19th day. The Empress went to Fujihara, and inspected the site for the Palace. All the Ministers and public function- aries accompanied her.
23rd day. Presents were given to the Ministers and officials of lower rank, varying in value in the case of each.
5th year, Spring, Ist month, 1st day. Ranks were bestowed on the Princes of the Blood, the Ministers,’ the Princesses of the Blood, the Princesses, and the lady officials of the Palace.
7th day. Presents of eatables, drinkables, and clothing were given to the Ministers. Rich presents varying in value in the case of each were made to Y6 Syén-kwang, of Shd-kwo-shi rank, and to Won-pong, Nyang-no, and Nam-chydn, of Jiki-dai- shi rank, Princes of Pékché.
13th day. An increase of 2000 houses was made to the fief of the Imperial Prince Takechi, which, added to his previous fief, made 3000 houses. To the Imperial Prince Hodzumi, of Jo-kwo-ni rank, there were given 500 houses; to the Imperial Prince Kahashima, of Jo-dai-san rank, 100 houses, which, added to his previous fief, made 500 houses; to the Udaijin, Tajihi no Shima Mabito, of Sho-kwo-san rank, 300 houses, which, added to his previous fief, made 500 houses; to thePékché Prince Chyén- kwang, of Sho-kwo-shi rank, roo houses, which, added to his DOOd ier DOOd ier previous fief, made 200 houses; to Fuse no Miaruji no Ason, of | Jiki-dai-ichi rank, and to Ohotomo no Miyuki no Sukune, 80 houses, which, added to their previous fiefs, made 300 houses. Others received additions to their fiefs which varied in amount for each.
14th day. An edict was made, as follows:—‘‘ Masaru, Tsuku- shi no Fubito, of Jiki-kwo-shi rank, ever since his appointment twenty-nine years ago as Secretary to the Viceroy of Tsukushi, has been upright and faithful, and has not been guilty of any next the I-féng calendar. The I-féng calendar is the same as the Lin-téh calendar (664-665). For details respecting the ancient Japanese calendar consult “ Bramsen’s Chronological Tables.”
1 Probably Ministers is a mistake for Princes.
VOL,° II. dd XXX. 21 402 NIHONGI.
remissness. He is, therefore, granted a sustenance-fief of 5000 ' houses, fifteen pieces of coarse silk, twenty-five bundles of floss silk, fifty tan of cloth, and 5000 sheaves of rice.
16th day. The Empress visited the Palace of Yoshino.
23rd day. The Empress returned from the Palace of Yoshino.
2nd month, 1st day. The Empress addressed a decree to the Ministers, saying:—‘‘ In the reigns of the former Emperors ye erected Buddhist Halls and Scripture (Sutra) Treasuries, and practised the six monthly fasts.” The Emperors from time to time sent Ohotoneri to inquire after the welfare of the priests, and the same has also been done in Our own reign. Let us therefore with zealous hearts continue to uphold the Buddhist faith.”
On this day patents of rank were bestowed on officials.
3rd month, 3rd day. A banquet was given to the Ministers in the Western Hall.
5th day. The Empress inspected the horses both of the State and of private persons in the Imperial park.
2and day. An edict was issued, as follows:—“‘ If a younger brother of the common people is sold by his elder brother, he should be classed with freemen: if a child is sold by his parents, he should be classed with slaves: persons confiscated into slavery by way of payment of interest on debts are to be classed with freemen, and their children, though born of a union with a’ slave, are also to be all classed with freemen.”’
Summer, 4th month, 1st day. An edict was issued, as follows: —‘‘ Slaves who have been manumitted in the time of the ancestor of a House, and already struck off the register of slaves, may not be claimed again as slaves by members of that House.”
Kudara, Kami no Sukuri, Doctor of the University, was granted 1000 sheaves of the greater tax-rice, as an encourage- ment to his learning.
11th day. Envoys were sent to worship the Great Abstinence Deity of Hirose, and the Wind-gods of Tatsuta.
16th day. The Empress went to the Palace of Yoshino.
1 No doubt a mistake for fifty, as the “ Shikai” suggests, 2 On the 8th, 14th, 15th, 23rd, 29th, and 30th, nothing was eaten after noon. On these days the Shitenné (Tchatur Mahdaradjas) visit the earth and take note of the good and evil actions of mankind.
