BOOK
VI.
THE
EMPEROR IKU-ME-IRI-HIKO-I-SACHI.
(SUININ TENNO)
THE
Emperor Iku-me-iri-hiko-i-sachi was the third
child of the Emperor Mimaki-iri-hiko-iniye.
The Empress his mother was called Mimaki-hime. She was the
daughter of
Oho-hiko no Mikoto. The Emperor was born in the Palace of Midzu-gaki in
the
20th year of the Emperor Mimaki, the 50th year of the cycle, Spring,
the 1st
month, the 1st day. From his birth he was of a distinguished
appearance when
he grew to manhood, he had superior talent and large principles.
His disposition was to be guided implicitly
by truth and to avoid dissimulation.
The
Emperor loved him, and retained him near his own
person. At the age of twenty-four, in accordance with the
prognostic of a dream, he made him Prince Imperial.
The
Emperor Mimaki-iri-hiko-iniye died in Winter, the 12th month of the
68th year of his reign.
1st
year, Spring, 2nd day. The Prince Imperial assumed the Imperial Dignity.
Winter, 10th month, 11th day. The Emperor Mimaki was buried in
the Misasagi over
the
road at Yamanobe.
11th month, 2nd day The Empress was granted
the honorary
title of Grand Empress. This was the year Midzu-noye Tatsu of the cycle.
2nd
year, Spring, 2nd month, 9th day.
Saho-hime was appointed Empress.
She gave birth to Homu-tsu-wake no Mikoto. From his birth the
Emperor
loved him, and kept him near his own person. When he grew to manhood,
he could
not speak.
Winter,
l0th month. The capital was removed to Maki-muku. It was called
the Palace of Tamaki. In this year the man of Imna, Sonaka cheulchi
asked
permission to return to his country. Therefore gifts were liberally
bestowed
on him, and there were entrusted to him as a present for the King of
Imna 100
pieces of red silk. But the Silla people waylaid and robbed him, and at
this
time began the enmity between the two countries.
One account says:—"In the reign
.of the .Emperor Mimaki,
there was a man with horns on his forehead who came riding
in a
ship and anchored in the Bay
of Kebi
in the land of Koshi.
Therefore that place was called Tsunoga.
He was asked what countryman he was. He replied, saying:—' I am the son
of the
King of Great Kara. My name is Tsunoga arashito, and I am also called
Ushiki
arishichi kanki. It having come to my ears that there is in the Land
of Japan a sage Emperor, I
wished
to offer him
my
allegiance and came to Anato.' Now in that land there was a man named
Itsutsu-hiko, who spoke to thy servant, saying:—' I am the King of this
land,
and there is no other king but me. Do not thou therefore proceed
further.' But
when I observed him closely and saw what manner of man he was, I knew
surely
that he was not a king. So I departed :
again from that place, and not knowing the road, anchored at one island
and bay
after another, going round by way of the Northern
Sea and passing the Land
of Idzumo until I arrived
here."
It
so happened that at this time the Emperor died, so he was detained
and served the Emperor Ikume for three years.
Then
the
Emperor inquired of Arashito, saying:—" Dost thou wish to return to
thy
country ? " He answered and said :—" I earnestly desire to do
so." The Emperor then addressed Arashito, saying:—"If thou hadst
not lost thy way, thou wouldst certainly have arrived here sooner—in
time to
serve the late Emperor. Do thou, therefore, change the name of thy
country. In
future take the august name of the Emperor Mimaki and make it the
name of thy
country. So he gave Arashito red silk stuffs and sent him back to his
native
land. This was the reason why the name of that country is called
Mimana.
Hereupon Arashito took the red silk which had been given him, and
stored
it. in the magazine of his country. The people of Silla hearing this,
raised an
army and proceeding thither robbed him of all the red silk. This was
the
beginning of the enmity between these two countries."
One
writing
says:—" In the beginning, when Tsunoga Arashito was still in his own
land,
he went into the country with an ox loaded with implements of
husbandry. The ox
suddenly disappeared, and seeking for it by its tracks, he found that
the
foot-prints ceased in a certain village. Now there was here an old man
who
said:—' The ox 'which thou art in search of entered this village, and
the village
chiefs
said :—" With the implements which he is carrying let us fell the ox.
We
must surely prepare to slay and eat him. If the owner comes in search
of him we
shall indemnify him with something." So they slew and ate him. If thou
art
asked what thing thou desirest as the price of the ox, do not ask for
treasures, but say that thou wishest to have the God worshipped by the
village.
