Nihon Shoki, Book XXII

¹The Empress Toyo-mike Kashiki-ya-hime was the second daughter of the Emperor Ame-kuni oshi-hiraki hiro-niha and a younger sister by the same mother of the Emperor Tachibana no toyo-hi. In her childhood she was called the Princess Nukada-be. Her appearance was beautiful, and her conduct was marked by propriety. At the age of eighteen, she was appointed Empress-consort of the Emperor Nunakura futo-dama-shiki. When she was thirty-four years of age, the Emperor Nunakura futo-dama-shiki died. When she was thirty-nine years of age, in the 5th year and the 11th month of the reign of the Emperor Hatsuse-be, the Emperor was murdered by the Oho-omi Mŭmako no Sukune, and the succession to the Dignity being vacant, the Ministers besought the Empress-consort of the Emperor Nunakura futo-dama-shiki, viz. the Princess Nukada-be, to ascend the throne. The Empress refused, but the public functionaries urged her in memorials three times until she consented, and they accordingly delivered to her the Imperial Seal.

²Winter, 12th month, 8th day. The Empress-consort assumed the Imperial Dignity in the Palace of Toyora.

³1st year, Spring, 1st month, 15th day. Relics of Buddha were deposited in the foundation-stone of the pillar of the pagoda of the Temple of Hōkōji.

⁴16th day. The Pagoda-pillar was erected.

⁵Summer, 4th month, 10th day. The Imperial Prince Mŭmayado no Toyotomimi was appointed Prince Imperial. He had general control of the Government, and was entrusted with all the details of administration. He was the second child of the Emperor Tachibana no Toyo-hi. The Empress-consort his mother's name was the Imperial Princess Anahobe no Hashibito. The Empress-consort, on the day of the dissolution of her pregnancy, went round the forbidden precinct, inspecting the different offices. When she came to the Horse Department, and had just reached the door of the stables, she was suddenly delivered of him without effort. He was able to speak as soon as he was born, and was so wise when he grew up that he could attend to the suits of ten men at once and decide them all without error. He knew beforehand what was going to happen. Moreover he learnt the Inner Doctrine from a Koryö Priest named Hyé-cha, and studied the Outer Classics with a doctor called Hak-ka. In both of these branches of study he became thoroughly proficient. The Emperor his father loved him, and made him occupy the Upper Hall South of the Palace. Therefore he was styled the Senior Prince Kamu-tsu-miya, Muma-ya-do Toyotomimi.

⁶Autumn, 9th month. The remains of the Emperor Tachibana no Toyohi were removed and re-interred in the Misasagi of Shinaga in Kahachi.

⁷In this year the building of the Temple of Shi-ten-ō-ji at Arahaka in Naniha was begun.

⁸This year was the year Midzunoto Ushi (50th) of the Cycle.

⁹2nd year, Spring, 2nd month, 1st day. The Empress instructed the Prince Imperial and the Oho-omi to promote the prosperity of the Three Precious Things. At this time, all the Omi and Muraji vied each with one another in erecting Buddhist shrines for the benefit of their Lords and parents. These were called Temples.

¹⁰3rd year, Summer, 4th month. Lign-aloes wood drifted ashore on the Island of Ahaji. It was a fathom round. The people of the island, being unacquainted with aloes wood, used it with other firewood to burn in their cooking range, when the smoky vapour spread a perfume far and wide. Wondering at this, they presented it to the Empress.

¹¹5th month, 10th day. A priest of Koryö, named Hyé-chă, emigrated to Japan, and was taken as teacher by the Prince Imperial. In the same year a Pèkché priest, named Hyé-chhong, arrived. These two priests preached the Buddhist religion widely, and were together the mainstay of the Three Precious Things.

¹²Autumn, 7th month. The General and his followers arrived from Tsukushi.

¹³4th year, Winter, 11th month. The building of the Temple of Hōkōji was finished. Accordingly Zentoku no Omi, son of the Oho-omi, was appointed Commissioner for the Temple. On this day the two priests Hyé-chă and Hyé-chhong took up their residence in Hōkōji.

¹⁴5th year, Summer, 4th month, 1st day. The King of Pèkché sent Prince A-cha with tribute.

¹⁵Winter, 11th month, 22nd day. Ihagane no Kishi was sent to Silla.

¹⁶6th year, Summer, 4th month. Ihagane Naniha no Kishi arrived from Silla, and presented to the Empress a pair of magpies. They were accordingly made to be kept in the wood of Naniha, where they built their nest on the branch of a tree, and had their young.

¹⁷Autumn, 8th month, 1st day. Silla sent tribute of a peacock.

¹⁸Winter, 10th month, 10th day. The Land of Koshi presented a white deer to the Empress.

¹⁹7th year, Summer, 4th month, 27th day. There was an earthquake which destroyed all the houses. So orders were given to all quarters to sacrifice to the God of Earthquakes.

²⁰Autumn, 9th month, 1st day. Pèkché sent tribute of one camel, two sheep, and one white pheasant.

²¹8th year, Spring, 2nd month. Silla and Imna made war against each other. The Empress wished to assist Imna, and in this year appointed Sakahibe no Omi General-in-Chief, and Hodzumi no Omi Assistant General, in command of over 10,000 men to invade Silla on behalf of Imna. Hereupon they went straight to Silla, and on arriving there by sea, laid siege to five fortresses and captured them. Now the King of Silla was struck with fear, and raising a white flag, came to the General's standard and offered his submission, ceding the six fortified places of Tatara, Sonara, Pulchikwi, Witha, South Kara, and Ara. Then the Generals took counsel together, saying:—"Silla, conscious of guilt, makes his submission; it would be wrong to insist on chastising him." Accordingly they reported to the Empress. Hereupon the Empress further sent Miwa, Naniha no Kishi, to Silla, and also Itahiko, Naniha no Kishi, to Imna. Both were to examine the state of affairs. Hereupon the Kings of the two countries of Silla and Imna sent Envoys with tribute, and delivered a memorial to the Empress, saying:—"In Heaven above there are Gods; on Earth there are Emperors. Besides these two classes of Gods, what else is there which we should fear? Henceforward we will refrain from making war on one another, and will every year attend the Court without fail, not allowing the helms of our ships to become dry." Accordingly the Empress sent messengers to recall the Generals, but no sooner had they arrived from Silla than Silla again invaded Imna.

²²9th year, Spring, 2nd month. The building of a Palace in Ikaruga was begun by the Prince Imperial.

²³3rd month, 5th day. Kurafu, Ohotomo no Muraji, was sent on a mission to Koryö, and Nukade, Sakamoto no Omi, to Pèkché, ordering them to proceed instantly to the assistance of Imna.

