12th month, 4th day. All those who had rendered good service were chosen out, and higher cap-ranks conferred on them, from that of Shdsen upwards, varying according to circumstances.
15th day. A ship was given to the Silla guests.
26th day. Kim Ap-sil and his companions took their departure.
In this month Takami, Wina no Kimi, of Daishi rank, died.
BOOK XXIX.
THE EMPEROR AMA NO NUNA-HARA OKI NO MABITO.—PART II. (TEMMU TENNO.)
2ND year, Spring, 1st month, 7th day. The Ministers were entertained at a banquet at which sake was provided.
and month, 27th day. The Emperor commanded the functionaries to prepare an arena, in which he assumed the Imperial Dignity at the Palace of Kiyomibara in Asuka. He raised his wife to the rank of Empress-consort.!. She bore to him His Highness? the Imperial Prince Kusakabe. Before this he had taken to him the Empress-consort’s elder sister, the Imperial Princess Ohota,’ and made her his consort. She gave birth to the Imperial Princess Ohoki, and the Imperial Prince Ohotsu. His next consort was the Imperial Princess Ohoye.* She gave birth to the Imperial Prince Naga, and the Imperial Prince Yuge. His next consort, the Imperial Princess Nittabe,’ gave birth to the Imperial Prince Toneri. Moreover the Lady Higami no Iratsume, daughter of the Oho- omi, Fujihara, bore to him the Imperial Princess Tajima. Another lady, named Ihohe no Iratsume, younger sister of Higami no lIratsume, bore to him the Imperial Prince Nittabe. Next the lady® Ohonu no Iratsume, daughter of the Oho-omi Soga no Akaye, bore to him one son and two daughters. The first was called the Imperial Prince Hodzumi; 1 Afterwards Jitd Tenno, 2 Mikoto, * Daughter of Tenchi, therefore his niece, * Another daughter of Tenchi Tenné.
® Another daughter of Tenchi Tenno, * In Japanese otoji, in Sinico-Japanese fujin, a term applied to the Imperial concubines of lower tank VOls. Tb AZ XXIX. 2.
MOI, gi g22 NIHONGI.
the second was called the Imperial Princess Ki; the third was called the Imperial Princess Tagata. The Emperor before this had taken to him Princess Nukada no Iratsume, daughter of Prince Kagami,‘ who gave birth to the Imperial Princess Towochi. Next he took to him Amako no Iratsume, daughter of Tokuse, Munagata no Kimi, who bore to him His Highness’ the Imperial Prince Takechi; next a daughter of Ohomaro, Shishibito no Omi, named Kaji-hime no Iratsume, who bore to him two sons and two daughters. The first was called the Imperial Prince Osakabe; the second was called the Imperial Prince Shiki; the third was called the Imperial Princess Hatsusebe; the fourth was called the Imperial Princess Taki.
29th day. Cap-ranks were conferred on those who had rendered good service, varying according to circumstances.
3rd month, 17th day. The Governor of the province of Bingo caught a white pheasant in the district of Kameshi and sent it as tribute. Accordingly the forced labour due from that dis- trict was entirely remitted, and a general amnesty granted throughout the Empire..
In this month scribes were brought together who began to copy out the ‘ Issaikio ” * in the Temple of Kaharadera.
Summer, 4th month, 14th day. With the view of sending the Imperial Princess Ohoki to attend upon the Shrine of Ama-terasu no Oho-kami, she was made to dwell in the Abstinence-palace‘* of Hatsuse. This was that she might first purify herself before she by-and-by approached the place where the Goddess was.
5th month, rst day. The Emperor gave command to the Ministers of State, the Daibu, as well as to the Omi and Muraji, and also the Tomo no Miyakko, saying:—‘‘ Let those who first take service (under Government) be at the outset employed by the Ohotoneri.’ Afterwards let them be allotted to suitable offices, selection being made according to their 1 These and the following concubines seem to have had no special rank or position.
2 Mikoto. ‘ 3 The Buddhist canon or Tripitaka. A copy presented to the Bodleian Library or British Museum by a Japanese nobleman was brought to the British Legation, Tokio, in two carts.
4 See Vol, I. p. 176, note. § High Chamberlain.
TEMMU. aga capacities. Moreover, let the waiting-women who offer their services be received freely, without respect of married and un- married, or of old and young. In selecting them for particular duties let the rules of the (female) palace officials be followed.”