SE Jiro. 403 22nd day. The Empress returned from the Palace of Yoshino.
5th month, 21st day. Syun-mu-mi-cha of Pékché was com- mended for his services during the year Midzunoye Saru, was granted the rank of Jiki-dai-san, and received presents of coarse silk and cloth.
6th month. Sleet’ fell in forty places in the capital and provinces.
1gth day. An edict was issued, as follows:—‘‘ This summer profuse rain has fallen beyond measure, and We fear that cer- tainly injury will be caused to the grain-crops. Our anxiety of the night lasts until the morning, as We ponder where the blame for this lies. Now We command you, our Ministers and. func- tionaries, to prohibit the use of strong drink and animal food, to compose your hearts and repent of your sins. Moreover let the priests of the Temples of the capital and of the Home provinces read the Sutras for a space of five days. It may be hoped that this will have some effect.”
The rain had lasted from the fourth month until this month.
20th day. A general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the Empire. Thieves and robbers were, however, excepted.
Autumn, 7th month, 3rd day. The Empress visited the Palace of Yoshino. On this day, Norimaro, Tanaka no Ason, Governor of the province of Iyo, and others presented three kin and eight rid of silver and a basket of ore of Mount Mimtma- yama in the district of Uwa.
7th day. A banquet was given to the Ministers and presents of Court dress made them.
12th day. The Empress arrived from Yoshino.
15th day. Envoys were sent to worship the Great Abstinence Deity of Hirose and the Wind-gods of Tatsuta.
8th month, 13th day. The Empress commanded eighteen Houses [Oho-miwa, Sazaibe, Iso no Kami, Fujihara, Ishikaha, Kose, Kashihade be, Kasuga, Kamitsukenu, Ohotomo, Ki, Abe, Saheki, Uneme, Hodzumi, Adzumi, Heguri, and Hata] to deliver to her the records of the tombs” of their ancestors.
Another reading has rain, which agrees better with the time of year and with what follows. The text is in other respects doubtful. 2 There is another, and preferable reading, which would mean simply “their ancestral records.” Db a2 NORUXS (232 404 NIHONGI.
23rd day. Envoys were sent to worship the Wind-gods of Tatsuta, and the Gods of Suha' and Minuchi, in Shinano.
gth month, 4th day. Hsii Shou-yen and Sa Hung-k‘o, of Great Thang, Professors of pronunciation, and Mal-sa and Chyén-sin, of Pékché, Professors of writing, received presents of twenty rid of silver each.
gth day. The Imperial Prince Kahashima, of Jo-dai-san rank, died.
23rd day. The posthumous rank of Jiki-dai-ni was granted to Ohome, Saheki no: Sukune, and also a contribution made for his funeral expenses.
Winter, roth month, 1st day. There was an eclipse of the sun.
8th day. A decree was issued, as follows:—‘“‘ Let the houses set apart for the care of the misasagi of former Emperors be five or more in number; in the case of others, viz. princes of distinguished merit, let three houses be allotted. If the misasagi houses are insufficient, let the want be supplied by peasants, whose forced labour shall be remitted, and who shall be changed once in three years.”
13th day. Long-life places,’ each of Io00 paces, were insti- tuted in the Home and other provinces.
On this day the Empress went to the Palace of Yoshino.
2oth day. The Empress returned from Yoshino.
27th day. Envoys were sent to perform a service for the tranquillity of the new capital.’
11th month, 24th day. The festival of first-fruits * was held. Ohoshima, Nakatomi no Ason, Minister of the Department of the Shinto religion, recited the (prayer invoking the) blessing of the Heavenly Deities.
25th day. Bed-clothes’ were presented to the Ministers.
28th day. Thin silks were given to all from the rank of Minister down to that of Secretary. They varied in value for each.
3oth day. An entertainment was given to the officials of 2 Places within which the taking of animal life was prohibited—a Buddhist institution.
3 At Fujihara. 4 Ohonihe.
§ Thickly wadded garments with sleeves, worn at night instead of blankets. The practice of making presents of this kind continued up to the Revolution Jiro. 405 the Shinto Department from the Chief down to the Kamibe, and also to the Governors and others, including common people, both men and women, of the districts of the provinces of Harima and Inaba which had furnished (the rice used at the festival). They received presents of thin silk of various values for each.
