Again, the province of Koshi presented to the Emperor burning earth and burning water.’
Again, by the shore-pavilion,’ fish of various kinds came, covering the water.
Again, the Yemishi were entertained.
Again, the Toneri, by Imperial command, held banquets in various places.
The people of that time said:—‘‘Is the Emperor’s life drawing to a close?”’
gth month, 12th day. Silla sent Kim Tong-won, of the rank of Sason, and others to offer tribute.
26th day. Nakatomi no Naijin sent the Buddhist priests Hoben and Shimpitsu to present a ship to the Teé-kak-u * Yu-sin, Prime Minister of Silla. It.was delivered to Tong-wén and his companions.
29th day. Mimimaro, Fuse no Omi, was sent with a present for the King of Silla of a ship for. the conveyance of tribute. It was delivered to Tong-w6n and his companions.
Winter, roth month. The Duke* of Ying, the Thang Commander-in-Chief, destroyed Koryé6. When King Chyung- mu of Koryé first established that kingdom, he wished his government to last for a thousand years. His mother said:— “Tf thou governest the country well, thou mayst accomplish 1 This sentence is no doubt an interpolation, as the “ Shtikai” points out.
2 No doubt coal (or peat) and crude petroleum are meant. The latter is worked at the present day in Echigo, which forms part of the ancient province of Koshi.
3 The shore of Lake Biwa. * An official rank, > His name was Li Tsi. See Mayers, p. 124.
VOR, if. U XXVII.
XXVII.
290 NIHONGI.
this. However, it will last for just 700 years.”' The downfall of this kingdom at this time took place just at the end of its existence for 700 years.
r1th month, 1st day. There were presented to the King of Silla 50 pieces of fine silk, 500 kin of floss silk, and roo hides of leather. These were delivered to Tong-w6n and his com- panions.
Presents were given to Tong-wén and his companions, the value of which varied in each case.
sth day. Maro, Chimori no Omi, of Lower Shésen rank, and Kishi no Woshibi were sent to Silla. On this day, Kim Tong-w6n and his people took their departure. } In this year the Buddhist priest Ddogid stole the Kusa- nagi” sword and escaped with it, making for Silla. But wind and rain so perplexed him on his way, that he came back again.® 8th year, Spring, 1st month, gth day. Soga no Akaye no Omi was appointed Governor of Tsukushi.
3rd month, 11th day. Tamna sent Prince Kumaki and others with tribute.’
18th day. A present of seed-grain was made to the King of Tamna. On this day Prince Kumaki and his people took their departure.
Summer, 5th month, 5th day. The Emperor went hunting on the plain of Yamashina.” The Prince Imperial, who was the Emperor’s younger brother, Fujihara no Naidaijin, and all the Ministers without exception followed in his train.
Autumn, 8th month, 3rd day. The Emperor ascended the peak of Takayasu. He took counsel as to a project of repairing” the castle there, but in pity for the labour which it would entail on the people, he abandoned this idea, and did not go on with 1 The “ Tongkam” gives Ko Chyung-mu as the name of the founder of the Kingdom of Kokuryé. The prediction is not given in this work.
3 This story has been considerably developed by later writers.
+ Tamna, known to us as Quelpaert, and to modern Coreans as Ché-ju, was for a long time more or less independent of the rest of Corea. In the 13th century the inhabitants were in continual rebellion.
5 Now a station on the railway between Kidto and Otsu. See above, DON tke Te 6 See above, XXVII. 14, and below, XXVII. 22.
TENCHI. 291 the work. The people of that time appreciated this, and exclaimed, saying:—‘‘ This is the virtue of loving-kindness. Is it not generous?” etc., etc.
This autumn it thundered’ in the house of Fujihara no Naidaijin.
gth month, 11th day. Silla sent the Sason, Tok-yu, and others with tribute.