29th day. Sakamoto no Takara no Omi, of the Upper Daikin rank, died. In consideration of his services during the (war of) the year Midzunoye Saru,’ the posthumieus rank of Shdshi was conferred on him.?
Intercalary 6th month, 6th day. Sa-thek Syo- -my6ng of Pékché, of Lower Daikin rank, died. He was of a wise and intelligent nature, and in his day had a reputation for ability. The Emperor was shocked at his death, and by a special favour granted him the posthumous rank of Outer Shdshi. In addition to this he conferred on him the rank of Prime Minister * in his own country.
8th day. Tamna sent Princes Kumaye,‘ Tora, Uma,’ etc., with tribute.
15th day. Silla sent Kim Seung-wo6n, of Han Ason rank, Kim Chi-san, of the rank of Ason, the Té-sya Sangsyél and others to congratulate the Emperor on his accession to the throne. At the same time Kim Sal-yu, of Il-kil-son rank, Kim Chi-san, of Han Na-ma rank, and others were sent tc offer condolence on the decease of the late Emperor. [One book says as Tribute-Envoys.] The Escort-Envoys Kwi U-po and Chin-mo escorted Seung-w6én and Sal-yu to Tsukushi.
24th day. Kwi U-po and the others were entertained at Tsukushi, and received presents varying in the case of each. They straightway returned to their country from Tsukushi.
Autumn, 8th month, gth day. The Emperor made an order setting forth the good services rendered during the year Midzu- noye Saru by Abemaro, Ki no Omi, and others, while stationed in the province of Iga, and publicly conferred on them favour and rewards.
* The first instance of posthumous honours in Japanese history. This institution is of Chinese origin.
3 Té-sa-phyong.
4 See above, XXVII. 20, where he is called Prince Kumaki.
° Tora in Japanese means tiger, and Uma horse. Is it possible that the natives of Quelpaert at this time spoke a Japanese dialect? Prince Tora is mentioned below, XXIX. 18.
oa XXIX. 4.
XXIX.
324 NIHONGI.
20th day. Koryé sent the Té-hyéng Han-cha, Witu’ of the Upper Division, the Té-hyéng Sydk-u of the Former Division, and others with tribute. Accordingly Silla sent Kim N1-ik, of Han Na-ma rank, to escort the Koryé Envoys to Tsukushi.’
25th day. Kim Seung-w6n and the other Envoys sent to congratulate the Emperor on his accession—twenty-seven guests of middle and upper rank—were summoned to the capital. Accordingly the Emperor instructed the Viceroy (of Tsukushi) to declare his wishes to the Tamna Envoys, saying:—‘‘ The Emperor has newly reduced the Empire to peace, and has only just now assumed the Imperial Dignity. For this reason he does not invite to his Court any other Envoys than those who bring congratulations, as you yourselves have observed. Moreover the weather is cold, and the waves are mountainous. To detain you longer here would be rather distressing to you than otherwise. You would therefore do well to take your departure without delay.” Accordingly the King resident in that country and his Envoys, Kumayé and his colleagues, were for the first time granted the cap-rank of Upper Dai-otsu,’ which moreover was adorned with brocade and embroidery, and corresponded to the rank of Cha-phyong (Minister) in that country. So they returned home from Tsukushi.
gth month, 28th day. Kim Seung-woén and his colleagues were entertained at Naniha. There was a performance of music of all kinds, and they received presents varying in the case of each person.
Winter, 11th month, 1st day. Kim Seung-wén took his departure.
21st day. Han-cha of Koryo, Sal-yu of Silla, and their 5. people, were entertained at Oho-gohori* in Tsukushi, and received presents varying in the case of each.
12th month, 5th day. Presents were given to all those who were in attendance on the Emperor at the feast of first-fruits,° viz. the Nakatomi and Imbe, with the officials of the Shinté department, the district governors of the two provinces of 1 A title.
2 Kory6 had at this time been overthrown by China.
8 This was apparently the rank conferred on the Envoys, that bestowed on the King not being mentioned. Cha-phyéng was a Pékché rank.
4 Or Ohokuni. ® Ohonihe.
TEMMU. 325 Harima and Tamba,' and also to the labourers under them. A grade of cap-rank was accordingly conferred on each of the district governors..
