|
Interfaith >> world religions >> shinto >> the nihongi >>
the nihongi (excerpts)
part 3
In contradistinction from the rest, the following six men, viz., Shihoya no
Konoshiro, Kamikozo no Saigusa, Asakura no Kimi, Mariko no Muraji, Mikaba no
Oho-tomo noAtabe and Suzuki wo no Atabe, have been obedient to the Emperor. We
profoundly commend their sentiments.
"Let the official rice-fields belonging to the public offices in various
places be done away with, as well as the lent-rice in various places belonging
to the Ko-so-bo Kibishima and let her official rice-lands be distributed among
all Our Ministers and Tomo no Miyakko. Moreover, let rice-land and hill-tracts
be given to those temples which are omitted from the registers."
20th day. The Prince Imperial, by a messenger, addressed a petition to the
Emperor, saying: "In the reigns of the former Emperors, they treated the Empire
as a whole, and so ruled it. But, when we come to the present time, there was
division and separation, to the injury of the Work (the work of the State is
meant). Now that it has devolved on the Emperor our Sovereign to have pastoral
charge of the myriad people, Heaven and Man respond harmoniously to each other
and the government has been reformed I, therefore, filled with joy and
veneration, place it on my head, and prostrating myself, address Your Majesty:
'The Emperor who now rules the Land of the Eight Islands as an Incarnate Deity
inquired of thy servant, saying: "Should the Kosbiro no Iribe in the possession
of Ministers, Muraji, Tomo no -Miyakko, Kuni no Miyakko, and established in the
days of former Emperors, the Mina no Iribe in the private possession of Imperial
Princes, and the Mina no Iribe belonging to the Imperial Father 78 Ohoye
(Hikobito Obove is meant), as well as their Miyake, be allowed to remain the
same as in former generations, or not?" Thy servant having received this command
with reverence, replies respectfully, saying: "In Heaven there are not two suns:
in a country there are not two rulers. It is therefore the Emperor alone who is
supreme over all the Empire, and who has a right to the services of the myriad
people. Make a special selection of laborers from the Iribe and from the people
granted in fee, and follow the former arrangement. For the rest, it may be
feared that they will be put to forced labor on private authority. I therefore
offer to the Emperor 524 men of the Iribe, and 181 Miyake."
22nd day. The Emperor made a decree, as follows: "We are informed that a
Prince of the Western Land admonished his people, saying: 'Those who made
interments in ancient times resorted to a high ground which they formed into a
tomb. They did not pile up a mound, nor did they plant trees. The inner and
outer coffin were merely enough to last till the bones decayed, the shroud was
merely sufficient to last till the flesh decayed. I shall therefore cultivate
the unproductive pieces of land occupied by these tombs, to the end that their
place may be forgotten after changing generations. Deposit not in them gold or
silver or copper or iron, and let earthenware objects alone represent the clay
chariots and straw figures of antiquity. Let the interstices of the coffin be
varnished. Let the offerings consist of rice presented three times, and let not
pearls or jewels be placed in the mouth of the deceased. Bestow not jewel-shirts
or jade armor. All these things are practises of the unenlightened vulgar.'
Again it is said: 'Burial is putting away, and proceeds from the desire to
prevent the dead from being seen by people.' Of late, the poverty of our people
is absolutely owing to the construction of tombs. We now issue regulations
making distinction of noble and mean.
"The inner dimensions of tombs of persons of the rank of Princes and upward
shall be nine feet in length by five in width. Their outer limits shall be nine
fathoms square and their height five fathoms. The work shall be completed by
1000 laborers in seven days. At the time of interment white cloth shall be used
for the hangings of the bier, etc. A hearse may be used.
"The inner dimensions of tombs of Superior Ministers shall be similar in
length, breadth, and height to the above. Their outer limits shall be seven
fathoms square, and they shall be three fathoms in height." The work shall be
completed by 500 laborers in five days. At the time of interment white cloth
shall be used for the hangings of the bier, which shall be borne on men's
shoulders.
"The inner dimensions of a tomb of a Minister of a lower class shall be in
every respect similar in length, breadth, and height to the above. Their outer
limits shall be five fathoms square, and they shall be two and a half fathoms in
height. The work shall be completed by 250 laborers in three days. At the time
of interment white cloth shall be used for hangings. In other matters the same
rule as before is to be followed.
"The inner dimensions of the tombs of persons of the rank of Dainin and
Shonin shall be nine feet in length and four feet in height and breadth. The
ground shall be made level and no mound raised. The work shall be completed by
100 laborers in one day.
"In the case of persons from the rank of Dairei to that of Shochi inclusive,
the tombs shall in all respects follow the rule of Dainin, but the work shall be
completed by fifty laborers in one day.
"Let small stones be used for the tombs of all from the rank of Prince down
to that of Shochi, and let white cloth be used for the hangings.
"When ordinary persons die, let them be buried in the ground, and let the
hangings be of coarse cloth. Let the interment not be delayed for a single
day.
"The construction of places of temporary interment is not allowed in any
case, from Princes down to common people.
"Not only in the Home provinces, but in the provinces generally, let plots of
ground be set apart for interments. It is not permitted to pollute the earth by
dispersed interments in various places.