²⁴Summer, 5th month. The Empress dwelt in the temporary Palace of Miminashi. At this time there were heavy rains, and the river overflowed its banks, filling the Court of the Palace.

²⁵Autumn, 9th month, 8th day. A spy from Silla named Kamata came to Tsushima. He was forthwith arrested, and delivered up to the Government, who banished him to Kamitsukenu.

²⁶Winter, 11th month, 5th day. The question of making war on Silla was considered.

²⁷10th year, Spring, 2nd month, 1st day. The Imperial Prince Kume was appointed General for the invasion of Silla, and was granted the various Be of the service of the Gods, together with the Kuni no Miyakko and the Tomo no Miyakko, and an army of 25,000 men.

²⁸Summer, 4th month, 1st day. General the Imperial Prince Kume arrived in Tsukushi, and proceeded to the district of Shima, where he encamped, and assembled ships for the transport of provisions for his army.

²⁹6th month, 3rd day. Kurafu, Ohotomo no Muraji, and Nukade, Sakamoto no Omi, arrived together from Pèkché. At this time the Imperial Prince Kume fell ill, and was unable to carry out the expedition.

³⁰Winter, 10th month. A Pèkché priest named Kwal-leuk arrived and presented by way of tribute books of Calendar-making, of Astronomy, and of Geography, and also books of the art of invisibility and of magic. At this time three or four pupils were selected, and made to study under Kwal-leuk. Ōchin, the ancestor of the Yako no Fumibito, studied the art of Calendar-making. Kōsō, Otomo no Suguri, studied Astronomy and the art of invisibility. Hinamitatsu, Yamashiro no Omi, studied magic. They all studied so far as to perfect themselves in these arts.

³¹Intercalary 10th month, 15th day. Two Buddhist priests of Koryö named Seung-nyung and Un-chhong emigrated here together.

³²11th year, Spring, 2nd month, 4th day. The Imperial Prince Kume died in Tsukushi. A mounted courier was despatched to report the news to the Empress. Now when the Empress heard it, she was greatly shocked, and straightway sending for the Prince Imperial and Soga no Oho-omi, spoke to them, saying:—"The Imperial Prince Kume, the General-in-Chief for the chastisement of Silla, has died. On the point of undertaking a great project, he has failed to accomplish it. Is not this much to be lamented?" So he was temporarily interred at Saba in the Province of Suwo, and Wite, Hashi no Muraji, was sent to superintend the temporary burial. Therefore the descendants of Wite no Muraji were called Saba no Muraji. This was the reason of it.

³³He (the Prince) was afterwards buried on the top of Mount Hanifu in Kahachi.

³⁴Summer, 4th month, 1st day. A new appointment was made of the Imperial Prince Tahema, the elder brother of the Imperial Prince Kume, as General for the chastisement of Silla.

³⁵Autumn, 7th month, 3rd day. The Imperial Prince Tahema sailed from Naniha.

³⁶6th day. The Imperial Prince Tahema arrived at Harima. Now his wife, Princess Toneri, who accompanied him, died at Akashi, and was buried on the top of the Hill of Higasa. So Prince Tahema returned, and never accomplished his expedition of chastisement.

³⁷Winter, 10th month, 4th day. There was a removal (of the Imperial residence) to the Palace of Woharida.

³⁸11th month, 1st day. The Prince Imperial addressed all the high functionaries, saying:—"I have an image of the venerable Buddha. Which of you will receive this image and worship it reverently?" Now Kahakatsu, Hada no Miyakko, came forward and said:—"Thy servant will worship it." So he received the image of Buddha, and built for it the Temple of Hachi-woka.

³⁹In this month, the Prince Imperial having asked permission of the Empress, made great shields and quivers. Moreover he painted banners.

⁴⁰12th month, 5th day. Cap-ranks were first instituted, viz.:—

⁴¹—in all twelve grades.

⁴²Each was made of sarcenet of a special colour. They were gathered up on the crown in the shape of a bag, and had a border attached. Only on the first day of the year were hair-flowers worn.

⁴³12th year, Spring, 1st month, 1st day. Cap-ranks were for the first time granted to the various Ministers, there being a distinction for each.

⁴⁴Summer, 4th month, 3rd day. The Prince Imperial in person prepared for the first time laws. There were seventeen clauses, as follows:—

⁴⁵I. Harmony is to be valued, and an avoidance of wanton opposition to be honoured. All men are influenced by class-feelings, and there are few who are intelligent. Hence there are some who disobey their lords and fathers, or who maintain feuds with the neighboring villages. But when those above are harmonious and those below are friendly, and there is concord in the discussion of business, right views of things spontaneously gain acceptance. Then what is there which cannot be accomplished!

⁴⁶II. Sincerely reverence the three treasures. The three treasures, viz. Buddha, the Law and the Priesthood, are the final refuge of the four generated beings, and are the supreme objects of faith in all countries. What man in what age can fail to reverence this law? Few men are utterly bad. They may be taught to follow it. But if they do not betake them to the three treasures, wherewithal shall their crookedness be made straight?

⁴⁷III. When you receive the Imperial commands, fail not scrupulously to obey them. The lord is Heaven, the vassal is Earth. Heaven overspreads, and Earth upbears. When this is so, the four seasons follow their due course, and the powers of Nature obtain their efficacy. If the Earth attempted to overspread, Heaven would simply fall in ruin. Therefore is it that when the lord speaks, the vassal listens; when the superior acts, the inferior yields compliance. Consequently when you receive the Imperial commands, fail not to carry them out scrupulously. Let there be a want of care in this matter, and ruin is the natural consequence.

⁴⁸IV. The Ministers and functionaries should make decorous behavior their leading principle, for the leading principle of the government of the people consists in decorous behavior. If the superiors do not behave with decorum, the inferiors are disorderly: if inferiors are wanting in proper behaviour, there must necessarily be offences. Therefore it is that when lord and vassal behave with propriety, the distinctions of rank are not confused: when the people behave with propriety, the Government of the Commonwealth proceeds of itself.

⁴⁹V. Ceasing from gluttony and abandoning covetous desires, deal impartially with the suits which are submitted to you. Of complaints brought by the people there are a thousand in one day. If in one day there are so many, how many will there be in a series of years? If the man who is to decide suits at law makes gain his ordinary motive, and hears causes with a view to receiving bribes, then will the suits of the rich man be like a stone flung into water, while the plaints of the poor will resemble water cast upon a stone. Under these circumstances the poor man will not know whither to betake himself. Here too there is a deficiency in the duty of the Minister.