17th day. Prince Mino, of Shdshi rank, and Katamaro, Ki no Omi, of Lower Shokin rank, were appointed Commissioners for the erection of the great Temple of Takechi [now Ohomiya no Ohodera]. Now Fukurin, the priest appointed as super- intendent, declined this office on account of age, but he was not allowed to refuse.
27th day. The Buddhist Priest Gisei was made Junior Sodzu.2, On this day there were conjoined two additional priests as clerks. It was at this time that the practice of having four clerks first began.
This year was the year Midzunoto Tori (roth) of the Cycle.
3rd year, Spring, Ist month, roth day. Prince Chhyang- syOng of Pékché died. He was granted the rank of Outer Shoshi.* 2nd month, 28th day. Abemaro, Ki no Omi, died. The Emperor was much grieved, and in consideration of his services in the campaign of the year Midzunoye Saru bestowed on him the rank of Daishi.
3rd month, 7th day. Ohokuni, Woshiumi no Miyakko, Governor of the province of Tsushima, reported that silver had been produced for the first time in that province, and sent some as tribute. Ohokuni was accordingly awarded the rank of Lower Shokin. It was at this time that silver was first produced in Japan. Offerings were therefore made of it to all the Gods of Heaven and Earth, and presents of it were likewise given to the Daibu, etc., of the rank of Shokin and above.
Autumn, 8th month, 3rd day. The Imperial Prince Wosa- kabe was sent to the shrine of Isonokami to brighten up the Divine precious things with oil. On the same day, the Emperor decreed, saying:—‘‘Let all the precious things originally deposited in the Sacred Treasuries by the various Houses be returned to their descendants.”
Whence the rice for the ceremony was provided. See Florenz’s instruc- tive note on this passage.
* Chhyang-syéng was a grandson of Wi-cha, the last king of Pékché His father took refuge in Japan on the downfall of the dynasty.
XXIX. 6.
XXX, 7.
326 NIHONGI.
Winter, roth month, 9th day. The Imperial Princess Oho- ki left the Abstinence-palace of Hatsuse and proceeded to the shrine of Ise.* 4th year, Spring, rst month, 1st day. The various students of the Department of Education, the Department of the Yin and Yang,? the Outer Apothecaries’ Department, the woman of S‘ravasti,, the woman of Tara, Prince Syon-kwang of Pékché, and the Silla labourers offered presents of drugs and rarities.
and day. From the Imperial Princes downwards all the public functionaries presented their respects to the Emperor.
3rd day. All the public functionaries, from the initial rank upwards, presented firewood.’
sth day. A platform was for the first time erected from which to divine by means of the stars.’
7th day. A banquet was given at Court to the Ministers.
17th day. The Ministers of State, Daibu, and all the public functionaries from the initial rank. upwards had an archery meeting in the Court of the Western Gate.
On this day, moreover, the province of Yamato presented an auspicious barn-door fowl, the Eastern provinces presented a white falcon, and the province of Afumi presented a white owl.° 23rd day. Offerings’ (of cloth) were made at the various shrines.
2nd month, oth day. The Emperor gave orders to the provinces of Yamato, Kahachi, Settsu, Yamashiro, Harima, Ahaji, Tamba, Tajima, Afumi, Wakasa, Ise, Mino, and Wohari, saying:—‘‘ Seek out in your jurisdiction men and women of the common people who can sing well, and also dwarfs and jugglers,® etc., and send them as tribute.”
1 See above, XXIX. 3.
2 This Department had charge of astronomy and calendar-making, with observations on the weather.
3 See above, XXV. 57.
4 A regular yearly practice first mentioned here.
’ The close association of astronomy and divination may be inferred from this.
6 The interlinear Kana has tobi, i.e. kite.
7 Mitegura.
8 The word used includes jugglers, acrobats, e¢ hoc genus omne.
TEMMU. 327 13th day. The Imperial Princess Towochi' and the Imperial Princess Abe’ proceeded to the shrine of Ise.
15th day. The Emperor decreed, saying:—“ Let the serfs granted to the various Uji in the year Kinoye Ne® be hence- forward done away with. Moreover, let the mountains, marshes, islands, bays, woods, plains, and artificial ponds granted to Princes of the Blood,‘ to Princes and to Ministers and Temples,* be all done away with from first to last.”
