8th month, 15th day. A great feast of Buddhist fare was given at the Asuka Temple, at which the “ Issaikio ”? was read. The Emperor stood at the South Gate of the Temple, and did obeisance to the Three Precious Things. At this time he commanded the Princes of the Blood and the other Princes as well as the Ministers each to furnish one person to renounce the world. These persons were chosen without distinction of age or sex, and all entered religion in accordance with their wishes. They therefore took part in this great feast.
27th day. Kim Chhyong-phyéng returned to his own country. Accordingly Pak Cha-pha and the other who had been driven by stress of weather to Japan were delivered to Chhyong- phyong and the rest, and sent back to their native land.
28th day. Tamna sent Prince Tora with tribute.
gth month, 30th day. A decree was made, saying:—‘“‘ Let vagabonds who come back again after having been sent to their native places be, one and all, set to forced labour.”
Winter, roth month, 14th day. Momoye, Kahabe no Omi, of Inner Upper Shokin rank, was appointed Minister of the Interior,* and Maro, Tajihi no Kimi, of Inner Lower Daikin rank, was made Daibu‘* of the province of Settsu.
11th month, 1st day. Owing to rain the ceremony of announcing the 1st day of the month was not observed.
The Viceroy of Tsukushi presented to the Emperor a red crow.’ The Viceroy’s officials accordingly received presents, ne OE 2 The books of the Buddhist canon, Tripitaka.
* Mimbukio, or in Japanese Kakibe no Kimi.
4 From the enumeration of his functions in the “Shokuinri6,” this official seems to have been a governor with very comprehensive powers.
6’ A red crow with three legs was supposed to inhabit the sun. The appearance of one on earth was accounted the most favourable of omens. See above, Vol. I. p. 116, note.
VOL. II. v4 XXIX., 19.
XXIX. 20.
338 NIHONGI.
each according to his rank. Moreover the person who specially caught the red crow was granted five steps in rank. Also the local officials of the district in question had their rank raised. Consequently the taxes were remitted to the peasants of this district for the space of one year. On this day a general amnesty was proclaimed to the Empire.
2tst day. The festival of first-fruits was held.
23rd day. A meal was given to all the public functionaries who possessed a definite rank.
27th day. Presents were given to tie officials of the Shinto Department and to the local governors who had assisted in the offering of first-fruits.
12th month, Ist day. Owing to the snow the ceremony of announcing the rst day of the month was not observed.
7th year, Spring, ist month, 17th day. There was archery at the South Gate.
22nd day. The Tamna people set out for the capital.
This spring, as a preparation for worshipping the Gods of Heaven and Earth, a purification was held throughout the Empire. An Abstinence-palace was erected on the bank of the Kurahashi river.
Summer, 4th month, 1st day. The Emperor wished to proceed to the Abstinence-palace, and held divination for this purpose. The response fell upon the 7th day. Accordingly, at the hour of sunrise the officers whose business it was to clear the road having already started, and the public function- aries being formed in line of procession, the Emperor took his seat in his palanquin, and ordered his canopy, but had not yet set out, when the Imperial Princess Towochi suddenly took ill, and died within the Palace. For this reason the cortege was stopped, and the Emperor was unable to proceed...The result was that the Sacrifice to the Gods of Heaven and Earth did not take place.
13th day. A pillar of the Western Hall of the New Palace was struck by lightning.
14th day. The Imperial Princess Towochi was buried at Akaho. The Emperor was present, and was graciously pleased to raise lament for her.
Autumn, gth month. Yoshimaro, Oshinomi no Miyakko, presented to the Emperor five auspicious stalks of rice. Each TEMMU. 339 stalk had branches. In consequence, all sentences from that of minor banishment * downwards were remitted.
Prince Wakasa, of the 3rd rank, died.
Winter, roth month, rst day. At Naniha there fell a rain of something like floss silk. It was five or six feet long and seven or eight inches wide. It floated on the wind and waved from the fir woods and reed plains. The people of that day called it ‘‘ sweet-dew.”
