ages, and, in respectful obedience to the terms of the Emperor’s decree, rescue from Silla the provinces torn off by it, viz. South Kara, Tok-kwi-than, etc., and restoring them to their original connection and making them transfer to Imna their substance, strive to play the part to them of father or elder brother, con- stantly doing homage to Japan. It is this which deprives my food of flavour, and robs me of peaceful slumber, my mind being full of anxious thought while I regret the past and practise self-discipline for the present.
Now all the world knows Silla’s blandishing words and subtle deceptions. You, out of an indiscriminating confidence 1 i.e. I love them more than a brother.
2 i.e. the yellow springs, or Hades.
* “When a deceased father, wishing to build a house, had laid out the plan, if his son be unwilling to raise up the hall, how much less will he be willing to complete the roof!”—Legge’s “ Shooking,” p. 371.
ROX rie NOEXG 128 46. NIHONGI.
in them, have already fallen a prey to the designs of others. At the present moment, where the frontier of Imna borders on Silla, let there be permanent defensive preparations. How can your watchfulness be relaxed? Here it is to be feared lest you, having fallen into and become entangled in the nets and pitfalls of slanderous deceit, should ruin your country and overturn your State, becoming yourselves the captives of others. When I, the incompetent one, reflect on this, I am full of anxious thought, and can find no rest.
It has come to my ears that during the meetings at which Silla and Imna concerted their plans, there were manifested portents of trees and serpents. This is notorious to everybody. Now (ill) luck sent by the Powers of Evil’ is for the sake of making people correct their conduct; natural catastrophes’ are given for men’s instruction. It is just in this way that Bright Heaven communicates to us as a lesson tokens of the former spirits. When misfortune has reached a climax, one may have remorse; when ruin has come, one may think of establishing himself again, but what avails it?
If you will now be guided by me and give obedience to the Emperor’s command, Imna may be restored. Why should you apprehend ill-success? If you desire to hold permanently your original territory, and long to rule over your old subjects, here lies the means of doing so. Should you not be watchful? ” King SyGng-myong further addressed the Japanese authorities of Imna, saying:—‘‘ The Emperor’s decree amounts to this:— ‘If Imna falls, you are left without resources; if Imna is established, you will in that case have succour. You should therefore join us in setting up Imna and restoring it to its former position, so as to provide a help for yourselves and a kindly maintenance for your people.’ Receive with respect the Imperial orders; let your hearts be filled with awe and dread, and make a vow to devote your earnest efforts. Thus it may be hoped that Imna may be rendered prosperous, and long serve the Emperor, as in former times. Let us first consider 1 The Japanese interlinear version has tsuchi.no wazawahi and ame no wazawahi, i.e. calamities of earth, and calamities of Heaven. There seems here a confusion between ill omens and the calamities they portend.
KIMMEI. 47 what is in the future, and then let us take repose. If you, the Japanese authority, in full reliance on the Imperial decree, lend aid to Imna, this will assuredly be attended by the Emperor’ S approval, and you personally will reap rewards.
Moreover, the high Japanese officials, having been long resident in the Land of Imna, close to the Silla frontier, are acquainted with the state of affairs inthat country. They have not only for this year, but long been poisoning Imna, and devising means of defence against Japan. The reason they have not made up their minds to more active measures is that near, they are ashamed in the eyes of Pekche, and afar, they fear the Emperor. So they beguile the Court with feigned service, and maintain a false appearance of amity with Imna.
In thus stimulating to action (you) the (Japanese) authorities of Imna, it is my desire that before they have annexed Imna, and while they still maintain a feigned appearance of submis- siveness, you should now seize the opportunity of their being unprepared, and raising all your forces conquer them. The Imperial decree urging us to establish South Kara and Tok- kwi-than does not date merely from a few tens of years ago, and yet Silla has not once listened to this order, as is well known to you. Now, can anything be better than, in respectful faith in the Emperor, to endeavour to establish Imna? I fear, however, lest you, too readily trusting to blandishing speeches and lightly accepting false statements, may cause the ruin of the land of Imna and bring dishonour on the Emperor. Be warned against this, and do not be deceived by others.”