1gth day. The Emperor issued an edict as follows:—‘‘ Ye Ministers, functionaries, and people of the Empire, avoid the commission of offences of all kinds. Ifthere be any who dis- obey this, they shall be punished according to circumstances.”
23rd day. The Emperor proceeded to the Castle of Takayasu.
In this month Silla sent Prince Chhyung-won, the Té-kam Keup-son® Kim Chhaso,’ the Té-kam Nama Kim Thyon- chhyung, the Tyé-karh Té-ma, Pak Muma, and the Tyé-kam Té-sya, Kim Naksyu, to offer tribute. Their Escort-Envoys, the Nama, Kim Phungna, and the Nama, Kim Hyopok, escorted Prince Chhyung-won as far as Tsukushi.
3rd month, 2nd day. The great God of Tosa presented a divine sword to the Emperor.®.
14th day. Kim Phungna and the others were entertained at Tsukushi. They forthwith returned home from Tsukushi.
16th day. Prince Kurikuma, of the fourth rank, was appointed Director of Military Affairs, and Miyuki, Ohotomo no Muraji, of Upper Shokin rank, was made Tayu.”
1 Daughter of Temmu Tenno.
2 Daughter of Tenchi Tenno, afterwards the Empress styled Gemmei Tenno.
’ The third year of the previous reign, viz. A.D. 664.
* Including the brothers, sisters, and children of the Emperor; others are simply =, i.e. kings, by which princes are meant.
* Temples are Buddhist temples; the word “shrine” is used in this translation for Shintd places of worship.
6 Tékam is the name of an office, Keupson of a rank.
7 Another reading is Piso.
8 One authority calls him Hito-koto-nushi no Mikoto, another says that he was Mi-suki-taka-hiko-ne no Mikoto. It is explained that the priests presented the sword at the bidding of the god.
® Vice-minister.
XXIX 8.
RXIX. 9.
XXIX, 10.
328 NIHONGI.
In this month Koryé sent the Te-hyéng' Pok-kan, the Té- hyong Tamu and others with tribute. Silla sent the Keupson, Pak Keun-syu, and the Té-na-ma, Kim Mika, to offer tribute.
Summer, 4th month, 5th day. More than 2400 priests and nuns were invited to a great feast of vegetable fare.
8th day. Hiromaro, Tahema no Kimi, of Upper Shokin rank, and Maro, Kunu no. Omi, of Lower. Shokin rank, were forbidden by the Emperor to attend at Court.
gth day. The Emperor decreed as follows:—‘‘ In regard to lending out the tax-rice, henceforward let. the circumstances of the peasants be clearly ascertained, and their condition as to poverty or wealth having been learned in advance, let them be arranged in three classes, to the lower two of which such loans may be made.”
toth day. Prince Mino, of Shoshi rank, and Hirotari, Saheki no Muraji, of Lower Shokin rank, were sent to offer prayers to the Wind-Gods at Tateno in” Tatsuta.? Ohobuta, Hashibito no Muraji, of Middle Shokin rank, and Karainu,’ Sone no Muraji, of Middle Daisen rank, were sent to worship the Oho-imi Deity at Kahawa in Hirose.* 14th day. Maro, Kunu no Omi, of Lower Shokin rank, was convicted of offering resistance to an Imperial messenger, and stripped of all his offices and dignities.
17th day. The Emperor issued a decree to the provinces, saying:—‘‘ Henceforth the fishermen and hunters are to be restrained from making pitfalls or using spear-traps and such like contrivances. Moreover, from the 1st day of the 4th month until the 13th day of the gth month, let no one 1 Te-hyéng (great elder-brother) is an official rank, Pok-kan his name.
? In Yamato. This is the first of a regular series of such notices. The litany to the Wind-Gods is preserved in the “ Yengishiki,” and has been translated by Satow. See “T.A.S.J.,” Vol. VII. p. 416. I refrain from quotation, as the study of this treatise is indispensable to any one who is at all interested in the study of Shinto.
3 This name means “Corean dog.”
‘In Yamato. Oho-imi means great religious abstinence. The Deity’s proper name was Waka-uka-hime, i.e. the young-food-lady. For a full account of this service see Satow’s “Ancient Japanese Rituals,” in the “T.A.S.J.,” Vol. VII. p. 412. It will be observed that neither Buddhist nor Shinto worship was neglected by this Emperor.
