Emperor Tenmu

Emperor Tenmu

¶Emperor Tenmu was at first called Prince Ōama. He was the younger brother of Emperor Tenji by the same mother.

¶From birth he surpassed other men, and on reaching manhood he showed a valor so commanding and so like that of a god that none could match him; he was also well versed in the arts of astronomy and of tonkō, the divinatory art of concealment and escape.

¶On the seventeenth day of the tenth month of the fourth year of Emperor Tenji's reign, the day Kanoe-tatsu, Emperor Tenji's illness grew grave, and he sent Soga-no-Yasumaro to summon Prince Ōama. Yasumaro, who had long been close to the prince, warned him privately, "Weigh your answer very carefully before you give it." The prince nodded in assent. Before long he was shown into the emperor's bedchamber, where the emperor sought to entrust him with the succession. The prince declined, saying, "I have had the misfortune to suffer from illness for many years — how could I take on the burden of the shrines of state? I beg Your Majesty instead to entrust the realm to the empress and to install Prince Ōtomo as crown prince. As for myself, I wish to renounce the world this very day and to devote myself to religious merit on Your Majesty's behalf." The emperor granted this. The prince then withdrew to the Buddha hall within the palace, seated himself on a folding stool, had his head shaved, and became a monk. The emperor sent Sukita-no-Ikuha to bestow on him a kesa robe. The prince gathered up all the weapons in his possession and handed them over to the court. On the nineteenth day, the day Mizunoe-uma, he went to the palace to take his formal leave, and departed for Yoshino. The Minister of the Left, Soga-no-Akae, the Minister of the Right, Nakatomi-no-Kane, and the Major Counselor, Soga-no-Hatayasu, escorted him as far as Uji. People at the time remarked that it was "like fitting wings to a tiger and setting it loose." That evening he lodged at the Shima Palace, and the next day he reached Yoshino, where he addressed his attendants, toneri: "I now intend to enter the Buddhist path and devote myself to practice. Those among you who wish to pursue the Way may remain with me; those who wish to serve at court and make a name for themselves may go back." None of the attendants would venture to leave. When he repeated the order, half remained and half departed.

¶In the fifth month of the following year, Enoi-no-Okimi came and reported, "I was recently in Mino. At that time the court had issued an edict to the governors of Mino and Owari ordering them to levy laborers to build the imperial mausoleum, and to have each of them bear arms. I suspect that this is not simply for the building of the mausoleum, but that there must be some other purpose behind it. If we do not act quickly, we shall have cause for regret that comes too late." Another man likewise reported, "From the Ōmi capital all the way to the capital of Yamato, many lookout troops have been posted. Orders have been given to the guards of the Uji bridge to stop and detain the attendants who are carrying provisions privately." On hearing this the prince was displeased, and said, "The reason I withdrew from the world was to cure my illness, to preserve myself whole, and to live out my allotted span in peace. Now that matters have come to this pass, how could I simply sit still and wait to be destroyed?"

¶On the twenty-second day of the sixth month, the day Mizunoe-uma, he sent Murakuni-no-Oyori, Wanibe-no-Kimite, and Mugetsu-no-Hiro (Note: the Shoku Nihongi reads the name "Mugetsu" as "Muketsu") to the governor of Mino to inform him of the situation. He first ordered Ōno-no-Homuji, the yunō-no-osa, bath-estate steward, of Anpachima District, to raise the troops of that district and hasten to block the Fuwa road.

¶On the twenty-fourth day, the day Kinoe-saru, the prince resolved to set out for the eastern provinces. Someone remonstrated with him, saying, "The ministers of Ōmi have long been laying their plans, and will certainly issue a proclamation throughout the realm and block the roads. I fear that if Your Highness now sets out eastward with empty hands, things will not go well." The prince agreed, and, wishing to call back Oyori and the others, sent Ōkida-no-Esaka and Kifumi-no-Ōtomo to meet Shima and have him request the post-horse bells from Prince Takasaka, the officer left in charge of the Yamato capital. He instructed Esaka and the others, "If the bells cannot be obtained, Shima is to come back at once and report." Esaka himself went straight on to Ōmi, where he summoned Prince Takechi and Prince Ōtsu and told them to meet the prince in Ise. Before long Prince Takasaka refused to hand over the bells, and Shima came back and reported how matters stood. On this same day the prince set out for the eastern provinces. His principal consort, Princess Uno, accompanied him in a palanquin. Prince Kusakabe, Prince Osakabe, and more than twenty others — Enoi-no-Okimi, Agatainukai-no-Ōtomo, Saeki-no-Ōme, Ōtomo-no-Tomokuni, Wakazakurabe-no-Iose, Fumi-no-Nemaro, Fumi-no-Chitoko, Yamashiro-no-Obayashi, Yamashirobe-no-Oda, Ato-no-Chitoko, and Tsuki-no-Ōmi — together with more than ten palace women, followed him. Because the matter had arisen so suddenly, there had been no time to prepare carriages or horses, and the prince set out on foot; partway along he obtained horses belonging to Agatainukai and Ōtomo and rode on them. By the time they had passed the Tsuburikawa river, the carriages and horses had caught up with them. On reaching Aki in Uda, Ōtomo-no-Makuta and Kifumi-no-Ōtomo caught up from behind. Haji-no-Umate, an attendant of the Office of Imperial Granaries, provided food for the party, and after passing Kamura village, the prince summoned the hunter Ōtomo-no-Enomoto-no-Ōkuni and more than twenty of his companions, as well as Prince Mino, all of whom came and joined him. Fifty pack-horses laden with rice were requisitioned and used to carry those on foot, and the party reached Ōno. Night had just fallen, and they pulled down the fences of farmhouses to make torches and pressed on. At midnight they passed through Nabari District and burned the post station there, crying out, "The prince is entering the eastern provinces — let all officials and commoners submit!" But not a single person responded. On crossing the Yokokawa river, a black cloud covered the sky over a stretch of more than ten jō. The prince raised a torch and performed a divination himself, declaring, "This is an omen that the realm will be split in two — but in the end I shall surely gain possession of it." Advancing further, they reached Iga District and burned its post station as well. On returning to Nakayama, the district officials came and submitted, leading several hundred troops with them.