3rd year,’ Autumn, 7th month. Pekché sent Ki no Omi Nasol Mimasa and Kwi-nyon, Nasol of the middle division to come and report to the Emperor on the administration of Imna in Lower Kara,’ and to present at the same time a memorial.
4th year, Summer, 4th month. Ki no Omi, Nasol Mimasa? of Pekché and the rest took their departure.
Autumn, gth month. King Syong-myéng of Pékché sent * “Third year” is not in the original. The “Shikai” inserts it, no doubt rightly.
pital Hf. The interlinear Kana has Arushi Kara Kuni. Arushi is meant for the Corean word aré, “ below,” * Kino Omi was a Japanese with a Corean title. See above, p. 44.
48 NIHONGI.
Chin-mu Kwi-mun, Nasol of the Former Division, the Hotok Kwi-chu Kwi-nu and Makamu, Sit6k of the Mononobe, with a present of Punam' products and two slaves.
Winter, 11th month, 8th day. Tsumori no Muraji was sent to Pékché with a message from the Emperor to the following effect:—‘‘ Let the Pékché prefects and governors of castles resident in that part of Lower Kara which belongs to Imna_ be joined to the Japanese jurisdiction.” He also bore an Imperial decree, which commanded as follows:— ‘For more than ten years past you have presented memorials saying that Imna should be established. But notwithstanding these representations the matter still remains unaccomplished. Now Imna is the roof-tree of your country. Ifthe roof-tree is broken, who shall erect a house with it? Our reflections rest inthis. You ought speedily toestablish Imna. If you establish Imna speedily, it is necessary to say that Kahachi no Atahe* and his followers will of their own accord retire.”
On this day King Syong-myong, having heard the Imperial decree, asked the opinion in succession of his three Chief Ministers, his Treasurer, and his high officials, saying:—‘‘ The Imperial edict runs so: What is now to be done?” The three Chief Ministers and the rest answered and said:—‘‘ Our prefects and governors of castles in Lower Kara should not leave our jurisdiction. As to establishing the country (of Imna), the Imperial decree should be at once complied with.”
12th month. King Syong-myong of Pékché again published the former Imperial decree to all his officials, saying:—‘‘ The Emperor’s decree is to this effect. Now what is next to be done?” The senior Minister Sa-chhék-kwi-nu, the middle Minister Mok-hyop-ma-na, the junior Minister Mok-yun-kwi, the Tok-sol Pi-ri-mak-ko, the T6k-sol Tong-sy6ng-to-thyon, the Tok-sol Mok-hyop-mé-syun, the Tok-sol Kuk-syu-ta and the Na-sol Y6n-pi-chyon-na counselled alike, saying:—‘‘ Thy servants are by nature stupid, and have no good scheme at all to propose. It is best to carry out the Imperial instructions for the establishment of Imna. Thou shouldst now summon the 1 Described as Namban, or southern barbarians, ie. the Malay Archipelago. 2 See above, XIX. 10. He was the Japanese authority of Ara who was intriguing with Silla.
KIMMEI. 49 agents of Imna and the Kanki of the various provinces, and concert along with them a common policy, which should be laid before the Emperor in proof of thy good intentions. Kahachi no Atahe, Yanasa and Mato are still resident in Ara- Imna, and (while this is so) it is to be feared that it will be hard to establish it. Add therefore a further memorial, praying that they may be removed to their original place.”’
King Sydng-myong said:—‘‘ Your advice, my Ministers, is thoroughly in accordance with my feelings.”
Accordingly, in this month he sent the Si-ték, Ko-pun to summon the Agent of Imna and the Agent of the Japanese authority. They both answered and said:—‘‘ When New Year’s Day has passed, we will go and hear (what the King of Pekché has to say).”