Tell them so. Presently the village chiefs came and said :—' What dost
thou
desire as the price of thy ox ? ' And he replied as the old man had
instructed
him. Now the God whom they worshipped was a white stone. So they gave
the
white stone to the owner of the ox, and he accordingly brought it away
with him
and placed it in his bed-chamber. This divine stone became changed into
a
beautiful maiden, upon which Arashito was greatly rejoiced, and
wished to be
united to her. But while he was away in another place, the maiden
suddenly
disappeared. Arashito was greatly alarmed, and inquired of his wife,
saying :—'
Whither has the maiden gone ? ' She replied and said:—' She has gone
towards
the East.'
So he went in search of her,
and at length, drifting far over the sea, he thus arrived in our
country. The
maiden whom he sought came to N'aniha, where she became the Deity of
the
Himegoso shrine. Then proceeding to the district of Kusaki, in the
Land of
Toyo, she afterwards became the Deity of the Himegoso shrine. She is
worshipped
in both these places."
3rd
year. Spring, 3rd month. The
Silla prince, Ama no hi-hoko arrived. The objects which he
brought
were—one Ha-buto gem, one Ashi-daka gem, one red-stone Ukaka gem, one
Idzushi
short sword, one Idzushi spear, one sun-mirror, one Kuma-himorogi,
seven things in all. These were stored in the Land of Tajima,
and
made divine things for ever.
One
version
says:——" In the beginning, Ama no hi-hoko, ' riding in a ship,
anchored at the land of Harima, where he dwelt in the village of
Shisaha.
Then the Emperor sent to Harima Ohotomo nushi, the ancestor of the
Miwa no
Kimi, and Nagaochi, the ancestor of the Yamato no Atahe, and inquired
of Ama no
hi-hoko, saying:—' Who art thou, and to what country dost thou belong ?
' Ama
no hi-hoko answered and said :—' I am the son of the King of Silla.
Hearing
that in the Land of Japan there was a sage monarch, I gave my country
to my
younger brother Chiko, and have come to offer my allegiance and to
bring
tribute of the following objects, viz,—a Ha-boso gem, an
Ashi-daka
gem, an Ukaka red-stone (or Akashi) gem, an Idzushi short sword, an
Idzushi
spear, a sun-mirror, a , Kuma-himorogi, and an Isasa sword—eight
objects in
all.'
So the
Emperor gave orders to. Ama no hi-hoko, saying:— "Do
thou dwell in either of these two villages—Shisaha in the land
of Harima, or Idesa in the island of Ahaji, at thy pleasure.'
Then Ama no hi-hoko addressed the Emperor,
saying:—' In regard to a dwelling-place for thy servant, if the
celestial
favour is bestowed on him so far as to grant thy servant the place of
his
desire, thy servant will himself proceed to and visit the various
provinces,
arid he hopes that he may be granted the place which is agreeable
to his
mind.' This was agreed to. Thereupon Ama no hi-hoko, ascending the
river Uji,
went northwards, until he arrived at the village of Ana, in the
province of
Ohomi.
Afterwards,
he proceeded onwards, from the province of Ohomi, through the
province of Wakasa, and going westward arrived at the province of
Tajima. So there he fixed
his
dwelling-place. Therefore the potters of Kagarni no hasama, in the
province of
Ohomi, are the servants of Ama
no
hi-hoko. Accordingly Ama no hi-hoko took to wife Matawo, the daughter
of
Futomimi, a man of Idzushi in Tajima, who bore to him Tajima Morosuke,
who was
the father of Tajima no Hinaraki, who was the father of Kiyohiko, who
was the
father ofTajima-mori."
4th year. Autumn, 9th month, 23rd day.
The
Empress's elder brother by the mother's side. Prince Sahohiko, plotted
treason
and tried to endanger the State. Therefore he watched for, an occasion
when the
Empress was enjoying her leisure, and addressing her, said as follows
:—"
Whom dost thou love best—thy elder brother or thy husband ? " Upon
this,
the Empress, ignorant of his object in making this inquiry,
straightway
answered and said:—" I love my elder brother." Then he enticed the
Empress, saying:—" If one serves a man by beauty, when the beauty
fades,
his affection will cease. There are now many beautiful
women in the
Empire. They will come one after another and seek affection. How, then,
canst
thou trust always to thy beauty? It is my wish, therefore, to ascend
to the
immense felicity, and of a certainty to rule over the
Empire along
with thee. So making high our pillows, we shall complete a
long
hundred years. Would not this be
delightful ? I beg thee, therefore, to slay the Emperor for me." So he
took a dagger, and giving it to the Empress, said :— " Gird on this
dagger
among thy garments, and when the Emperor goes to sleep, do thou stab
him in the
neck, and thus kill him." Upon this the Empress trembled in her
heart
within, and knew not what she should do. But in view of the
determination of
the Prince, her elder brother, she felt that remonstrance would be
useless.