"When a man dies, there have been cases of people sacrificing themselves by
strangulation, or of strangling others by way of sacrifice, or of compelling the
dead man's horse to be sacrificed, or of burying valuables in the grave in honor
of the dead, or of cutting off the hair, and stabbing the thighs and pronouncing
a eulogy on the dead (while in this condition). Let all such old customs be
entirely discontinued.
"A certain book says: 'No gold or silver, no silk brocades, and no colored
stuffs are to be buried.' Again it is said: 'From the Ministers of all ranks
down to the common people, it is not allowed to use gnld or silver.
"Should there be any cases of this decree being disregarded and these
prohibitions infringed, the relations shall surely receive punishment.
"Again, there are many cases of persons who, having seen, say that they have
not seen, or who, having not seen, say that they have seen, or who, having
heard, say that they have not heard, or who, having not heard, say that they
have beard, being deliberate liars, and devoid of truth in words and in
sight.
"Again, there have been many cases in which slaves, both male and female,
false to their masters in their poverty, betake themselves of their own accord
to influential houses in quest of a livelihood, which influential houses
forcibly detain and purchase them, and do not send them to their original
owners.
"Again, there have been very many cases in which wives or concubines, when
dismissed by their husbands, have after the lapse of years, married other
husbands, as ordinary morality allows. Then their former husbands, after three
or four years, have made greedy demands on the second husband's property,
seeking their own gain.
"Again, there have been very many cases in which men, relying on their power,
have rudely demanded people's daughters in marriage. In the interval, however,
before going to his house, the girl has, of her own accord, married another, and
the rude suitor has angrily made demands of the property of both families for
his own gain.
"Again, there have been numerous cases of this kind. Sometimes a wife who has
lost her husband marries another man after the lapse of ten or twenty years and
becomes his spouse, or an unmarried girl is married for the first time. Upon
this, people, out of envy of the married pair, have made them perform
purgation."'
"Again, there are cases in which women, who have become men's wives and who,
being put away owing to their husbands' dislike of them, have, in their
mortification at this injury, compelled themselves to become blemished
slaves.
"Again, there are cases in which the husband, having frequent occasion to be
jealous of his wife's illicit intercourse with others, voluntarily appeals to
the authorities to decide the matter. Let such persons not lay their information
until they have obtained, let us say, three credible witnesses to join with them
in making a declaration. Why should they bring forward ill-considered
plaints?
"Again, there have been cases of men employed on forced labor in border lands
who, when the work was over and they were returning to their village, have
fallen suddenly ill and lain down to die by the roadside. Upon this the inmates
of the houses by the roadside say: 'Why should people be allowed to die on our
road?' And they have accordingly detailed the companions of the deceased and
compelled them to do purgation. For this reason it often happens that even if an
elder brother lies down and dies on the road, the younger brother will refuse to
take up his body for burial.
Again, there are cases of peasants being drowned in a river. The bystanders
say: 'Why should -we be made to have anything to do with drowned men?' They
accordingly detain the drowned man's companions and compel them to do purgation.
For this reason it often happens that even when an elder brother is drowned in a
river his younger brother will not render assistance.
"Again, there are cases of people who, when employed on forced labor, cool,
their rice by the roadside. Upon this the inmates of the houses by the roadside
say: 'Why should people cook rice at their own pleasure on our road and have
compelled them to do purgation'
"Again, there are cases when people have applied to others for the loan of
pots in which to boil their rice, and the pots have knocked against something
and have been upset. Upon this the owner of the pot compels purgation to be
made.
"All such practises are habitual among the unenlightended vulgar. Let them
now be discontinued without exception, and not be permitted again.
Again, there are cases in which peasants, when they are about to proceed to
the capital, apprehensive lest their riding horses should be worn out and unable
to go, give two fathoms of cloth and two bundles of hemp to men of the two
provinces of Mikaha or Wohari, to hire them to feed their horses. After they
have been to the capital and are on their way home, they make them a present of
a spade, and then find that the men of Mikaha, etc., have not only failed to
feed their horses properly, but have allowed them to die of starvation. In the
case of horses of a superior class, they conceive covetous desires, and invent
lying tales of their having been stolen, while in the case of mares which become
pregnant in their house, they cause purgation to be made, and in the end make a
plunder of the beast.
"Such things have come to our ears, We therefore now establish the following
regulation:
"Whenever horses are left at livery or in any of the provinces along the
highway, let the owner take with him the man whom he engages for this purpose,
and make a full statement to the village elder, handing over to the latter at
the same time the articles given as remuneration. It is unnecessary for him to
make any further payment when be returns home. If be has caused the horse to
suffer harm, he should get nothing.
"If any one disobeys this edict, a severe penalty shall be imposed.
"The dues payable to Market Commissioners, for main roads, and to ferrymen,
are abolished, and lands are granted instead.
"Beginning with the Home provinces, and embracing the provinces in all four
quarters, during the agricultural months," let every one apply himself early to
the cultivation of the rice-land. It is not meet at such time to let them eat
dainty food or drink sake. Let faithful messengers be appointed to intimate this
to the Home provinces. And let the Kuni no Miyakko of the provinces in every
quarter choose good messengers to urge the peasants to work in accordance with
the edict."