⁵⁰VI. Chastise that which is evil and encourage that which is good. This was the excellent rule of antiquity. Conceal not, therefore, the good qualities of others, and fail not to correct that which is wrong when you see it. Flatterers and deceivers are a sharp weapon for the overthrow of the State, and a pointed sword for the destruction of the people. Sycophants are also fond, when they meet, of dilating to their superiors on the errors of their inferiors; to their inferiors, they censure the faults of their superiors. Men of this kind are all wanting in fidelity to their lord, and in benevolence towards the people. From such an origin great civil disturbances arise.

⁵¹VII. Let every man have his own charge, and let not the spheres of duty be confused. When wise men are entrusted with office, the sound of praise arises. If unprincipled men hold office, disasters and tumults are multiplied. In this world, few are born with knowledge: wisdom is the product of earnest meditation. In all things, whether great or small, find the right man, and they will surely be well managed: on all occasions, be they urgent or the reverse, meet but with a wise man, and they will of themselves be amenable. In this way will the State be lasting and the Temples of the Earth and of Grain will be free from danger. Therefore did the wise sovereigns of antiquity seek the man to fill the office, and not the office for the sake of the man.

⁵²VIII. Let the Ministers and functionaries attend the Court early in the morning, and retire late. The business of the State does not admit of remissness, and the whole day is hardly enough for its accomplishment. If, therefore, the attendance at Court is late, emergencies cannot be met: if officials retire soon, the work cannot be completed.

⁵³IX. Good faith is the foundation of right. In everything let there be good faith, for in it there surely consists the good and the bad, success and failure. If the lord and the vassal observe good faith one with another, what is there which cannot be accomplished? If the lord and the vassal do not observe good faith towards one another, everything without exception ends in failure.

⁵⁴X. Let us cease from wrath, and refrain from angry looks. Nor let us be resentful when others differ from us. For all men have hearts, and each heart has its own leanings. Their right is our wrong, and our right is their wrong. We are not unquestionably sages, nor are they unquestionably fools. Both of us are simply ordinary men. How can any one lay down a rule by which to distinguish right from wrong? For we are all, one with another, wise and foolish, like a ring which has no end. Therefore, although others give way to anger, let us on the contrary dread our own faults, and though we alone may be in the right, let us follow the multitude and act like them.

⁵⁵XI. Give clear appreciation to merit and demerit, and deal out to each its sure reward or punishment. In these days, reward does not attend upon merit, nor punishment upon crime. Ye high functionaries who have charge of public affairs, let it be your task to make clear rewards and punishments.

⁵⁶XII. Let not the provincial authorities or the Kuni no Miyakko levy exactions on the people. In a country there are not two lords; the people have not two masters. The sovereign is the master of the people of the whole country. The officials to whom he gives charge are all his vassals. How can they, as well as the Government, presume to levy taxes on the people?

⁵⁷XIII. Let all persons entrusted with office attend equally to their functions. Owing to their illness or to their being sent on missions, their work may sometimes be neglected. But whenever they become able to attend to business, let them be as accommodating as if they had cognizance of it from before, and not hinder public affairs on the score of their not having had to do with them.

⁵⁸XIV. Ye ministers and functionaries! Be not envious. For if we envy others, they in turn will envy us. The evils of envy know no limit. If others excel us in intelligence, it gives us no pleasure; if they surpass us in ability, we are envious. Therefore it is not until after a lapse of five hundred years that we at last meet with a wise man, and even in a thousand years we hardly obtain one sage. But if we do not find wise men and sages, wherewithal shall the country be governed?

⁵⁹XV. To turn away from that which is private, and to set our faces towards that which is public—this is the path of a Minister. Now if a man is influenced by private motives, he will assuredly feel resentments, and if he is influenced by resentful feelings, he will surely fail to act harmoniously with others. If he fails to act harmoniously with others, he will assuredly sacrifice the public interests to his private feelings. When resentment arises, it interferes with order, and is subversive of law. Therefore in the first clause it was said, that superiors and inferiors should agree together. The purport is the same as this.

⁶⁰XVI. Let the people be employed (in forced labor) at seasonable times. This is an ancient and excellent rule. Let them be employed, therefore, in the winter months, when they are at leisure. But from Spring to Autumn, when they are engaged in agriculture or with the mulberry trees, the people should not be so employed. For if they do not attend to agriculture, what will they have to eat? if they do not attend to the mulberry trees, what will they do for clothing?

⁶¹XVII. Decisions on important matters should not be made by one person alone. They should be discussed with many. But small matters are of less consequence. It is unnecessary to consult a number of people. It is only in the case of the discussion of weighty affairs, when there is a suspicion that they may miscarry, that one should arrange matters in concert with others, so as to arrive at the right conclusion.

⁶²Autumn, 9th month. The Court ceremonies were reformed. In connection with this measure, the following edict was issued:—

⁶³"On entering or leaving the Palace Gate, one must kneel on both knees, with both hands pressed on the ground, but it is permitted to stand up and walk when the threshold is passed."

⁶⁴In this month there were first established the Kibumi painters and the Yamashiro painters.

⁶⁵13th year, Summer, 4th month, 1st day. The Empress commanded the Prince Imperial, the Oho-omi, and also the Princes and Ministers, all to make a vow together, and therewithal to begin to make copper and embroidery images of Buddha, sixteen feet high, one of each. She also commanded Kuratsukuri no Tori to be the engineer for the construction of the Buddhas. At this time King Tè-hung of Koryö, hearing that the Empress was making images of Buddha, sent tribute of 300 riō of the yellow metal.

⁶⁶Intercalary 7th month, 1st day. The Prince Imperial ordered all the Princes and Ministers to put on the outer garments called hirahi.

⁶⁷Winter, 10th month. The Prince Imperial took up his abode in the Palace of Ikaruga.

⁶⁸14th year, Summer, 4th month, 8th day. Both the sixteen-foot images of Buddha, viz. that of copper and that of embroidery, were finished, and on the same day the sixteen-foot copper image was enshrined in the Golden Hall of Gangōji.

⁶⁹Now this image of Buddha was too high for the door of the Golden Hall, and it could not be got into it. Hereupon the workmen consulted together and proposed to break down the door of the Hall, and so bring in the image. By the skill, however, of Kuratsukuri no Tori they succeeded in bringing it into the Hall without breaking down the door. On the same day a maigre entertainment was given, at which there assembled an innumerable multitude of people.

⁷⁰Beginning with this year, festivals were held in all the temples on the 8th day of the 4th month and on the 15th day of the 7th month.