Therefore she took the dagger, and having herself nowhere to deposit
it, she
placed it in her garments, intending all the while to remonstrate with
her
elder brother.
5th year, Winter, l0th month, 1st day. The Emperor proceeded
to
Kume, where he dwelt in Taka-miya."' Now the Emperor took his noon-day
sleep with the Empress's knees as his pillow. Up to this time the
Empress had
accomplished nothing, but thought vainly to herself:—"This would be the
time to do that which the Prince, my elder brother, plotted.' And she
wept
tears which fell on the Emperor's face. The Emperor woke up and
addressed ithe
Empress, saying :—"Today We have had a dream. ' A small
brocade-coloured
snake coiled itself round Our neck and a great rain arose from Saho
which
coming hither wet Our face. What does this portend ? ' The Empress
thereupon,
knowing that she could not concea the plot, in fear and awe bowed
herself to
the earth, and informed the Emperor fully of the circumstances of the
Prince
her elder brother's, treason. Accordingly she addressed him.
saying:—"
Thy handmaiden was unable to resist the purpose of the Prince, her
elder
brother, and yet could not be false to the gratitude due to the
Emperor. If I
confessed I destroyed the Prince, my elder brother.
If I said nothing, I overturned the temples
of the earth and of grain, so that on the one hand there
was fear,
and on the other there was grief.
Whether I looked up or down, there was: lamentation,
whether I advanced
or retired there was weeping and wailing. Night and day I was disturbed
in
mind, and could find no way to give information. Only
to-day when your Majesty
went to sleep with his handmaiden's knee as a
pillow she
thought—'
If I were mad enough to accomplish the purpose of my elder
brother, at this
very time the deed could be 'done without difficulty.' With this
thought still
in my mind the
tears
flowed spontaneously. So I raised my sleeve to wipe away the tears, and
they
overflowed from the sleeve and.moistened Your Majesty's face.
Therefore the
dream of today must have been an effect of this thing. The small
brocade-coloured snake is nothing else than the dagger which was
given me:
the great rain which arose suddenly is nothing else than thy
handmaiden's
tears." Then the Emperor addressed the Empress, saying :—"This is not
thy crime," and raising a force from the neighbouring district, he
commanded Yatsunada, the remote
ancestor of the Kimi of Kodzuke, to slay Saho-hiko Now Saho-hiko
withstood him
with an army and hastily piling. up rice-stalks made thereof a castle,
which
was so solid that it could not be breached. This is what was called a "
rice-castle."' A month passed, and yet it did not surrender. Hereupon
the
Empress, grieved at this, said :—" Even though I am Empress with what
countenance can I preside over the Empire, after bringing to ruin the
Prince,
my elder brother? " Accordingly, she took in her arms the Imperial
Prince Homutsu wake no Mikoto, and entered the rice-castle of the
Prince, her
elder brother. The Emperor increased his army still more, and having
surrounded the castle on all sides, proclaimed to those within it,
saying
:—" Send forth quickly the Empress and the Imperial Prince." But they
would not send them out. So the General Yatsunada set fire to the
castle.
Then the Empress, taking in her bosom the Imperial child, crossed over
the
castle and came out from it. Therewithal she besought the Emperor,
saying:—"The reason why thy handmaiden at first fled into her elder
brother's castle was in the hope that her elder brother might be
absolved from
guilt for the sake of her and of her child. But now he has not been
absolved,
and I know that I am guilty. Shall I have my hands tied behind my back
? There
is nothing left for me but to strangle myself. But even though I, thy
handmaiden, die, I cannot bear to forget the favour shown, me by the
Emperor. I pray, therefore, that the
Empress's palace,
which I had charge of, may be .granted to fair mates for thee.
In the land of Tamba there are five ladies,
all of virtuous minds, the daughters of the Prince, who is Michi no
Ushi
of Tamba let them be
placed in the side courts to complete the number nf the consort
chambers."
