were told to proceed to their posts, and to be watchful in respect to their administration.
6th day. Yemishi, Soga no Oho-omi, was unable from illness to attend at Court. On his own private authority, he granted his son Iruka a purple cap, which made him rank, as it were, with the Oho-omi. He also called the younger brother (of Iruka) Mononobe no Oho-omi. The Oho-omi’s grandmother was the younger sister of Mononobe no Yugehi no Ohomuraji. Therefore, by reason of his mother’s property, he acquired an influential position in the world.
12th day. Iruka, Soga no Omi, plotted by himself to set aside the Kamutsumiya Princes,’ and to establish Furubito no Ohoye as Emperor. At this time there was a children’s song which said:— By the cliff, A little monkey is cooking rice: Pass on—having stolen Even the very rice, O thou mountain-goat? old man.