⁷¹5th month, 5th day. The Imperial commands were given to Kuratsukuri no Tori, saying:—"It being my desire to encourage the Inner doctrines, I was about to erect a Buddhist Temple, and for this purpose sought for relics. Then thy grandfather, Shiba Tattō, offered me relics. Moreover, there were no monks or nuns in the land. Thereupon thy father, Tasuna, for the sake of the Emperor Tachibana no Toyohi, took priestly orders and reverenced the Buddhist law. Also thine aunt Shimame was the first to leave her home and, becoming the forerunner of all nuns, to practise the religion of Shaka. Now, We desired to make a sixteen-foot Buddha, and to that end sought for a good image of Buddha. Thou didst provide a model which met Our wishes. Moreover, when the image of Buddha was completed, it could not be brought into the Hall, and none of the workmen could suggest a plan of doing so. They were, therefore, on the point of breaking down the doorway, when thou didst manage to admit it without breaking down the doorway. For all these services of thine, We grant thee the rank of Dainin, and We also bestow on thee twenty chō of water-fields in the district of Sakata in the province of Afumi." With the revenue derived from this land, Tori built for the Empress the Temple of Kongō-ji, now known as the nunnery of Sakata in Minabuchi.

⁷²Autumn, 7th month. The Empress requested the Prince Imperial to lecture on the Shō-man-giō. He completed his explanation of it in three days.

⁷³In this year the Prince Imperial also lectured on the Hokke-kiō in the Palace of Okamoto. The Empress was greatly pleased, and bestowed on the Prince Imperial one hundred chō of water-fields in the Province of Harima. They were therefore added to the Temple of Ikaruga.

⁷⁴15th year, Spring, 2nd month, 1st day. A Mibu Be was established.

⁷⁵9th day. The following edict was made:—"We hear that Our Imperial ancestors, in their government of the world, bending lowly under the sky and treading delicately on the ground, paid deep reverence to the Gods of Heaven and Earth. They everywhere dedicated temples to the mountains and rivers, and held mysterious communion with the powers of Nature. Hence the male and female elements became harmoniously developed, and civilizing influences blended together. And now in Our reign, shall there be any remissness in the worship of the Gods of Heaven and Earth? Therefore let Our Ministers with their whole hearts do reverence to the Gods of Heaven and Earth."

⁷⁶15th day. The Prince Imperial and the Oho-omi, accompanied by all the functionaries, did worship to the Gods of Heaven and Earth.

⁷⁷Autumn, 7th month, 3rd day. The Dairai, Imoko Wono no Omi, was sent to the Land of Great Thang. Kuratsukuri no Fukuri was appointed his interpreter.

⁷⁸In the winter of this year, the pond of Takechi, the pond of Fujihara, the pond of Katawoka, and the pond of Sugahara were constructed in the province of Yamato, and a great canal was dug at Kurikuma in the province of Yamashiro. Moreover, in the province of Kahachi, the ponds of Tokari and Yosami were made. Miyake were also erected in all the provinces.

⁷⁹16th year, Summer, 4th month. Imoko, Wono no Omi, came back from the Land of Great Thang. The Thang country called him So In-ko.

⁸⁰An envoy from Great Thang named P'ei Shih-ch‘ing, with a suite of twelve persons, arrived at Tsukushi in company with Imoko no Omi. Wonari, Naniha no Kishi, was sent to bring the guests of Great Thang, P'ei Shih-ch‘ing and the others, and a new official residence was erected for them over the Koryö official residence at Naniha.

⁸¹6th month, 15th day. The guests anchored in the harbour of Naniha. Thirty gaily decked boats were sent to meet them at Yeguchi (river-mouth), and they were lodged in the new official residence. Hereupon Torimaro, Nakatomi no Miyatoko no Muraji, Nukade, Ohoshi Kahachi no Atahe and Ō-hei, Fune no Fumibito, were appointed their official entertainers.

⁸²Now Imoko no Omi represented to the Empress, saying:—"When I was leaving, the Thang Emperor gave me a letter. But while passing through the Land of Pèkché, the men of Pèkché searched me and took it from me. Therefore I am unable to present it." Hereupon the Ministers advised, saying:—"An Envoy, though he lose his life, should not lose his message. Such is (the duty of) an Envoy! How can any one be so remiss in it as to lose the letter of the Great Country?" And they accordingly condemned him to banishment. Now the Empress made an order, saying:—"Although Imoko is guilty of losing the letter, We cannot easily punish him, for in that case the guest of the Great Country would hear of it, and this is undesirable." So he was pardoned and left unpunished.

⁸³Autumn, 8th month, 3rd day. The Thang guests entered the capital. On this day seventy-five caparisoned horses were sent to meet the Thang guests on the Tsubaki no ichi highway, where Hirafu, Nukada be no Muraji, delivered a message of welcome to them.

⁸⁴12th day. The Thang guests were summoned to Court, and caused to state the object of their mission. Abe no Tori no Omi and Idaku, Mononobe no Yosami no Muraji, acted as introducers of the guests.

⁸⁵Now the presents from the Land of Great Thang were placed in the courtyard. Then the Chief Envoy, P'ei-Shih-ch‘ing, bearing in his own hands the letter (of credence), made obeisance twice, and declared the purport of his mission. He then stood up.

⁸⁶This letter was as follows:—"The Emperor greets the Sovereign of Wa. Your Envoy, the provincial governor, the Dairai, So In-ko, and his suite have arrived, and have given us full information.

⁸⁷We having reverently received the precious command (of Heaven), rule over the universe. It is Our desire to diffuse abroad Our civilizing influences, so as to cover all living things, and Our sentiment of loving nurture knows no distinction of distance.

⁸⁸Now We learn that Your Majesty, dwelling separately beyond the sea, bestows the blessings of peace on your subjects, that there is tranquillity within your borders, and that the manners and customs are mild.

⁸⁹With the most profound loyalty, you have sent Us tribute from afar, and We are delighted at this admirable token of your sincerity.

⁹⁰Our health is as usual, notwithstanding the increasing warmth of the weather.

⁹¹Therefore We have sent P'ei-Shih-ch‘ing, Official Entertainer of the Department charged with the Ceremonial for the reception of Foreign Ambassadors, and his suite, to notify to you the preceding. We also transmit to you the products of which a list is given separately."

⁹²Then Abe no Omi came forward, received the letter, and advanced with it. Ohotomo no Kurafu no Muraji came out to meet him, and received the letter, which he laid on a table before the Great Gate, and reported to the Empress. When the ceremony was over, they (the Chinese Ambassador and his suite) retired.

⁹³On this occasion, the Imperial Princes, the other Princes, and the Ministers all wore golden hair ornaments on their heads, and their clothing was all of brocade, purple, and embroidery, with various-coloured figured thin silks.

⁹⁴In one writing it is stated that the colour of the garments corresponded in all cases with that of the official caps.

⁹⁵16th day. The Thang guests were entertained at Court.

⁹⁶9th month, 5th day. The guests were entertained at Oho-kohori in Naniha.