12th month, 2nd day. Toku Ji-chin,' of Mu-dai-san rank, Doctor of Medicine, and Mokuso, Ché-mu, Shataku, and Manjiu, Professors of exorcism, were given presents of twenty rid of silver each.
8th day. A decree was issued, as follows:—“‘ To the Udaiin let there be given four chi of land as asite” for a house, to those of the rank of Jiki-kwo-ni and above, two chi, to those of the rank of Jiki-dai-san and below, onechd. From the Gon grades ~ down to officials who have no rank, let the number of in- habitants of their fiefs be taken asa guide, first class fiefs having one cho, second class half a cho, and third class a quarter of acho. Princes shall fo low the same rule.”
6th year, Spring, 1st month, 4th day. The Imperial Prince Takechi was granted an additional fief of 2000 houses, making, along with his previous one, a total of 5000 houses.
7th day. An entertainment was given to the Ministers, and they received presents of garments.
12th day. The Empress inspected the road to* the new capital.
16th day. An entertainment was given to officials from the Ministers down to those of initial rank.
27th day. The Empress visited Takamiya.
28th day. The Empress returned from Takamiya.
2nd month, 11th day. Orders were given to the officials, saying:—‘‘It is Our intention to proceed to Ise on the third day of the third month. Take note of this Our purpose, and get ready all the necessary clothing.”
The priests Ho-zd and Do-ki, Professors of the Yin and Yang, received presents of twenty rié of silver each.
1 A Chinese name. But whether the bearer was a Chinaman or not is not clear. I have given the Japanese pronunciation of the characters. The other names are not Japanese.
2 Presumably these sites were in the new capital of Fujihara referred to above.
406 NIHONGI.
1gth day. Orders were given tothe Board of Punishments to release short-sentence prisoners.
On this day, the Chunagon, Takechi-maro, Miwa no Ason, of Jiki-dai-ni rank, presented a memorial in which he made _ bold to remonstrate roundly with the Empress for her proposed visit to Ise, which he said would interfere with the time for agricultural operations.
3rd month, 3rd day. Prince Hirose, of J6-kwé-shi rank, Chitoko, Tahema no Mabito, of Jiki-kwo-san rank, and Yumi- _ bari, Ki no Ason, of Jiki-kw6-shi rank, were appointed to take charge of the Palace during the Empress’s absence. Upon this the Chunagon, Takechi-maro, Miwa no Ason, divested himself of his cap-rank and delivered it up to the Court, reite- rating his remonstrance, and saying:—‘‘ During the season of agricultural operations the (Imperial) chariot should not be moved.”’
6th day. The Empress did not yield to his remonstrances, ’ but at length proceeded to Ise.
17th day. The Empress bestowed cap-rank on the Miyakko of the sacred districts’ through which she had passed, and on the Miyakko of the provinces of Iga, Ise, and Shima. These places were also released from commuted taxes and forced labour for this year. Moreover the commuted taxes and forced labour for the year were remitted in the case of the horsemen provided for the Empress’s service, the baggage-coolies of her officials, and the labourers employed in constructing temporary Palaces. There was a general pardon for the Empire, which, however, did not comprise thieves and robbers.
19th day. Fifty sheaves of rice for each person were pre- sented to men and women of eighty years of age and upwards, common people of the province of Shima, through which the Empress passed. | 20th day. The Imperial chariot’ returned to the Palace. Wherever it had reached, the officials and people of the district were assembled, and care was taken to reward their diligence and to have musical performances.
30th day. Byan Imperial decree, the commuted taxes and 1 Viz. Ihino, Take and Watarahi, where there were shrines.
2 The Empress may or may not have travelled in a chariot. This phrase is simply put respectfully for the Imperial cortége, or the Empress.
Jiro. 407 forced labour for this year were remitted to those houses from which horsemen had been provided for the Empress’s service in the provinces of Afumi, Mino, Wohari, Mikaha, and Tétédmi, to the baggage-coolies and to the labourers employed in con- structing temporary Palaces in every province. An Imperial decree was also made that three sheaves of rice for each man, ‘and two for each woman, should be given to all poor and distressed common people in the Empire.
Summer, 4th month, 2nd day. The posthumous rank of Jiki-dai-ni was bestowed on Tomokuni, Ohotomo no Sukune, and a contribution made towards his funeral expenses.