¶On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kinoto-tori, at dawn the party halted the imperial carriage at Tarano-hagino to take a meal, and then made for the mouth of Mount Tsumie. Prince Takechi, leading Tami-no-Ōhi, Akazome-no-Tokotari, Ōkura-no-Hirosumi, Sakanoue-no-Kunimaro, Furuichi-no-Kuromaro, Takeda-no-Daitoko, and Ikago-no-Abe, came from Kafuka and joined the party. Advancing further by way of Mount Ōyama, they reached Suzuka in Ise (Note: the Uji Shūi Monogatari records that the prince left Yoshino alone in disguise and endured every hardship, that a villager of Tawara presented him with chestnuts, that someone from Shima brought him water, and that a woman of Sunomata hid him; the Genpei Seisuiki likewise records that an old man of Suzuka hid the prince, and that a local strongman of Fuwa was pressed into his service. These are all baseless inventions found in no other work, and none of them is adopted here). The provincial governor, Miyake-no-Iwatoko, the assistant governor, Miwa-no-Kobito, and the bath-estate stewards Tanaka-no-Tarimaro and Takada-no-Niinomi, came and joined the party as well, and sent out five hundred troops to block the Suzuka mountain road. The prince advanced to the foot of the slope at Kawawa. Night had just fallen, and since the consort was exhausted, the carriage was halted there for a time. Toward night the sky clouded over and it looked as if rain would fall, so they set out again; before long a violent thunderstorm broke, the cold grew severe, and everyone was chilled through and exhausted. On reaching Mie District, they burned down a single house to warm themselves.

¶On the twenty-sixth day, the day Hinoe-inu, at dawn the party reached the bank of the Tōkawa river in Asake District and worshipped the Sun Goddess Amaterasu from afar. Prince Ōtsu, leading Ōkida-no-Esaka, Naniwa-no-Mitsuna, Komata-no-Oshihito, Yamanobe-no-Yasumaro, Oharida-no-Inote, Hashibe-no-Misaki (Note: the character here rendered "saki" appears in the original text as a different character, but has now been corrected following the Urabe Kanenaga manuscript and the Shaku Nihongi), Ōkida-no-Wakaomi, Ne-no-Kanemi, and Nuribe-no-Tomose, came and joined the party. Murakuni-no-Oyori also arrived and reported that he had raised three thousand troops and blocked the Fuwa road. The prince praised him for this, and thereupon ordered Prince Takechi to take charge of military affairs at Fuwa; the prince moved to Wazami and set up his headquarters there. Yamashirobe-no-Oda and Ato-no-Akafu were sent to the Tōkai region and Wakazakurabe-no-Iose and Haji-no-Umate to the Tōzan region, to raise troops there (Note: a private record cited in the Shaku Nihongi states that, according to the diary of Ato-no-Chitoko, troops were raised in Shinano). That night the prince encamped in Kuwana District. The sovereign, Prince Ōtomo, sent Fumi-no-Kusuri and Oshisaka-no-Ōmaro to try to levy troops from the eastern provinces; Kusuri and his party reached Fuwa, but Prince Takechi sent out troops in ambush and captured them.

¶On the twenty-seventh day, the day Hinoto-i, the prince entered Fuwa. Chiisakobe-no-Sahichi, the governor of Owari, submitted to him leading twenty thousand troops. The prince was greatly pleased, and divided these troops among the defense of the various roads. Advancing further to Nogami, he was met by Prince Takechi; the prince stroked his back to commend him, and there entrusted him with the command of the entire army. A temporary palace was built at Nogami, and the prince took up residence there. That night a violent thunderstorm broke out. The prince prayed, saying, "Gods of Heaven and of earth, if you will aid me, then let this thunder and rain cease." No sooner had he finished speaking than the storm subsided.

¶On the twenty-eighth day, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, he went to Wazami and inspected the troops. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, the last day of the month, he again went to Wazami and returned within the day. Ōtomo-no-Fukei, conspiring with Sakanoue-no-Kumage, the officer left in charge of the Yamato capital, and with the Aya-no-Atai and others, seized the encampment at Asukadera, killed its commander Hozumi-no-Momotari, and captured Hozumi-no-Momoe and Mononobe-no-Hinata; he then summoned the acting officers Prince Takasaka and Prince Wakasa and induced them to surrender, and sent Ōtomo-no-Yasumaro and others to report this success. The prince was greatly pleased, and on the spot appointed Fukei as general. Miwa-no-Takechimaro, Kamo-no-Emishi, and a succession of local strongmen came over to Fukei's side one after another.

¶In the seventh month, on the first day, the day Kanoe-tora, Fukei set his army in motion toward Nara. He sent out subordinate generals to hold the three roads of Tatsuta, Ōsaka, and Iwate. Sakamoto-no-Takara and his men made for Tatsuta and took up a position at Hiraishino. The Ōmi troops, who had been holding the fortress of Takayasu, on hearing that reinforcements were approaching, burned their own stores and fled; Takara and his men advanced and occupied it.