Winter, roth month, roth day. The Emperor paid a visit to the house of the Naidaijin Fujihara, and made personal inquiry after his illness. His grief was exceedingly great. Accordingly he said:—‘‘ It is surely no vain saying that the way of Heaven helps goodness: nor is the principle that the accumulation of good actions redounds to happiness of no effect. If there is anything which can be done, you will inform me of it.” He answered and said:—‘‘ Thy servant has been wanting.
in cleverness: what more is to be said? Only I trust that for my burial simple arrangements may be made. While alive I did no service for my country at war; why, then, should I im- pose a heavy burden on it when I am dead?” etc., etc. The wise men of that day, hearing of this, were filled with admira- tion, and said:—‘‘ We would humbly compare this one saying with the wise maxims of ancient sages: shall the General of the Great Tree’s* refusal of rewards be related in the same year with it?”
15th day. The Emperor sent his younger brother, the Prince Imperial, of the Eastern Palace,’ to the house of the Naidaijin:Fujihara, to confer on him the cap of ‘‘ Great Woven Stuff” and the rank of Oho-omi.* He also granted him a sur- name, and made him the House of Fujihara.* From this time forward he was generally known as Fujihara no Daijin.
.! No doubt the meaning is that it was struck by lightning.
2 Feng I. Died A.D. 34. A famous commander under Han Kwang Wu, and renowned for modesty and dislike of ostentation. From his habit of retiring to sit beneath a tree for the purpose of solitary self-communing, he was called by his soldiers the General of the Great Tree. Mayers, p. 41.
* The Heir to the Throne occupied the Eastern Palace, and is often spoken of by this term.
* Or Daijin.
> Fujihara is a town in Yamato, in the district of Takechi. The name is a very famous one in subsequent Japanese History, This statesman is better known as Kamatari Ko. See above.
LON.
XXVII, XXVIT.
XXVII.
292 NIHONGI.
16th day. Fujihara no Naidaijin died.
The ‘‘ Nihon Seiki’ says:—‘‘ The Naidaijin died at the age of fifty in his private residence. He was removed for temporary burial to the south of the mountain. Oh! cruel Heaven! that could not bring itself to leave this aged man! Alas! what sorrow!” The inscription on his tomb says that he died at the age of fifty-six.’
19th day. The Emperor went to the house of Fujihara no Naidaijin, where he gave orders to Soga no Akaye no Omi, of Upper Daikin rank, and declared to him his gracious will. He accordingly bestowed on him a golden incense-burner.
12th month. There wasa firein the Treasury. This winter the Castle of Takayasu was repaired. The Land-tax of the home provinces was collected. At this time the Temple of Ikaruga was burnt.
This year Kujira,? Kahachi no Atahe, of Middle Shoékin rank, and others were sent on a mission to the Land of Great Thang.
Moreover, the Minister Y6 Cha-sin, the Minister Kwisil Chip-sa, and others, men and women, to the number of over 4700 persons, were removed and settled in the district of Kamafu in the province of Afumi.
Moreover, Great Thang sent Kuo Ya-ts‘ung anal others, more than 2000 men.
gth year, Spring, ist month, 7th day. The Emperor, by command to the gentry and Daibu, held a great archery meeting within the Palace Gate.
14th day. The Emperor promulgated Court ceremonial regulations, and rules for people to give way to each other when passing along the roads.* He also prohibited heedless slanders and foul falsehoods.
2nd month. Registers of population were prepared. Robbers and vagabonds were suppressed.
.1 This is the first mention of such inscriptions. They were engraved on erect slabs of stone, or on wooden posts set up on the mound. None belonging to this early period have remained to our day.
2 This personal name means “ whale.”
3 In the Giseirei it is said: —“In passing along the highways, the mean should get out of tle way of the satis the young of the old, and the light of the heavy.”
TENCHI. 293 At this time the Emperor visited the plain of Himo in the district of Kamafu, and inspected a site for a Palace.
Moreover, the Castle of Takayasu was repaired, and stores of grain and salt collected.
Moreover, one castle was built in Nagato, and two in Tsukushi.
3rd month, gth day. Close to Miwi,’ on the mountain, Shint6 places of worship were laid out, and offerings of cloth distributed to them. The litany was pronounced by Naka- tomi no Kane no Muraji.”
Summer, 4th month, 30th day. After midnight a fire broke out in Horiuji.* Not a single building was left.
