Nihon Shoki, Book X

¹The Emperor Homuda was the 4th child of the Emperor Tarashi Nakatsu-hiko. His mother's name was Okinaga Tarashi-hime no Mikoto. The Emperor was born at Kata in Tsukushi in the 12th month, Winter, of the year Kanoye Tatsu, being the year in which the Empress smote Silla. From a child he was intelligent, penetrating, and far-sighted. In his bearing and conduct there were amazing indications of sageness. In the third year of the Grand Empress's administration of the Government, he was raised to the rank of Prince Imperial. Before this time, when the Emperor was in the womb, the Gods of Heaven and Earth granted to him the three Han. When he was born there was flesh growing on his arm in shape like an elbow-pad. As to this resemblance, the Empress judged that it was the elbow-pad worn as a manly accoutrement. Therefore he was styled by this name, and called the Emperor Homuda.

²In the earliest antiquity, the tomo was commonly called Homuda.

³One account says:—"In the beginning, when the Emperor was made Heir to the Throne, he went to the Land of Koshi, and did worship to the Great God of Tsu-tsuhi in Tsunoga. At this time the Great God and the Heir to the Throne exchanged names. Accordingly the Great God was called the God Isasa-wake and the Heir to the Throne Homuda wake no Mikoto.

⁴In the 69th year of her administration of the Government, Summer, the 4th month, the Grand Empress died.

⁵1st year, Spring, 1st month, 1st day. The Prince Imperial assumed the Dignity. This year was the year Kanoye Tora (27th) of the Cycle.

⁶2nd year, Spring, 3rd month, 3rd day. Nakatsuhime was appointed Empress. She gave birth to the Imperial Princess Arata, to the Emperor Oho-sazaki, and to the Imperial Prince Netori. Before this the Emperor had taken to him as concubine the Empress's younger sister, Takaki Iribime, who bore to him the Imperial Prince Nukada no Oho-naka-hiko, the Imperial Prince Oho-yama-mori, the Imperial Prince Iza no mawaka, the Imperial Princess Oho-hara, and the Imperial Princess Komida. Another concubine, a younger sister of the Empress, named Otohime, bore to him the Imperial Princess Ahe, the Imperial Princess Ahaji no Mihara, and the Imperial Princess Ki no Uno. The next concubine, daughter of Hifure no Omi, the ancestor of the Wani no Omi, by name Miya-nushi-yaka-hime, bore the Imperial Prince Uji no Waka-iratsuko, the Imperial Princess Yata, and the Imperial Princess Medori. The next concubine, named Oname-hime, the younger sister of Yaka-bime, bore the Imperial Prince Uji no waka-iratsu-me. The next concubine, named Oto-hime, daughter of Kaha-mata Nakatsu hiko, bore the Imperial Prince Wakanoke Futa-mata. The next concubine, named Mago-hime, younger sister of Osabi, Muraji of the Sakurawi-da Be, bore the Imperial Prince Hayabusa wake. The next concubine, named Naga-hime, of Idzumi in Hiuga, bore the Imperial Princes Oho-haye and Wo-haye.

⁷In all the sons and daughters of this Emperor were together twenty Princes and Princesses. The Imperial Prince Netori was the first ancestor of the Kimi of Ohota. The Imperial Prince Oho-yama-mori was the first ancestor of the two families of the Kimi of Hiji-kata and the Kimi of Haibara. The Imperial Prince Iza no mawaka was the first ancestor of the Wake of Fukagaha.

⁸3rd year, 10th month, 3rd day. The Eastern Yemishi all attended the Court with tribute. They were employed to make the Mŭma-zaka road.

⁹11th month. The fishermen of several places clamoured noisily, and would not obey the Imperial command. So Oho-hama no Sukune, ancestor of the Muraji of Adzumi, was sent to subdue this clamour. He was accordingly made controller of the fishermen. This was the origin of the proverbial saying of the people of that time, viz. Sawa-ama or "clamorous fishermen."