¶On the second day, the day Kanoto-u, Ki-no-Aemaro, Ōno-no-Homuji, Miwa-no-Kobito, and Okisome-no-Usagi were sent with several tens of thousands of troops from Ōyama in Ise toward Yamato. Murakuni-no-Oyori, Fumi-no-Nemaro, Wanibe-no-Kimite, and Ikago-no-Abe led several tens of thousands of troops from Fuwa toward Ōmi; all of them flew red banners. Separately, Ōno-no-Homuji was ordered to station three thousand troops at Tarano-hagino, while Tanaka-no-Tarimaro held the Kurafu road. The Ōmi generals Prince Yamabe, Soga-no-Hatayasu, and Kose-no-Hito, leading several tens of thousands of troops, tried to attack Fuwa and advanced their army to the Inukami River, but collapsed of their own accord and fled. Hata-no-Yakuni came over in surrender together with his whole clan, and was accordingly given the battle-axe of command and appointed general, with orders to enter Koshi from the north. The Ōmi general Iki-no-Karakuni attacked Takayasu, and Sakamoto-no-Takara sallied out of the fortress to fight him on the west bank of the Ega River, but could not prevail; at this, Ki-no-Ōto, fearing to hold the mountain road, caused Takara and his men to fall back and join him. Earlier, when the Ōmi troops had pressed on Tamakurabe village, the prince had ordered Izumo-no-Koma to drive them off.

¶On the fourth day, the day Mizunoto-mi, Ōtomo-no-Fukei fought Ōno-no-Hatayasu at Mount Nara, was defeated, and fled.

¶On the fifth day, the day Kinoe-uma, the Ōmi deputy general Tanabe-no-Osumi attacked Kurafu by night, and Tanaka-no-Tarimaro abandoned his camp and fled.

¶On the sixth day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, Osumi again attacked Tarano-hagino, but Ōno-no-Homuji met and drove him off. On the seventh day, the day Hinoe-saru, Murakuni-no-Oyori and his men fought the Ōmi army at Okinaga-no-Yokokawa, defeated it, and beheaded its general, Sakaibe-no-Kusuri.

¶On the ninth day, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, Oyori struck down Hata-no-Tomotari at Mount Toko and beheaded him. On this same day, Ki-no-Aemaro and the other generals of the eastern road, hearing that Fukei had been defeated, sent Okisome-no-Usagi to his relief. He met Fukei at Sumisaka, and together they advanced and encamped at Kanatsunai. The army's morale revived, and they fought Iki-no-Karakuni by the shore of Ashi Pond, defeated him, and put him to flight. Fukei then divided his army and advanced along three roads abreast, himself taking charge of the center. The Ōmi deputy general Ioi-no-Kujira led troops out to attack him, but when Fukei's troops loosed volley after volley of arrows, Kujira could not advance. Just then the generals of the upper road, Miwa-no-Takechimaro and Okisome-no-Usagi, inflicted a great defeat on the Ōmi army at the Hashi Misasagi; following up their victory, they cut off the rear of Kujira's force, and Kujira, startled, looked back, broke, and fled. The whole land of Yamato was now pacified.

¶On the thirteenth day, the day Mizunoe-tora, Murakuni-no-Oyori and his men advanced and fought by the Yasu River, capturing Kosobe-no-Ōkuchi and Haji-no-Chishima.

¶On the seventeenth day, the day Hinoe-uma, they attacked the Kurumoto army as well, and defeated it.

¶On the twenty-second day, the day Kanoto-i, the generals advanced to Seta. The Ōmi army had drawn up its camp on the west side of the bridge and had removed the bridge planking to strengthen its defenses. Ōkida-no-Wakaomi threw himself forward alone and pressed straight across, and his troops followed after him; the Ōmi army was defeated. Oyori and his men advanced their army as far as the foot of the hill at Awazu, and the general Hata-no-Yakuni, leading Izumo-no-Koma, attacked the fortress of Mio and took it.

¶On the twenty-third day, the day Mizunoe-ne, Oyori fought the Ōmi army at Awazu market and beheaded its generals Inukai-no-Ikimi and Tani-no-Shiote. At this the Ōmi army broke up and scattered.

¶On the twenty-fourth day, the day Mizunoto-ushi, the generals assembled at Shinonami and hunted down and captured the Ministers of the Left and Right and the officials below them.

¶On the twenty-sixth day, the day Kinoto-u, the generals presented themselves at the Fuwa palace and reported their victory to the prince.

¶On the twenty-fifth day of the eighth month, the day Kinoe-saru, Prince Takechi was ordered to judge the crimes of the Ōmi ministers. The Minister of the Right, Nakatomi-no-Kane, was put to death; the Minister of the Left, Soga-no-Akae, and the Major Counselor, Kose-no-Hito, were exiled together with their descendants, as were the sons of Nakatomi-no-Kane and of Soga-no-Hatayasu; all others were released and their offenses were not pursued. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Hinoe-inu, rewards were bestowed on the many meritorious officers.

¶On the eighth day of the ninth month, the day Hinoe-saru, the prince left Fuwa and returned to Kuwana. On the twelfth day, the day Kanoe-ne, he reached the capital of Yamato and took up residence at the Shima Palace. On the fifteenth day, the day Mizunoto-u, he moved to the Okamoto Palace. On the fourth day of the twelfth month, the day Kanoto-tori, rewards were bestowed on the meritorious ministers, each being granted a court rank of Shōsen or above. In this year a palace was built south of the Okamoto Palace and named the Asuka Kiyomihara Palace (Note: according to the original text, the era name was changed to Shuchō in the seventh month of the fifteenth year, and the palace was named the Asuka Kiyomihara Palace at that time; by this reckoning the name "Asuka Palace" would not yet have existed at this point. Yet the text also states that the emperor ascended the throne at the Asuka Kiyomihara Palace in the second month of the following year, and this was probably a name applied retroactively). Silla presented tribute.

¶In the first year, the year Mizunoto-tori (Note: the original text takes the year Mizunoe-saru as the first year of the reign; here, however, the year Mizunoe-saru is assigned instead to the reign of Emperor Kōbun, and the year Mizunoto-tori is taken as the first year of Emperor Tenmu's reign, so that a discrepancy of one year arises with the original text. There is also an inscription, said to be in the hand of Prince Toneri, on the bronze finial of the pagoda at Yakushiji, which reads, "In the eighth year since the emperor who ruled the realm from the Kiyomihara Palace ascended the throne, the year Kanoe-tatsu." This makes it clear that, at the time, this later year was indeed reckoned as the founding year of the reign. The reason the original text takes the year Mizunoe-saru as the first year is simply in order to connect Emperor Tenmu directly to the imperial line of Emperor Tenji, and it is this alone that has given rise to this distortion of the record), in spring, on the seventh day of the first month, the day Kinoto-mi, a banquet was given for the assembled ministers.