Temmu. 329 set fish-traps, closing the space.’ Further, let no one eat the flesh of kine, horses, dogs, monkeys, or barn-door fowls.? This prohibition does not extend to other kinds of meat. Offenders against this regulation will be punished.”
18th day. Prince Womi, of the third rank, was guilty of an offence and was banished to Inaba. One of his children was banished to the island of Idzu,* and another to the island of Chika.’
23rd day. A selection was made of persons possessed of accomplishments. They were granted presents, which varied in each case.
In this month Prince Chhyung-Won of Silla arrived at Naniha.
6th month, 23rd day. Yesaka, Ohokida no Kimi, was ill, and was about to die. The Emperor was greatly shocked, and made an order, saying:—‘‘ Thou, Yesaka, hast devoted thyself to the public service, neglecting thy private affairs. Without ‘sparing thy life, prompted by thy manly spirit, thou hast laboured in the great campaign. It has been my constant desire to show thee affection, and therefore, even when thou art gone, thy descendants will receive liberal rewards.” He accordingly raised him to the rank of Outer Shoshi. Not many days after he died in his private dwelling.
Autumn, 7th month, 7th day. Kunimaro, Ohotomo no Muraji, of Upper Shokin rank, was sent to Silla in the capacity of Chief Envoy. Irishi, Miyake no Kishi, of Lower Shokin rank, accompanied him as Associate Ambassador.
8th month, 1st day. Prince Kumaki, the tribute Envoy of Tamna, anchored at Tsukushi.
zand day. There was a storm which made the sand to fly, and damaged houses.
25th day. Chhyung-won, the ceremonies being completed, took his departure. He set sail from Naniha.
28th day. The Tribute-Envoys of the two countries, Silla 1 Hima-sakiri. Apparently a particular kind of‘fish-trap is meant. The “ Shikai” editor omits this word, considering it a gloss which has crept in from the margin.
2 Buddhist influence is obvious here.
3 Probably Ohoshima (called by foreigners Vries Island) is meant.
* In Hizén.
XXIX. Ir.
OOD Te 330 NIHONGI.
and Kory6, were entertained in Tsukushi, and given presents which varied in each case.
gth month, 27th day. Prince Ko-y6 of Tamna arrived at Naniha.
Winter, roth month, 3rd day. Messengers were despatched in all directions to seek for the Issaikio.’
roth day. The Ministers were entertained at a banquet with sake.
16th day. Thirty men of Thang were forwarded as tribute from Tsukushi. They were forthwith sent to the province of Totomi and settled there.’
20th day. The Emperor made an edict, saying:—‘‘ Let everyone, from the Princes down to those of initial rank, provide himself with weapons.’ On this day there was a report received from the province of Sagami that in the district of Takakura a woman had given birth to three male children.* t1th month, 3rd day. A certain man ascended the hill east of the Palace, and having uttered words of evil omen,‘ cut his throat and died. Those who were on duty on that night received everyone a step in rank. There was a great earth- quake in this month.
5th year, Spring, 1st month, rst day. The Ministers and public functionaries paid their respects at Court.
4th day. There were granted to all, from the Imperial Prince Takechi down to the Daibu of Shokin rank, upper garments, trousers, lined garments, girdles, garters, staffs, and arm-rests.° But to the three grades of Shokin rank arm-rests were not granted.
7th day. Grants were made to the Daibu of Shokin rank and upwards, varying in each case.
15th day. The functionaries from the initial rank upwards presented firewood. On the same day they all assembled in the Court, and were entertained at a banquet.
1 See above, XXIX. 2.
2 The Chinese were at war with Silla at this time.
3 No stigma seems to have been attached to this. On the contrary, there are instances of the Emperor giving presents to women who had borne a multiplicity of children.
* No doubt abusive language towards the Emperor is meant.
:— Pee TEMMU. 331 16th day. Prizes were offered for archery in the Court of the Western Gate. Those who hit the target received prizes of values which varied according to circumstances.
On this day, the Emperor occupied the Palace of Shima, and gave a banquet there.
25th day. The Emperor made a decree, saying:—“ In all cases of appointments as Governors of provinces, let men of not higher than Daisen rank be appointed. This rule does not apply to the Home provinces nor to the provinces of Michinoku and Nagato.”