¹⁰This year King Sinsă of Pèkché was disrespectful to the Celestial Court. Therefore Ki no Tsuno no Sukune, Hata no Yashiro no Sukune, Ishikaha no Sukune and Tsuku no Sukune were sent to call him to an account for his rudeness. Hereupon the people of Pèkché slew Sinsă by way of apology. Ki no Tsuno no Sukune and the others accordingly established Ahwa as king, and returned (to Japan).

¹¹5th year, Autumn, 8th month, 13th day. The various provinces were directed to establish Be of fishermen and Be of mountain wardens.

¹²Winter, 10th month. The province of Idzu was charged with the duty of constructing a ship 10 rods in length. As soon as it was completed, it was launched on the sea for a trial. It floated lightly, and was as swift as a racer. Therefore that ship was called Karano.

¹³[It is a mistake to make the ship called Karano because it was light and swift. Perhaps this is a corruption by men of later times of Karuno.]

¹⁴6th year, Spring, 2nd month. The Emperor made a progress to the province of Afumi. When he arrived near the Moor of Uji, he made a song, saying:—

¹⁵7th year, Autumn, 9th month. Men of Koryö, men of Pèkché, men of Imna, and men of Silla all together attended the Court. Orders were then given to Takechi no Sukune to take these various men of Han and make them dig a pond. Therefore the pond was given a name, and was called the pond of the men of Han.

¹⁶8th year, Spring, 3rd month. Men of Pèkché attended Court.

¹⁷The Pèkché record says:—"King Ahwa came to the throne and was disrespectful to the honourable country. Therefore we were despoiled of Chhim-mi-ta-ryö, Hyön-nam, Chi-chhim, Kong-na, and Eastern Han. Herewith Prince Chik-chi was sent to the Celestial Court in order to restore the friendship of former kings.

¹⁸9th year, Summer, 4th month. Takechi no Sukune was sent to Tsukushi to inspect the people. Now Umashi no Sukune, Takechi no Sukune's younger brother, setting aside his elder brother, slandered him to the Emperor, (saying that) Takechi no Sukune had always designs upon the Empire. "I now hear," said he, "that while he is in Tsukushi, he is secretly plotting to that end, saying (to himself), 'Alone I will cut off Tsukushi, and will invite the three Han to come and do homage to me, so that finally I may possess the Empire.' "

¹⁹Hereupon the Emperor straightway sent messengers to slay Takechi no Sukune. Now Takechi no Sukune cried out, saying:—"I have not two hearts, but serve my prince with loyalty. What a calamity is this that I should die without a crime!"

²⁰Now there was a man named Maneko, ancestor of the Atahe of Iki, who in appearance strongly resembled Takechi no Sukune. All by himself he grudged that Takechi no Sukune's innocent life should be vainly thrown away. So he spoke to Takechi no Sukune and said:—"Now the Great Minister serves his Prince with loyalty, and has not had a black heart. All the Empire knows this. I pray thee leave this place secretly, and, proceeding to the Court, personally unfold thine innocence. After this it will not be too late to die. Moreover the people of this time are always saying that thy slave resembles the Great Minister in appearance. Therefore I will now die in the place of the Great Minister, and so make clear the Great Minister's redness of heart." So he threw himself on his sword, and slew himself. Then Takechi no Sukune, alone, grieving greatly for him, secretly left Tsukushi, and embarking on the sea, went round by way of the Southern Ocean. Anchoring in the harbour of Ki, he hardly succeeded in making his way to the Court, where he explained his innocence. The Emperor forthwith questioned Takechi no Sukune along with Umashi no Sukune, upon which these two men were each obstinate, and wrangled with one another, so that it was impossible to ascertain the right and the wrong. The Emperor then gave orders to ask of the Gods of Heaven and Earth the ordeal by boiling water. Hereupon Takechi no Sukune and Umashi no Sukune went out together to the bank of the Shiki river, and underwent the ordeal of boiling water. Takechi no Sukune was victorious. Taking his cross-sword, he threw down Umashi no Sukune, and was at length about to slay him, when the Emperor ordered him to let him go. So he gave him to the ancestor of the Atahe of Kiï.

²¹11th year, Winter, 10th month. The Tsurugi, Kakaki, and Mumaya-zaka ponds were made.