¶On the twenty-seventh day of the second month, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, he ascended the imperial throne at the Asuka Kiyomihara Palace. He was called Amanonunahara-Okinomahito-no-sumeramikoto. His principal consort, Princess Uno, was installed as empress. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Kinoto-tori, the last day of the month, ranks were bestowed on the meritorious ministers, each according to his merit.

¶On the seventeenth day of the third month, the day Mizunoe-tora, the governor of Bingo caught a white pheasant in Kameishi District and presented it. By imperial command the taxes and labor dues of that district were remitted, and a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm. In this month the Buddhist canon, the Daizōkyō, was copied for the first time, at Kawaradera. In summer, on the first day of the fifth month, the day Kinoto-tori, an edict was issued: "Henceforth all who enter government service are first to be appointed Ōtoneri, Great Chamberlains, and only thereafter, once their abilities have been judged, are to be assigned to office. Women who wish to serve in government are likewise to be permitted, and their performance reviews are to follow the same standard as that applied to men."

¶On the eighth day of the intercalary sixth month, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, the king of Tamna sent his sons Kumage and Torauma to present tribute. On the fifteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-i, Silla sent two envoys to congratulate the emperor on his accession and to offer condolences for the death of Emperor Tenji (Note: a note in the original text states that these may instead have been envoys bringing tribute). In autumn, in the seventh month, the Fuwa checkpoint was established for the first time (Note: the account from "in autumn, in the seventh month" follows the Ichidai Yōki and the Teiō Hennenki).

¶On the twentieth day of the eighth month, the day Mizunoto-u, Koma presented tribute. In winter, on the fifth day of the twelfth month, the day Hinoe-jutsu, gifts were bestowed, in recognition of their service at the Daijōsai, the Great Thanksgiving Rite, on the Nakatomi and Imbe clans, on the officials of the shrines, and on the district officials of Harima and Tanba and the laborers below them; the district officials were each granted one additional rank (Note: the original text does not record that the Daijōsai was performed, but this is probably an omission in the text). On the seventeenth day, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, Prince Mino, of Shōshi rank, and Ki-no-Katamaro, of Shōkinge rank, were made commissioners for the construction of the Takechi Great Temple (Note: a note in the original text states that this temple is the present Daikandaiji).

¶In the second year, the year Kinoe-inu, in spring, on the seventh day of the third month, the day Hinoe-tatsu, Tsushima presented silver as tribute for the first time, and it was offered to the various gods of Heaven and earth; grants were made to the court nobles of Shōkin rank and above, and Oshinumi-no-Ōkuni, the governor of that province, was granted the rank of Shōkinge. In autumn, on the third day of the eighth month, the day Kanoe-tatsu, Prince Osakabe was sent to the Isonokami Shrine to put its sacred treasures in order; the treasures of the various houses that had been kept in the shrine's repository were all returned to their descendants. In winter, in the tenth month, Princess Ōku was sent to serve at the Ise Shrine.

¶In the third year, the year Kinoto-i, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Hinoe-uma, the students of the Daigakuryō, the Bureau of Education, the Onmyōryō, the Bureau of Yin-Yang, and the Gayakuryō, the Bureau of Foreign Medicine, together with women of Shae and of Dara, Zenkō of Kudara, and people of Silla, presented medicines and rare goods. On the second day, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, the princes and the hundred officials attended the New Year's audience. On the third day, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, officials of the lowest rank and above presented firewood. On the fifth day, the day Kanoe-inu, construction of an astronomical observatory was begun for the first time. On the seventh day, the day Mizunoe-ne, a banquet was given for the assembled ministers. On the seventeenth day, the day Mizunoe-jutsu, the ministers of state, the court nobles, and the officials of the lowest rank and above held an archery contest in the courtyard of the western gate. On this day, Great Yamato presented an auspicious cock, the eastern provinces a white hawk, and Ōmi a white kite. On the twenty-third day, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, offerings were made at the various shrines.

¶On the ninth day of the second month, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, an edict was sent to the provinces of Great Yamato, Kawachi, Settsu, Yamashiro, Harima, Awaji, Tanba, Tajima, Ōmi, Wakasa, Ise, Mino, and Owari, ordering them to select men and women skilled in song, as well as dwarf performers and entertainers, and send them to the court. On the fifteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, a decree was issued abolishing the kakibe, hereditary dependents, granted to the various clans in the year Kinoe-ne, as well as the mountains and marshes, inlets and islets, forests and fields, and reservoirs granted to the princes, ministers, and temples. On the twenty-third day, the day Hinoto-tori, the emperor made a progress to the fortress of Takayasu. In this month, the king of Silla sent his son Chūgen and others to present tribute.