Autumn, 8th month, 14th day. An edict was issued, saying:
"Going back to the origin of things, we find that it is Heaven and Earth with
the male and female principles of nature, which guard the four seasons from
mutual confusion. We find, moreover, that it is this Heaven and Earth which
produces the ten thousand things. Amongst these ten thousand things Man is the
most miraculously gifted. Among the most miraculously gifted beings, the sage
takes the position of ruler. Therefore the Sage Rulers, viz., the Emperors, take
Heaven as their exemplar in riding the World, and never for a moment dismiss
from their breasts the thought of how men shall gain their fit place.
" Now as to the names of the early Princes, the Omi, Muraji, Tomo no Miyakko
and Kuni no Miyakko have divided their various Be and allotted them severally to
their various titles (or surnames). They afterward took the various Be of the
people, and made them reside in the provinces and districts, one mixed up with
another. The consequence has been to make father and child bear different
surnames, and brothers to be reckoned of distinct families, while husbands and
wives have names different from one another. One family is divided into five or
split up into six, and both Court and country are therefore filled with
contentious suits. No settlement has been come to, and the mutual confusion
grows worse and worse. Let the various Be, therefore, beginning with those of
the reigning Emperor and including those in the possession of the Omi, Muraji,
etc., be, without exception, abolished, and let them become subjects of the
State. Those who have become Tonio no Miyakko by borrowing the names of princes,
and those who have become Omi or Muraji on the strength of the names of
ancestors, may not fully apprehend our purport, and might think, if they heard
this announcement without warning, that the names borrowed by their ancestors
would become extinct. We therefore make this announcement beforehand, so that
they may understand what are Our intentions.
"The children of rulers succeed one another in the government of the Empire,
and it is well known that the names of the actual Emperor and of his Imperial
ancestors will not be forgotten by the world. But the names of sovereigns are
lightly given to rivers and plains, or common people are called by them. This is
a truly fearful state of things. The appellations of sovereigns, like the sun
and moon, will float afar: the names of those of the Imperial line will last
forever, like unto Heaven and Earth. Such being our opinion, we announce as
follows: 'Do ye all, from those of the Imperial line down to the Ministers, the
Daibu, Omi, Muraji, and Tomo no Miyakko, who do Us service, in short all persons
of whatever Uji (One book has ' royal subjects of whatever name'), give ear to
what We say. with regard to the form of your service, We now abolish the former
offices and constitute afresh the hundred bureaus. We shall, moreover, grant
grades of rank and confer official dignities.
"Let the local Governors who are now being dispatched, and also the Kuni no
Miyakko of the same provinces, give ear to what we say. In regard to the method
of administration notified last year to the Court Assembly, let the previous
arrangement be followed, and let the rice-lands which are received and measured
be granted equally to the people, without distinction of persons. In granting
rice-lands the peasants' houses should adjoin the land. Those whose houses lie
near the lands must therefore have the preference. In this sense receive Our
injunctions.
In regard to commuted taxes they should be collected from males only.
"Laborers should be supplied at the rate of one for every fiftyhouses. The
boundaries of the provinces should be examined and a description or map
prepared, which should be brought here and produced for Our inspection. The
names of the provinces and districts will be settled when you come.
"With respect to the places where embankments are to be constructed, or
canals dug, and the extent of rice-land to be brought under cultivation, in the
various provinces, uniform provision will be made for causing such work to be
executed.
"Give ear to and understand these injunctions."
9th month. The Sbotoko Kuromaro, Takamuko no Hakase, was sent to Silla to
cause them to send a hostage. Ultimately the tribute from Imna was
discontinued.
In this month the Emperor occupied the temporary Palace of Kahadzu. (Some
books have "detached Palace.")
In this year the rats of the province of Koshi drew together in troops by
night and day, and took their departure toward the East.
(A.D. 647.) 3rd year, Spring, 1st month, 15th day. There was archery at the
Court.
On this day Koryo and Silla sent messengers together to offer tribute.
Summer, 4th month, 29th day. An edict was issued as follows:
"The Empire was entrusted by the Sun-goddess to her descendants, with the
words: 'My children, in their capacity of deities, shall rule it.' (The phrase
means to follow the way of the gods, or again to possess in oneself the way of
the Gods.) For this reason, this country, since Heaven and Earth began, has been
a monarchy. From the time that Our Imperial ancestor first ruled the land, there
has been great concord in the Empire, and there has never been any factiousness.
In recent times, however, the names, first of the gods, and then of the
Emperors, have in some cases been separated (from their proper application) and
converted into the Uji of Omi or Muraji. or they have been separated and made
the qualifications of Miyakko, etc. In consequence of this, the minds of the
people of the whole country take a strong partisan bias, and conceiving a deep
sense of the me and
thee, hold firmly each to their names. Moreover the feeble and incompetent
Omi, Muraji, Tomo no Miyakko and Kuni no Miyakko make of such names their family
names; and so the names of gods and the names of sovereigns are applied to
persons and places in an unauthorized manner, in accordance with the bent of
their own feelings. Now, by using the names of gods and the names of sovereigns
as bribes, they draw to themselves the slaves of others, and so bring dishonor
upon unspotted names. The consequence is that the minds of the people have
become unsettled and the government of the country can not be carried on. The
duty has therefore now devolved on Us in Our capacity as Celestial Divinity, to
regulate and settle these things. In order to make them understood, and thereby
to order the State and to order the people, We shall issue, one after another, a
succession of edicts, one earlier, another later, one to-day and another
tomorrow. But the people, -who have always trusted in the civilizing influence
104 exercised by the Emperors, and who are used to old customs, will certainly
find it hard to wait until these edicts are made. We shall therefore remit to
all, from Princes and Ministers down to the common people of all classes, the
tax in lieu of service."