²²This year there was a man who made representation to the Emperor, saying:—"There is in the land of Hiuga a maiden whose name is Kami-naga-hime. She is the daughter of Ushi-morowi, the Kimi of Muragata. She is distinguished for beauty over all the Land." The Emperor was pleased, and wished in his heart to obtain her.

²³13th year, Spring, 3rd month. The Emperor sent a special messenger to summon Kami-naga-hime.

²⁴Autumn, 9th month. Kami-naga-hime arrived from Hiuga, and was straightway settled at the village of Kuhadzu. Now the Imperial Prince, Oho-sazaki no Mikoto, when he saw Kami-naga-hime, was struck with the beauty of her form, and had a constant love for her. Hereupon the Emperor became aware of Oho-sazaki no Mikoto's passion for Kami-naga-hime, and wished to unite her to him. Therewith the Emperor, on the day that he gave a banquet in the hinder palace, sent for Kami-naga-hime for the first time, and so gave her the upper seat in the banqueting-room. Then he brought in Oho-sazaki no Mikoto, and pointing to Kami-naga-hime, made a song, saying:—

²⁵Come! my son! / On the moor, garlic to gather, / Garlic to gather / On the way as I went, / Pleasing of perfume / Was the orange in flower. / Its branches beneath / Men had all plundered, / Its branches above / Birds perching had withered. / [Of three chestnuts] / Midmost, its branches / Held in their hiding / A blushing maiden. / Come! and for thee, my son, / Let her burst into blossom.

²⁶Hereupon Oho-sazaki no Mikoto, being favoured with this poetry, forthwith understood that he was receiving Kami-naga-hime as a gift; and, greatly delighted, made a song in reply, saying:—

²⁷In the pond of Yosami / Where the water collects, / The marsh-rope coils / Were growing, but I knew not of them: / In the river-fork stream, / The water-caltrops shells / Were pricking me, but I knew not of them. / Oh, my heart! / How very ridiculous thou wert!

²⁸Oho-sazaki no Mikoto, after the consummation of his union with Kami-naga-hime, was very attentive to her, and when he was alone with her, made a song, saying:—

²⁹The maid of Kohada / Of the further province! / As of a God / Though I had heard of her, / We are folded in each other's arms.

³⁰Again he made a song, saying:—

³¹The maid of Kohada / Of the further province— / Oh! how I love her / As she lies / Unresisting!

³²One account says:—"Ushi, the Kimi of Morogata in Hiuga, was in the service of the Court. But having become old in years, he was unable to serve, and so, having ceased his service, he retired to his own land. Thereupon he offered the Emperor his own daughter, Kami-naga-hime. When she first arrived at Harima, the Emperor had made a progress to the island of Ahaji, and was hunting there. Hereupon the Emperor, looking towards the west, saw several tens of stags swimming towards him over the sea. Presently they entered the harbour of Kako in Harima. The Emperor addressed his courtiers, saying:—'What stags are these which come in numbers swimming over the great sea?' Then the courtiers all looked at them and wondered. So a messenger was sent to make examination. The messenger, when he came there, saw that they were all men, only they had for clothing deer-skins with the horns attached. He inquired of them, saying:—'What men are ye?' They replied, saying:—'Ushi, the Kimi of Morogata, being old in years, has ceased his service, but he cannot forget the Court. Therefore he offers his own daughter, Kami-naga-hime.' The Emperor was delighted, and sending for her, made her follow the Imperial ship. For this reason, the men of that time called the place where they reached the shore the harbour of Kako It was perhaps at this time that the practice began of using the word kako as a general name for sailors."

³³14th year, Spring, 2nd month. The King of Pèkché sent as tribute a seamstress named Maketsu. She was the first ancestress of the present seamstresses of Kume. This year the Lord of Yutsuki came from Pèkché and offered his allegiance. Accordingly he addressed the Emperor, saying:—"Thy servant was coming to offer allegiance with one hundred and twenty districts of the people of his own land, when the men of Silla prevented them, and they were all forced to remain in the land of Kara." Hereupon Katsuraki no Sotsuhiko was sent to bring the men of Yutsuki from Kara. Now three years passed, and Sotsuhiko did not come.