To this the Emperor agreed. Then the fires blazed up, and the castle
was
destroyed. The troops all ran away, and Saho-hiko and his younger
sister died
together inside the castle. Thereupon the Emperor commended the good
service
of General Yatsunada, and granted him the name
ofYamato-hi-muketake-hi-muke-hiko Yatsunada.
7th
year. Autumn, 7th month, 7th day. The courtiers represented to the
Emperor as follows :—" In the village of Taima is
a
valiant man called Kuyehaya of Taima. He is of great bodily strength,
so
that he
can break horns and straighten out hooks. He is always saying to the
people:—'
You may search the four quarters, but where is there one to compare
with me in
strength ? O that I could meet with a man of might, with whom to have a
trial
of strength, regardless of life or death."
The
Emperor, hearing this, proclaimed. to his ministers, saying :—"
We hear that Kuyehaya of Taima is the champion of the Empire. Might
there be
any one to compare with him ? "
One
of the ministers came forward and said :—" Thy servant hears
that in the Land of Idzumo there is a valiant man named Nomi no Sukune.
It is
desirable that thou shouldst send for him, by way of trial, and match
him with
Kuyehaya."
That
same day the Emperor sent Nagaochi, the ancestor of the Atahe of
Yamato, to summon Nomi no Sukune. Thereupon Nomi no Sukune came
from Idzumo,
and straightway he and Taima no Kuyehaya were made to wrestle together.
The two
men stood opposite to one another. Each raised his foot and kicked at
the
other, when Nomi no Sukune broke with a kick the ribs of
Kuyehaya
and also kicked and broke his loins and thus killed him. Therefore the
land of
Taima no Kuyehaya was seized, and was all given to Nomi no Sukune. This
was the cause why there is in that village a place called
Koshi-ore-da, i.e. the field of the broken loins.
Nomi no Sukune remained and served the
Emperor.
15th
year, Spring, and month, 10th day. The
five women of Tamba were sent for and placed in the side-court. The
name of the first was Hibasu-hime, of the second Nuba-tani-iri-hime, of
the
third
Matonu-hime, of the fourth Azami-ni-iri-hime, and of the fifth
Takano-hime.
Autumn,
8th month, 1st day. Hibasu-hime no Mikoto was appointed Empress,
and the Empress's three younger sisters were made concubines. Only
Takano-hime, on account of the ugliness of her form, was sent back to
her own
country. Accordingly in her shame at being sent back, when she came to
Kadono,
she purposely tumbled from the carriage and was killed. Therefore that
place
received the name of Ochi-kuni. The present name,
Oto-kuni, is a
corruption of this. The Empress Hibasu-hime no Mikoto had three sons
and two
daughters. The eldest was called Ini-shiki-iri-hiko no Mikoto, the
second
Oho-tarashi-hiko no Mikoto, the third Oho-nakatsu-hime no Mikoto, the
fourth
Yamato-hime no Mikoto, and the fifth Wakaki-ni-iri-biko no Mikoto. The
concubine
Nuba-tani-iri-hime gave birth to Nuteshi-wake no Mikoto and
Ika-tarashi-bime no
Mikoto. The next concubine Azami-ni-iri-bime gave birth to
Ike-haya-wake no
Mikoto and Waka-asa-tsu-hime no Mikoto.
23rd year. Autumn, 9th month,
2nd
day. The Emperor addressed his ministers, saying:—" Prince Homutsu-wake
is
now thirty years of age. His beard is eight span long, yet
he weeps
like an infant, and never speaks. What
can be the reason of this ?" So he caused Commissioners to consider
the
matter. Winter, l0th month, 8th day. The Emperor stood before the
Great Hall,
with the Imperial Prince Homutsu-wake in attendance on him. Now there
was a
swan which crossed the Great Void, uttering its cry. The Imperial
Prince looked up, and seeing
the swan, said:—"What thing is this?" The Emperor, observing that
the Imperial Prince had gained his speech on seeing the swan, was
rejoiced, and
commanded his courtiers, saying:—" Which of you will catch this bird
and
present it to me ? " Thereupon,
Amano Yukaha Tana, the ancestor of the Tottori no Miyakko, addressed
his
Majesty, saying:—"Thy servant will surely catch it, and present, it to
thee." So the Emperor declared to Yukaha Tana, saying:—" If thou
present this bird to me, I will certainly reward thee liberally." Now,
Yukaha Tana, looking from afar towards the quarter whither the swan had
flown,
followed in search of it to lzumo
and
there captured it.