5th day. With the exception of common people of the four Home provinces,’ the men who had acted as baggage- coolies were exempted from commuted taxes and forced labour for the year.
19th day. Messengers were sent to pray to the Great Abstinence Deity of Hirose and to the Wind-gods of Tatsuta.
21st day. Mattocks from the Naniha Treasury were given to all persons of official rank, from Princes of the Blood down to the rank of Tsui-kwo-shi. These gifts varied in each case.
25th day. By an Imperial edict all prisoners and persons under-sentence of lighter banishment were pardoned and discharged.
5th month, 6th day. Three brothers, named Kahasemaro, etc., fishermen of Agoshi, inhabitants of the district of Muro in the province of Kii, who had supplied the Empress’s table | during her stay in the temporary Palace of Ago, were granted exemption for ten years from commuted taxes and_ forced labour, and from miscellaneous corvées. Further, eight boat- men had their commuted taxes and forced labour remitted for the year.
7th day. The Governor of the province of Sagami presented a pair of fledgling red crows, saying that they had been caught in the district of Miura..
12th day. The Empress visited the Palace of Yoshino.
16th day. The Imperial chariot returned to the Palace.
17th day. Daibu were sent as messengers to the celebrated 1 Yamato, Yamashiro, Kahachi, and Settsu. Idzumi was at this time reckoned as a part of Kahachi.
408 NIHONGI.
mountains, and to the hills and rivers, to pray to them for rain.
20th day. Chitoko, Fumi no Imiki, was granted the post- _ humous rank of Jiki-dai-ichi, and a contribution made towards the expenses of his funeral.
23rd day. Prince Naniha, of J6-kwo- shi rank, and others were sent to perform a service for the tranquillity of the site of the Palace of Fujihara.
26th day. Envoys were sent to make offerings to the Great Gods of the following four places, viz.: Ise, Yamato, Sumi- yoshi, and Kii, and to announce to them the erection of the new Palace.
Intercalary 5th month, 3rd day. Great floods. Com: missioners were sent to visit the districts and provinces, one after another, making loans to those who, having met with disaster, were unable to support themselves, and allowing them to fish and cut wood in the hills and forests, the ponds and marshes.
An Imperial order was given that the Kin-kwo-miod Sutra _ should be expounded in the capital and in the four Home "provinces.
XXX 27%e 4th day. The Buddhist priest Kwan-sei was given a present of fifteen hiki of coarse silk, thirty bundles of floss silk, and fifty tan of cloth, and he was commended for having made white lead.'
13th day. The Great Gods of 32 addressed the Empress, saying:—‘‘ Let the commuted taxes and forced labour for the province of Ise be remitted for this year. That being so, the thirty-five kin of red silk yarn forwarded by the two districts of the Gods should be reduced in value from next yeak.: 15th day. An Imperial order was given to Prince Kahachi, Viceroy of Tsukushi, and the rest, saying:—‘‘ Let priests be sent to Ohosumi and Ata to propagate the Buddhist religion.” He was further made to send up to the capital the image of Amida, made by the Great Thang Chief Envoy Kuo Wu- Used as a cosmetic.
2 The highly respectful character #$ is used for the address of the Gods to the Empress. The interlinear Kana puts the respectful term tamaye in the mouths of the Gods. The districts referred to are Take and Watarahi.
ts‘ung, for the Emperor who lived in the Palace of Ohotsu in Afumi.
6th month, gth day. The senior officials of the districts and provinces were commanded each to pray to the celebrated mountains, and to the hills and rivers for rain.
11th day. Daibu were sent as Envoys to the four Home provinces to pray’ for rain.
21st day. Official rank was granted to eight labourers, and they were commended for their diligence and absence of remissness in the construction of the Ohouchi Misasagi.
30th day. The Empress inspected the site of the Fujihara Palace.
Autumn, 7th month, 2nd day. A general amnesty was granted throughout the Empire. But this pardon did not apply to those guilty of the ten* crimes, nor to thieves and robbers.
Shikofuchi, Fuse no Ason, Governor of the province of Sagami, and others, with the Vice-Governor of the district of Miura, and Kusu, Kashima no Omi, who had caught the red crows, had rank and presents bestowed on them. Moreover - the commuted taxes and forced labour were remitted to the district of Miura for three years.