¶On the sixteenth day of the third month, the day Kanoe-saru, Prince Kurikuma was made Chief of the Bureau of Military Affairs, and Ōtomo-no-Miyuki, of Shōkinjō rank, was made its deputy. In this month, Koma and Silla presented tribute. In summer, on the fifth day of the fourth month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, more than two thousand four hundred monks and nuns were summoned and a great feast, daisai, was held for them. On the ninth day, the day Mizunoe-uma, a decree was issued: "Whenever the provinces make loans of tax grain, the common people are henceforth to be carefully divided into three classes according to their wealth or poverty, and those of the middle class and below who wish to borrow are to be permitted to do so." On the tenth day, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, Prince Mino, of Shōshi rank, and Saeki-no-Hirotari, of Shōkinge rank, were sent to Tachino in Tatsuta to worship the wind god, and Hashihito-no-Ōfuta, of Shōkinchū rank, and Sone-no-Karainu, of Daisenchū rank, were sent to the bend of the river at Hirose to worship the god Ōimi (Note: the rites to the wind god and to Ōimi became regular, established observances from this time on, and so are not recorded again hereafter). On the seventeenth day, the day Kanoe-tora, a decree forbade hunters and fishermen from building cages and pitfalls or setting spring-loaded spears; it required that weirs and fish traps be used only from the fourth month to the ninth month, and forbade the eating of the flesh of cattle, horses, chickens, dogs, and monkeys, on pain of punishment for offenders. On the eighteenth day, the day Kanoto-u, Prince Omi, of the Third Rank, was banished to Inaba for an offense (Note: the Man'yōshū states that he was banished instead to Irago Island in Ise), and his two sons were banished to Izu Island and Chika Island. On the twenty-third day, the day Hinoe-saru, men of outstanding talent and skill were selected and given gifts, each according to his merit. In autumn, on the seventh day of the seventh month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, envoys were sent to Silla, with Ōtomo-no-Kunimaro, of Shōkinjō rank, as chief envoy and Miyake-no-Iriishi, of Shōkinge rank, as his deputy.

¶On the twenty-second day of the eighth month, the day Mizunoto-mi, a great storm blew. In this month, the king of Tamna sent his son Kumaki to present tribute.

¶In winter, on the third day of the tenth month, the day Mizunoto-tori, envoys were sent in all four directions in search of copies of the Buddhist canon. On the tenth day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, a banquet was given for the assembled ministers. On the sixteenth day, the day Hinoe-jutsu, Tsukushi presented thirty men of Tang, who were settled in Tōtōmi. On the twentieth day, the day Kanoe-tora, a decree ordered the princes and officials of the lowest rank and above each to equip themselves with weapons. On this day, the province of Sagami reported that a woman of Takakura District had given birth to three boys at once.

¶On the third day of the eleventh month, the day Mizunoto-u, at night, a man climbed the hill east of the palace, uttered seditious words, and cut off his own head. The watchmen on duty were each granted one additional rank. In this month there was a great earthquake (Note: the Ichidai Yōki states that appointments to office, jimoku, were held for the first time in this year).

¶In the fourth year, the year Hinoe-ne, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Kanoe-ne, the hundred officials attended the New Year's audience. On the fourth day, the day Mizunoto-u, robes, trousers, pleated skirts, sashes, leg-wrappings, and armrests and staffs were bestowed on Prince Takechi and the court nobles of Shōkin rank and above, except that those of the third grade of Shōkin rank were not given armrests. On the seventh day, the day Hinoe-uma, gifts were bestowed on the court nobles of Shōkin rank and above, each according to his rank. On the fifteenth day, the day Kinoe-tora, those of the lowest rank and above presented firewood, for which a banquet was given in return (Note: given that it is recorded that the hundred officials presented firewood on the third day of the first month of the previous year, the later custom of presenting firewood on the fifteenth day of the first month probably began at this time; it is accordingly not recorded again hereafter). On the sixteenth day, the day Kinoto-u, an archery contest was held in the courtyard of the western gate, and those who hit the target were given gifts, each according to his skill. On this day the emperor held a banquet at the Shima Palace. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kinoe-ne, a decree was issued: "The provincial governors of the various provinces are henceforth to be chosen and appointed from among those of Daisen rank and below, except in the home provinces and in the two provinces of Mutsu and Nagato."

¶In the second month, Ōtomo-no-Kunimaro and his party returned from Silla.

¶In summer, on the fourth day of the fourth month, the day Kanoto-ushi, Waniyumi-no-Kichikoto, a man of Sōnoshimo District in Great Yamato, presented an auspicious cock. Akunami District reported that a hen had turned into a cock. On the fourteenth day, the day Kanoto-i, an imperial command was issued: "Those princes and ministers whose stipend households lie in the western provinces are to be granted households in the eastern provinces instead." A further command was issued: "The sons of the omi, muraji, tomo-no-miyatsuko, and kuni-no-miyatsuko of the various provinces, and commoners of talent who wish to enter government service, are all to be permitted to do so."

¶On the third day of the fifth month, the day Kanoe-uma, the provincial governors were investigated as to the diligence or negligence with which they had transported the tribute grain, and penalties were imposed accordingly. On the seventh day, the day Kinoe-inu, Shimotsuke suffered a famine, and the common people petitioned to be allowed to sell their children; the provincial governor reported the circumstances, but permission was refused. In this month an imperial command was issued: "Cutting grass and gathering firewood on Mount Minabuchi and Mount Hosokawa is forbidden, and the reckless felling of trees and cutting of grass in the mountains and fields of the home provinces is once again prohibited." This summer there was a great drought, the five grains failed to ripen, and the common people suffered famine and hardship. Envoys were sent in the four directions to offer heihaku to the gods of Heaven and earth, and monks and nuns were made to pray to the Three Treasures of Buddhism for rain.

¶In autumn, on the second day of the seventh month, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, the ranks of the ministers of state and the hundred officials were advanced, each according to his standing. In this month a long-tailed star, a comet, appeared in the east.

¶On the second day of the eighth month, the day Hinoto-tori, stipend households were bestowed, each according to rank, on the princes and the court nobles of Shōkin rank and above, and on the princesses, the princesses of collateral lines, and the ladies of the inner palace. On the sixteenth day, the day Kanoto-i, a decree ordered a great purification to be held throughout the provinces, and had the kuni-no-miyatsuko and district officials provide the materials for the purification rites. On the seventeenth day, the day Mizunoe-ne, a general amnesty was proclaimed: "The penalties for capital crimes, for confiscation of property, and for the three degrees of exile are each to be reduced by one degree. Offenses of penal servitude and below, whether already discovered or not yet discovered, are entirely pardoned; but this pardon does not apply to those already under sentence of exile." On this same day, a decree ordered the release of captive animals, hōjō, throughout the provinces. On the first day of the ninth month, the day Hinoe-tora, the monthly report of the new moon, kōsaku, was not held on account of rain. On the tenth day, the day Kinoto-i, weapons were issued to the men of the capital region. On the twelfth day, the day Hinoto-ushi, Prince Yagaki, the Dazai of Tsukushi, was banished to Tosa for an offense. On the thirteenth day, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, gifts were bestowed, each according to rank, on the hundred officials and on the foreign guests at court.