5th year, Spring, 1st month. The Land of Pékché sent messengers to summon the Agents of Imna and of the Japanese authorities. They both answered and said:—‘‘ The season has come for worshipping the Gods: when the festival is over we will go.”
This month Peékché sent messengers a second time to summon the Agents of Imna and of the Japanese authorities. Neither the Japanese authorities nor Imna sent their Agents, but sent mean persons, so that Pékché was unable to concert with them measures for the establishment of Imna.
2nd month. Pékché sent the Si-ték, Ma-mu, the Si-ték Ko- pun-ok and the Si-tok, Sa-na-no-chha-chyu to Imna with the following message to the Japanese authorities and the Kanki of Imna:—‘‘ I sent Ki no Omi, the Nasol, Mi-ma-sa,' the Nasol, Kwi-ny6n, and Mononobe no Muraji, the Nasol, Yong-ka-ta, to have an audience of the Emperor. Mi-ma-sa and his colleagues returned from Japan with a decree which declared as follows:—‘ Do ye, in concert with the Japanese authorities residing there, speedily prepare a good plan such as may meet our wishes. See that you are vigilant, and be not imposed upon by the wiles of others.’
Moreover Tsumori no [the ‘Original Pékché Record’ has ‘Tsumori no Muraji Kwi-ma-nu-kwé.’ There is here a corruption, and the name cannot be made clear) Muraji, 1 Ki no Omi was the Nasol Mimasa. VOCS ells E DOE 6s OEXG 7.
50 NIHONGI.
when he returned from Japan, communicated an Imperial message, and inquired respecting the administration of Imna. I therefore desired, in concert with the Japanese authorities and the Imna Agents, to come to a decision regarding the government of Imna, which I might report to the Emperor. I sent for them three times, but until now they have not arrived. For this reason I have been unable to discuss with you a plan for the government of Imna, and make my report to the Emperor. It is now my intention to invite Tsumori no Muraji to remain, and by another quick messenger to send the Emperor a full report of the condition of affairs. This messenger will be despatched to Japan on the roth of the 3rd month. On his arrival the Emperor will undoubtedly ask questions about you. I would therefore recommend you, the chief Japanese authority and the Kanki of Imna, each to despatch messengers in company with my messenger to go and receive such commands as the Emperor may give.”
Pékché separately addressed Kahachi no Atahe [the “Original Pékché Record” has Kahachi no Atahe Inasamato. There is here a corruption, and the correct name is unclear], saying:—‘‘ From former times until now I have heard of nothing but thy misdeeds. Thy ancestors [the ‘ Original Pékché Record’ has, ‘ Thy predecessor Na-han-tha-kap-pé-ka- nap-chik-ki-kap-pé, otherwise called Na-ka-tha-kap-pe-eung-ka- ki-mi.’! This is a corruption and not clear] have all fostered wicked lies, and, led away by Wi-ka-ka Kimi, have placed implicit faith in his statements. [The Pékché ‘ Original Record’ has, ‘ Wi-ka Kimi’s personal name was Yupiki.’]| Without sorrow for thy country’s disasters or regard for my wishes they recklessly indulged in violence and oppression. Expelled on this account, thou and thy people came to reside in Imna, where thou hast constantly preached evil. The daily increasing ruin of Imna is due to thee. Although but an insignificant person, thou art like the small fire which burns up. the hills and moors, and extends to the villages and hamlets. Owing to thy evil deeds, ruin is impending over Imna, with the result that eventually the Miyake of the various provinces.
1 Kimi is probably the Japanese word for “ lord.”
KIMMEI. 51 west of the sea will become unable permanently to render service to the Emperor. I am now sending an address to the: Emperor praying that he may remove thee and thy people, and send. thee back to thy former place. Thou also wilt go and hear (the Emperor’s decision).”