⁹⁷11th day. The Thang guest, P'ei Shih-ch‘ing, took his departure. Accordingly, Wono no Imoko no Omi was appointed Chief Envoy, Kishi no Wonari Second Envoy, and Fukuri Interpreter. They were despatched in company with the Thang guests. Now the Emperor addressed the Thang Emperor in the following terms:—

⁹⁸"The Emperor of the East respectfully addresses the Emperor of the West. Your Envoy, P'ei Shih-ch‘ing, Official Entertainer of the Department of foreign receptions, and his suite, having arrived here, my long-harboured cares were dissolved. This last month of autumn is somewhat chilly. How is Your Majesty? We trust well. We are in our usual health. We now send the Dairai, So In-ko, the Dairai, Wonari, and others to you. This is respectfully presented, but informal."

⁹⁹At this time there were sent to the Land of Thang the students Fukuin, Yamato no Aya no Atahe, Emyō, Nara no Wosa, Kuromaro, Takamuku no Ayabito, and Ohokuni, Imaki no Ayabito, together with the student-priests Hifumi (or Nichibun), Imaki no Ayabito, Shōan, Minabuchi no Ayabito, Eon, Shiga no Ayabito, and Kōsai, Imaki no Ayabito, in all eight persons.

¹⁰⁰In this year many persons from Silla came to settle in Japan.

¹⁰¹17th year, Summer, 4th month, 4th day. The Viceroy of Tsukushi reported to the Empress that Buddhist priests from Pèkché, named To-heun and Hyé-mi, at the head of ten others and seventy-five laymen, had anchored in the harbour of Ashigita in the province of Higo. Then Tokomaro, Naniha no Kishi, and Tatsu, Funa no Fumibito, were sent to ask them why they came. They answered and said:—"The King of Pèkché commanded us to go on a mission to the Land of Wu. In that country, however, there is civil war. We were not allowed to enter it, and were returning to our own land again when we suddenly met with a storm, and were tossed about upon the sea, until most fortunately we anchored on the Imperial coast. At this we were greatly rejoiced."

¹⁰²5th month, 16th day. Tokomaro and his companion returned, and made their report to the Empress. Tokomaro and Tatsu were straightway sent back to accompany the men of Pèkché, and to escort them to their own country. When they arrived at Tsushima, the ten priests all expressed a wish to remain (in Japan), and the matter having been laid before the Government, they were permitted to do so. Accordingly, they were caused to dwell in the Temple of Gangōji.

¹⁰³Autumn, 9th month. Imoko, Wono no Omi, came back from the Land of Great Thang. Only the Interpreter Fukuri did not return.

¹⁰⁴18th year, Spring, 3rd month. The King of Koryö sent tribute of Buddhist priests named Tam-chhi and Pöp-chöng. Tam-chhi knew the five (Chinese) classics. He was moreover skilled in preparing painters' colours, paper, and ink. He also made mills. This was apparently the first time that mills were made.

¹⁰⁵Autumn, 7th month. An Envoy from Silla named Chuk-syé-să, Nama of Satök-pu, and an Imna Envoy named Syu Chi-mè, Tè-sya of Tök-pu, arrived in Tsukushi.

¹⁰⁶9th month. Messengers were sent to fetch the Envoys from Silla and Imna.

¹⁰⁷Winter, 10th month, 8th day. The Envoys from Silla and Imna arrived in the capital. On this day Hirafu, Nukadabe no Muraji, was made Chief Officer over the caparisoned horses sent to meet the Silla guests, and Ohotomo, Kashihade no Omi, Chief Officer over the caparisoned horses sent to meet the Imna guests. Accordingly they were lodged in the official building at Kahabe in Ato.

¹⁰⁸9th day. The Envoys paid their respects at Court. On this occasion Kahakatsu, Hada no Miyakko, and Usagi, Hashi no Muraji, were ordered to act as introducers for Silla, and Shiwo-futa, Hashibito no Muraji, and Ohoko, Abe no Omi, as introducers for Imna. They brought them in together by the South Gate, and made them stand in the middle of the Court. Now, Ohotomo no Kurafu no Muraji, Soga no Toyora no Yemishi no Omi, Sakamoto no Nukade no Omi and Abe no Toriko no Omi got up together from their places, and going forward, prostrated themselves in the Court. Hereupon the guests of the two countries each made repeated obeisance, and declared the purport of their mission. Then the four Daibu stood up, and going forward, informed the Oho-omi. The Oho-omi got up from his place, and standing before the Hall, listened to their statement. When this was done, all the guests were given presents, each according to his rank.

¹⁰⁹17th day. The guests were entertained at Court. Nihe, Kahachi no Aya no Atahe was made table-companion for Silla, and Kusō, Nishikori no Obito, table-companion for Imna.

¹¹⁰23rd day. The ceremonies of the reception of the guests having come to a close, they went away.

¹¹¹19th year, Summer, 5th month, 5th day. The Empress went to gather medicinal herbs on the plain of Uda.

¹¹²At cockcrow they assembled by the pond of Fujihara, and at daybreak they set out. Ahata no Hosome no Omi was made to lead the van, while Nukadabe no Hirafu no Muraji brought up the rear. On this day the colour of the clothing of the various Ministers agreed with the colour of their official caps. They each wore hair ornaments, which in the case both of the Daitoko and Shōtoko were made of gold, of the Dainin and Shōnin of leopards' tails, and of the Dairai and lower ranks of birds' tails.

¹¹³Autumn, 8th month. Silla sent Peuk-cheul-chi, Nama of Satök-pu, and Imna sent Chhin-chi and Chu-chi, the Tè-sya of Seup-pu together, with tribute.

¹¹⁴20th year, Spring, 1st month, 7th day. A banquet, with sake, was given to all the high functionaries. On this day, the Oho-omi proposed the health of the Empress, and sang a song, saying:—

¹¹⁵The Empress replied, saying:—

¹¹⁶2nd month, 28th day. The body of the former Empress-consort Katashi-hime was removed and re-interred in the Great Misasagi of Hinokuma.

¹¹⁷On this day funeral orations were pronounced on the Karu highway. First of all, Tori, Abe no Uchi no Omi, pronounced an eulogistic decree of the Empress, and made offerings to the spirit of the deceased of such things as sacred utensils and sacred garments, fifteen thousand kinds in all.

¹¹⁸Secondly, the Imperial Princes, each in the order of their rank, pronounced funeral orations. Thirdly, Womaro, Nakatomi no Miyatokoro no Muraji, pronounced the eulogistic address of the Oho-omi. Fourthly, the Oho-omi, at the head of the Omi of the eight families, caused Marise, Sakahibe no Omi, to read the written eulogiums of the nobility. The people of that time said that Marise and Womaro delivered their eulogiums well, but that Tori no Omi delivered his badly.

¹¹⁹5th month, 5th day. An excursion was made to gather medicinal herbs. They assembled at Hada and proceeded together to the Court. The dress was the same as for the Uda excursion.