¶In winter, on the first day of the tenth month, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, a feast was held to entertain the assembled ministers. On the third day, the day Hinoto-tori, offerings were made to the gods of the Niiname, the harvest festival. On the tenth day, the day Kinoe-tatsu, envoys were sent to Silla, with Mononobe-no-Maro, of Daiotsujō rank, as chief envoy and Yamashiro-no-Momotari, of Daiotsuchū rank, as his deputy.

¶On the first day of the eleventh month, the day Kinoto-ushi, the monthly report was not held on account of the Niiname rite. On the third day, the day Hinoto-u, Silla sent envoys to present tribute and to ask for a report on the state of government. People of the Mishihase came to court in their train. On the nineteenth day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, a decree ordered the release of captive animals in the provinces near the capital. On the twentieth day, the day Kinoe-saru, envoys were sent to the provinces to have the Konkōmyōkyō and the Ninnōkyō, two sutras, expounded. On the twenty-third day, the day Hinoto-i, Koma presented tribute. In this year it was proposed to establish the capital at Niiki, but this was not carried out.

¶In the fifth year, the year Hinoto-ushi, in spring, on the seventeenth day of the first month, the day Kanoe-tatsu, an archery contest was held at the southern gate (Note: from this point on, the original text records every year that an archery contest was held on the seventeenth day; since this was clearly a regular, established observance, it is not recorded again hereafter).

¶On the first day of the third month, the day Mizunoto-mi, Mononobe-no-Maro returned from Silla. In this month, an imperial command had the Kamo Shrine built in Yamashiro (Note: the account from "an imperial command" follows the Ukanshiki cited in the Nenjū Gyōji).

¶In summer, on the eleventh day of the fourth month, the day Mizunoe-tora, Murata-no-Nagura was banished to Izu Island for pointing at the imperial carriage and speaking ill of it.

¶On the first day of the fifth month, the day Mizunoe-inu, the monthly report was not held (Note: the original text does not record the reason). On the seventh day, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, people of Silla drifted ashore at Chika Island. In this month there was a drought, and prayers for rain were held in the capital region.

¶On the fourteenth day of the sixth month, the day Kinoto-mi, there was a great earthquake. In this month a decree was addressed to the Yamato-no-Aya-no-Atai and their clan: "Your clan once committed seven offenses. From the reign of the Oharida court down to that of the Ōmi court, this matter has been debated again and again on each occasion. I now intend to examine your offenses and impose punishment, yet I cannot bear to see your whole clan exterminated. I therefore extend to you my great clemency and forgive you. From this time forward, however, should any of you commit an offense, you will certainly be punished without pardon."

¶In autumn, on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, the day Kinoto-mi, a feast was held at Asukadera and the Buddhist canon was read aloud there. The emperor went in person to the southern gate of the temple and paid homage to the Three Treasures. He had earlier decreed that the princes, the various lords, and the court nobles would each be granted one person to be ordained as a monk. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, the king of Tamna sent his son Tora to present tribute.

¶In winter, on the fourteenth day of the tenth month, the day Mizunoto-u, Kawabe-no-Momoe, of Naishōkinjō rank, was made Minbukyō, Minister of Popular Affairs, and Tajihi-no-Maro, of Naidaikinge rank, was made Grand Officer of the Settsu Bureau.

¶On the first day of the eleventh month, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, the monthly report was not held on account of rain. The Dazai of Tsukushi presented a red crow. Gifts were bestowed and ranks advanced for the various officials of the Dazaifu and the district officials of that district; the man who had caught the red crow was granted five additional ranks, and the common people of that district were exempted from labor dues for one year. A general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm. On the first day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoe-ushi, the monthly report was not held on account of snow.

¶In the sixth year, the year Tsuchinoe-tora, in spring, the emperor resolved to worship the gods of Heaven and of earth. He had purification rites performed throughout the whole realm, and built a sacred hall, saigū, by the Kurahashi River. In summer, on the seventh day of the fourth month, the day Kinoto-mi, as he was about to make a progress to the sacred hall, Princess Tōchi happened to die, and in the end the progress was called off. On the thirteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-i, lightning struck the western office of the new palace. On the fourteenth day, the day Kanoe-ne, the imperial carriage was brought out for the funeral of Princess Tōchi. In autumn, in the ninth month, Oshinumi-no-Nomaro presented auspicious rice, and offenses of penal servitude and below were pardoned. In winter, on the first day of the tenth month, the day Kinoe-saru, something like cotton fell at Naniwa; people at the time called it sweet dew. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, a decree ordered that a system of performance review and promotion be established for civil and military officials. On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoto-u, flocks of rōshichō birds flew in great numbers and covered the sky. In this month there was a great earthquake in Tsukushi, and many houses were destroyed.