Further, addressing the chief Japanese authority of Imna and the Kanki of Imna, he said:—‘‘ In regard to the matter of establishing Imna, how could any one do so without borrowing the Emperor’s power? It was therefore my intention to apply to the Emperor and request of him an army with which to succour the Land of Imna. The provisions for this army would be supplied by me. Whilst the number of the troops was still undecided, it was naturally impossible to make any fixed arrangements for the transport of provisions. It was therefore my request that we should meet and consider together what was best to be done, and having selected the most advantageous course, to report to the Emperor accord- ingly. Therefore I sent repeated summonses to you, but since you steadily refused to come, it was impossible to advise with you.”
The chief Japanese authority answered and said:—‘‘ The reason why the Imna Agent did not go in compliance with thy summons was because I would not allow him to do so. When I sent a report to the Emperor, the return messenger brought the following instructions from His Majesty:—‘ We are about to send Ika no Omi{[corrupt—not clear] to Sillaand Tsumori no - Muraji to Pékché. Do thou await the Imperial message which they will bring, and meanwhile refrain from taking the trouble of going to Silla or Pekché.’ Such were the Imperial instructions. When I heard of Ika no Omi’s embassy to Silla, I sent after him to inquire the Emperor’s message. He said, ‘ Let the Japanese Omi and the Agent of Imna proceed to Silla, and apply to Silla to receive communication of the Emperor’s orders.’ Nothing was said about going to Pékché to learn his commands. Afterwards Tsumori no Muraji eventually arrived, and when passing through this place, mentioned this subject, and said, ‘ My present mission to Pekché is for the purpose of getting rid of the Peéekché prefects and governors of castles resident in Lower Kara. I have only heard of this question, and know nothing of any instructions to Imna and the 52 NIHONGI.
Japanese authorities to meet Pékché, in order to hear the Emperor’s commands.’ This is why we have not gone, and Imna is not responsible.”
Hereupon the Kanki of Imna said:—‘‘ In accordance with the summons of thy messenger, it was our desire to proceed (to Pékché). But the chief Japanese authority would not allow us to be despatched, and that was why we did not do so. As for the instructions which the Great King, prompted by his feel- ings, has addressed to us, with the object of establishing Imna, it is impossible for us adequately to express our joy at seeing them.”
3rd month. Pékché sent the Nasol, A-mang-teung-mun, Kama, the Nasol of Ho-syé,’ and Kapi, the Nasol of Mono- nobe, to present a memorial to the Emperor, as follows:— ‘‘The Nasol, Mi-ma-sa, the Nasol, Kwi-ny6n, and their col- leagues came to thy servant’s frontier state bearing an Imperial decree, which said:—‘ You should concert a good plan along with the Japanese authorities resident there, and speedily estab- lish Imna. Be on your guard, and do not allow yourselves to be deceived by others.’ Moreover Tsumori no Muraji and his colleagues came to thy servant’s frontier state, bearing an Imperial message in which inquiry was made as to the estab- lishment of Imna. I received the Imperial command with reverence, and without presuming to delay, desired to concert measures along with them. I therefore sent messengers to summon the Japanese authorities [the Pékché ‘ Original Re- cord’ has, ‘Sent to summon Wi-ho-phi no Omi.’ This is, per- haps, Iku-ba no Omi] and Imna. They all answered and said: —‘ The new year hascome. Please let it pass, and then we will go.’ A long time elapsed, and yet they did not arrive. I again sent messengers to summon them. They all answered and said:—‘ The festival time has come. Please let it pass, and then we will go.’ A long time elapsed, and yet they did not arrive. I again sent messengers to summon them. But inas- much as they sent mean men, it was impossible to concert plans. Now Imna’s failure to come in answer to my summons was not 1 This may be Japanese, in which case Kose is the pronunciation. Mononobe is Japanese. The frequency with which Japanese names occur in | the names of Pékché officials is significant of the influence exercised by Japan in the peninsula at this period.