There was great rain, with thunder.
5th month. There was a popular ditty, as follows:— To sport by the end Of the bridge thrown across # Come forth, my boy!
To the eight-fold wooden doors Of the house of Tamate If thou comest forth Thou shalt not repent it. | Come forth, my boy!
To the eight-fold wooden doors Of the house of Tamate.° 6th month. Within the capital a tortoise was caught. On its back was written the character for Saru.® It was 1 Where the well-known Temple of Miwidera now stands—not far from Otsu. Miwi means august well. It was with water from this well that the Emperors Tenchi and Temmuand the Empress Jito were washed at birth. Hence the name.
2 It was the province of the Nakatomi to read the zorzfo, or Shinté prayers, while the Imbe laid out the offerings.
3 The same as the Ikaruga Temple mentioned above, XXVII. 22. Vide ‘Murray’s Handbook,” 2nd ed. p. 394.
4 i.e. a slight, temporary bridge.
* By the house of Tamate one commentator understands the Temple of HoOriuji. Another thinks the poem may, perhaps, be an advice to the Emperor Temmu to enter religion, and avoid the Imperial Dignity. To me its application is wholly obscure. The metre is irregular naga-uta.
6 The monkey, one of the years of the Duodenary Cycle. It recurred two years later, and was marked by civil disturbances, of which this was supposed to be an omen.
XXVII.
OK NO UE BG.
204 NIHONGI.
yellow above and black beneath,’ and was about six inches in length.
Autumn, gth month, ist day. Tsuratari, Adzumi no Muraji, was sent to Silla.
In this year water-mills were made; and therewith iron smelted.?
roth year, Spring, ist month, 2nd day. Soga no Akaye no Omi, of Upper Daikin rank, and Kose no Hito no Omi, of Lower Daikin rank, advanced in front of the Palace and offered their congratulations on the New Year.
5th day. Nakatomino Kane no Muraji, of Upper Daikin rank, made an announcement of Kami matters.* On this day the Imperial Prince Ohotomo was appointed Dajodaijin,* Soga no Akaye no Omi was made Prime Minister of the Left:> Nakatomi no Kane no Muraji was made Prime Minister of the Right.° Soga no Hatayasu no Omi, Kose no Hito no Omi, and Ki no Ushi no Omi were made Daibu of the Censorate.’
1 The colours of Heaven and Earth, according to the Chinese. In this tortoise they were inverted, the yellow (Earth) being above, and the black (Heaven) beneath. This was regarded as a sign of a change of reign.
2 The briefness -of this notice is very tantalizing to any one interested in the history of Japanese metallurgy. The word for mill does not mean merely a water wheel, but something for pounding or grinding. Perhaps the trituration of the ore is intended. The character for smelt is ‘A, which might also be rendered fuse. Florenz has ‘‘ gesmiedet,” i.e. “‘ forged,” and one Japanese dictionary has kitafu, which has the same meaning. But no such meaning is given in Giles, and as the Interlinear Kana has wakasu, “to melt,” I have little doubt that smelting is intended. Evidently the writer was familiar with the process of smelting. It is the use of a mill in con- nection with it that is deemed worthy of record.
* It is not quite clear what this means—probably some kind of Shinté religious celebration.
‘i.e. Prime Minister. The Wamidsho gives for this the Japanese phrase, Oho-matsuri-goto no Oho-matsu-kimi, the great lord who attends to matters of the great government, but it is difficult to believe that so clumsy an expression was ever in general use. Dajodaijin is sufficiently cumber- some.
» Sadaijin.