11th
month, 2nd day. Yukaha Tana presented the swan to the Emperor.
Homutsu-wake no
Mikoto played with this swan and at last learned to speak. Therefore,
Yukaha
Tana was liberally rewarded, and was granted the title of Tottori no
Miyakko.
In consequence there was further established the Be of bird-catchers,
the Be of
bird-feeders,' and the Homu-tsu Be
25th year, Spring, 2nd month,
8th day.
The Emperor commanded the five Daibu, Takenu Kaha-wake, ancestor
of the Abe no
Omi, Hiko-kuni-fuku' ancestor of the Wani no Omi, Oho-kashima,
ancestor of the
Nakatomi no Muraji, Tochine, ancestor of the Mononobe no Muraji, and
Take-hi,
ancestor of the Ohotomo no Muraji, saying:—" The sagacity of our
predecessor
on the throne, the Emperor Mimaki-iri-hiko-iniye, was displayed in
wisdom : he
was reverential, intelligent and capable. He was profoundly unassuming,
and his
disposition was to cherish self-abnegation. He adjusted the machinery
of
Government, and did solemn worship to the Gods of Heaven and Earth. He
practised self-restraint and was watchful as to his personal
conduct. Every day he was heedfull for that day. Thus the weal of the
people
was sufficient, and the Empire was at peace. And now, under Our reign,
shall
there be any remissness in the worship of the Gods of Heaven and
Earth ?"'
3rd
month, 10th day. Ama-terasu no Oho-kami was taken from
Toyo-suki-iri-hime no Mikoto, and entrusted to Yamato-hime
no
Mikoto. Now Yamato-hime no Mikoto sought for a place where she might
enshrine
the Great Goddess. So she proceeded to Sasahata in Uda.
Then turning back from thence, she entered
the land of Ohomi, and went round eastwards to Mino, whence she
arrived in the
province of Ise.
Now
Ama-terasu no Oho-kami instructed Yamato-hime no Mikoto,
saying:—" The province of Ise, of the divine wind, is the
land
whither repair the waves from the eternal world, the successive waves.
It is a
secluded and pleasant land. In this land I wish to dwell." .In
compliance,
therefore, with the instruction of the Great Goddess, a shrine was
erected to
her in the province of Ise. Accordingly an Abstinence Palace was
built at
Kaha-kami in Isuzu. This was called the palace of Iso. It was there
that
Ama-terasu no Oho-kami first descended from Heaven.
One
story is that the; Emperor made Yamato-hime no Mikoto to be his
august-staff, and offered her to Ama-terasu no Oho-kami.
Thereupon
Yamato-hime no Mikoto took Ama-terasu no Oho-kami, and having enshrined
her at
Idzu-kashi no Moto in Shiki, offered sacrifice to her.
Thereafter,
in compliance with the Goddess's instructions, she, in Winter, the 10th
month
of the year Hinoto Mi, on
the l8th
day, removed to the Palace of Watarahi in the province of Ise. At this
time
the Great God of Yamato inspired Ohominakuchi no Sukune, the
ancestor of the
Hodzumi no Omi, and admonished (the Emperor by his mouth), saying:—"At
the
time of the Great Beginning, it ; 'was covenanted that Ama-terasu no
Oho-kami
should govern all the Plain of Heaven, and that her august
Imperial
descendants should hold absolute rule over the eighty spiritual beings
of the
Central Reed-plain Land. My personal tenure of the governance of. the
great
land is already at an end. But although the worship of the Gods in
Heaven and Earth was maintained by the late Emperor Mimaki, hs
failed to
search out the root of the matter in-its details; he was wanting in
thoroughness, and stopped short at the leaves and branches. Therefore
that
Emperor was short-lived. For this reason do thou, our august
descendant,
now show regret for the shortcomings of the late Emperor and. be
watchful in
regard to the ceremonies of worship. If thou dost so, the life of thine
augustness will be long, and moreover the
Empire will have
peace."
Now when the Emperor heard these
words, he caused Fukayu nushi, the ancestor of the Nakatomi no Muraji,
to
use divination in order to discover who
should be appointed to conduct the worship of the Great God of Yamato.