In this year Wogohori was pulled down and a Palace built.
The Emperor, having taken up his residence in the Palace of Wogohori,
established a Law for Ceremonies, the regulations of which were as follows:
All persons holding official rank must draw up in lines to right and left
outside the south gate at the hour of the Tiger, and wait there until the first
appearance of the sun. They shall then enter the Court, and having made their
obeisances, shall attend in the Hall. Those who come late will not be permitted
to enter and take up their attendance. 'When the hour of the Horse arrives, they
shall retire when they bear the sound of the bell. The officer whose business it
is. to strike the bell shall wear a red apron. The bellstand shall be set up in
the Middle Court,
The engineer of the rank of Daisen, Aratawi no Hirafu, Yamato Aya no Atahe,
mistakenly dug a canal which he led to Naniha and thereby distressed the people.
Upon this some one presented a memorial of remonstrance, and the Emperor made a
decree, saying: "We unwisely gave ear to Hirafu's misrepresentations, and so dug
this canal to no purpose. It is We who are to blame." That same day the work was
discontinued.
Winter, 10th month, 11th day. The Emperor made a progress to the hot baths of
Arima. He was accompanied by the Oho-omi of the Right and Left, and by the other
Ministers and Daibu.
12th month, last day. The Emperor returned from the hot baths and stayed in
the temporary Palace of Muko.
On this day the Palace of the Prince Imperial took fire, to the great marvel
of the people of that time.
In this year there were instituted caps of seven kinds and thirteen
grades.
The first was called Shoku-kwan. Of this there were two grades, the greater
and the lesser. It was made of woven stuff, and embroidered on the borders. The
color of the clothing was in both cases dark purple.
The second was called Shu-kwan. Of this there were two grades, the greater
and the lesser. It was made of embroidered stuff. The border of the cap and the
color of the clothing was the same as for the Shoku.-kwan.
The third was called Shi-kwan. Of this there were two grades, the greater and
the lesser. It was made of purple material, with a border of woven stuff. The
color of the clothing was light purple.
The fourth was called Kin-kwan. Of this there were two grades, the greater
and the lesser. The greater Kin-kwan was made of Dai-haku-sen brocade, and had
the cap-border of woven stuff: the lesser Kin-kwan was made of Sho-haku-sen
brocade, and bad the cap-border of Dai-haku-sen brocade. The color of the
clothing was in both cases true dark red.
The fifth was called Sei-kwan, and was made of blue silk. Of this there were
two grades, the greater and the lesser. The greater Sei-kwan had a border of
Dai-haku-sen brocade. The color of the clothing was in both cases deep
violet.
The sixth was called Kok-kwan, and was made of black silk. Of this there were
two grades, the greater and the lesser. The greater Kok-kwan had a border of
wheel-pattern brocade. The lesser Kok-kwan had a border of diamondpattern
brocade. The color of the clothing was in both cases green.
The seventh was called Kembu (the initial or lowest rank. It was also called
Risshin). It was made of black silk and had a border of dark violet.
In addition to the above there were To-kwan, made of black silk. These caps
had varnished gauze stretched behind.
Distinctions of rank were indicated by the border and the hair ornaments. The
latter were in shape like a cicada. The hair ornaments of the grades from the
Lesser Kin-kwan upward were of a combination of gold and silver: the hair
ornaments of the Greater and Lesser Sei-kwan were made of silver: the hair
ornaments of the Greater and Lesser Kokkwan were made of copper. The Kembu caps
had no hair ornaments.
These caps were worn at Grand Assemblies, when foreign guests were
entertained, and at the (Buddhist) maigre feasts of the fourth month and seventh
month.
Silla sent Kim Chhyun-chhyu, a Superior Minister, of the rank of Greater
Ason, and others to accompany the Hakase, Takamuko no Kuromaro, of Shotoko rank,
and Oshikuma, Nakatomi no Muraji, of middle Shosen rank, and bring a present to
the Emperor of a peacock and a parrot. Chhyunchhyu was made a hostage. He was a
handsome man, who talked and smiled agreeably.
The Nutari barrier was constructed, and a barrier-settlement established. Old
men talked to one another, saying: "The migration of the rats toward the East
some years ago prefigured the making of this barrier."
(A.D. 648.) 4th year. Spring, 1st month, 1st day. The ceremony of New Year's
congratulations took place.
In the evening the Emperor proceeded to the Palace of Toyosaki in Naniha.
2nd month, 1st day. Student priests were sent to Korea.
8th day. The Oho-omi Abe Invited the four classes to the Temple of Shitenoji,
where, having brought in four images of Buddha, lie bad them enshrined within
the pagoda. He constructed a figure of the wondrous Vulture Mountain, which he
made by piling up drums on one another.