6 Udaijin. It will be observed that the Left takes precedence of the Right.
7 Censors, whose duty it is to keep the Emperor informed on all matters of public importance. Giles.
TENCHI. 295 The Gidshi were perhaps what are now called Dainagon. 6th day. The Emperor’s younger brother, the Prince Imperial, promulgated on his behalf the regulations for giving effect to the institution of cap-rank. [One book says: —‘‘ The Imperial Prince Ohotomo announced.”| There was a general amnesty to the Empire. The ceremonial and the names of the cap-ranks are fully described in the Shin-ritsu-ry3.’ gth day. Koryo sent Ka-ru, Té-syang of the Upper Division, and others with tribute. 13th day. Liu Jén-yiian, the (Chinese) general for Pekché, sent Li Shou-chén and others to present a memorial. In this month the rank of Upper Daikin was conferred on the (Pékché) Minister YO Cha-sin and on Sathek Syo-myéng - [second official of the Department of Ceremonies], the rank of Lower Shokin on Kwisil Chip-sa [Chief of the Department of Education], the rank of Lower Daisen on the Talsol Kong-na Chin-syu [he had a military training], Mok-so Kwi- cha [he had a military training], Ong-nyé Pong-nyu® [hada military training], Tap-pon Chhyun-chho* [had a military training], Pon-il Pi-cha, Chhan Pha-ra, Kim-na, Kim-syu, [acquainted with medicine] and Kwisil Chipsin [acquainted with medicine]. The rank of Upper Shosen was conferred on the Talsol, Ték Chyéng-syang, Kil Teé-syang [acquainted with medicine], Hé Chol-mo [thoroughly understood the five XXVII. classics] and Tak Pong-mu [skilled in the Yin and Yang]. * ae The rank of Lower Shdsen was. conferred on the other Talsol, more than fifty persons in all. There was a popular ditty, as follows:— The oranges— Each on their own branches, Though they grow— 1 New laws.
2 These three are mentioned above, XXVII. 8,as Pékché refugees to Japan.
3 Apparently the same person who is called Tap Pon-chhyun above, XXVII. 12.
4 i.e. in philosophy, divination, etc.
XXVII.
2096 NIHONGI.
When strung as pearls, Are strung on the same string.!
2nd month, 2and day. Pékché sent Té-ku Yong-syén and others with tribute.’
3rd month, 3rd day. MHonjitsu, Kibumi no Miyakko,' pre- sented to the Emperor a water-level.
17th day. The province of Hitachi presented as tribute Nakatomibe no Wakako. He was oné foot six inches in height, and was born in the year Hinoye Tatsu (656), so that he was in this year sixteen‘ years of age.
Summer, 4th month, 25th day. A clepsydra was placed in the new pavilion, and for the first time the hours were struck, and bells and drums sounded. For the first time the clepsydra was used. This clepsydra was the one first constructed by the Emperor himself when he was Prince Imperial, etc., etc.
In this month Tsukushi reported that a deer had been born with eight legs, but that it had died immediately.
5th month, 5th day. The Emperor occupied the Little Western Palace. The Prince Imperial and all the Ministers attended on him at a banquet. On this occasion, rustic dances were twice performed before him.
6th month, 4th day. An announcement was made in regard to the military measures requested by the messengers from the three departments of Pékché.° 15th day. Peékché sent Yé Chin-chaé and others to bring tribute.
In this month Prince Kurikuma was made Governor of Tsukushi.
Silla sent Envoys bearing tribute.
1 The allusion is to the Coreans, who, although foreigners, received the same honours as Japanese. The Tachibana, or orange, was a foreign fruit.
* The “Shikai” editor says that this was a remnant of the Pékché Ministers.
3 Of Corean extraction.
* According to the Japanese reckoning, which includes both the year of birth and the year to which the reckoning is made. We should say fifteen.
5 See above, XXVI. 17.
° It appears from a passage in the “ Tongkam” that in the year 673 some of the Pékché cities still held out against the Chinese.
TENCHI. 207 In addition they presented to the Emperor a water buffalo and a copper pheasant.
Autumn, 7th month, 11th day. Li Shou-chén of Thang and his companions and the Pékché Envoys took their departure together.
8th month, 3rd dae Karu, Te-syang of the Upper Division of Kory6, and his people took their departure.
18th day. An entertainment was given to the Yemishi. The Emperor took to his bed and was ill. [One book says: —‘‘In the 8th month the Emperor took ill.’’]
Winter, roth month, 7th day. Silla sent the Sason, Kim Manmol and others to bring tribute.
8th day. The ceremony of opening the eyes’ of 100 Buddhas took place in the interior of the Palace.