7 KIMMEI.: ie their own idea, it was the work of the unprincipled sycophancy of Ahyén-Ya-na-sa and Cha-ro-ma-to [two men’s names: they have already occurred above ']. Now Imna treats Ara as an elder brother, and simply folhewe its wishes, while the people of Ara regard the Japanese authority as Heaven, and are implicitly guided by its wishes. [The Pékché ‘Original Record’ has, ‘Treats Ara as a father, and regards the Japanese authority as the origin.] Now Ikuba no Omi, Kibi no Omi, and Kahachi no Atahe are all simply at the beck and nod of Yanasa and Mato. Yanasa and Mato are only mean persons of no family, yet they exercise absolute authority over the Japanese adminis- tration. Moreover they restrain Imna and prevent it from sending envoys. For these reasons I was unable to concert measures with them and make answer to Your Majesty. I therefore detained Kwi-ma-nu-ki [probably Tsumori no Muraji| and sent another messenger, swift as a flying bird, with this report to Your Majesty. But if you allowed those two men [Yanasa and Mato] to remain in Ara, they would carry on their manifold intrigues, making it impossible for Imna to be established, and assuredly preventing the states west of the sea from doing their service. It was my humble petition that these two men might be removed and sent home, and that you should take measures for the establishment of Imna by instructions to the Japanese authorities and to Imna. Therefore thy servants sent the Nasol, Mimasa and the Nasol, Kwinyén along with Kwi-ma-nu-ki to present this memorial and to hear Your Majesty’s answer. Hereupon Your Majesty gave command, saying:—‘ It was not by our wishes that Ikuba no Omi and the others [by the others are meant Kibi, Otokimi no Omi and Kahachi no Atahe] went to Silla. Formerly, when In-chi-mi (not clear) and the Kanki of Aro were in office, that country was harassed by Silla, and the people were unable to attend to their husbandry. Peékché is so far distant that it was unable to help them in their need. Ikuba no Omi and the others there- fore went to Silla, and just obtained leave for them to plough and sow. Is it necessary to repeat what We have already told thee, viz., that if Imna is established, Yanasa and Mato will withdraw of their own accord.’
1 See above, p. 54. They are intended for Japanese names, but I do not recognize them,; 54 NIHONGI.
I received Your Majesty’s Commands with humility. Joy and dread mingled in my bosom. Silla, however, was deceiving the Imperial Court, and knew how to set at naught the Imperial Commands. In spring, Silla seized Chhak-syun, and having expelled my guards of Mount Kunyé, at length kept possession of it. The part bordering on Ara was cultivated by Ara; the part bordering on Mount Kunyé was cultivated by Silla. Each cultivated for themselves, and there was no mutual encroach- ment. But Yanasa and Mato passed over and cultivated the territory of others. In the sixth month they ran away to Inchimi. Afterwards, when Kose no Omi came [the Pékché ‘Original Record’ has, ‘ After I detained Inchimi, when Kose no Omicame.’ All this is not clear], Silla ceased to encroach on and harass the territory of others, and there were no com- plaints from Ara of being unable to attend to husbandry owing to the harassments of Silla. Thy servant was formerly told that Silla, every spring and autumn, assembled troops in large numbers with the object of invading Ara and Hasan,’ or as some say, to invade Kara. Lately I received a letter, in conse- quence of which I sent troops for the protection of Imna. This shows that there has been no negligence. I repeatedly des- patched resolute soldiers to their help when occasion demanded, and it was owing to this that the Imna people were able to carry on their agricultural operations in due season, and that Silla did not dare to molest them. Yet it was reported to Your Majesty that Pékché was so far distant that it was unable to help them in their need, and, therefore, Ikuba no Omiand the others went to Silla, and just obtained leave for them to plough and sow. This is deceiving the Celestial Court above, and multiplying wicked intrigues. The deception is here plain enough. There must be many other cases besides of lying in order to deceive the Celestial Court. So long as Ikuba no Omi resides in Ara I fear it will be impossible to establish the land of Imna. He ought speedily to be removed. This state of things is viewed by thy servant with profound apprehension. Cha-ro- ma-to, although the son of a Corean mother, holds the position of Ohomuraji and takes precedence among the Agents of Japan, entering the ranks of the noble and honourable. And yet he ‘ fig [lJ]. The interlinear Kana reading is Nomure, where mure is for the Corean moi, mountain.