26th day. The Emperor issued a decree, saying:—“ Let all civil and military officials of the central and provincial governments every year consider the degree of competence of their subordinates: from the rank of clerk upwards, who are animated by a disinterested public spirit and discharge their duties with zeal and respect, and let them determine accord- ingly the promotion they should receive. Not later than the first decade of the first month they should forward a full report to the judge Thereupon the judge, having compared and XXIX. 21 decided, shall submit (his recommendation) to the Daiben- kwan.* However, when officers are ordered to go on missions of a public nature and refuse for trifling reasons—not genuine illness or mourning for parents—they are not to be placed in the schedule for promotion.”
12th month, 27th day: Bramblings® flew from south-west to north-east, covering the sky..
In the course of this month there was a great earthquake in Tsukushi. The ground split open to the width of two rods and a length of more than 3000 rods. Many of the peasants’ houses in all the villages were brought down in ruins. At this time there was a peasant’s house situated on the top ofa hill. On the evening of the earthquake the hill crumbled down and changed its place. -Yet the house remained intact and was ' This now means “hard labour,” but probably we should here follow the meaning given by Giles. 2 Several cases of this phenomenon are recorded in Chinese and Japanese history. Kanro, or sweet-dew, is the Chinese translation of the Sanskrit Amrita, the ambrosial food of the Immortals. 3 Ho-kwan, 2; B. 4 Benkwan. The executive department of the supreme Council of State or Dajokwan. Hepburn. > Atori in Japanese. “Fringilla Montifringilla. Large flocks of this bird are found in winter near Yokohama. It is the same as the European species.”—Blakiston and Pryer in “T.A.S.J.” Le XXIX, 22 240, - NIHONGI.
not destroyed, and the inmates did not know that the hill had come down and that their house had moved away. When it became daylight, however, they discovered what had happened, to their great amazement.
In this year the Silla Escort-Envoys, Ka-ryang Chyong-san, of Nama rank, and Kim Hong-syé, of Nama rank, came to Tsukushi, and said:—‘‘ The King of Silla having despatched Kim Syo-mul, of Keup-son rank, Kim Syé-syé, of Té-nama rank, etc., as Envoys to bring this year’s tribute, I, Chyong-san, was sent to escort Syo-mul and his colleagues. In mid-ocean, however, we chanced to meet with a storm, in which Syo-mul and the others became all dispersed, and I know not what has become of them. I, Chyéng-san, alone have with difficulty succeeded in reaching the shore.”” Syo-mul and his colleagues never arrived.
8th year, Spring, 1st month, 5th day. The Silla Escort- Envoys Ka-ryang Chyong-san and Kim Hong-syé, etc., pro- ceeded to the capital.
7th day. The Emperor issued a decree as follows:—‘“ At the New Year let the Princes, Ministers, and public functionaries refrain from paying their respects to any persons except rela- tives of the grade of elder brothers or elder sisters and above, or to the senior members of the House. The Princes must not pay their respects even to their mothers, when the latter have not the title of Princess; nor must Ministers pay their respects to their mothers when the latter are of mean rank. Even on other ceremonial occasions than the New Year the same rule is to be observed, and those who infringe it shall be punished according to circumstances.”
8th day. There was archery at the West Gate.
2nd month, 1st day. Koryo sent Hwan-heum, Té-syang of the Upper Division, Sa Syu-lu, Te-syang of the Lower Division, and others to offer tribute. Accordingly, Silla sent Kam Mul-la,.of Nama rank, to escort Hwan-heum and his colleagues to Tsukushi..
3rd day. Katamaro, Ki no Omi, died. In consideration of his services in the year Midzunoye Saru,' he received the posthumous rank of Upper Daikin.
4th day. The Emperor issued an edict, saying:—‘‘ When INCH 2) TEMMU.. 341 the year Kanoto Mi' is reached, let there be a review’ of the weapons and horses belonging to the Princes of the Blood, the Ministers, and the public functionaries. Therefore let provision be made in advance.”
In this month the Emperor was most graciously pleased to extend his charity to the poor and needy, and to give alms to those starving from cold and hunger.
3rd month, 6th day. Wakami, Ohokida no Kimi, of the Imperial guard, died.* During the great campaign of the year Midzunoye Saru, he led the van in breaking the camp of Seta.* For this service he was granted the posthumous rank of Outer Upper Shokin.