In this month, the Emperor sent messengers to offer to the Buddha of Hokdji a kesa, a golden begging-bowl, a tusk of ivory, aloes wood, sandal wood and various objects of value.
17th day. The Emperor’s disease became more grave. He sent for the Prince Imperial to come into the chamber where he was lying and addressed him, saying:—‘‘ Our condition is desperate: what remains after belongs to thee,” etc., etc. Hereupon the Prince Imperial with repeated obeisances declined firmly to receive (the succession), giving ill-health as his reason. He said:—‘‘I pray thee let the mighty task be entrusted to the Empress, and let Prince Ohotomo undertake the promul- gation of measures of Government. It is thy servant’s request, for the Emperor’s sake, to renounce the world and practise religion.””’ The Emperor gave his consent, and the Heir to the Throne got up and bowed repeatedly. He straightway proceeded to the south of the Buddhist Hall in the interior of the Palace, and sitting upon a chair, shaved off his hair and became a priest. Upon this the Emperor sent him a present of a kesa by Sugita no Ikuiha.
t1gth day. The Prince Imperial visited the Emperor and asked leave to go to Yoshino and practise the religion of Buddha. The Emperor granted him permission to do so. The Prince Imperial accordingly went to Yoshino. The Oho- omi and others escorted him as far as Uji, and then returned.
rith month, roth day. The Governor’ of the province of ' Corresponding to consecration. 2 Kokushi.
ENV EL XXVIII.
XXVITI.
298 NIHONGI.
Tsushima sent a messenger to the Viceroy’ of Tsukushi, say- ing:—‘‘ On the day after the moon’s birth these four persons, viz., the Buddhist priest Doku,? Satsuyama, Tsukushino Kimi, Sasa, Karashima no Suguri, and Iha, Nunoshi no Obito, arrived from Thang and reported that the Thang Envoys, Kuo Ya-ts‘ung and his suite, numbering 600 persons, escorting Sa-thek Son-teung and his companions, who numbered 1400 persons, the total number being 2000, had embarked in forty- seven ships which came to an anchor together at the island of Hijishima,® where they said to one another:—‘ The ships of our people are numerous, and if they suddenly arrived thither,* it is to be feared that their guards would be alarmed, and engage us in a battle of archery.’ So they have sent on Dobun and others to give some notice in advance of their intention of proceeding to the court.”
23rd day. The Imperial Prince Ohotomo took his place in front of the embroidery figure of Buddha in the Western Hall of the inner precinct, with Soga no Akaye no Omi, the Prime Minister of the Left, Nakatomi no Kane no Muraji, the Prime Minister of the Right, Soga no Hatayasu no Omi, Kose no Hito no Omi and Kino Ushino Omi in attendance on him. He then took in his hands an incense-burner, and standing up first, made a vow, saying:—‘‘ We six men, with like minds, will obey the Emperor’s commands. If any of us disregard them, surely he will incur punishment from Heaven,” etc., etc. Upon this, Soga no Akaye no Omi, the Prime Minister of the Left, and the others took the incense-burner in their hands, and standing up in order, one after another, made a vow with tears of blood, saying:—‘‘ We, your five servants, will follow Your Highness’s example and obey the Emperor’s commands. If any of us should disregard them, let the Four Heavenly Kings smite him, and let the Gods of Heaven and Earth moreover punish his offence. Let the thirty-three Devas*® bear witness to this. May his line become extinct and his house come: to certain ruin,” etc., etc.® 1 Dazaifu. 2 Called Dobun below. One of these readings is an error. 3 Not to be identified. 4 i.e. in Japan. > Traiyastrims’as. V7de Eitel, p. 178.
6 There is here a curious mixture of Brahmanism, Buddhism, and Chinese religion. Curiously no reference is made to the Shinto Gods, although there is a notice of their official worship not many years before.
TENCHI. 299 24th day. Fire broke out in the Palace of Afumi.. It began ~ from the third storehouse of the Treasury.
29th day. The five Ministers, in respectful attendance on the Imperial Prince Ohotomo, made oath in presence of the Emperor.