Summer, 4th month, 1st day. The old caps were discontinued. The Oho-omi of
the Left and Right, however, continued to wear the old caps.
This year Silla sent envoys bearing tribute.
The barrier of Ihabune was put to rights as a precaution against the Yemisbi.
Eventually subjects from the provinces of Koshi and Shinano were selected, and a
barrier-settlement for the first time established.
5th year. Spring, 1st month, 1st day. The New Year's congratulations took
place.
2nd month. Nineteen cap grades were instituted, as follows:
| First |
Dai-shiki |
(greater woven-stuff) |
| Second |
Sbc-shiki |
(lesser woven-stuff) |
| Third |
Dai-shu |
(greater embroidery) |
| Fourth |
Sho-shu, |
(lesser embroidery) |
| Fifth |
Dai-shi |
(greater purple) |
| Sixth |
Sho-shi |
(lesser purple) |
| Seventh |
Upper Dai-kwa |
(greater flower) |
| Eighth. |
Lower Dai-kwa |
(greater flower) |
| Ninth |
Upper Sho-kwa |
(Iesser flower) |
| Tenth |
Lower Sho-kwa |
(lesser flower) |
| Eleventh |
Upper Dai-sen |
(greater mountain) |
| Twelfth |
Lower Dai-sen |
(greater mountain) |
| Thirteenth |
Upper Sho-en |
(lesser mountain) |
| Fourteenth |
Lower Sho-sen |
(lesser mountain) |
| Fifteenth |
Upper Dai-otsu |
|
| Sixteenth |
Lower Dai-otsu |
|
| Seventeenth |
Upper Sho-otsu |
|
| Eighteenth |
Lower Sbo-otsu |
|
| Nineteenth |
Risshin |
(Promotion or advancement) |
In this month an order was given to the Hakase, Takamuko no Kuromaro, and the
Buddhist Priest Bin to establish Eight Departments of State and one hundred
bureaus.
3rd month, 17th day. Abe no Oho-omi died. The Emperor proceeded to the
Shujaku gate, where be raised up lamentations for him and showed much emotion.
The Empress Dowager, the Prince Imperial, and the other Princes, together with
the Ministers of every rank, all, following his example, mourned and
lamented.
24th day. Hiuga, Soga no Omi (styled Musashi) slandered the Oho-omi
Kurayamada to the Prince Imperial, saying: "Maro, thy servant's elder brother by
a different mother, is watching the opportunity of the Prince Imperial making an
excursion to the seaside, in order to do him a mischief. He will ere long commit
treason." The Prince Imperial believed this. The Emperor sent Ohotomo no Komano
Muraji, Alikuni no Maro no Kimi, and Hodzumi no Kurafu no Omi to the Obo-omi,
Kurayamada no Maro, and questioned him as to the truth of the charge of treason.
The Oho-omi answered and said: "I will have a personal interview with the
Emperor, and shall then answer to the charge brought against me." The Emperor
again sent Mikuni no Maro no Kimi and Hodzumi, Kurafu no Omi, to investigate the
circumstances of the treason. The Oho-omi, Maro , again answered as before. The
Emperor was therefore about to raise an armed force and surround therewith the
Oho-onii's house, when the Oho-omi, taking with him his two sons, Hoshi and
Akagoma (also called Mawosu), fled by way of Chinu toward the boundary of the
province of Yamato. Before this, Koshi, the Oho-omi's eldest son, was already
staying in Yamato, where he was building the Temple.
(This means that he was staying in the Yamada house.) Now being suddenly
apprised that his father was coming thither in flight, he went out to meet him
at the great Tsuki tree in Imaki. Having approached, he took the lead and
entered the Temple. Then he looked back to the Oho-omi and said: "Koshi desires
to advance straight on in person, and oppose the army which is coming." But the
Oho-omi would not allow it. That night Koshi conceived the idea of burning the
Palace (the Palace of Woharida is meant), and went on assembling troops.
25th day. The Oho-omi addressed his eldest son Koshi, saying: "Dost thou love
thy life?" Koshi answered and said: "I love it not." The Oho-omi thereupon
harangued the priests of the Yamada Temple, his eldest son Koshi and some tens
of other persons, saying: "Shall one who is in the position of vassal contrive
treason against his Lord? Shall the duty of a son to a father be brought to
nothing? This temple was originally built, not for me personally, but under a
vow for the sake of the Emperor. I have now been slandered by Musashi, and I
fear that I shall. be unjustly put to death. With so near a prospect of the
yellow springs, I would withdraw from life still cherishing fidelity in my
bosom, and the object of my coming to this Temple is that my last moments may be
made easier."
When a one speaking, he opened the door of the Buddha Hall and uttered a vow,
saying: "In all future births and existences, let me not have resentment against
my sovereign!" When he had made this vow, he strangled himself and died. His
wife and children, to the number of eight persons, sacrificed themselves with
him.
On this day, Oho-tomo no Koma no Muraji and Soga no Iliuga no Omi were sent
as Generals in command of a body of troops to pursue the Oho-omi. General
Ohotomo no Muraji and his colleague bad gone as far as Kuroyama when Mu, Hashi
no Muraji, and Omimaro, Uneme no Omi, came running from the Yamada Temple, and
brought information that the Obo-omi Soga, with his three sons and one daughter,
had already committed suicide together by strangulation. The Generals therefore
returned from Tajihi no Saka.