¶In the seventh year, the year Tsuchinoto-u, in spring, on the first day of the second month, the day Mizunoe-ne, Koma presented tribute. On the fourth day, the day Kinoto-u, the emperor, intending to hold a grand military review in the year Kanoto-mi, decreed that the princes, the ministers, and the hundred officials should in the meantime raise and maintain troops and horses in readiness. In this month great relief was given to the people in distress. On the seventh day of the third month, the day Hinoto-i, the emperor made a progress to Ochi and worshipped at the mausoleum of the Later Okamoto Emperor, Empress Saimei. On the twenty-second day, the day Mizunoe-tora, cloth and silk floss were bestowed on poor monks and nuns. In summer, on the fifth day of the fifth month, the day Kinoe-saru, the emperor made a progress to the Yoshino palace. On the sixth day, the day Kinoto-tori, the emperor swore an oath together with the empress and the princes. On the seventh day, the day Hinoe-inu, the imperial carriage returned to the palace. In the sixth month, on the first day, the day Kanoe-inu, hail fell. On the twenty-third day, the day Mizunoe-saru, snow fell. In autumn, on the sixth day of the seventh month, the day Kinoe-saru, prayers for rain were again held. On the first day of the eighth month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, a decree ordered the various clans to present their daughters to court. On the eleventh day, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, the emperor made a progress to Hatsuse and held a banquet by the Todoroki Pool. Earlier, a decree had ordered the court nobles each to keep a fine horse in addition to their ordinary mount; at this time their horses were reviewed at full gallop at the Tomi post station. On the twenty-second day, the day Kanoe-uma, Kazura-no-Oshikatsu presented auspicious grain. In winter, on the second day of the tenth month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, a decree was issued: "I have heard that of late there are many in the towns and villages who commit violent and wicked acts, and that some turn a blind eye and fail to restrain them, while others conceal such acts and do not correct them. This is the fault of the court nobles. From this time forward, strict enforcement is to be carried out without fail." On the eleventh day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, there was an earthquake. On the seventeenth day, the day Kinoe-ne, Silla presented tribute. On the fourteenth day, the day Kanoe-tora, there was an earthquake. On the twenty-third day, the day Tsuchinoto-i, Yamato-no-Umakaibe-no-Muraji, of Daiotsuge rank, was made chief envoy and Kamitsumitsukake (Note: the reading of this name is uncertain), of Shōotsuge rank, deputy envoy, and they were sent to Tane Island, each being granted one additional rank. In this month, two checkpoints were established for the first time, at Mount Tatsuta and Mount Ōe, and a defensive wall, rajō, was built at Naniwa. On the second day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, in recognition of the auspicious grain, gifts were bestowed, each according to rank, on the princes, the ministers, and the hundred officials, and offenses of banishment and below were pardoned. In this year, Kii presented a sacred fungus, reishi, and Inaba presented auspicious rice.

¶In the eighth year, the year Kanoe-tatsu, in spring, on the eighth day of the first month, the day Kinoe-saru, the emperor appeared at the small hall and gave a banquet for the court nobles in the courtyard of the great hall. On the twentieth day, the day Hinoe-saru, the province of Settsu reported that the peach and plum trees of Ikuta village had borne fruit. On the eighteenth day of the second month, the day Mizunoto-i, a sound like a drum was heard in the east. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, a man presented the horn of a beast; flesh grew on the tip of the horn, and people at the time took it for the horn of a kirin. On the tenth day of the third month, the day Kinoto-tori, the province of Settsu presented a white shitodo bird. On the twenty-third day, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, the emperor made a progress to Aki in Uda. In summer, on the eleventh day of the fourth month, the day Kinoto-u, Tachibanadera caught fire. On the first day of the fifth month, the day Kinoto-i, a decree bestowed coarse silk, silk floss, thread, and cloth, each according to rank, on the twenty-four temples of the capital. On this day, the Konkōmyōkyō was expounded for the first time in the palace and in the various temples. On the thirteenth day, the day Hinoto-i, Koma presented tribute. On the eighth day of the sixth month, the day Kanoto-i, ash fell. In autumn, on the fifth day of the seventh month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, the emperor went to the house of Inukai-no-Ōtomo to inquire after his illness. On this day, snow fell. On the tenth day, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, vermilion sparrows, suzaku, gathered at the southern gate. On the fifth day of the eighth month, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, the Hōkan, the Ministry of Justice, presented auspicious grain. There was a great flood. On the fourteenth day, the day Hinoe-tatsu, a great storm broke trees and blew the roofs off houses. On the ninth day of the ninth month, the day Kanoto-mi, the emperor made a progress to Asazuma, reviewed the horses of those of Daisen rank and below at Nagara, and thereupon ordered a display of mounted archery. On the twenty-third day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, there was an earthquake. In winter, on the fourth day of the tenth month, the day Kinoto-mi, coarse silk and cotton cloth were distributed, each according to need, as relief to the poor among the monks, nuns, and commoners of the capital. On the first day of the eleventh month, the day Mizunoe-saru, there was a solar eclipse. On the third day, the day Kinoe-inu, at night the eastern sky grew bright, and this continued from the hour of the Dog to the hour of the Rat. On the seventh day, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, a decree was issued to the hundred officials: "Whoever possesses a plan that would benefit the state and relieve the common people is to come to the palace and present it." On the tenth day, the day Kanoto-mi, thunder sounded. On the twelfth day, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, on account of the empress's illness, it was resolved to found the temple of Yakushiji; a hundred monks were ordained, and prisoners were pardoned. On the twenty-fourth day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, Silla presented tribute. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Hinoto-tori, the emperor fell ill. A hundred monks were ordained, and before long he recovered. On the thirtieth day, the day Kanoto-ushi, the last day of the month, flocks of rōshichō birds flew in great numbers and covered the sky.