On this day, a present was made to the King of Silla of 50 hiki of fine silk, 50 hiki of coarse silk, 1000 kin! of floss silk, and 100 hides of leather. 12th month, 3rd day. The Emperor died in the Palace of Afumi. 11th day. He was temporarily interred at the New Palace.’
At this time there was a popular song, as follows:— I.
For the trouts of Yoshino In Miyoshino— For the trouts indeed It is well by the side of the island: Alas! woe’s me!
Here beneath the nagi plants, Here beneath the water-parsley. Alas! woe’s me!
Bly As not even one Has yet been loosed Of the eight-fold cords to be loosed By the Omi children, The Prince’s cord is loosed.
tii As the red horse Plods on reluctantly Over the plain of Makudzu, Why any message?
Better simply to act.3 ’ Or catties. About 13 lb. avoirdupois at the present day. * The subsequent and formal burial is not mentioned. It was in a misasagi at Yamashina, a village in the district of Uji, in Yamashiro. * These stanzas, or rather separate poems, are all supposed to refer to Prince Ohotomo, who, as we shall find in the next book, was obliged to fly ‘from the capital, and ultimately strangled himself in despair. Makudzu in the XXVII.
300 NIHONGI.
17th day. The Sason, Kim Manmol, and his companions, the tribute-envoys sent by Silla, took their departure.
This year, in the house of a man of the district of Yamada, in the province of Sanuki, there was a chicken with four legs.
Moreover, in the Imperial kitchen, there were eight pots which gave out a sound. Sometimes one pot sounded, some- times two, and sometimes three together. Sometimes all eight sounded together.
last is, perhaps, not the name of a place, but simply “true dolichos ”—the plain where the true dolichos plant grows. The nagi in No. I. is a kind of edible water-plant. The application of these poems to the political events. of the day is obscure, and I see no advantage in discussing the interpretations offered by the Japanese commentators.
BOOK XXVIII, THE EMPEROR AMA NO NUNAHARA OKI NO MABITO.'—PART ve (TEMMU TENNO.)
THE Emperor Ama no Nunahara oki no mabito was the younger brother by the same mother of the Emperor Ame mikoto hirakasu wake. In his childhood he was called the Imperial Prince Oho-ama.’ From his birth he had a majestic and intelligent appearance: when he grew to manhood, he was virile and martial. He was skilled in astronomy and the art of becoming invisible. He took to him the Imperial Princess Uno, daughter of the Emperor Ame mikoto hirakasu wake,’ and made her his wife. In the first year of the Emperor Ame mikoto hirakasu wake, he was made Heir Apparent.* In the fourth year of his reign, winter, the tenth month, and the seven- teenth day, the Emperor took to his sick-bed. His sufferings were very severe. Upon this he sent Yasumaro Soga no Omi to fetch the. Heir Apparent, and to introduce him to the Great Hall. Now Yasumaro had been always a favourite of the Heir Apparent, and secretly taking thought for him, said:—‘* Think ' Heaven-of-marsh-middle-plain (Nunahara is the name of a place), offing- of-true-man (i.e. noble). Temmu means “ Heavenly valour.”
This book contains the history of the civil war which resulted in establish- ing Temmu Tenno on the throne. It is therefore wrongly entitled the “History of Temmu.” It should rather be called the “ History of Kobun,” the posthumous name by which some historians designate his predecessor, Prince Ohotomo.
The Preface to the “ Kojiki” gives a highly imaginative account of the events related in this book. See Ch. K., pp. 7, 8, 9.
2 This is not the same ama (heaven) as the previous one, but is written with the characters for “ fisherman.”
3 Tenchi Tenno. 4 Literally “ Eastern Palace.”
before you speak.” Upon this the Heir Apparent suspected a secret plot and was cautious. When the Emperor gave him his commands and bestowed on him the vast undertaking,’ he de- clined, saying:—‘‘ Thy servant has unfortunately always had bad health: how could he maintain the State? I beseech Your Majesty, bestow the entire Empire on the Empress-consort, and let the Imperial Prince Ohotomo be established as successor to the throne. I will to-day renounce the world, and it is my desire for Your Majesty’s sake to perform acts of merit.’”’ The Emperor gave his consent, and on the same day he renounced the world and put on the priestly garb. He accordingly col- lected his private weapons and deposited them every onein the Department.