7th day. A banquet was given to the Ministers.
gth day. The Empress visited the Palace of Yoshino.
11th day. Envoys were sent to pray to Hirose and Tatsuta.
28th day. The Imperial car returned to the Palace.
On this night Mars and Jupiter approached and receded from one another four times in the room of one pace, alternately shining and disappearing.
8th month, 3rd day. Criminals were pardoned.
17th day. The Empress visited the country-house of the Imperial Princess Asuka, and on the same day returned to the Palace.
gth month, gth day. Daibu were despatched to the four Home provinces, to attend to the distribution of rice-lands.
1 Of Temmu Tenno.
* Rebellion, conspiracy against the sovereign’s person, treason, parricide, inhumanity (including murder and mutilation for nefarious purposes), sacrilege, unfilial conduct, discord, insubordination, and incest: Mayers, NEN Zoe 410 NIHONGI.
14th day. The Department of the Shinto religion laid before the Empress four volumes of sacred treasures,’ nine keys, and one wooden stamp.
21st day. The Governor of the province of Ise presented two auspicious stalks of rice.
The Governor of the province of Echizen presented a white moth.
26th day. An Imperial decree was made, saying:— ‘‘ Whereas a white moth has been caught on the shore at Uragami in the district of Tsunuga, the fief of the God of Kebi is increased by twenty houses, making a total, with those already attached to his shrine, of Winter, roth month, r1th day. Mikata, Yamada no Fubito, was granted the rank of Mu-kwo-shi. He had formerly gone to study in Silla as a priest.
12th day. The Empress went to the Palace of Yoshino.
1gth day. The Imperial car returned to the Palace.
11th month, 8th day. Silla sent Pak Ok-ték, and Kim Sim-sal, of Keupson rank, etc., as tribute-bearers. Presents were made of various values to Oyu, Okinaga no Mabito, of Jiki- kw6-shi rank, and to Tsura, Kahachi no Imiki, of Mu-dai-ni rank, etc., whom it was proposed to send as Envoys to Silla.
11th day. Pak Ok-tdk, of Silla, was entertained, and received * presents in the official building of Naniha.
12th month, 14th day. Hsii Shou-yen and Sa Hung-k‘o, Professors of (Chinese) pronunciation, received grants of rice-land, four cho being given to each.
24th day. Daibu were sent to deliver the tribute from Silla to the five shrines of Ise, Sumiyoshi, Kii, Yamato, and Unatari.’
7th year, Spring, ist month, 2nd day. The rank of Jo-kwo- ichi was bestowed on the Imperial Prince Takechi, and that of Jo-kwo- ni on the Imperial Princes Naga and Yuge.
On this day an Imperial edict was issued directing that the common people of the Empire should wear yellow clothing and that slaves should wear black.
7th day. An entertainment was given to the Ministers and Daibu.
1 Probably lists of the contents of the treasuries of the Shinto temples. * Shukai.” 2 In Yamato. The God worshipped was Taka-mi-dama no Mikoto.
Jiro. AI 13th day. Presents were given to all persons of official rank in the capital and in the Home provinces of the age of eighty years and upwards. Each person received one wadded sleeping garment, two hiki of coarse silk, two bundles of floss silk, and four tan of cloth.
15th day. The posthumous rank of Shd-kwo-san was— granted to Syén-kwang, Prince of Pékché, and a contribution made towards his funeral expenses.
16th day. Presents of cloth of various values were made to the men and women of the capital of the age of eighty or upwards, and to poor and distressed persons.
A priest of Funase named Ho-kyo was given three chi of: rice-land.
On this day, men of Aya gave a performance of Arare- bashiri.'
2nd month, 3rd day. Silla sent Kim Kang-nam, of Sason rank, and Kim Yang-won, of Han-na-ma rank, to announce the mourning for the King.’
roth day. Prince Kinunuhi and his colleagues, the Com- missioners for the construction of the capital, were ordered to bury the bodies which had been dug up.
30th day. Thirty-seven castaways from Silla, named Mucha, Monyé, etc., were handed over to Ok-ték and his party.
3rd month, 1st day. There was an eclipse of the sun.
5th day. A sustenance-fief of thirty houses was granted to Kudara, Kami no Sukuri, Doctor of the University, of Gon- kwo-ni rank, for the promotion of Chinese learning.