7th day. The Emperor proceeded to Wochi,’ where he did reverence to the Misasagi of the Later Okamoto Empress.° gth day. Prince Ishikaha, Viceroy of Kibi, took ill and died in Kibi. When the Emperor heard this he was deeply grieved, and was most graciously pleased, etc., etc., to confer on him the posthumous honour of Prince of the second class.
22nd day. Alms of floss silk and cloth were given to poor priests and nuns.
Summer, 4th month, 5th day. The Emperor made a decree, saying:—‘‘Let the history of those temples which have sustenance-fiefs attached to them be considered, and where addition is desirable, let addition be made; where they should be done away with, let them be done away with.”
On this day the names of the temples were fixed.
gth day. Worship was paid to the Deities of Hirose and Tatsuta..
sth month, 5th day. The Emperor proceeded to the Palace of Yoshino.
6th day. The Emperor addressed the Empress Consort, the Imperial Prince Kusakabe, the Imperial Prince Ohotsu, the Imperial Prince Takechi, the Imperial Prince Kahashima, the Imperial Prince Osakabe, and the Imperial Prince Shiki, 3 There is a scale of Chinese characters for death, according to the rank of the person. Here the character AE is used, which, as the “Tsiisho” commentator points out, is improper, this character being employed only in the case of men of the 6th or lower ranks.
4 See above, XXVIII. 17. He is there called Waka-omi. 5 In Yamato. 6 Saimei Tenno.
XXIX. 23.
XXIX. 24.
34> NIHONGI.
saying:—‘‘ We wish to-day to unite with you in making a vow in the Court, so that after a thousand years’ there may be no trouble. What think ye?” The Imperial Princes answered together, saying:—‘‘ The reasonableness of this is manifest.” Accordingly, His Highness the Imperial Prince Kusakabe stood forward first and made oath, saying:—‘‘ Ye gods of Heaven and Earth, and ye Emperors, bear witness! We, elder and younger brothers, young or of mature age, more than ten Princes in all, born each of different mothers, without respect of birth from the same or different mothers, together comply with the Emperor’s behest, and will give each other mutual support and avoid contention. If, from this time forward, any of us should not keep this vow, may he himself perish and may his line become extinct! There will be no forgetfulness or failure.”
The (other) five Imperial Princes took oath together in the above terms in order one after another, and thereupon the Emperor said:—‘‘ Ye, my sons, though each born of different mothers, are now in affection as if born of one mother.” Accordingly, loosening out his collar,” he took the six Imperial Princes to his bosom, and made oath, saying:—‘‘If We contravene this oath, may Our body perish instantly!” The Empress-consort’s oath was like that of the Emperor.
7th day. The Emperor’s car returned to the Palace.’
toth day. The six Imperial Princes together paid their respects to the Emperor before the Great Hall.
6th month, 1st day. Hail fell as big as peaches.
23rd day. Prayer was made for rain.
26th day. Ohotomo no Moriya no Muraji, of Upper Daikin rank, died.
Autumn, 7th month, 6thday. Prayer was made for rain.
14th day. Worship was paid to the Deities of Hirose and Tatsuta. oe 17th day. Prince Katsuraki, of the 4th rank, died.
8th month, rst day. The Emperor ordered that the various Houses should send tribute of women.* 1 i.e. after my death.
? A Chinese metaphorical expression equivalent to “giving vent to his feelings.”
3 From Yoshino, 4 For the service of the Palaces no doubt.
TEMMU. 343 11th day. The Emperor went to Hatsuse and held a banquet by the Todoroki’ pool. | Before this, the Emperor had addressed an edict to the Princes and Ministers, saying:—‘‘In addition to the usual riding-horses let there be got ready other good horses which can be furnished whenever called for.”’ Accordingly on the day on which he returned to the Palace from Hatsuse, he inspected the spare good horses of the Ministers at the roadside by the post-station of Tomi, and made them all try their speed.
22nd day. Oshikatsu, Katsura no Miyakko, presented to the Emperor auspicious stalks of grain. Though from various’ plots, they had similar ears.”
25th day. Prince Ohoyake died.
gth month, 16th day. The Envoys sent to Silla returned and paid their respects at Court.
23rd day. The Envoys sent to Koryé and the Envoys sent to Tamna returned, and paid their respects at Court together.