2nd month, 24th day. A ship was presented to the Tamna guests.
In the course of this month, Kunimaro, Ohotomo no Muraji, and his colleagues arrived from Silla.
Summer, 4th month, 4th day. Worship was paid to the Wind-Gods of Tatsuta and to the Oho-imi Deity of Hirose.’
Adzumi no Hoshi, of the district of Lower Sofu, in the province of Yamato, sent tribute of an auspicious cock which had a comb like the flower of a camellia.
On this day a report was received from the district of Akunami, in the province of Yamato, that a hen had become changed into a cock.’
14th day. A decree was issued to all the Princes and Ministers, saying:—‘‘ Let those who are in receipt of taxes from fiefs cease to receive them from the Western provinces, and let them be granted revenues from the Eastern provinces in exchange. Moreover, let all persons from the outer* pro- vinces who wish to enter our service be permitted to do so, whether they be the sons of Omi, Muraji, Tomo no Miyakko, or even the sons of Kuni no Miyakko. Further, let men of distinguished ability be allowed to do so, even though they are of the common people, of lower rank than the above.”
22nd day. The Emperor gave orders to the Governor of the province of Mino, saying:—‘‘ Let the children of Abemaro, Ki no Omi, resident in the district of Toki, be 1 See above, XXIX. 9, 2 Ominous occurrences of this kind are frequently recorded in Chinese and Corean history.
* All except the Gokinai or Home provinces.
XXIX. 13.
Sexi 17.
B39 NIHONGI.
removed to the East country and become peasants of that country.”; 5th month, 3rd day. A decree was promulgated respecting the offences of Governors of provinces who had failed to pay over their commuted taxes at the limited time,’ etc., etc.
7th day. The Governor of the province of Shimotsuke represented to the Emperor that, owing to a bad year, the peasantry in his domain were starving and wished to sell their children. The Court refused permission.
In the course of this month the Emperor forbade the cutting of grass or firewood on Mount Minabuchi and Mount Hosokaha. Moreover, indiscriminate burning and cutting were forbidden on all mountains and plains in the Home provinces as to which a prohibition had always existed.
6th month. Prince Kurikuma, of the fourth rank, died. of disease.
Mononobe no Wogimi no Muraji took suddenly ill and died. When the Emperor heard this he was greatly shocked. In the campaign of the year Midzunoye Saru, he had followed the Imperial carriage to the East country. In consideration of his great services the Emperor showed him favour by conferring on him the rank of Inner Daishi. He also granted him the seniority among those of his House.”
This summer there was great drought. Messengers were sent to all quarters to make offerings of cloth and to pray to all the gods of Heaven and Earth. Moreover, the priests and nuns were invited to offer supplications to the Three Precious Things. Still there was no rain, and therefore the five grains did not grow, and the peasants were starving.
Autumn, 7th month, znd day. The Ministers, Daibu and public functionaries received an increase of rank, each according to his deserts.
8th day. The Tamna guests returned to their own country.
16th day. Worship was paid to the Wind-Gods of Tatsuta and to the Oho-imi Deity of Hirose.
1 The taxes (not the grain tax) due in the middle decade of the 8th month were payable into the exchequer, for near provinces before the end of the 1oth month, for provinces of medium distance before the end of the 11th month, for more distant provinces before the end of the 12th month.
4A i.
TEMMU. 323 4A i.
TEMMU. 323 In the course of this month, Woyori, Murakuni no Muraji, died.. In consideration of the services rendered by him in the campaign of the year Midzunoye Saru, he received the posthumous rank of Outer Shdshi.
A star appeared in the East, seven or eight feet in length. In the 9th month it at length disappeared from the sky.
8th month, 2nd day. Sustenance fiefs, varying in each case, were granted to all from the rank of Prince of the Blood down to Daibu of Shokin rank, and also to Imperial Princesses, Princesses and lady officials of the Palace.
16th day. The Emperor commanded, saying:—‘‘ Let a Great Purification be held in all quarters. The articles needed for this purpose are to be forwarded to the shrines of purification by the Kuni no Miyakko of each province, to wit, one horse and one piece of cloth. The other things are to be supplied by the governors of districts, viz., each one sword, one deerskin, one mattock, one smaller sword, one sickle, one set of arrows, and one sheaf of rice in the ear. Further, let each house provide a bundle of hemp.’’?