26th day. The wife, children, and personal attendants of the Oho-omi Yamada,
who committed suicide by strangulation, were many. Kurafu, Hodzumi no Omi,
arrested in a body the Oho-omi's people, viz.: Tsukushi, Taguchi no Omi, and
others, placed cangues round their necks, and tied their hands behind their
backs. That night, Maro, Ki no Omi, Hiuga, Soga no Omi, and Kurafu, Hodzumi no
Omi, having surrounded the Temple with an armed force, called Shiho, Mononobe no
Futauta no Miyakko, and ordered him to cut off the Obo-omi's head. Upon this
Futsuta no Shiho drew his sword, raised up the body on its point, yelled and
reviled, and then cut it off.
30th day. There were executed, as implicated with the Oho-omi, Soga no
Yamada, Tsukushi, Taguchi no Omi, Miminashi no D6toko, Takada no Sikowo Nukadabe
no Yumasu no Muraji, Hada no Adera and others, fourteen persons in all. Nine
were strangled, and fifteen banished.
In this month, messengers were sent to take over the property of the Oho-omi,
Yamada. Among his property was a beautiful book with the inscription, "Book
belonging to the Prince Imperial," and a valuable object inscribed "Property of
the Prince Imperial." When the messengers returned and reported the
circumstances of their having taken over the property, the Prince Imperial
recognized for the first time that the heart of the Oho-omi had remained pure
and unspotted. He was seized with shame and remorse for the past, and bewailed
his fate incessantly. Hiuga no Orai was accordingly appointed Viceroy of
Tsukushi. The people of the time said to one another, "Is not this a disguised
banishment?"
When Sogo no Miyakko hime, consort of the Prince Imperial, beard that her
father the Obo-omi had been decapitated by Shiho, she took it deeply to heart
and grieved bitterly. She detested hearing Shiho's name mentioned, and so her
personal attendants, whenever they had occasion to speak of salt (shiho),
altered the word and called it Kitashi. At last Miyakko hime died of a broken
heart. When the Prince Imperial heard that she had passed away, he was grieved
and deeply shocked, and bewailed her loss exceedingly. Upon this Mitsu, Nunaka
Kahara no Fubito, came forward and presented verses of poety as follows:
On a mountain stream
Two mandarin-ducks there be,
Well matched together:
But the wife who was a like mate for me
Who is it that has taken away?
This was the first verse.
Though on every tree
The flowers are blooming,
How can it be that
My darling wife
Does not blossom again?
This was the second verse.
The Prince Imperial, with a sigh of deep despair, praised the verses, saying:
"How beautiful! how pathetic! "So he gave him his lute and made him sing them.
He also presented him with four hiki of silk, twenty tan of cloth, and two bags
of floss silk.
Summer, 4th month, 20th day. Kose no Tokodako no Omi, of the Shoshi rank, was
granted the rank of Daishi, and was made Oho-omi of the Left.
Ohotomo no 'Nagatoko no Muraji (styled Numakahi) of Shashi rank, was granted
the rank of Daishi, and was made Obo-omi of the Right.
5th month, 1st day. Shikofu, Miwa no Kimi, of Lower Sh6kwa rank, Tsunomaro,
Harahibe, no Muraji 137 of Upper Daisen rank, and others were sent to Silla.
This year, the Queen of Silla sent Kim Ta-sya, Sa-son of Sa-tok-pu, as
hostage. He had a suite of thirty persons: One Buddhist priest, two Si-rang, one
Assistant, one Usher, five Chung-kek, ten Artists, one Interpreter, and sixteen
servants of various kinds - in all thirty-seven persons.
(A.D. 650.) Hakuchi,111 1st year, Spring, 1st month, 1st day. The Imperial
chariot proceeded to the Palace of Ajifu, where the Emperor viewed the
ceremonies of the New Year's congratulations.
On this day the Imperial chariot returned to the Palace.
2nd month, 9th day. Shikofu, Kusakabe no Muraji, Governor of the Province of
Anato, presented to the Emperor a white pheasant, saying: "Nihe, a relation of
Obito, the Kuni no Miyakko, caught it on the 9th day of the first month on Mount
Wonoyama." Upon this inquiry was made of the Lords of Pokcho, who said: "In the
eleventh year of Yung-p'ing in the reign of Ming Ti of the Later Han Dynasty,
white pheasants were seen in a certain place." Further inquiry was made of the
Buddhist priests, who answered and said: " With our ears we have not heard, nor
with our eyes have we seen such. May it please Your Majesty to order a general
amnesty; and so give joy to the hearts of the people."
The Priest Doto said: "At one time Korye desired to build a Buddhist temple.
There was no place which was not examined for this purpose. Then in a certain
place a white deer was seen quietly moving, and eventually a temple was built on
this spot. It was called the Temple of the Park of the White Deer, and the
practise of the Buddhist Law was there permanently established. Again, a white
sparrow was seen at the farmstead of a certain temple. The people of the country
all said that it was a good omen. Moreover, envoys sent to Great Thang brought
back a dead crow with three legs. The people of the country again said that this
was a good omen. Though these things are trifles, yet they are deemed of
favorable omen. Much more is this so in the case of a white pheasant."