Winter, roth month, 2nd day. The Emperor made a decree, saying:—‘‘ We are informed that of late there have been in the the town * many persons guilty of crimes of violence. Now this is the fault of the Princes and Ministers. Sometimes, when they hear of such criminals, they find it too much trouble, so they put up with them, and do not suppress them; sometimes when they see such wicked men, out of negligence they conceal the fact, and do not correct them. Now if they chastised them when seen or heard of, is it likely that there would be crimes of violence? This being so, if there be in future no shirking of trouble or negligence, if those in higher stations punish the offences of those beneath them, and if those in lower stations remonstrate with their superiors when they are guilty of violence, then the country will be well governed.”
ith day. There was an earthquake.
13th day. The Emperor made regulations for the style of priests and nuns and for the colours of the priestly garb, also for 1 Todoroki means to make a rumbling noise—evidently an onomatopoetic word.
2 Supposed to be emblematic of the concord between the six Imperial Princes.
3 i.e. in the capital.
XXIX. 25.
XXIX. 26.: 344 NIHONGI.
the character of their suites of men and horses when passing along the streets.’
17th day. Silla sent Kim Hang-na, of Ason rank, and Sal Nyu-seng, of Sason rank, with tribute. The tribute consisted of such things as gold, silver, iron, sacrificial cauldrons with three feet, brocade, cloth, hides, horses, dogs, mules, and camels— more than ten kinds in all. There were also, distinct from these, presents for the Emperor, the Empress-consort, and the Prince Imperial, of gold, silver, swords, flags and the like—a certain number of each.
In the course of this month, the Emperor made a decree, saying:—‘‘ Ordinarily priests and nuns reside within their temples, and observe the Three Precious Things. In the case of aged persons, however, or those who by disease are per- manently confined to bed in a narrow chamber, of those in short whose old age or ill-health allows them no facility of move- ment, places which should be pure are made impure. For this reason, let all such persons in future apply each to relations or friends to build for them in vacant spaces one or two dwellings where the aged can be nourished and the sick take medicine.”
11th month, 14th day. There was an earthquake.
23rd day. Tsura, Yamato no Umakahibe no Miyakko, of Lower Dai-otsu rank, was sent to Tanegashima as Chief Envoy, and Ko-kan, Kami no Sukuri, of Lower Sho-otsu rank, as Junior Envoy. Accordingly one grade of rank was bestowed on them.
In this month barriers were constructed for the first time on Mount Tatsuta and Mount Ohosaka: Moreover Naniha built an outer line of fortifications.
12th month, 2nd day. In consequence of the auspicious stalks of grain,? presents were made to the Princes of the Blood, the Princes, the Ministers, and the public functionaries, each according to his rank. There was an amnesty for all offences from capital crimes downwards.
In this year the district of Ito, in the province of Kii, sent tribute of the herb of long life. It resembled a mushroom in appearance. Its stem was one foot long, and its crown two 1 The “ Yengishiki” contains regulations for the numbers of men by which priests of various ranks might be attended in public. 2 See above, XXIX. 24.
TEMMU. | 345 spans in circumference. Moreover, the province of Inaba sent tribute of auspicious rice, each stem of which had branches. gth year, Spring, 1st month, 8th day. The Emperor occupied the Little Opposite Palace, where he gave a banquet to the Princes and Ministers in the Court of the Great Hall. On this day he granted a surname’ to Kobito, Imbe no Obito, and called him Muraji. Accordingly he presented his joyful acknowledgments along with his younger brother Shikobuchi.
17th day. All from the Princes of the Blood down to the officials of Shoken rank engaged in archery at the South Gate.
2oth day. It was reported from the Province of Settsu that at the village of Ikuta, peach trees and plum trees had borne fruit.
2nd month, 18th day. A sound resembling that of drums was heard in the Eastern quarter.
26th day. There was a man who said:—‘“‘I got a deer’s horn on Mount Katsuraki. This horn branches into two at the root. It is united at the end, and has flesh, over which flesh there is hair. The hair is one inch in length. Thinking this wonderful, I offer it as a present to the Emperor.” It was, perhaps, the horn of a Lin.’
27th day. Eight Silla labourers were sent back to their own country. The Emperor graciously bestowed presents on them, varying in the case of each.
3rd month, roth day. The Province of Settsu sent tribute of a white shitodo.* - 23rd day. The Emperor went to Aki in Uda.