- a - Ne, ee eee KIMMEI. | 55 now wears the cap of the Silla official rank of Namanyé,' from which it may be readily seen that he is devoted to that country body and soul. When his conduct is maturely observed, there is no sign at all of awe or dread. Therefore I formerly reported to Your Majesty his evil deeds, setting them out fully for your information. Now he still wears a foreign dress and daily goes to the Silla borders, journeying back and forward publicly or privately without any fear whatever.
The downfall of the T6k? country was owing to no other cause than this. Hamphi, Kanki of the Ték country, was false to the Land of Kara, and had a secret understanding with Silla, so that Kara fought from without. Hence its (Toék’s) downfall.
Now supposing that the Kanki, Hamphi had been prevented from entering into a secret understanding with Silla, the Tok country, small as it is, would certainly not have come:to ruin.
In regard to Chhak-syun again, the case is the same. If the Ruler of Chhak-syun had been prevented from holding secret understandings with Silla, and inviting aggression, would this State have come to destruction? When I consider one after another the disasters of the downfall of these various provinces, all are owing to men with secret understandings and double hearts. Now Mato and the others are on terms of great intimacy with Silla. They have at last put on their dress, and frequent Silla morning and evening, secretly preparing treason. I fear, therefore, that Imna will, on this account, come to per- manent ruin. If Imna is ruined, thy servant’s country stands alone and exposed to danger, and though I am desirous of continuing my allegiance, how will this be possible? It is my humble prayer that Your Majesty, in the exercise of your profound reflection and distant foresight, will promptly remove them to their former place and thus give peace to Imna.” Winter, roth month. The Peéekché envoys, the Nasol, Teung-mun, the Nasol, Kama, and the rest took their departure.
The Peékché ‘Original Record” has, ‘‘ Winter, roth month. The Nasol, Teung-mun and the Nasol, Kama returned from Japan. They said there was no Imperial 1 Nama was a Silla official rank.
? The Ték country is doubtless the same as Tok-kwi-than frequently named above, e.g. XVII. 18.
».4 Dar ee 56 NIHONGI.
reply in respect to the matter of Kahachi no Atahe, Yanasa and Mato, which they had represented to the Emperor.
11th month. Peékché sent messengers to summon the Omi of the Japanese Residency and the Agents of Imna, saying:— “The Nasol Teung-mun, Kama, the Nasol of Kose, and Kapi, the. Mononobe Nasol, whom I sent on a mission to the Emperor’s Court, have returned from Japan. Now let the chief Japanese authority, with the Agents of the Land of Imna, come and hear the Emperor’s orders, and let us consult together respecting Imna.” Accordingly, Kibi no Omi, the chief Japanese authority, the lower Kanki of Ara, the Té-pu-son Ku-chhyu-yu-ni, the Syong-syu-wi’ of Kara, named Ko-chyén-. hyé, the Lord of Sol-ma, the Lord of Sa-i-ki, the son of the Lord of San-pan-hyé, the I-syu-wi? of Tara, named Heul-kén- chi, the-Kanki of Cha-tha, and the Kanki of Ku-chha* pro- ceeded to. Péekché. Hereupon, King Syéng-myéng of Pékché notified to them the general purport of the Emperor’s decree, ° saying:—‘‘I sent the Nasol, Mimasa, the Nasol, Kwi-nyon, and the Nasol, Yong-ka-ta to the Court of Japan, upon which the Emperor gave command that Imna was to be speedily established. Moreover, Tsumori no Muraji, by the Emperor’s order, inquired what was to be done with Imna. I have, therefore, sent for you, and I beg of you each to give your advice as to the best further means of establishing Imna.” Kibi no Omi and the Kanki* of Imna said:—‘‘ The establish- ment of the land of Imna rests simply with the Great King. It is our desire and hope, in obedience to Your Majesty,’ to join in making a representation to the Emperor and _ hearing his instructions.” To this King Syéng-myéng said:—‘‘ The land of Imna has, from of old time, bound itself to be to our Pékché as a son or younger brother.’ Now, Inchimi, of the Japanese Miyake [the name of the Japanese Omi resident in Imna], has already smitten’ Silla, and is now preparing to, This means Upper-head-rank, and is probably a Corean title. Second-head-rank, probably a title, Called Ko-chha below, year 23 of this reign.