1gth day. He went to the Palace of Yoshino. At this time, Soga no Akaye no Omi, Prime Minister of the Left, Nakatomi no Kane no Muraji, Prime Minister of the Right, and Soga no Hatayasu no Omi, the Dainagon, etc., escorted him. They re- turned from Uji. Some one said:—“ Give a tiger wings and let him go.”? This evening he occupied the Palace of Shima.
2oth day. He arrived at Yoshino and took up his abode there.
At this time he assembled his toneri, and addressed them, saying:—‘‘ Iam now entering religion, and will carry out its practices. Let those therefore who wish to follow my example and practise religion remain here. If any of you wish by serving the Government to gain a name, let them return and do so.’”’ But there were none who would go away.
He again assembled the toneri and addressed them as before. Upon this one half of the toneri stayed with him, and one half withdrew.
12th month. The Emperor Ame mikoto hirakasu wake died.
Ist year, Spring, 3rd month, 18th day. Inashiki, Adzumi no Muraji, of Inner Lesser seventh rank, was sent to Tsukushi to announce the mourning for the Emperor to Kuo Ya-ts‘ung and the others. Upon this Kuo Ya-ts‘ung and his people all put on - 1 The succession to the throne. 2 A Chinese saying. ‘ You will have to bear the consequences,” is understood. 3 The previous day’s entry can only refer to his starting on the journey.
TEMMU. 303 mourning and raised lament for him three times, turning towards the East and bowing their heads to the ground.
21st day. Kuo Ya-ts‘ung’ and the others with repeated obeisances offered a box with a letter and presents in token of goodwill.
Summer, 5th month, 12th day. Armour and bows and arrows were presented to Kuo Ya-ts‘ung and his companions. Other presents were made to them on this day, amounting altogether to 1673 hiki of coarse silk, 2852 tan of cloth, and 666 kin of floss silk.
28th day. Kory6 sent Pu Ka-pyon, of the Former Division, and others with tribute.
30th day. Kuo Ya-ts‘ung and his people took their depar- ture: In this month, Wogimi, Yenowi no Muraji, addressed the Emperor, saying:—‘‘ Thy servant went alone to Mino on private business. At this time the Government? instructed the Governors of the two provinces of Afumi and Wohari, saying: ‘ Let labourers be designated in advance for the construction of a misasagi.’* Accordingly each man was provided with a weapon. Thy servant is of opinion that this is not on account of a misasagi, but that there surely will be trouble. If thou dost not speedily get out of the way there may be danger.”
Another man said to the Emperor:—‘‘ Pickets have been stationed at various places along the way from the Afumi capital to the Yamato capital. Moreover orders have been given to the guards of the Uji bridge to intercept the convey- ance of private supplies of provisions by the officers of the Household of the Heir Apparent, the Emperor’s younger brother.”’* Fhe Emperor was displeased at this, and accord- ingly gave orders to make investigation. Having ascertained that it was a fact, he made order, as follows:— 1 These proceedings took place at the Court of the Emperor Kobun, but this fact is intentionally slurred over by the historian, who chooses to ignore this Emperor’s short reign as far as possible. Other authorities state that this letter from the Emperor of China was addressed—“ The Emperor (Kotei) of Great Thang respectfully inquires respecting the health of the King of Wa {Zz TE). In another document of this time, however, the term H A =, ie. King of Japan, is used.
* Kobun Tenno’s Government. 3 For the Emperor Tenchi.
4 Styled Emperor a few lines above.
XXVIII. 2 XXVIII. Ae 304 NIHONGI.
‘‘The reason why We renounced the Dignity and retired from the world was simply in order to heal Our disease, and make whole Our body so that We might live for a hundred years. But now, if, owing to circumstances over which We have no control, We are to be exposed to calamity, why should We quietly allow the destruction of Our person?”