¹²⁰This year a man emigrated from Pèkché whose face and body were all flecked with white, being perhaps affected with white ringworm. People disliking his extraordinary appearance, wished to cast him away on an island in the sea. But this man said:—"If you dislike my spotted skin, you should not breed horses or kine in this country which are spotted with white. Moreover, I have a small talent. I can make the figures of hills and mountains. If you kept me and made use of me, it would be to the advantage of the country. Why should you waste me by casting me away on an island of the sea?" Hereupon they gave ear to his words and did not cast him away. Accordingly he was made to draw the figures of Mount Sumi and of the Bridge of Wu in the Southern Court. The people of that time called him by the name of Michiko no Takumi, and he was also called Shikomaro.

¹²¹Another man of Pèkché named Mimachi emigrated to Japan. He said that he had learned from Wu their style of music and dancing. He was accordingly lodged at Sakurawi, and young people collected who were made to learn from him these arts. Hereupon Deshi, Manu no Obito, and Seibun, Imaki no Ayabito, learned dancing from him, and handed it down (to their pupils).

¹²²21st year, Winter, 11th month. The ponds of Waki no Kami, Unebi, and Wani were constructed, and a great highway laid from Naniha to the capital.

¹²³12th month, 1st day. The Prince Imperial took a journey to Katawoka. Now a starving man was lying by the roadside. He asked his name, but there was no answer. The Prince Imperial, seeing this, gave him to eat and to drink, and taking off his own raiment, clothed with it the starving man, saying to him, "Lie in peace." Then he made a song, saying:—

¹²⁴2nd day. The Prince Imperial sent a messenger to see the starving man. The messenger returned and said:—"The starving man is already dead." Hereupon the Prince Imperial was greatly grieved, and accordingly caused him to be buried at that place, a mound erected, and firmly closed.

¹²⁵Many days after, the Prince Imperial called for his personal attendants, and said to them:—"The starving man who was lying on a former day on the road was no ordinary man. He must have been an upright man." A messenger was sent to see. On his return he reported that when he went to the mound and made inspection, the heaped-up earth had not been disturbed, but on opening the tomb and looking in, there was no corpse. It was empty, and there was nothing but the garment folded up and laid on the coffin. Thereupon the Prince Imperial sent the messenger back a second time to fetch the garment, which he continued wearing as before.

¹²⁶The people of that time wondered much at this, and said:—"How true it is that a sage knoweth a sage." And they stood more and more in awe of him.

¹²⁷22nd year, Summer, 5th month, 5th day. An excursion for medicinal herbs was made.

¹²⁸6th month, 13th day. Mitasuki, Inugami no Kimi, and Yatabe no Miyakko were sent to the Land of Great Thang.

¹²⁹Autumn, 8th month. The Oho-omi fell ill. For his sake a thousand persons, men and women, entered religion.

¹³⁰23rd year, Autumn, 7th month. Mitasuki, Inugami no Kimi, and Yatabe no Miyakko arrived from the Land of Great Thang. An envoy from Pèkché accompanied Inugami no Kimi to our Court.

¹³¹11th month, 2nd day. A banquet was given to the Pèkché guest.

¹³²11th day. The Koryö Buddhist priest Hyé-Chă returned to his country.

¹³³24th year, Spring, 1st month. Peach trees and plum trees bore fruit.

¹³⁴3rd month. Three men from the Island of Yaku came hither as emigrants.

¹³⁵Summer, 5th month. Seven persons from Yaku arrived.

¹³⁶Autumn, 7th month. Twenty more persons arrived from Yaku. There were first and last in all thirty persons. They were all settled in Enowi. They never went away again, but all died there.

¹³⁷Autumn, 7th month. Silla sent the Nama, Chuk Syé-să, with tribute of an image of Buddha.

¹³⁸25th year, Summer, 6th month. It was reported from the province of Idzumo that there was in the district of Kando a gourd of the size of an amphora.

¹³⁹In this year there were good crops of the five kinds of grain.

¹⁴⁰26th year, Autumn, 8th month, 1st day. Koryö sent envoys with tribute of local productions, and reported that Yang-Ti of the Sui dynasty had invaded that country with a force of 300,000 men, but had, on the contrary, been beaten by them. They therefore sent a present of two captives, named Chên-kung and P‘u-t‘ung, with such things as flutes, cross-bows, and catapults—ten in all. They also sent one camel, bred in their country.

¹⁴¹This year Kahabe no Omi was sent to the province of Aki with orders to build ships. On arriving at the mountain, he sought for ship timber. Having found good timber, he marked it and was about to cut it, when a man appeared, and said:—"This is a thunder-tree, and must not be cut." Kahabe no Omi said:—"Shall even the Thunder-god oppose the Imperial commands?" So having offered many mitegura, he sent workmen to cut down the timber. Straightway a great rain fell, and it thundered and lightened. Hereupon Kahabe no Omi drew his sword, and said:—"O Thunder-god, harm not the workmen; it is my person that thou shouldst injure." So he looked up and waited. But although the God thundered more than ten times, he could not harm Kahabe no Omi. Then he changed himself into a small fish, which stuck between the branches of the tree. Kahabe no Omi forthwith took the fish, and burnt it. So at last the ships were built.

¹⁴²27th year, Summer, 4th month, 4th day. It was reported from the province of Afumi that in the river Gamafu there was a creature in the shape of a man.

¹⁴³Autumn, 7th month. There was a fisherman of the province of Settsu, who cast his net in the Horiye. Something entered his net formed like a child, which was neither a fish nor a man. Its name was unknown.

¹⁴⁴28th year, Autumn, 8th month. Two men of Yaku were cast away on the island of Idzu.

¹⁴⁵Autumn, 10th month. The top of the Misasagi of Hinokuma was covered with pebbles. Outside the boundary the earth was piled up into a hill, and each of the noble houses was charged to erect a great pillar on the top of the hill of earth. Now the pillar set up by Yamato no Aya no Saka no Uhe no Atahe was very much higher than the others, and the men of that time gave him the name of Ohohashira (great-pillar) no Atahe.

¹⁴⁶12th month, 1st day. There was a red appearance in the sky, over a rod in length, and resembling the tail of a fowl in shape.

¹⁴⁷This year, the Prince Imperial, in concert with Shima no Oho-omi, drew up a history of the Emperors, a history of the country, and the original record of the Omi, the Muraji, the Tomo no Miyakko, the Kuni no Miyakko, the 180 Be, and the free subjects.