Thereupon Nunaki-waka-hime no Mikoto answered to the divination,
and was
consequently appointed. A sacred plot of ground was fixed on in the
village of
Anashi, and worship performed at Point Naga-oka of Oho-chi. But
this
Nunaki-waka-hime no Mikoto's body was already all emaciated, so that
she was
unable to do sacrifice, and therefore Nagaochi no Sukune,
ancestor of the
Yamato no Atahe, was made to offer the
sacrifices.
26th year, Autumn, 8th month, 3rd
day. The Emperor commanded
the Mononobe, Tochine no Oho-muraji, saying; We have
repeatedly
despatched messengers to the Land of Idzumo to inspect the divine
treasures of
that Land, but we. have had no clear report. Do thou go thyself to
Idzumo, and
having made inspection, attest them." So Tochine no Oho-muraji, having
examined and attested the divine treasures, made a clear report thereof
to. His
Majesty. He was accordingly . appointed
to the charge of the divine treasures.
27th year Autumn, 8th month, 7th day. The Department of
Worship was
made to ascertain by divination what implements of war would be
lucky as
offerings to the Gods. Consequently bows, arrows, and cross-swords
were
deposited in the shrines of all the Gods. The land. and houses
consecrated to
their service were fixed anew, and they were sacrificed to in due
season.
The practice of offering weapons in sacrifice to the
Gods
of Heaven and Earth probably had its origin at this time. This
year granaries were erected in the village of Kume.
28th year. Winter, 10th month, 5th day.
Yamato-hiko no Mi-koto, the Emperor's younger brother by the mother's
side,
died.
11th
month, 2nd day, Yamato-hiko was buried at Tsuki-zaka in Musa. Thereupon
his
personal attendants were assembled, and were all buried alive upright
in the
precinct of the misasagi. For several days they died not, but wept and
wailed
day and night. At last they died and rotted.
Dogs and crows gathered and ate them,
.
.
The
Emperor, hearing the sound of 'their weeping and wailing, was grieved
in heart,
and commanded his high officers, saying:—" It is a very painful thing
to
force those whom one has loved in life to follow him in death. Though
it be an
ancient custom, why follow it, if it is bad ? From this
time forward, take counsel so as to
put a stop to the
following of the dead."
30th year. Spring, 1st month, 6th
day. The Emperor a commanded
Inishiki no
Mikoto and Oho-tarashi-hiko no Mikoto,
saying:—"Do ye each tell me the thing ye would dearly like to have."
The elder Prince said :—" I should like to have a bow and arrows."
The younger Prince said:—"I should like to have the Imperial
Dignity." Thereupon the Emperor commanded, saying:—" Let the desire
of each of you be complied with." So
a bow and arrows were given to Inishiki no Mikoto, and a decree was
addressed
to Oho-tarashi hiko no Mikoto, saying:—" Thou must succeed to Our
Dignity."
. .
32nd year, Autumn,
7th
month, 6th day. The Empress Hibasu-hime no Mikoto died.
Some
time
before the burial, the Emperor commanded his Ministers, saying:—" We
have
already recognized that the practice of following the dead is not good.
What
should now be done in performing this burial ?" Thereupon Nomi no
Stnkune
came forward and said :—" It. is not good to bury living men upright at
the tumulus of a prince. How can such a practice be handed down to
posterity ?
I beg leave to propose an expedient which I will submit to Your
Majesty."
So he sent messengers to summon up from the Land of Idzumo a hundred
men of the
clay-workers' Be. He himself directed the men of the clay-workers' Be
to take
clay and form therewith shapes of men, horses, and various objects,
which he
presented to the Emperor, saying :—" Henceforward let it be the law for
future ages to substitute things of clay for living men, and to set
them up at
tumuli." Then the Emperor was greatly rejoiced, and commanded Nomi no
Sukune, saying :—" Thy expedient hath greatly pleased Our heart." So
the things of clay were first set up at the tomb of Hibasu-hime no
Mikoto.
And a name was
given
to these clay objects. They were called Hani-wa.
Then
a decree was issued, saying :—" Henceforth these clay figures
must be set up at tumuli : let not men be harmed." The Emperor
bountifully
rewarded Nomi no Sukune for this service, and also bestowed on him a
kneading-place, and appointed him to the official charge of the
clay-workers'
Be. His original title was therefore changed, and he was called Hashi
no Omi.
This was how it came to pass that the Hashi no Muraji superintend the
burials
of the Emperors.
The
said Nomi no Sukune was the first ancestor of the Hashi no Muraji.