Summer, 4th month, roth day. Worship was paid to the Deities of Hirose and Tatsuta.
11th day. A fire broke out in the nuns’ quarters of the Tachibana Temple.‘ Ten rooms were burnt.
1 This is not really a grant of asurname, but a step in the ranks of the nobility, as from an earl to a marquis.
2 One of the four supernatural creatures of Chinese tradition, and regarded as a happy portent, on its alleged appearance, of the advent of good govern- ment. It has the body of a deer, the tail of an ox, and a single horn.
3 Described as a small bird of a reddish colour, resembling a sparrow. It has a ring round the eyes, and black spots on the wings. It frequents mountains.
4 In Yamato, founded by Shotoku Daishi.
X XIX. 27.
DOSING 28.
346 NIBONGI.
25th day. The Silla Envoys Hang-na and his companions were entertained in Tsukushi, and received presents each according to his rank.
In this month an Imperial decree was issued as follows:— “ Henceforward let all temples, with the exception of the two or three great national temples, cease to be administered by officials. But for those which hold a sustenance-fief, a limit from first to last of thirty years is fixed.' This will be discon- tinued when, upon calculating the years, the number of thirty is completed. Moreover the Temple of Asukadera ought not to be included in those administered by officials, but as it was originally a Great Temple, always administered by officials, and has also done good service formerly,!—for these reasons it -is still retained in the class of officially administered temples.
5th month, rst day. By order of the Emperor coarse silk, floss silk, raw silk, and cloth were bestowed on the twenty- four temples within the capital, the amount varying in each case.
On this day the expounding of the ‘‘ Kon-kwo-myo Sutra” was begun in the Palace and in the various temples.
13th day. Koryéd sent Myo-mun of the Southern Division as Chief Envoy, Chyun-ték, who was Té-kyéng of the Western Division, and others with tribute. Accordingly Silla sent Ko-na, of Té-nama rank, to escort the Kory6 Envoys Myo- mun and the others to Tsukushi.
21st day. Tsunade, Hada no Miyakko, of Lower Daikin rank, died. On account of his services during the year Mid- zunoye Saru, he received the posthumous rank of Upper Daikin.
27th day. Maro, Hoshikaha no Omi, of Middle Shokin rank, died. On account of his services in the year Midzunoye Saru, he received the posthumous rank of Daishi.
6th month, 5th day. The Silla guests, Hang-na and his colleagues, returned to their own country.
8th day. There was a rain of ashes.”
14th day. There was a great thunderstorm.
1 No doubt in the civil war of 672, one of the battles of which took place close to this temple.
2 A later history mentions another rain of something like ashes, The old peasants called it “ Flowers of rice.”
TEMMU. 347 Autumn, 7th month, 1st day. A branch of the tsuki tree ' west of the Temple of Asuka broke of itself and fell.
5th day. The Emperor went to the house of Ohotomo, Agata no Inukahi no Muraji, and visited him in his illness, bestowing on him great favour, etc., etc.
On this day there was prayer for rain.
8th day. Worship was paid to the Deities of Hirose and Tatsuta.
roth day. A red bird’ perched on the Southern Gate.
17th. day. Komaro, Yenowi no Muraji, was granted the rank of Lower Shokin.
20th day. Kdécho, priest of the Temple of Asuka, died. The Imperial Princes Ohotsu and Takechi were sent on a visit of condolence.: 23rd day. Ihatoko, Miyake no Muraji, of Lower Shokin rank, died. On account of his services during the year Mid- zunoye Saru, he was given the posthumous rank of Lower Daikin.
25thday. Prince Toneri, of the 5th rank, who held the joint offices of Nagon* and Minister of the Household, took ill and was on the point of death, so the Imperial Prince Takechi was sent to ask after him. He died the next day. The Emperor was greatly shocked, and sent the Imperial Princes Takechi and Kahashima to be present at his temporary inter- ment and to make lament.for him. The pithho puaionaiigy followed their example and made lamentation.
8th month, 5th day. The officials of the department of law * gave tribute of auspicious stalks of grain. Beginning on this day, for three days there was rain with floods.
14th day. There was a storm which broke trees and damaged houses.
gth month, oth day. The Emperor visited Asatsuma.