6th day. The Empress visited the Palace of Yoshino.
11th day. The rank of Jiki-dai-ni, and a contribution for funeral expenses, were granted to Ohoshima, Fujihara no Ason.
13th day. The Empress arrived from the Palace of Yoshino.
16th day. Presents of coarse silk, floss silk, and cloth of various values were given to Oyu, Okinaga no Mabito, of Jiki- kwo-shi rank, and Kogimi, Ohotomo no Sukune, of Gon-dai-ni rank, whom it was proposed to send as Envoys to Silla, and also to the student priests Bentsii and Shinyei.
1 A song with dance. At the end of each stanza were repeated the words Man-nen arare, i.e. “ May you live for 10,000 years.’ It is also called Man-zai-raku.; ? King Sin-mun.
ROO 22: 412 NIHONGI.
Moreover, a present was made for the funeral expenses of the King of Silla.
17th day. An Imperial decree was issued directing that the cultivation throughout the Empire of such vegetable pro- ductions as the mulberry tree, hemp, pears, chestnuts, and greens,' should be encouraged, as auxiliaries to the five grains.
Summer, 4th month, 17th day. Daibu were sent as Envoys to visit the shrines and to pray for rain. Moreover, Envoys were sent to pray to the Great Abstinence Deity of Hirose, and to the Wind-gods of Tatsuta.
22nd day. Ohotomo no Wobito, Vice-President of the Inner Treasury, was by an Imperial decree convicted of dis- honest practices, reduced two grades in rank, and dismissed from the office he then held. Two clerks named Oisome no Ohoku and Uno no Ohotomo were also convicted of dishonest practices, reduced one grade in rank, and dismissed from the office which they then held. An auditor. named Kose no Muraharu, who, although he derived no personal advantage from it, was privy to the theft, and allowed it to be committed, was therefore reduced in rank by two grades and dismissed ~ from his office. Oisome no Ohoku, however, was pardoned, on account of his zealous services during the campaign of the year Midzunoye Saru. But the proceeds of the dishonest practices were confiscated according to law.
5th month, rst day. The Empress visited the Palace of Yoshino..
th day. The Empress arrived from the Palace of Yoshino.
15th day. A public (Buddhist) great-congregation was held within the inner precinct. | 6th month, 1st day. By an Imperial order the Koryé priest Pok-ka was restored to the laity.
4th day. The rank of Jiki-kwo-shi was bestowed on Fitome, Hikeda no Ason, Karita, Mori no Kimi, Maro, Kose no Ason, Omi-maro, Fujihara no Ason, Tayasu, Kose, no Ason, Ike- mori, Tajihi no Mabito, and Maro, Ki no Ason, in all seven persons.
Autumn, 7th month, 7th day. The Empress visited the Palace ot Yoshino.
1 Giles has Brassica rapa or rape-turnip. The interlinear Kana has awona, which I have followed.
Jiro. 413 12th day. Envoys were sent to pray to the Great Abstinence Deity of Hirose and to the Wind-gods of Tatsuta.
14th day. Daibu were sent as Envoys to visit the various shrines and pray for rain.
16th day. Daibu were sent as Envoys to visit the various shrines and pray for rain. On this day the Empress arrived from Yoshino.
8th month, ist day. The Empress went to the site of the Palace of Fujihara.
17th day. The Empress visited the Palace of Yoshino.
21st day. The Imperial car returned to the Palace.
gth month, 1st day. There was an eclipse of the sun.
5th day. The Empress went to the Peak of Tamu no Mine.
6th day. The Imperial car returned to the Palace.
roth day. On behalf of the Kiyomibara' Emperor a public great-congregation was held within the inner precincts. All prisoners were released.
16th day. The posthumous rank of Jiki-kwo-san was granted to Konoma, Kaya no Imiki, and a contribution made for his funeral expenses. In this way his services in the campaign of the year Midzunoye Saru were rewarded.
Winter, roth month, 2nd day. It was decreed that from this year onwards there should be inspections of the arms kept in store by all, beginning with the Princes of the Blood down to persons of initial rank. Those of JO cap-rank down to Jiki cap-rank were each to have one suit of armour, one sword, one bow, one set of arrows, one elbow- pad,’ and one saddle-horse. Those of Gon cap-rank to Shin or initial cap-rank were each to have one sword, one bow, one set of arrows, and one elbow- pad. Such were to be their provision.