34th
year, Spring, 3rd month, 2nd day. The Emperor made a progress to
Yamashiro. At this time his courtiers represented to him that there was
in that
country a beautiful person named Kambata no Tohe. She was
very
handsome, and was the daughter of Fuchi of Ohokuni in Yamashiro.
Hereupon the
Emperor, spear in hand, made a vow, saying:—"I must be united to this
beautiful person." On. his way he saw an omen.
When
he was arriving
at his lodging, a large tortoise came out from the river. Ths Emperor
raised
his spear and thrust at
the
tortoise, when
it suddenly became changed into a white stone. Then the courtiers
said:—"
If one were only to think is
out, it
must prognosticate something." So Kambata no Tohe was sent for, and
lodged
in the hinder palace. She was .he mother of lha-tsuku-wake no Mikoto,
who was
the ancestor of the Kimi of Miho. Before this he had taken to wife
Kari-hata-tohe, who bore him three sons. The first was called Oji-wake
no
Mikoto, the second Ika-tarashi-hiko no Mikoto, and
the third I-take-wake no Mikoto.
Ika-tarashi-hiko no Mikoto was, the first ancestor of the Kimi
of lshida.
35th
year. Autumn, 9th month. Inishiki no Mikoto was sent to the province
of Kahachi to construct the pond of Takashi, and the pond of Chinu.
Winter, 10th month. He made the pond of Saki in Yamato, and
the pond of Tomi. In this year,, the various provinces were commanded
extensively to excavate ponds and channels, to the number of eight
hundred and
more. Much attention was thus paid to husbandry. Therefore the people
enjoyed
abundance, and the Empire was at peace.
37th
year, Spring, 1st month, 1st day. Oho-tarashi-hiko no Mikoto was made
Prince
Imperial.
39th
year. Winter, 10th month. Inishiki no Mikoto, while dwelling in the
palace at
Kahakami of Udo in Chinu, made a thousand swords. Therefore those
swords were
called the Eahakami set. Another
name was the Naked Companions.
They were
deposited in the shrine of Iso no kami. After this the Emperor gave
orders to
Inishiki no Mikoto, and made him to have charge of the divine treasures
of the
shrine of Iso no
kami.
One version
is:—"Whilst the
Imperial Prince Inishiki
dwelt at Kahakami of Udo in
Chinu, he sent for a smith by name Kahakami, and made a thousand
swords. At
this time, the shield-makers' Be, the Japanese-figured-cloth-workers'
Be, the
sacred-bow-shavers' Be, the sacred-arrow-makers' Be, the
Oho-anashi
Be, the Hatsu-kashi Be, the
jewel-workers' Be, the Kami-osaka Be, the Hi-oki' Be, and
the
sword-wearers' Be—the Be of ten articles altogether—were granted
to the
Imperial Prince Inishiki.
These
thousand swords were deposited in the village of Osaka. They were
afterwards removed from Osaka and deposited in the shrine of Iso no
kami. At
this time the God made a request, saying :—' Let the person named
Ichikaha, of
the family of the Omi of Kasuga, be made to attend to them.' Therefore
by the
Emperor's command, Ichikaha was caused to attend to them. He was the
first
ancestor of the Mononobe no Obito.''
87th
year. Spring, 2nd month, 5th day. Inishiki no Mikoto spake to his
younger sister, Oho-naka-tsu-hime no Mikoto, saying:—"I am old, and
unable
to have charge of the divine treasures. Henceforward thou must have
charge of
them." Oho-naka-tsu-hime refused, saying:—"I am a feeble woman. How
can I ascend to the divine storehouse of Heaven ? "
Inishiki
no Mikoto said:-—"Although the divine storehouse is high,
I can make for the divine storehouse a ladder. How, then, should it be
hard to
ascend to the storehouse ? " Hence the proverbial saying, " You can
ascend even to the divine storehouse of Heaven, if you only plant a
ladder." This was its' origin.
Ultimately. Oho-naka-tsu-hime no Mikoto gave them to Mononobe no
Tochine
no Oho-muraji, and made him to have charge of them. Therefore the
Mononobe no
Muraji retain charge of the divine treasures of Iso no kami up to the
present
time. The above was the origin of this practice.
Formerly
in the Land of Tamba, in the village of Kuwada, there was a man
whose name was Mikaso. Now, in Mikaso's house there was a dog, by
name
Ayuki. This dog bit a wild animal called the mujina, and
killed it. In
the animal's belly there was found a magatama ofYasakagem. This gem was
accordingly
offered to the Emperor, and is now in the shrine of Iso no kami.