1 Already mentioned several times.
2 The red bird is symbolical of the Southern quarter of the Heavens in Chinese astronomy. A favourable omen.
3 More commonly’ dainagon, i.e. Great Nagon, a Councillor of State. Defined by the Wamidsho as Ohoi mono, mafusu tsukasa, i.e. “the great official who says things” (who acts as intermediary in communications to the Emperor).
4 It appears above that one duty of this department was to give judgment respecting claims for promotion, XXIX. 29 348 NIHONGI.
Accordingly he inspected the horses of the officials from the rank of Daisen. downwards at Nagara no mori.' He also had archery practised on horseback.
23rd day. There was an earthquake.
27th day. Prince Kuhachi died in his private residence.
Winter, roth month, 4th day. The Emperor commiserated the needy common people and also the monks and nuns of the temples within the capital and gave them alms. Each monk and nun received four hiki of coarse silk, four bundles of floss silk, and six tan of cloth, while the Shami? and those in white garments® received each two hiki of coarse silk, two bundles of floss silk, and four tan of cloth.
11th month, 1st day. There was an eclipse * of the sun.
3rd day. There was a brightness in the East from the hour of the Dog to the hour of the Rat.’
4th day. Nineteen men of Koryo returned to their own country. These were condolence envoys who came over on the occasion of the mourning for the later Okamoto Empress.‘ They had been detained and had not yet taken their depar- ture.
7th day. The Emperor issued an edict to the officials, saying:—‘‘ If any one knows of any means of benefiting the state or of increasing the welfare of the people, let him appear in Court and make a statement in person. If what he says is reasonable, his ideas will be adopted and embodied in regula- tions.”’
roth day. There was thunder in the West.
12th day. The Empress-consort was unwell. (The Em- peror,) having made a vow on her behalf, began the erection of the Temple of Yakushiji,’ and made one hundred persons enter religion as priests. In consequence of this she recovered her health. | On this day an amnesty was granted.
' Grove of Nagara.? S‘ramanéra or Buddhist novices.
* i.e. the laity, a Buddhist expression., 4 The “ Shikai” quotes a statement that this eclipse was of 93 tenths, or nearly total.; 7 Yakushi niorai is in Sanskrit Bhéchadjyaguru, the genius of medicine.
This temple was afterwards removed to a site near Nara. Vide Satow’s Handbook, p. 383.
TEMMU. 349 16th day. There was an eclipse of the moon.'
The Imperial Prince Kusakabe was sent to pay a visit of inquiry to the Priest Yemid. On the following day Priest Yemiod died, and the three Imperial Princes were sent to make a visit of condolence.
24th day. Silla sent Kim Ya-phil, of Sason rank, and Kim Won-seung, of Té-nama rank, to offer tribute. Three student interpreters arrived in the suite of Ya-phil.
26th day. The Emperor took ill. For this reason one hundred persons were made to enter religion as priests, and he presently recovered..
30th day. Bramblings covered the sky, flying from south- east to north-west.
roth year, Spring, Ist month, 2nd day. Offerings were distributed to the Gods of Heaven and Earth.
3rd day. The various functionaries paid their respects at Court.
7th day. The Emperor occupied the Opposite Little Hall,.
and gave a banquet there. On this day the Princes of the Blood and the Princes were introduced into the inner reception Chamber while the Ministers were all in attendance in the outer reception Chamber. For both alike sake was provided and a musical performance given. On this occasion Oho-gata, Kusakabe no Kishi, of Upper Daisen rank, was granted the rank of Lower Daikin, and the title was bestowed on him of Naniha no Muraji.
11th day. By an Imperial decree, Ihadzumi Sakahibe no Muraji was granted a fief of sixty houses and received a present of thirty pieces of coarse silk, a hundred and fifty kin of floss silk, one hundred and fifty tan of cloth, and a hundred mattocks.
17th day. All from the Princes of the Blood down to the rank of Shoken ” had archery in the Court.
19th day. Orders were given to the Home and other provinces to repair the Heavenly and Earthly (Shinto) shrines. 25th day. The Emperor and Empress-consort took their places together in the Great Hall of Audience,’ and having summoned before them the Princes of the Blood, the Princes and the Ministers, addressed them as follows:—‘ It is Our 1 Of 73 tenths. 2 The initial or lowest rank. 3 The Taikyokuden. See above, p. IgI.