¹⁴⁸29th year, Spring, 2nd month, 5th day. In the middle of the night the Imperial Prince Mŭmayado no Toyotomimi no Mikoto died in the Palace of Ikaruga. At this time all the Princes and Omi, as well as the people of the Empire, the old, as if they had lost a dear child, had no taste for salt and vinegar in their mouths, the young, as if they had lost a beloved parent, filled the ways with the sound of their lamenting. The farmer ceased from his plough, and the pounding woman laid down her pestle. They all said:—"The sun and moon have lost their brightness; heaven and earth have crumbled to ruin: henceforward, in whom shall we put our trust?"

¹⁴⁹In this month the Prince Imperial Kamitsumiya was buried in the Shinaga Misasagi.

¹⁵⁰At this time Hyé-chă, the Buddhist priest of Koryö, heard of the death of the Prince Imperial Kamitsumiya, and was greatly grieved thereat. He invited the priests, and in honour of the Prince Imperial gave them a meal, and explained the sacred books in person. On this day he prayed, saying:—"In the land of Nippon there is a sage, by name the Imperial Prince Kamitsumiya Toyotomimi. Certainly Heaven has freely endowed him with the virtues of a sage. Born in the Land of Nippon, he thoroughly possessed the three fundamental principles, he continued the great plans of the former sages. He reverenced the Three Precious Things, and assisted the people in their distress. He was truly a great sage. And now the Prince Imperial is dead. I, although a foreigner, was in heart closely united to him. Now what avails it that I alone should survive? I have determined to die on the 5th day of the 2nd month of next year. So shall I meet the Prince Imperial Kamitsumiya in the Pure Land, and together with him pass through the metempsychosis of all living creatures." Now when the appointed day came, Hyé-chă died, and all the people of that day said one to another:—"Prince Kamitsumiya is not the only sage, Hyé-chă is also a sage."

¹⁵¹This year Silla sent the Nama, Imimè, with tribute and a memorial, stating to the Empress the object of his mission. It was perhaps from this time that Silla began to present memorials.

¹⁵²30th year, Autumn, 7th month. Silla sent as ambassador the Nama, Chi-syön-i, and Imna sent the Talsol Nama, Chi. They came to Court together, and brought tribute of a golden image of Buddha, a golden pagoda, and relics, also a great baptismal flag, with twelve smaller ones. Now the image of Buddha was placed in the Hada Temple at Kadono. The other articles, namely the relics, the golden pagoda, and the baptismal flags, were all deposited in Shitenōji. At this time, the Buddhist priests E-sai and E-kō, with the physicians E-jitsu and Fuku-in, students of the learning of Great Thang, arrived in company with Chi-syön-i and the others. Now E-jitsu and the rest made together a representation to the Empress, saying:—"Those who have resided in Thang for study have all completed their courses, and ought to be sent for. Moreover, the Land of Great Thang is an admirable country, whose laws are complete and fixed. Constant communication should be kept up with it."

¹⁵³This year Silla invaded Imna, and Imna became a dependency of Silla. The Empress thought of invading Silla, and consulted with the Oho-omi. She also asked the opinion of all the Ministers. Then Tanaka no Omi answered and said:—"An invasion should not be too hastily undertaken. It will not be too late to attack when we have first learnt the condition of affairs and ascertained that they are (really) mutinous. I pray that the experiment be made of sending an envoy thither to view the state of things."

¹⁵⁴Kuni, Nakatomi no Muraji, said:—"Imna is originally an inner Miyake of ours. The Silla people have now attacked and taken possession of it. I pray that our troops be disciplined, that Silla be chastised, and Imna taken from it and given to Pèkché. Would not this be better than that it should be possessed by Silla?" Tanaka no Omi said:—"Not so! Pèkché is a very changeable country. Even on the roads they lie. Everything they ask for is unjust. Therefore (Imna) should not be given over to Pèkché." So the expedition was not carried out. Hereupon Kishi no Ihakane was sent to Silla, and Kishi no Kuranoshita to Imna, to inquire into the Imna affairs.

¹⁵⁵Now the Lord of Silla sent eight Daibu to inform Ihakane of the affairs of Silla and Kuranoshita of the affairs of Imna. Therefore they promised as follows:—"Imna, though a small country, is a dependency of the Empress. Why should Silla unceremoniously take possession of it? Let it be once for all recognized to be, as always, an inner Miyake (of Japan), and we pray let there be no more trouble about it."

¹⁵⁶So the Nama, Chi-syön-i, was sent along with Kishi no Ihakane and an Imna man, the Talsol Nama named Chi, along with Kishi no Kuranoshita to bring tribute from both countries. But that same year, before Ihakane and the other had returned, the Daitoko, Womaro, Sakahibe no Omi, and the Shōtoko, Kuni, Nakatomi no Muraji, were appointed generals of the first rank; the Shōtoko, Nedzu, Kahabe no Omi, the Shōtoko, Itto, Mononobe no Yosami no Muraji, the Shōtoko, Hironiha, Hada no Omi, the Shōtoko Ihifuta, Afumi no Ashimi no Omi, the Shōtoko, Ushi, Heguri no Omi, the Shōtoko, Ohotomo no Muraji, and the Shōtoko, Ikusa, Ohoyake no Omi, were made assistant-generals.

¹⁵⁷They invaded Silla with an army of several tens of thousands of men. Now Ihakane and the others had assembled at the port, and were waiting for a fair wind and smooth sea in order to embark. Hereupon a numerous naval force arrived, filling the sea. The Envoys of the two countries, gazing upon it, were struck with alarm, and returned home.

¹⁵⁸In their stead, Kamchi Tè-chhang was made tribute-bearer for Imna, and came with an offering of tribute. Hereupon Ihakane and his colleague said to one another:—"The outbreak of this war is contrary to the previous agreement, therefore the Imna affairs cannot now be settled." So they put to sea, and crossed over to Japan. The generals, however, first went to Imna, and having held a consultation, were about to attack Silla. Hereupon the King of the Land of Silla, hearing that a large force had arrived, became apprehensive and tendered his submission. Then the generals consulted together, and forwarded a memorial, which was granted by the Empress.

¹⁵⁹Winter, 11th month. Ihakane, Kuranoshita, and the rest returned from Silla. Thereupon the Oho-omi inquired the state of affairs there. They answered and said:—"Silla received the Imperial commands with profound respect, and accordingly designated two special Envoys to deliver tribute from the two countries. But when they saw a naval force arrive, the Envoys with tribute for our Court went home again. The tribute, however, has been brought, notwithstanding this." Hereupon the Oho-omi said:—"What a pity that the army was despatched so soon!"

¹⁶⁰The men of that time said that this war was owing to Sakahibe no Omi and Adzumi no Muraji having formerly received many presents from Silla, and that they had again urged the Oho-omi, with the consequence that the expedition was despatched before receiving the Envoy's report.