88th
year. Autumn, 7th month, loth day.. The Emperor commanded the
Ministers, saying:—"We hear that the divine treasures which the Silla
Prince Ama no hihoko brought with him when he first came here are now
in
Tajima. They were originally made divine treasures because the people
of that
province saw that they were admirable. We desire to see these
treasures."
That same day messengers were despatched with the Imperial commands to
Kiyo-hiko, great-grandson of Ama no hihoko, directing him to present
them to
the Emperor. Thereupon, Kiyo-hiko, when he received the Imperial
orders,
brought the divine treasures himself, and laid them before His Majesty.
There
was one Ha-buto gem, one Ashi-daka gem, one Uka no Akashi (red-stone)
gem, one
sun-mirror, and one Kuma-himorogi. But there was one short
sword
called Idzushi,which it suddenly occurred to Kiyo-hiko
not to
offer to the Emperor; so he concealed it in his clothing, and wore it
himself.
The Emperor, unaware of the circumstance of the concealment of the
short
sword, and wishing to be gracious to Kiyo-hi, sent for. him and gave
him
sake in the palace .Then
the
short sword appeared from among his garments and became visible. The
Emperor
saw it, and himself asked Kiyo-hiko, saying:—"What short sword is that
in
thy clothing? " Then Kiyo-hiko, seeing that he was unable to
conceal the short sword, explained that it belonged to the divine
treasures
which he was laying before the Emperor. So the Emperor said to
Kiyo-hiko:—" How is it possible for this divine treasure to be
separated
from its kind? " So he took it out and presented it to the Emperor,
and
all were deposited in ithe Sacred Treasury. Afterwards, when the Sacred
Treasury was opened and inspected, the short sword had spontaneously
dissappeared. Accordingly, a messenger was sent to Kiyo-hiko, who
inquired of
him, saying :—" The short sword which thou hast presented to the
Emperor
has suddenly disappeared. Has it perchance come to thy place?"
Kiyo-hiko answered, and said:—:" Last night the short sword came of
its
own accord to thy servant's house; but this morning it has disappeared."
The Emperor was struck with awe, and made no further endeavour to find
it.
Afterwards the Idzushi short sword went of its own accord to the Island
of
Ahaji, where the people of .the island considered it a God, and erected
for
the.short sword a shrine, in which it is worshipped until this day.
Formerly
there was a man, who riding in a ship, cast anchor in the land
of Tajima. He was therefore asked, saying:— " Of what country art thou
?" He answered and said:—"I am a son' ; of the king of Silla, and my
name is Ama no hihoko. So he dwelt in Tajima, and took to wife Mata no
wo,
daughter of Mahetsu mimi of
that province, who bore to him Tajima Morosuke, the grandfather of
Kiyo-hiko.
90th
year. Spring, 2nd month, 1st day. The Emperor commanded Tajima Mori
to go to the Eternal Land and get the fragrant fruit that grows out
of
season, now called the Tachibana.
99th
year. Autumn, 7th month, 14th day. The Emperor died in the Palace of
Maki-muku at the age of 140, and in Winter, the 12th month, the 10th
day, was
buried, in the misasagi of Fushimi, in Suga-hara.
The
next year Spring, the 3rd month, the 12th day, Tajima Mori arrived
from the Eternal Land, bringing of the fragrant fruit that grows out of
season
eight sticks and eight bundles.
Thereupon
Tajima Mori wept and lamented, saying:—
Receiving the Celestial Court's
command,
Afar I went
to a remote region :
Ten
thousand ri I crossed the
waves,
Distantly I passed
over
the weak water.
This
Eternal Land
Is no other than the mysterious realm of
Gods and Genii
To which ordinary mortals cannot attain,
Therefore in going thither and returning
Ten years have naturally passed.
Beyond my expectation, I braved alone the
towering billows,
Turning
my way
again towards my own land.
Thus, trusting in the spirits of the
Emperors,
I hardly accomplished my return.
But now the Emperor is dead,
I am unable to report my mission.
Though I should remain alive,
What more would it avail me ?
Then
turning his
face towards the misasagi of the Emperor, he wept aloud, and so of
himself he
died.
When the ministers heard of it they all shed tears.
Tajima
Mori was the first ancestor of the Miyake no Muraji.