The Priest Bin said: "This is to be deemed a lucky omen, and it may
reasonably be accounted a rare object. I have respectfully heard that when a
Ruler extends his influence to all four quarters, then will white pheasants be
seen. They appear, moreover, when a Ruler's sacrifices are not in mutual
disaccord, and when his banquets and costumes are in due measure. Again, when a
Ruler is of frugal habits, white pheasants are made to come forth on the hills.
Again, they appear when the Ruler is sage and humane. In the time of the Emperor
Ch'eng Wang of the Chou Dynasty, the Yueh-shang family brought and presented to
the Emperor a white pheasant, saying: 'We were told by the old men of our
country: "What a long time it has been since there have been any exceptional
storms or long-continued rains, and that the great rivers and the sea have not
surged up over the land! Three years have now elapsed. We think that in the
Central Land there is a Sage. Would it not be well to go and pay your respects
at his Court?" We have therefore come, having tripled our interpreters.' Again,
in the first year of Hien-ning in the reign of Wu-ti of the Tsin Dynasty, one
was seen in the Sung-tsze. This is accordingly a favorable omen. A general
amnesty ought to be granted."
Upon this the white pheasant was let loose in the garden.
15th day. The array of guards at Court was like that on the occasion of a New
Year's reception. The Oho-omi of the Right and Left and all the functionaries
formed four lines outside of the purple gate. Ihimushi, Ahata no Omi, and three
others were made to take the pheasant's litter and move off ahead, while the
Oho-omi of the Right and Left at the head of all the functionaries, and
Phung-chyang, Lord of Pekche, his younger brother Se-syong, Chhyung-seung, the
physician to the King of Koryo, by name Mo-chhi, the scholar attached to the
Court of Silla, and others, advanced into the Central Court. These four men,
viz., Maro, Mikuni no Kimi, Takami, Wina no Kimi, Mikaho, Miwa no Kimi, and Maro
Kida, Ki no Omi, taking up the pheasant's litter in turn, advanced in front of
the Hall. Then the Oho-oini of the Right and Left approached and held the litter
by the forward end. The Prince of Ise, Maro, Alikuni no Kimi, and Woguso, Kura
no Omi, took hold of the hinder end of the litter and placed it before the
Imperial throne. The Emperor straightway called the Prince Imperial, and they
took it and examined it together. The Prince Imperial having retired, made
repeated obeisances, and caused the Oho-omi Kose to offer a congratulatory
address, saying: "The Ministers and functionaries offer their congratulations.
Inasmuch as Your Majesty governs the Empire with serene virtue, there is here a
white pheasant, produced in the western region. This is a sign that Your Majesty
will continue for a thousand autumns and ten thousand years peacefully to govern
the Greater-eight-islands of the four quarters. it is the prayer of the
Ministers, functionaries, and people that they may serve Your Majesty with the
utmost zeal and fidelity."
Having finished this congratulatory speech, he made repeated obeisances. The
Emperor said:
"When a sage Ruler appears in the world and rules the Empire, Heaven is
responsive to him, and manifests favorable omens. In ancient times, during the
reign of Cheng-wang of the Chou Dynasty, a ruler of the Western land, and again
in the time of Ming Ti of the Han Dynasty, white pheasants were seen. In this
our Land of Japan, during the reign of the Emperor Homuda,"' a white crow made
its nest in the Palace. In the time of the Emperor Oho-sazaki, a Dragon-horse
appeared in the West.'" This shows that from ancient times until now, there have
been many cases of auspicious omens appearing in response to virtuous rulers.
What we call phoenixes, unicorns, white pheasants, white crows, and such like
birds and beasts, even including herbs and trees, in short all things having the
property of significant response, are favorable omens and auspicious signs
produced by Heaven and Earth. Now that wise and enlightened sovereigns should
obtain such auspicious omens is meet and proper. But why should We, who are so
empty and shallow, have this good fortune? It is no doubt wholly due to our
Assistants, the Ministers, Omi, Muraji, Tomo no Miyakko and Kuni no Miyakko,
each of whom, with the utmost loyalty, conforms to the regulations that are
made. For this reason, let all, from the Ministers down to the functionaries '
with pure hearts reverence the gods of Heaven and Earth, and one and all
accepting the glad omen, make the Empire to flourish."
Again be commanded, saying:
" The provinces and districts in the four quarters having been placed in our
charge by Heaven, We exercise supreme rule over the Empire. -Now in the province
of Anato, ruled
over by Our divine ancestors, this auspicious omen has appeared. For this
reason We proclaim a general amnesty throughout the Empire, and begin a new
year-period, to be called Haku-chi. Moreover we prohibit the flying of falcons
within the limits of the province of Anato."
Presents were made to the Ministers, Daibu and officials of lower rank down
to the clerks, varying in value according to their rank. Hereupon the local
Governor, Shikofu, Kusa-kabe no Muraji, was commended and granted the rank of
Daiseni together with liberal presents. The commuted taxes and corvies of Anato
were remitted for three years.
Summer, 4th month. Silla sent Envoys to offer tribute.
One book says: " In the reign of this Emperor the three countries of Koryo,
Pekche and Silla sent envoys bearing tribute every year."