23rd day. The Jin-no* Sutra was begun to be expounded in the hundred provinces. This came to a close after four days.
11th month, 5th day. The Empress went to the Palace of Yoshino.
7th day. Presents were given to the Prince and Prime Minister, etc., of Tamna, of various values.
roth day. The Imperial car returned to the Palace.
1 Temmu Tenno. 2 See Vol. I., note to p. 34. 3 Benevolent king.
414 NIHONGI.
14th day. The Priests Hod-yen, Zen-d, and Shin-gi were sent to the district of Yasu in the province of Afumi, to try the spring of cordial ' waters.
23rd day. The rank of Jiki-dai-shi was bestowed on Sukuna- maro, Hikeda no Ason, of Jiki-kwo-shi rank, and he was granted a sustenance-fief of fifty houses.
12th month, 21st day. Professors of the art of’ war were sent to give instruction and training in the various provinces.
8th year, rst month, 2nd day. The rank of Sho-kwo-shi was granted to Miaruji, Fuse no Ason, of Jiki-dai-ichi rank, and to Miyuki, Ohotomo no Sukune, with an increase of 200 houses to the fiefs of each, amounting with those held by them pre- viously to five hundred houses. They were also constituted the senior members of their Houses.
7th day. An entertainment was given to the Ministers.
15th day. The Empress received presents of firewood.
16th day. An entertainment was given to the public func- tionaries.
17th day. The men of Aya gave a performance of Arare- bashiri.
Those of the fifth rank and upwards had archery.
18th day. Those of the sixth rank and downwards had archery. After four days it came to an end.
19th day. The men of Thang gave a performance of Arare- bashiri.
21st day. The Empress visited the Palace of Fujihara, and returned to the Palace on the same day.
23rd day. The ranks of Mu-kwo-shi, etc., were conferred on seven men of Great Thang and two Sushen (Manchus).
24th day. The Empress visited the Palace of Yoshino.
3rd month, 1st day. There was an eclipse of the sun.
2nd day. Maro, Ohoyake no Ason, of Jiki-kwo-shi rank, Yashima, Utena no Imiki, of Gon-dai-ni rank, and Honjitsu, Kibumi no Muraji, were appointed Governors of the mint for (copper?) cash.?
1 The interlinear Kana has ko-zake, a kind of sweet liquor made from rice. A natural spring is meant, perhaps with some medicinal qualities.
* See below, XXX 34.
* The appointment of two mint officials with a nearly similar title is recorded in the “ Shoku Nihongi” under the year 708, 2nd month. It is — Jiro. 415 11th day. An Imperial edict was issued, as follows:—‘ In all cases where persons of no official rank are appointed as District Governors, the chief officials shall receive the rank of Shin-kwo-ni, and the assistants that of Shin-dai-san.”
there stated that these officials were then appointed for the first time. The so-called first discovery of copper in Japan in this year relates only to a find of native copper in the province.of Musashi. This was the occasion of the name Wado (workable copper, not mere ore) being given to the year-period which began with 708.
The “‘ Nihonshi ” contains a notice under the year 698 of copper being pre- sented by the province of Inaba. This is the first historical notice of the production of copper in Japan. It is probable, however, that copper was worked long before this time in a country which is so rich in ores of this metal. The gold-copper images of Buddha referred to in Suiko Tennd’s reign, p. 133, Vol. II. A.D. 605, may have been made of Japanese copper, though there is no direct evidence to this effect, and from the frequent mention of copper and other metals among the “tribute” articles brought from Corea, it is evident that imported copper was well known. The Sun- goddess Myth (Vol. I. p. 47) speaks of copper, and there is frequent mention of mirrors and bells which were made chiefly of copper.
I think it is not too much to say that there is no positive evidence what- ever in the “ Kojiki” or “ Nihongi” of the use of bronze in ancient Japan. The Japanese word for bronze, viz. karakane or metal of Kara, indicates that the Japanese first became acquainted with this metal as an importation from Corea. This word does not occur in the “ Nihongi,” but the term copper may have sometimes included the mixed metal. Besides, the more ancient specimens of bronze found in Japan do not contain lead, which is a characteristic constituent of the karakane introduced from China in later times, so that the absence of this term from the “ Nihongi ” is not conclusive. It is, nevertheless, curious, when we remember the frequency with which bronze is referred to in Homer, that no specific mention of this metal is to be found in the ancient Japanese records.