³⁴15th year, Autumn, 8th month, 6th day. The King of Pèkché sent A-chik-ki with two quiet horses as tribute. So they were fed in stables on the acclivity of Karu. Accordingly A-chik-ki was appointed to have charge of their foddering. Therefore the place where the horses were kept was named Mumaya-saka. Moreover, A-chik-ki was able to read the classics, and so the Heir Apparent, Uji no Waka-iratsuko, made him his teacher. Hereupon the Emperor inquired of A-chik-ki, saying:—"Are there other learned men superior to thee?" He answered and said:—"There is Wang-in, who is superior." Then Areda wake, ancestor of the Kimi of Kōdzuke, and Kamu nagi wake were sent to Pèkché to summon Wang-in.

³⁵This A-chik-ki was the first ancestor of the A-chik-ki (or Atogi) no Fumi-bito.

³⁶16th year, Spring, 2nd month. Wang-in arrived, and straightway the Heir Apparent, Uji no Waka-iratsuko, took him as teacher, and learnt various books from him. There was none which he did not thoroughly understand. Therefore the man called Wang-in was the first ancestor of the Fumi no Obito.

³⁷In this year King Ahwa of Pèkché died. The Emperor then sent for Prince Työn-chi, and addressed him, saying:—"Do thou return to thy country and succeed to the (royal) Dignity." Accordingly he further granted to him the territory of Eastern Han, and so dismissed him.

³⁸Eastern Han comprises Kam-na-syöng, Ko-nan-syöng, and I-rim-syöng.

³⁹8th month. Kidzu no Sukune of Heguri and Tada no Sukune of Ikuba were sent to Kara. Choice troops were granted them, and the Emperor commanded them, saying:—"The long delay in Sotsuhiko's return must be owing to his being detained by the opposition of the men of Silla. Do you go speedily, assail Silla, and open a way for him." Hereupon Kidzu no Sukune and his colleague moved forward their choice troops and arrived at the Silla frontier. The King of Silla was afraid, and confessed his guilt, so they brought away with them the people of Kungwöl and Sotsuhiko.

⁴⁰19th year, Winter, 10th month, 1st day. The Emperor made a progress to the Palace of Yoshino. At this time the Kuzu came to his Court, and presenting to the Emperor newly-brewed sake, made a song, saying:—

⁴¹At Kashinofu / A cross-mortar we made: / In that cross-mortar / The great august sake that we have brewed / Sweetly / Do thou partake of it / Oh! our father!

⁴²When the song was finished, they drummed on their mouths and looked up laughing. At the present time, on the day that the Kuzu present their country's produce to the Emperor, when their song is finished they drum on their mouths and look up laughing. This custom is probably a relic of antiquity. Now the Kuzu are very plain and honest in character. They commonly gather wild berries for food, and they also boil frogs, which they reckon a great dainty, calling them kebi. Their country lies to the south-east of the capital, on the other side of a mountain. There they dwell by the River Yoshino (amid) steep cliffs and deep ravines. The roads are narrow, with deep hollows. Therefore, although the distance from the capital is not great, their visits to Court had been rare. However, from this time forward they came frequently, bringing the produce of their country to present to the Emperor. This produce consists of such things as chestnuts, mushrooms, and trout.

⁴³20th year, Autumn, 9th month. Achi no Omi, ancestor of the Atahe of the Aya of Yamato, and his son Tsuga no Omi immigrated to Japan, bringing with them a company of their people of seventeen districts.

⁴⁴22nd year, Spring, 3rd month, 5th day. The Emperor made a progress to Naniha, where he dwelt in the Palace of Oho-sumi.