XXIX 30 Ndby {6hon te DXONGDNG 3m SCAR O Aa.
350 NIHONGI.
desire now anew to enact regulations and to reform the laws. Do ye therefore join with us in executing this enterprise. But if we were to proceed suddenly with this business, affairs of state would suffer. It will therefore be proper to make a division of men before going on.”
On this day, His Highness the Imperial Prince Kusakabe was made Prince Imperial and was accordingly associated with the Emperor in the conduct of the myriad machinery of state.
29th day. The Lady Abe died. 30th day. Toyohama Tahema no Kimi, of Shéshi rank, died.: 3rd month, 3rd day. The Lady Abe was buried.
16th day. The Emperor took his place in the Great Hall of Audience, and there gave orders to the Imperial Princes Kaha- shima and Osakabe, to Prince Hirose, Prince Takeda, Prince Kuhada, and Prince Mino, to Michichi, Kamitsukenu! no Kimi, of Lower Daikin rank, Kobito, Imbe no Muraji, of Middle Shokin rank, Inashiki, Adzumi no Muraji, of Lower Shdékin rank, Ohogata, Naniha no Muraji, Ohoshima, Nakatomi no.
Muraji, of Upper Daisen rank, and Kobito Heguri no Omi, of Lower Daisen rank, to commit to writing a chronicle of the Emperors, and also of matters of high antiquity. Ohoshima and Kobito took the pen in hand themselves, and made notes.”
20th day. There was an earthquake.
24th day. The Emperor took his place by the ell of the New Palace, made trial of the sounds of drums and flutes and caused them to be practised in harmony.
Summer, 4th month, 2nd day. Worship was paid to the’ Deities of Hirose and Tatsuta.
3rd day. A prohibitory law in g2 articles was established, and was accordingly promulgated with the following words:— ‘* The costumes of all from the Princes of the Blood down to the common people, and the wearing of gold and silver, pearls and jewels, purple, brocade, embroidery, fine silks, together with woollen carpets, head-dresses and girdles, as well as all kinds of coloured stuffs, are regulated according to a scale the details of which are given in the written edict.”
1 Now Kodzuke. Michichi has the curious meaning of 3000, 2 This command led ultimately to the compilation of the “ Kojiki.” Vide Ch. K., p. 9 et segg.
TEMMU. 351 12th day. The. title of Muraji was granted to Wokida, Nishikori no Miyakko, Yoshimaro, Tawi no Atahe, Mukutari and Ihakatsu, Sugita no Kurando,’ Agata, Kahachi no Atahe, Kagami, Oshinomi no Miyakko, Yoshimaro, Aretawo no Atahe, Momoye and Oshidzuki, Ohokoma no Miyakko, Tatsumaro, Yamato no Atahe, Ohoshima, Kadobe no Atahe, Ohi, Shishi- bito no Miyakko, and Yamashiro no Koma no Ikamaro, fourteen persons in all.
17th day. An entertainment was given in Tsukushi to the Kory6é guests Myo-munand his people. Each received presents according to his rank.
5th month, r1th day. Worship was paid to the august spirit of the Emperor’s grandfather.? On this day the Emperor issued a decree, saying:—‘‘ The deference paid by public functionaries to the Palace officials* is far too great. Some- times they go to their doors and address their plaints to them, sometimes they pay court to their houses* by offerings of presents. If there should be any such cases in future, the offenders will be punished according to circumstances.”
26th day. Myo-mun of Kory6 took his departure.
6th month, 5th day. The Silla guest Ya-phil was enter- tained in Tsukushi. He (and his suite) received presents varying in the case of each.
17th day. Prayer was made for rain.
24th day. There was an earthquake.
Autumn, 7th month, rst day. A red sparrow was seen.
4th day. Vsukura, Uneme no Omi, of Lower Shokin rank, was sent to the Land of Silla as Chief Envoy, and Tate, Tahema no Kimi, as Junior Envoy.
On this day Hirotari, Saheki no Muraji, of Lower Shokin rank, was sent as Chief Envoy to the Land of Koryé, and Maro, Woharida no Omi, as Junior Envoy.
roth day...Worship was paid to the Deities of Hirose and Tatsuta.