¹⁶¹Before this time, when Ihakane and his colleague crossed over to Silla, a gaily-decorated boat came to meet them at a bay as they were approaching the harbour. Ihakane inquired:—"To what country does this boat sent to meet us belong?" They answered and said:—"It is a Silla boat." Ihakane again said:—"Why is there no boat to meet us from Imna?" A second boat was at once added on behalf of Imna. The practice of Silla sending two boats to meet our Envoys began from this time.

¹⁶²From spring till autumn there were heavy rains and floods, and the five grains did not reach maturity.

¹⁶³31st year, Spring, 4th month, 3rd day. There was a Buddhist priest who took an axe and smote therewith his paternal grandfather. Now the Empress, hearing of this, sent for the Oho-omi, and gave command, saying:—"The man who has entered religion should be devoted to the Three Precious Things, and should cherish devoutly the prohibitions of the Buddhist law. How can he without compunction be readily guilty of crime? We now hear that there is a priest who has struck his grandfather. Therefore, let all the priests and nuns of the various temples be assembled, and investigation made. Let severe punishment be inflicted on any who are convicted of offences." Hereupon the priests and nuns were all assembled, and an examination held. The wicked priests and nuns were all about to be punished, when Kwal-leuk, a Buddhist priest of Pèkché, presented a memorial, as follows:—"The law of Buddha came from the Western Country to Han. Three hundred years later it was handed on to Pèkché, since which time barely one hundred years had elapsed, when Our King, hearing that the Emperor of Nippon was a wise man, sent him tribute of an image of Buddha and of Buddhist Sutras. Since that time, less than one hundred years have passed, and consequently the priests and nuns have not yet learned the Buddhist laws, and readily commit wickedness. On this account all the priests and nuns are afraid, and do not know what to do. I humbly pray that with the exception of the wicked (priest who struck his grandfather) all the other priests and nuns may be pardoned and not punished. That would be a work of great merit."

¹⁶⁴Accordingly the Empress granted (his petition).

¹⁶⁵13th day. A decree was made as follows:—"If even the priests continue to offend against the law, wherewithal shall the laymen be admonished? Therefore from this time forward we appoint a Sōjō and a Sōdzu for the superintendence of the priests and nuns."

¹⁶⁶17th day. The priest Kwal-leuk was appointed Sōjō, and Kurabe no Tokuseki was made Sōdzu. On the same day Adzumi no Muraji was made Hōto.

¹⁶⁷Autumn, 9th month, 3rd day. There was an inspection of the temples, and of the priests and nuns, and an accurate record made of the circumstances of the building of the temples, and also of the circumstances under which the priests and nuns embraced religion, with the year, month and day of their taking orders. There were at this time 46 temples, 816 priests, and 569 nuns—in all, 1385 persons.

¹⁶⁸Winter, 10th month, 1st day. The Oho-omi sent the two Ministers, Adzumi no Muraji and Maro, Abe no Omi, to inform the Empress, saying:—"The district of Katsuraki is my original residence, and I have therefore taken my name from it. I pray accordingly that I may have this district permanently, and I desire that it should be constituted nay fief." Hereupon the Empress made an order, saying:—

¹⁶⁹"We are sprung from the Soga family. Moreover the Oho-omi is Our uncle by the mother's side. Therefore the words of the Oho-omi, if spoken at night, (are carried into effect by us) before the night has given way to morning; if spoken in the daytime, (they are carried into effect) before the day has become dark. What speech of his have We not attended to? But if now in this Our reign, We were rashly to part with this district, future sovereigns would say, 'A foolish woman ruled the Empire, and rashly lost this district.' Not only should We be accounted unwise, but the Oho-omi would be thought disloyal. Such would be Our ill-fame in ages to come." So she refused.

¹⁷⁰32nd year, Spring, 1st month, 7th day. The King of Koryö sent tribute of a Buddhist priest, named Hyé-kwan. He was appointed Sōjō.

¹⁷¹34th year, Spring, 1st month. Peach and plum trees blossomed.

¹⁷²3rd month. It was cold, and hoar-frost fell.

¹⁷³Summer, 5th month, 20th day. The Oho-omi died. He was buried in the tomb at Momohara. The Oho-omi was the son of Iname no Sukune. He had a talent for military tactics, and was also gifted with eloquence. He reverenced deeply the Three Precious Things. His house stood on the bank of the river Asuka. A small pond had been dug in the courtyard, and there was a little island in the middle of the pond. Therefore the men of that time called him Shima no Oho-omi.

¹⁷⁴6th month. Snow fell. This year from the 3rd to the 7th month there were continual rains, and great famine in the Empire. The old ate the roots of herbs, and died by the road-side. Infants at the breast died with their mothers. Thieves and robbers sprang up in great numbers, and could not be put down.

¹⁷⁵35th year, Spring, 2nd month. In the province of Michinoku there was a mujina which changed into a man and sang.

¹⁷⁶Summer, 5th month. Flies gathered together in great numbers. They clustered together for ten rods, and floated away in the air across the Shinano pass with a sound like thunder. They reached as far east as the province of Kamitsuke, and then spontaneously dispersed.

¹⁷⁷36th year, Spring, 2nd month, 27th day. The Empress took to her sick bed.

¹⁷⁸3rd month, 2nd day. There was a total eclipse of the sun.

¹⁷⁹6th day. The Empress's illness became very grave, and (death) was unmistakably near. So she sent for the Imperial Prince Tamura, and addressed him, saying:—"To ascend to the Celestial Dignity, and therewith to regulate the vast foundation, to direct the manifold machinery of government, and thereby to nourish the people—this is not a matter to be lightly spoken of, but one which demands constant and serious attention. Do thou therefore be careful and observant, and let no hasty words escape thee." On the same day she summoned to her Tamashiro no Ohoye, and instructed him, saying:—"Thy heart is young. Whatever thou mayst wish in thy bosom, do not utter it in speech, but be sure to await the expression of general opinion, and act accordingly."

¹⁸⁰7th day. The Empress died at the age of seventy-five. She was temporarily interred in the Southern Court (of the Palace).

¹⁸¹Summer, 4th month, 15th day. Hail fell, of the size of peaches.

¹⁸²16th day. Hail fell, of the size of plums. There was a drought, which lasted from spring till summer.

¹⁸³Autumn, 9th month, 20th day. The rites of mourning for the Empress began. At this time all the Ministers each pronounced a funeral eulogy at the shrine of the temporary burial-place.

¹⁸⁴Before this time the Empress had given her dying injunctions to the Ministers, saying:—"Of late years the five grains have not produced well, and there is great famine among the people. Let there be therefore no costly interment by raising for me a misasagi, but let me be buried in the misasagi of the Imperial Prince Takeda.

¹⁸⁵24th day. The Empress was buried in the misasagi of Prince Takeda.