Winter, 10th month. In respect of the tombs which had been demolished in
order to include the ground in a site for a Palace, and of the people who had
been made to remove for the same purpose, presents were given, varying in value.
This having been done, the chief builder, Hirafu Aratawi no Atabe, was sent to
set up the boundary-posts of the Palace.
In this month the construction was begun of an embroidery figure of Buddha
sixteen feet in height with its attendant Bosatsu, and of figures of beings of
the eight classes - forty-six figures in all.
In this year, Ohoguchi, Aya no Yamaguchi no Atahe, in obedience to an
Imperial order, carved one thousand images of Buddha.
(A.D. 651.) Winter, 12th month, last day. More than 2100 priests and nuns
were invited to the Palace of Ajifu, and made to read the Issaikyo.
That night over 2700 lights were lit in the courtyard of the Palace, and
there were caused to be read the Antaku and Dosoku Sutras, etc. Upon this, the
Emperor removed his residence from Oho-gohori to the new Palace. It received the
name of the Palace of Naniha no Nagara no Toyosaki.
This year the Silla tribute-envoys, Chi-man, of Sa-son rank, and his
companions anchored at Tsukushi, wearing garments of the Thang country. The
Government, disgusted at this wanton change of habit, reproved them and drove
them back again. At this time Kose no Oho-omi addressed the Emperor, saying: "
If we do not give a blow to Silla at this present time, we shall certainly have
to regret it afterward. Now as to the manner of giving a blow to Silla, we can
do so without raising a sword. From the port of Naniha as far as Tsukushi let
the surface of the sea be covered with ships, one touching another. Then if
Silla be summoned and called to an account for her offenses, it will be easy for
us to gain our object."
(A.D. 652.) 3rd year, Spring, 1st month, ist day. When the New Year's
ceremonies were over, the Imperial chariot proceeded to the Palace of
Oho-gohori.
20th day. The explanations of the Sutras were discontinued. From this day
forward rain began to fall continually, lasting for nine days. It demolished
buildings, and destroyed the young rice-plants in the fields. Many men, horses,
and oxen were drowned.
In this month the registers of population were prepared. Fifty houses were
made a township, and for each township there was appointed an elder. The senior
member of the family was always made the head of the household. The houses were
all associated in groups of five for mutual protection, with one elder to
supervise them one with another.
Autumn, 9th month. The building of the Palace was completed. It is impossible
adequately to describe the appearance of the Palace Halls.
Winter, 12th month, last day. The priests and nuns of the Empire were invited
to the interior of the Palace and entertained with meager fare. Plentiful alms
were given, and lights kindled.
(A.D. 653.) Autumn, 7th month. Takada no Nemaro and his colleagues, the
Ambassadors sent to Great Thang, were drowned by the sinking of their ship in
the Gate 1160 of Takashima, off the coast of Satsuma. Only five men, who lashed
themselves to a plank, floated ashore on the island of Takashima. They knew not
what to do, until one of the five, named Kadobe no Kogane, gathered bamboos and
made of them a raft, with which they anchored at the island of Shitoji-shima
These five men passed six days and six nights without any food whatever.
Thereupon Kogane was complimented by the Emperor, advanced in rank, and presents
given him.
This year the Prince Imperial petitioned the Emperor, saying: "I wish the
Imperial residence were removed to the Yamato capital." The Emperor refused to
grant his request. Upon this the Prince Imperial took with him the Empress
Dowager, the Empress Hashibito, and the younger Imperial Princes, and went to
live in the temporary Palace of Asuka no Kahabe in Yamato. At this time the
Ministers and Daibu, with the various functionaries, all followed and changed
their residence. The Emperor resented this, and wished to cast away the national
Dignity. He bad a palace built in Yamazaki and sent a song to th~ Empress
Hashibito, saying:
"The pony which I keep,
I put shackles on
And led it not out:
Can any one have seen
The pony which I keep?"
5tb year, Spring, 1st month, 1st day. In the night the rats migrated toward
the Yamato capitai.
Winter, 10th month, 1st day. The Prince Imperial, being informed that the
Emperor bad taken ill, proceeded to the Naniha Palace with the Empress Dowager,
the Empress Hashibito, and also accompanied by the younger Imperial Princes and
Ministers.
10th day. The Emperor died in the State Bedchamber. He was temporarily
interred in the southern courtyard. Dotoko, Mozu no Hashi no Muraji, of Upper
Shosen rank, superintended the business of the Palace of Temporary
Interment.
12th month, 8th day. He was buried in the misasagi of Shinaga at Ohosaka.
On this day, the Prince Imperial, accompanied by the Empress Dowager, changed
his residence to the Temporary Palace of Kahabe in Yamato. Old people said: "The
migration of the rats to the Yamato capital was an omen of the transference of
the capital thither."
In this year, Koryo, Pekche and Silla sent ambassadors of
condolence.
|
| FEATURE: Hindu Texts |
|
|
Explore the most ancient writings of India, with our complete collection of the most venerated of all Hindu literature, the Upanishads, Vedas, and Bhagavad Gita.
|
|
|
| FORUM: Is God limited? |
|
|
If there is such thing as God, then how extensive is God - is Divinity unlimited or constrained? Join our forum to take part in this discussion: Is God Omnsicient or limited.
|
|
|
|
|
SHINTO