⁴⁵10th day. He ascended a lofty tower and had a distant prospect. Now he was attended by his concubine Yehime, who, looking towards the west, lamented loudly. Hereupon the Emperor inquired of Yehime, saying:—"Why dost thou lament so bitterly?" She answered and said:—"Of late thy handmaiden has been thinking fondly of her father and mother, and so, looking towards the west, unawares she made lament. I pray thee let me return for a while that I may see my parents." Hereupon the Emperor loved Yehime's tender thought for the warmth and coolness of her parents, and addressing her, said:—"Many years have passed since thou hast seen thy parents. It is clearly right that thou shouldst wish to return and visit them." So he granted her permission, and summoning eighty fishermen of Mihara in Ahaji and making sailors of them, sent her to Kibi.

⁴⁶Summer, 4th month. Yehime set sail from Ohotsu and departed.

⁴⁷The Emperor, standing on the high tower, looked towards Yehime's ship and made a song, saying:—

⁴⁸Thou Island of Ahaji / With thy double ranges; / Thou Island of Adzuki / With thy double ranges— / Ye good islands / **** / Ye have seen face to face / My spouse of Kibi.

⁴⁹Autumn, 9th month, 6th day. The Emperor hunted in the Island of Ahaji. This island lies beyond the sea to the west of Naniha. There is a confusion of peaks and cliffs; hills and valleys succeed to one another. Fragrant herbs grow luxuriantly; it is washed by the long billows. Moreover, great deer, wild ducks, and wild geese are abundant in that island. Therefore the Emperor made frequent excursions thither. Now the Emperor, going round by way of Ahaji, made a progress to Kibi and went on an excursion to the Island of Adzuki.

⁵⁰11th day. He again removed his dwelling to the Palace of Ashimori in Hata. Then Mitomo wake presented himself and entertained the Emperor, employing his brother, children and grandchildren as stewards. Hereupon the Emperor, observing the reverential fear with which Mitomo wake waited on him, was pleased, and accordingly, having divided the province of Kibi, granted it in fee to his children; that is to say, dividing off the district of Kahashima, he granted it to the eldest son, Inehaya wake. He was the first ancestor of the Omi of Shimo-tsu-michi. Next he took the district of Kamu-tsu-michi and granted it to the middle son, Nakatsuhiko. He was the first ancestor of the Omi of Kamu-tsu-michi and of the Omi of Kaya. Next he took the district of Mino and granted it to Otohiko. He was the first ancestor of the Omi of Mino. Afterwards he took the district of Hakuke and granted it to Ahiru wake, the younger brother of Mitomo wake. He was the first ancestor of the Omi of Kasa. Accordingly he took the district of Sono and granted it to his elder brother, Urakori wake. He was the first ancestor of the Atahe of Sono. And taking the district of Hatori-be, he granted it to Yehime. Wherefore his descendants dwell to this day in the Land of Kibi. This is the reason of it.

⁵¹25th year. King Työn-chi of Pèkché died. Accordingly his son Ku-ni-sin became King. The King was a child. Therefore Mong-man-chi of Yamato took the administration of the State. He had an intrigue with the King's mother, and his conduct was in many ways improper. The Emperor hearing this, sent for him.

⁵²The Pèkché record says:—"Mong-man-chi was the son of Mong-na Keunchă, born to him of a Silla woman when he invaded that country. The great services of his father gave him absolute authority in Imna. He came into our country and went back and forward to the honourable country, accepting the control of the Celestial Court. He seized the administration of our country, and his power was supreme in that day. The Emperor, hearing of his violence, recalled him."

⁵³28th year, Autumn, 9th month. The King of Koryö sent an envoy to the Court with tribute. He presented an address, in which it was said:—"The King of Koryö instructs the Land of Nippon." Now the Heir Apparent, Uji no Waka-iratsuko, read this address and was enraged. He reproached the Koryö envoy with the rudeness of the address and tore it up."