17th day. The Emperor issued a decree, saying:—‘‘ Let all sentences of death, confiscation, or the three classes of banish- ment be mitigated one degree.’ As for crimes punishable by removal to another part of the same province or lesser offences, let them all be pardoned whether they have been detected or not.
This pardon, however, does not apply to persons who have already proceeded to their place of banishment.”
' “The Oho-barahi or Great Purification was the most solemn ceremony of the Shinto religion. It was performed twice a year, on the 30th day of the 6th and 12th months, by the Princes of the Blood and the Ministers, who assembled for the purpose at the Gate of the Scarlet Bird. The urabe or diviners read the norito or formula, which had the effect of dissipating (harai) demoniac influences.”—-Yamada’s Dictionary.
The litany used on this occasion is commonly called the Nakatomi no Oho-barahi. It has been preserved, but is unfortunately not one of those translated by Satow. Dr. Florenz promises us a translation of all the norito.
* The three classes of banishment are:—Ist, to near provinces, as Echizen or Aki; 2nd, to provinces of medium distance, as Suwo or Iyo; 3rd, to distant provinces, as Idzu, Aha, Hitachi, Sado, Iki,or Tosa. The confiscation is of the persons of the criminals and their families into slavery in public offices. This practice is still followed in Corea.
X XIX. 15.
334 NIHONGI.
On this day the Emperor commanded the various provinces to let loose living things.’
In this month, Oho-miwa no Makamuta no Kobito no Kimi died. When the Emperor heard this, he was much grieved, and in view of his services in the year Midzunoye Saru granted him the posthumous rank of Inner Shishi with the posthumous title of Ohomiwa no Makamuta no Mukahe-gimi.
gth month, 1st day. Owing to the rain, the beginning of the month was not announced.”
roth day. The Princes and Ministers sent agents to the capital and to the Home provinces and gave out weapons for (man of each the population)..
12th day. Prince Yagaki, of the third rank, Viceroy of Tsukushi, was guilty of an offence, and was banished to Tosa.
13th day. Presents were made to the public functionaries and to men of the frontier states, varying in the case of each.
2tst day. The Department of the Shinto religion repre- sented to the Emperor as follows:—‘‘ We have ascertained by divination the provinces and districts which are to supply the rice for the festival of the first-fruits. There respond to the divination the district of Yamada, in the province of Wohari, for the Yuki, and the district of Kasa, in the province of Tamba, for the Sugi.’’* In the course of this month Ikadzuchi,* Sakata no Kimi, died. In view of his services during the year Midzunoye Saru he was granted the posthumous rank of Daishi.
Winter, roth month, rst day. The Ministers were enter- tained at a wine-feast.
1 A Buddhist practice. At the present day beggars may be seen at the gates of Buddhist temples with vessels containing small lampreys or cages of sparrows, which the faithful are allowed to release on paying a small sum.
2 There was an old custom in China of announcing the beginning of the month to the ancestral temples of the Emperors. But the practice in Japan seems to have been different. There are notices of Japanese Emperors “viewing the announcement of the new month from a balcony,” etc.
3 Yuki means “ceremonially pure,” and sugi means “next.” These terms are applied to two qualities of rice used for this festival. Various explana- tions are given. One is that the yuki was for sacrifice to the Gods of Heaven, the sugi for the Gods of Earth. Yuki is etymologically connected with imi, religious abstinence. The divination was by burning a tortoiseshell. 4 Thunder or thunder-bolt.
¥ TEMMU. 335 3rd day. Offerings of cloth were made to all the Ahimbe Gods' of Heaven and Earth.
toth day. Maro, Mononobe no Muraji, of Upper Dai-otsu rank, was sent to Silla as Chief Envoy, and Momotari, Yamashiro no Atahe, of Middle Dai-otsu rank, as Junior Envoy.
1th month, 1st day. On account of the festival of firstfruits, the ceremony of announcing the first day of the month was omitted.
3rd day. Silla sent Kim Chhyéng-phyong, of Sason rank, to request governance.” At the same time, Kim Hoyu, of Keup- son rank, the Tyé-kam, Kim Heum-kil, of Té-sya rank, and others were sent to offer tribute. The Escort-Envoy Phi Chinna, of Nama rank, and his associate Hopok, of Nama rank, escorted Chhyéng-phyong and the others to Tsukushi.