The evidence of the use of bronze in Japan, however, is not confined to literature. Mr. W. Gow!and has examined a number of bronze swords and other objects dug up chiefly in Kiushiu under circumstances which point to a great antiquity, and he informs me that an actual mould in which they were cast has been discovered in Chikuzen. No iron objects of equal age have been found. Those who are interested in this subject would do well to consult Mr. Gowland’s “ Art of Casting Bronze in Japan,” contributed to the “ Journal of the Society of Arts” in May, 1895.; The case for a bronze age in Japan presented by him isa strong one, but how far the existence of the objects which he describes can be explained by the frequent commercial relations of Japan with the continent is a question on which I shall offer no opinion.
See also Anderson’s “ Glyptic Art” in Introduction to Murray’s “ Hand- 416 NIHONGI.
16th day. The Empress made an edict, as follows:—“ In the seventh year of our reign, the year Midzunoto Mi of the Cycle, a spring of cordial waters bubbled up at Mount Tsuga- yama in the district of Yasu in the province of Afumi. Persons afflicted with all manner of diseases went to stay at the Temple of Yasudera, and great numbers were healed. Therefore four cho of rice-land and sixty tan of cloth are granted to it, and the district of Yasu is exempted for this year from commuted taxes and forced labour, and from miscellaneous corvées. The local authorities, from the chief down to the clerks, are advanced one grade in rank. To those who first made proof of the spring of cordial waters, viz. Kadono no Hatsuki and the daughter of Kudara no Tsurara, these are given two hiki of coarse silk each, ten tan of cloth, and ten mattocks.”’
22nd day. Offerings were presented at the various shrines.
23rd day. Presents of coarse silks and cloth, varying in value in the case of each, were made to the officials of the Department of the Shinto religion from the chief down to the Hafuri, in all 164 persons.
Summer, 4th month, 5th day. The posthumous rank of Jo-dai-shi was conferred on Prince Kahachi, Viceroy of Tsukushi, and a contribution made towards his funeral expenses.
7th day. The Empress went to the Palace of Yoshino.
13th day. Envoys were sent to pray to the Great Abstinence ‘Deity of Hirose and to the Wind-gods of Tatsuta.
14th day. The Empress arrived back from the Palace of Yoshino.
17th day. A contribution was sent towards the funeral expenses of the Doctor of Law* Do-yen.
5th month, 6th day. The Ministers and Daibu were enter- tained within the inner precincts (of the Palace).
11th day. One hundred copies of the Kin-kw6-myo Sutra were sent and deposited in the various provinces, to be read without faik when the moon of the first month was in her first quarter. The fees (to the priests) were to be defrayed from the public revenues ’* of the province.
6th month, 8th day. A white copper-pheasant was presented 1 Risshi, a rank in the Buddhist priesthood. 2 There is no question of money here, everything was in kind.
JiTOo. | 417 by the district of Sarara in the province of Kahachi. The Governor and Vice-Governor of the district of Sarara received each a grade of rank and presents, and the rank of Shin-kwo-ni was granted to Karakuni, Osakabe no Miyakko, who had caught it. He also received presents.
Autumn, 7th month, 4th day. Inspectors’ were sent to the provinces.
15th day. Envoys were sent to pray to the Great Absti- nence Deity of Hirose and to the Wind-gods of Tatsuta.
8th month, 17th day. One hundred and four priests were made to enter religion for the sake of the Imperial Princess Asuka.
gth month, rst day. There was an eclipse of the sun.
4th day. The Empress proceeded to the Palace of Yoshino.
22nd day. Prince Mino, of J6-kwo-shi rank, was appointed Viceroy of Tsukushi.
Winter, roth month, 2oth day. The rank of Shin-dai-shi was bestowed on a man of the district of Araki, in the province of Hida, named Otokunibe no Otohi, who had caught a white bat. He also received a present of four hiki of coarse silk, four bundles of floss silk, and ten tan of cloth, and his house was exempted from all forced labour whatever during his life.
11th month, 26th day. There was an amnesty for criminals, from those guilty of capital crimes downwards.