⁵⁴31st year, Autumn, 8th month. The Emperor commanded his ministers, saying:—"The Government ship named Karano was sent as tribute by the Land of Idzu. It is rotten, and unfit for use. It has, however, been in Government use for a long time, and its services should not be forgotten. Shall we not keep the name of that ship from being lost, and hand it down to after ages?" The ministers, on receiving this command, made the functionaries take the timber of that ship and use it as firewood for roasting salt. Herewith they got five hundred baskets of salt, which were freely given away to the various provinces, and the latter were accordingly caused to build ships. Upon this, all the provinces at the same time sent up ships as tribute, to the number of five hundred, which all assembled in the harbour of Muko. At this time the Silla tribute-envoys were stopping along with them at Muko. Hereupon, of a sudden, fire broke out in the Silla lodgings. It presently spread to the fleet of ships, so that many of them were burnt. In consequence of this, the Silla men were called to an account. The King of Silla, when he heard of it, was afraid, and, greatly alarmed, sent tribute of skilful workmen. They were the first ancestors of the Wina Be. In the beginning, when the ship Karano was burnt as firewood for making salt, some was left over from the burning. It was thought strange that it did not burn, and it was accordingly presented to the Emperor. The Emperor wondered at it, and had it made into a koto, which had a ringing note, and could be heard afar off. Then the Emperor made a song, saying:—

⁵⁵(The ship) Karano / Was burnt for salt: / Of the remainder / A koto was made. / When it is played on, / (One hears) the saya-saya / Of the summer trees / Brushing against, as they stand, / The rocks of the mid-harbour— / The harbour of Yura.

⁵⁶37th year, Spring, 2nd month, 1st day. Achi no Omi and Tsuga no Omi were sent to Wu, to procure seamstresses. Now Achi no Omi and his companions crossed over to the Land of Koryö, and endeavoured to reach Wu. But on arriving at Koryö they knew not the road at all, and begged Koryö to give them persons who knew the road. The King of Koryö sent with them as guides two men called Kureha and Kureshi. In this way they were enabled to reach Wu. The King of Wu thereupon gave them four women as workwomen, namely Ye-hime, Oto-hime, Kure-hatori and Ana-hatori.

⁵⁷39th year, Spring, 2nd month. The King of Pèkché sent his younger sister, the Lady Sin-chă-to, to wait upon (the Emperor as his concubine). Now the Lady Sin-chă-to came over, bringing in her train seven women.

⁵⁸40th year, Spring, 1st month, 8th day. The Emperor summoned to him Oho-yama-mori no Mikoto and Oho-sazaki no Mikoto, and inquired of them, saying:—"Do ye love your children?" They answered and said:—"We love them exceedingly." Again he inquired:—"Which are most dear—the elder ones or the younger?" Oho-yama-mori no Mikoto answered and said:—"There is none like the elder." On this the Emperor showed displeasure. Then Oho-sazaki no Mikoto, who had previously observed the Emperor's expression of face, answered and said:—"The older has experienced many colds and heats, and has already become a man, so that there is no reason for anxiety about him. But in the case of a young child one knows not whether he will reach manhood or not, and for that reason he is very pitiable." The Emperor was greatly pleased and said:—"Thy words are truly in accordance with my feelings." At this time it was the Emperor's constant desire to establish Uji no Waka-iratsuko as Prince Imperial, and so he wished to conciliate the minds of the two Imperial Princes. Therefore he started this inquiry. On this account he was displeased with Oho-yama-mori no Mikoto's answer.

⁵⁹24th day. Uji no Waka-iratsuko was established as successor (to the throne). On the same day Oho-yama-mori no Mikoto was appointed to the charge of the mountains, rivers, woods, and moors, while Oho-sazaki no Mikoto was made Assistant to the Prince Imperial, and caused to administer affairs of State.

⁶⁰41st year, Spring, 2nd month, 15th day. The Emperor died in the Palace of Toyo-Akira at the age of 110.

⁶¹One account says:—"He died in the Palace of Oho-kuma."

⁶²In this month Achi no Omi and his companions arrived in Tsukushi from Wu. Now the Great God of Muna-gata asked for workwomen. Therefore Ane-hime was offered to the Great God of Muna-gata. She was the ancestor of the Mitsukahi no Kimi, who now dwell in the Land of Tsukushi. He then took with him the three women, and proceeded to the Land of Tsu. But when he reached Muko the Emperor was dead and he was too late. Accordingly he offered them to Oho-sazaki no Mikoto. The descendants of these women are the present seamstresses of Kure and the seamstresses of Kaya.