In this month seven men of Su-shen® arrived in the train of Chhyéng-phyong and his colleagues..
tgth day. The Emperor gave orders to the provinces near the capital to release living things.’
20th day. Men were sent to all parts to expound the Kon- kwo-myo Sutra and the Nin-6 Sutra.
23rd day. Koryé sent Ha-u, Chyupu® of the After Division, as Chief Envoy, and Tok-pok, Te-kyong of the Former Divi- sion, as Associate Envoy, to offer tribute. Therefore Silla sent Kim Yang-won, of Te Nama rank, to escort the Kory6 Envoys to Tsukushi.
It was intended this year to make the capital at Nihiki, and therefore all the rice-fields and gardens within the precincts, public and private property alike, were not cultivated and became totally waste. In the end the capital was not made there. [This passage is omitted in some books. | 6th year, Spring, ist month, 17th day. There was archery at the South Gate.
2nd month, 1st day. Maro, Mononobe no Muraji, arrived from Silla.
1 The Ahimbe (for ahi-nihe) was a festival celebrated on the 1st day of the hare in the 11th month. It was, like the nihi-name, which was celebrated a little later, a festival of firstfruits. On this occasion the Emperor first partook of sake, brewed from the new season’s rice, which was also offered _ to the Kami. This ceremony was more particularly associatedjwith certain deities, which were therefore termed the Ahimbe deities. 2 To ask advice on matters of government (?). *Manehus, + 4 See above, XXIX. 15. > Name of office.
XXIX. 16.
XXIX. 18.
336 NIHONGI.
In this month an entertainment was given to men of Tanegashima! under the tsuki tree west of the Asuka Temple.
3rd month, roth day. The Silla Envoys, Chhyéng-phyoéng and the guests of lower rank to the number of thirteen, were invited to the capital.
Summer, 4th month, 11th day. Nagura Saita no Fubito, was convicted of scoffing at the Imperial*® car, and was accordingly banished to the island of Idzu.
14th day. The Escort-Envoys, Chinna and the rest, were entertained in Tsukushi, and straightway Resid home from there.
5th month, rst day. The ceremony of announcing the first day of the month was omitted.
3rd day. The Emperor granted to the Oho-hakase,’ a man of Pekché-named Sol-tan, the rank of Lower Daisen, and accordingly bestowed on him a fief of 30 houses. On this day Otokashi, the Yamato no Yeshi,* was granted the rank of Lower Shosen and a fief of 20 houses.
7th day. Aman of Silla named Pak Chapha, of Ason rank, accompanied by three attendants and three Buddhist priests, was driven by stress of weather to the island of Chikashima.’
28th day. The Emperor gave orders to the Shrines of Heaven and the Shrines of Earth that the sacred rice-tax should be divided into three shares, one of which was to be set apart for the offerings to the Gods and the other two. ae to the Kannushi.’
In this month there was drought in the capital san the Home provinces, and prayers were made for rain.
6th month, 14th day. There was a great earthquake.
In this month the Emperor commanded the Yamato no Aya no Atahe, saying:—‘‘ Your family has from the beginning been guilty of the seven misdemeanours. From the Woharida’ reign down to the Court of Afumi it has been the Emperor’s constant 1 An island off the south coast of Satsuma. It is notable as the place visited by Mendez Pinto and his companions in 1542, and where they first taught the inhabitants the use of firearms, Tanegashima means a pistol in Japanese at the present day.
2 The Emperor is meant, but the writer does not dare to introduce him in such a connection.
3 Great Doctor. * Yamato painter. 5 In Hizen. ’ Shinto priests. ‘ Suiko Tenno.
TEMMU. 369 business to take measures against you. Now in this Our reign you deserve to be called to an account for your misconduct, and to receive condign punishment. We are very reluctant, however, to extirpate the House’ of Aya no Atahe, and we therefore extend to you great clemency and pardon you. But henceforth if any of you offend his crime shall surely be ranked among unpardonable offences.”
Autumn, 7th month, 3rd day. Worship was paid to the Wind-Gods of Tatsuta and to the Oho-imi Deity of Hirose.