This term apparently includes all the personages above described.
a 6 This phrase is used loosely for “a dependant.”
1 2 3 4 : i i \ KIMMEI. 57 : i i \ KIMMEI. 57 send an expedition against me. This, again, is a result of his fondness for listening to Silla’s empty boasts and vaunting ianguage. Now the object of sending Inchimi' to Imna was never that it should be invaded and destroyed [not clear]. From old time until now Siila has been without - principle, eating its words and breaking its faith. In this way it has brought our faithful ally, the Land of Chhak-syun, to ruin. I hope to have the satisfaction of making it repent it, and I have therefore sent for you. Let us all take to-heart the Emperor’s gracious message. It is my hope and desire that the Land of Imna may thus be set up and continued as in former days, and that we may long be brethren. I have been informed that on the frontier between the two countries of Silla and Ara there is a great river,” which makes it easily defensible. I intend to take advantage of this to construct six fortresses along it, and humbly to petition the Emperor for 3000 troops—5oo for each fortress. Adding to these my own soldiers, we shall make it impossible (for the Silla people) to cultivate the rice-fields. By harassing them in this way, it is to be hoped that the five fortresses of Mount Kunyé will fling down their arms and surrender of their own accord, while the Land of Chhak-syun will be restored again. For the troops which I shall request of the Emperor, I will provide clothing and food. This is the first part of the plan which I wish to submit to the Emperor. _ Moreover, in respect to the stationing of prefects and governors of castles in South Kara, is it that I wish to oppose the Emperor, and cut off the channel of paying tribute? I only hope to render effective aid against manifold disaster, and to overthrow a powerful enemy. But who is there who does not contrive to attach himself to these bands of violent men? The Northern * enemy is great and strong, and my country is small and weak. If I did not station in South Kara prefects and governors of castles for its government and protection, it could not be defended against such a powerful foe, and it would ‘Probably Isumi was his name. The interlinear Kand gives this rendering.
2 The Naktong gang.
3 Kory6 is meant. The old reading for “ northern” is “this,” the Chinese characters for these two words strongly resembling each other.
DoLX Ay 58 NIHONGI.
also be impossible therewith to restrain Silla. I therefore ~ £. propose to retain them in their stations for the harassment of XIX, Silla, and the preservation of Imna. If this be not done, I-fear that I shall come to ruin and be unable to render allegiance to the Emperor. This is the second part of the scheme which I wish to submit to the Emperor.
Moreover, the Emperor may decree the establishment of Imna, but so long as Kibi no Omi, Kahachi no Atahe, Yanasa, and Mato continue to reside in Imna, he will be unable to do so. I shall therefore request that these four men be each sent back to their respective homes. This is the third part of the plan which I wish to submit to the Emperor.
Let us all together, you the Omi of the Japanese Miyake, you the Kanki of Imna, and myself, despatch envoys with a joint message to His Majesty, praying to hear his gracious instructions.”
Hereupon Kibi no Omi and the Kanki said:—‘ The triple scheme propounded by the Great King is entirely in accord- ance with our humble sentiments. We pray that we may be allowed to return and respectfully advise with the Oho-omi' [meaning the Oho-omi of the Japanese Administration in Imna]| of the Japanese Administration, the King of Ara, the King of Kara, as to their all sending envoys with a joint message to the Emperor. This is truly an occasion such as only comes once in a thousand years. Ought it not to be profoundly considered and maturely planned? ”