6th month, 22nd day. The Emperor gave orders to Woyori, Murakuni no Muraji, Kimide, Wanibe no Omi, and Hiro, Muketsu no Kimi, saying:—‘‘ We are now informed that the Ministers of the Court of Afumi are plotting mischief against Us. Do ye three therefore hasten to the province of Mino and give information’ to Honji, Oho no Omi, the Governor of the hot baths of the district of Yasuhama. Explain to him the necessities of the position of affairs. Let him first of all levy the soldiers of his own district, and then by means of the Governors of provinces set on foot the troops of all kinds and quickly beset the Fuha road. We are now starting.”
24th day. He was about to proceed to the East when one of his Ministers made representation to him, saying:—‘‘ Can the Afumi Ministers have no intention of conspiring? If they have, they will certainly notify it to the Empire, and the roads will in consequence become impassable. Why should we proceed to the East unarmed, without a single soldier? (If we do,) thy servant fears that our enterprise will fail of success.” The Emperor followed this advice. He wished to summon back to him Woyori and the others, and therefore despatched Yesaka, Ohokida no Kimi, Ohotomo, Kibumi no Muraji, and Shima, Afu no Omi, to Prince Takasaka, who had charge in his absence,’ directing them to apply to him for posting bells.2. Accordingly he said to Yesaka and the *others:—“ If you cannot get the bells, let Shima come back and report to me. Let Yesaka hasten to Afumi, and summon the Imperial Princes Takechi and Ohotsu* to meet me in Ise.”” Yesaka and his companions then went to the official charged with the care of the Palace in the Emperor’s absence, and putting forward the orders of the Heir Apparent,* asked Prince Takasaka for 1 Of the Palace of Okamoto in Asuka, says the “ Shikai” editor.
2 The bells conveyed aright to post-horses. See above, p. 206.
3 Sons of Temmu Tenno.
4 Temmu Tenno is meant. The original is literally “ Eastern Palace.”
TEMMU. 305 posting-bells, which were refused. Then Yesaka went to Afumi, and Shima returned and reported to the Emperor, saying:— “We did not get the bells.”’
On this day, they started on their journey to the East Country. So great was the urgency that the Emperor did not wait to ride, but went on foot. Suddenly he fell in with a saddle-horse belonging to Ohotomo, Agata no Inukahi no Muraji. The Emperor accordingly mounted him. The Empress-consort followed in a palanquin. It was not until they had gone as far as the River Tsufuri that the Emperor's carriage’ came up, so he got into it. The original followers of the Emperor at this time were the Imperial Princes Kusakabe and Osakabe, with the toneri Wogimi, Yenowi no Muraji, Ohotomo Agata no Inukahi no Muraji, Ohome, Saheki no Muraji, Tomokuni, Ohotomo no Muraji, Ihose, Waka-zakura-be no Omi, Nemaro, Fumi no Obito, Chitoko, Fumi no Atahe, Wobayashi, Yamashiro no Atahe, Yamashirobe no Woda, Chitoko, Ato no Muraji, Afumi, Mitsugi no Obito, and the like, more than twenty persons in all. There were more than ten women. The same day they arrived at Aki in Uda,” where they were overtaken by Makuda, Ohotomo no Muraji, and Ohotomo, Kibumi no Muraji, from the Palace of Yoshino. At this time Mate, Hashi no Muraji, a toneri of the Department of the official rice-fields, supplied food to those who followed the Imperial carriage. Passing the village of Kammura, there were there more than twenty hunters, with Ohokuni, Yenomoto no Muraji, at their head. These were all summoned to follow the Imperial carriage. Moreover, Prince Mino was called. He forthwith came and joined the Emperor’s suite. At the Town Hall of the district of Uda they were met by fifty pack-horses of the province of Ise which were carrying the rice of the hot- baths. All the rice was thrown away, and thus mounts were provided for those who were going afoot. When they reached Ohono, the sun went down, the mountains were dark, and they were unable to proceed. Accordingly they pulled down the fences of the houses of that village, by which they provided lights and so reached the district of Nabari at midnight. They set fire to the posting-station of Nabari, and made proclamation to the people of that village, saying:—‘‘ The Emperor is on his