1 Storekeeper.
* He was not an Emperor, and therefore not included in the genera worship paid to the Emperors. Or perhaps with Florenz we should under- stand by grandfather ancestors generally. The original does not indicate number.
XXIX., 33.
352 NIHONGI.
30th day. Orders were given to the whole Empire to hold a great Purification ceremony.’ At this time the Miyakko of each province supplied one slave to the Shrine of Purification, and thus did purification. ‘ Intercalary 7th month, 15th day. In fulfilment of a vow of the Empress-consort a great feast of vegetable fare was given, and the Sutras were expounded in all the Temples of the capital.
8th month, 11th day. A notification was made to the people of the three Han,* saying:—‘‘ On a former day, your taxes were remitted for a period of ten years, which have now come to an end. In addition to this, all forced labour is remitted for a period of ten years to you who accepted our rule, and also to your children and grandchildren who accompanied you in the first year.”
tith day. Michichi, Kamitsukenu no Kimi, of Lower Daikin rank, died.
16th day. The province of Ise sent tribute of a white owl.
20th day. The Envoys sent to Tanegashima presented a map of that island. This country is more than 5000 ri distant from the capital, and lies in the middle of the sea south of Tsukushi. The inhabitants cut off their hairand wear garments of grass. Rice is always abundant. With one sowing, there are two harvests. The products of the island are Cape jasmine and bulrushes.* There are also numerous marine products of different kinds.
On this day, Ya-phil took his departure for his own country.
gth month, 3rd day. The Envoys sent to Koryo and Silla arrived together and paid their respects to the Emperor.
5th day. The province of Suwo presented a red tortoise, which was let loose in the pond of the Palace of Shima.
gth day. A decree was issued, as follows:—‘‘ Let all Houses in which a senior member has not yet been fixed, each decide upon a senior member and report to the controlling department.” * 14th day. An entertainment was given to the men of Tanegashima on the river bank west of the Temple of Asuka. Various kinds of music were performed.
' Ohoharahi.? The Coreans settled in Japan.,? For matting., 4 ie. the Jibush6; in Japanese, wosamuru tsukasa.
TEMMU. 35 3 16th day. A comet appeared.. 17th day. The planet Mars entered the Moon. _ Winter, roth month, tst day. There was an eclipse of the sun. 18th day. There was an earthquake. 20th day. Silla sent Kim Chhyung-phyong, an II]-kil-son ' of Sa-ték, and Kim Il]-syé, of the rank of Te-nama, to bring tribute, which consisted of such things as gold, silver, copper, iron, brocade, thin silk, deer skins and fine cloth—a certain quantity of each. Separately they brought presents for the Emperor, the Empress-consort, and for the senior Prince of such things as gold, silver, flags of haze*-brocade and skins, a certain quantity of each.
25th day. The Emperor issued a decree as follows:—‘ Let all, from those of Daisen rank down to Shoken, each declare their views.”
_In this month the Emperor intended to hunt on the plain of Hirose. A temporary palace had been constructed, and his baggage made ready, but in the end the Imperial car did not proceed thither. Only those from the rank of Princes of the Blood down to the Ministers all stayed at Karunoichi and inspected the equipage and the saddle-horses. The Daibu from the rank of Shokin upwards all sat in order under a tree, while those of the rank of Daisen and under mounted on horseback themselves and passed together along the highway from south to north.
Silla Envoys came and announced the death of the king of that country..
11th month, 2nd day. There was an earthquake.
12th month, roth day. Kobito, Kahabe no Omi, of Lower Shokin rank, was sent to Tsukushi to entertain Chhyung- phyong, the Silla guest.
29th day. Kanuchi, Tanaka no Omi, Saru, Kakimoto no Omi, Kuniwoshi, Tanabe’ no Muraji, Maro, Takamuku no Omi, Mabito, Ahata no Omi, Maro, Mononobe no Muraji, Ohoshima, Nakatomi no Muraji, Karainu, Sone no Muraji, and Chitoko,.Fumi no Atahe, ten * persons in all, received the rank of Lower Shokin.
1 Name of rank. 2 The reference is to the rosy colour of the morning hazes. * There are really only nine.
Viole. Tar Aa XXIX. 35.
XXIX. 36.
354 NIHONGI.