¶In the ninth year, the year Kanoto-mi (Note: the original text writes the cyclical name with a different character, but since this is the year following Kanoe-tatsu, it should properly be Kanoto-mi), in spring, on the second day of the first month, the day Mizunoe-saru, offerings were made to the various gods of Heaven and earth. On the seventh day, the day Hinoto-ushi, the emperor appeared at the small hall, gathered the princes in the inner hall and the ministers in the outer hall, and held a banquet with music. On the nineteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, a decree ordered the repair of shrines in the home provinces and in the other provinces. On the twenty-fifth day of the second month, the day Kinoe-ne, the emperor appeared at the Daigokuden together with the empress, and issued a decree to the princes and the assembled ministers: "I now intend to establish a code of laws, the ritsuryō, and to reform the forms of government. You, my lords, are to join together in this undertaking. Yet I fear that if you are suddenly assigned to this task, it will interfere with the ordinary business of government; it would be well to divide the work among several men." On this day, Prince Kusakabe was installed as crown prince and entrusted with the general conduct of government. On the seventeenth day of the third month, the day Hinoe-jutsu, the emperor appeared at the Daigokuden and gave a decree to Prince Kawashima, Prince Osakabe, Prince Hirose, Prince Takeda, Prince Kuwata, and Prince Mino, to Kamitsukeno-no-Michichi, of Daikinge rank, Imbe-no-Obito, of Shōkinchū rank, Azumi-no-Inashiki and Naniwa-no-Ōkata, of Shōkinge rank, Nakatomi-no-Ōshima, of Daisenjō rank, and Heguri-no-Kobito, of Daisenge rank, ordering them to compile the Imperial Chronicles and the records of ancient times. On the twenty-first day, the day Kanoe-tora, there was an earthquake. In summer, on the third day of the fourth month, the day Kanoto-ushi, ninety-two sumptuary regulations were established, setting out the system of dress colors from the princes down to the commoners. On the eleventh day of the fifth month, the day Tsuchinoto-u, the spirits of the imperial ancestors were worshipped. On this day a decree was issued: "Of late, the hundred officials have been currying favor with the palace women, making private requests of them, offering bribes to strengthen their ties, and showing them excessive deference. From this time forward, anyone found doing so will be punished according to the circumstances." On the seventeenth day of the sixth month, the day Kinoto-u, prayers for rain were held. On the twenty-fourth day, the day Mizunoe-inu, there was an earthquake. In autumn, on the first day of the seventh month, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, vermilion sparrows appeared. On the fourth day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, Uneme-no-Tsukura, of Shōkinge rank, was sent to Silla as chief envoy, with Taima-no-Tate as his deputy; Saeki-no-Hirotari, of Shōkinge rank, was sent to Koma as chief envoy, with Oharida-no-Maro as his deputy. On the thirtieth day, the day Hinoto-tori, the last day of the month, an imperial command ordered a great purification throughout the realm; the kuni-no-miyatsuko each provided one male or female servant as material for the purification rites. On the tenth day of the eighth month, the day Hinoe-ne, a decree was issued: "More than ten years have now passed since the naturalized people from the three Han came to court. Since this term has now expired, the descendants of those who first came to court are all to be exempted from labor dues." On the sixteenth day, the day Mizunoe-uma, the province of Ise presented a white owl. On the twentieth day, the day Hinoe-jutsu, the envoy sent to Tane Island returned and presented a map of that land. On the fifth day of the ninth month, the day Kanoto-ushi, the province of Suō presented a red tortoise, which was released into the pond at the Shima Palace. On the eighth day, the day Kinoe-tatsu, a decree was issued: "Any of the various clans whose head, uji-no-kami, has not yet been determined are each to determine one and report it to the Rikan, the Bureau of Clan Affairs." On the sixteenth day, the day Mizunoe-ne, a comet appeared. On the seventeenth day, the day Mizunoto-ushi, Mars entered the moon. In winter, on the first day of the tenth month, the day Hinoe-tora, there was a solar eclipse. On the sixth day, the day Kinoto-mi, there was an earthquake. On the twentieth day, the day Kinoto-tori, Silla presented tribute. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kanoe-tora, a decree ordered those of Daisen rank down to Shōkon rank each to offer their opinions. In this month, the temporary palace at Hirose Field was completed. On the second day of the eleventh month, the day Hinoto-tori, there was an earthquake.

¶In the tenth year, the year Mizunoe-uma, in spring, on the nineteenth day of the first month, the day Mizunoto-ushi, there was an earthquake. On the first day of the third month, the day Kinoe-uma, Prince Mino, of Shōshi rank, and the court nobles of the Kunaikan, the Bureau of the Imperial Household, were sent to survey the site of the new capital at Niiki. On the seventh day, the day Kanoe-ne, there was an earthquake. On the thirteenth day, the day Hinoe-uma, an imperial command had Sakaibe-no-Iwazumi and others compile a work of forty-four volumes on new characters. On the sixteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, the emperor made a progress to Niiki. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Kanoto-tori, a decree suspended the wearing of cap rank by the princes and the ministers, and further ordered that the stipend households of the princes and all below them be returned entirely to the state. In summer, on the twentieth day of the fourth month, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, Tajihi-no-Shima, the Dazai of Tsukushi, and others presented a great bell. On the twenty-second day, the day Kinoe-saru, Itakakina and other Emishi of Koshi petitioned, "We wish to use the seven hundred households of the captive Emishi, fushū, to establish a separate district." This was reported to the throne and granted. On the twenty-third day, the day Kinoto-tori, a decree was issued: "All men and women are to wear their hair bound up." On the sixteenth day of the fifth month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, Saeki-no-Hirotari and his party returned from Koma. On the first day of the sixth month, the day Mizunoe-inu, Koma presented tribute. In autumn, on the third day of the seventh month, the day Kinoe-uma, the Hayato came and presented local specialties, and the Ōsumi Hayato and Ata Hayato were made to wrestle. On the seventeenth day, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, there was an earthquake. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, Shinano and Kibi both reported that frost had fallen and great winds had blown, and that the five grains had failed to ripen. On the first day of the eighth month, the day Mizunoe-inu, a command was issued to the princes and the assembled ministers below them, having each state the rules that ought to be applied to the present age. On the third day, the day Kinoe-ne, at dusk a great star streaked from east to west. On the fifth day, the day Hinoe-tora, laws and ordinances were established. A rainbow appeared within the palace hall. On the eleventh day, the day Mizunoe-saru, something like a banner appeared in the sky, the color of fire, streaming to the north, and it was seen in every province. On this day, a white vapor rose from the eastern mountains. On the twelfth day, the day Mizunoto-tori, there was a great earthquake. On the seventeenth day, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, there was an earthquake. On this day, at dawn, a rainbow appeared in the very middle of the sky. On the twenty-second day, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, rules of etiquette and of speech were established. A decree was issued: "All those who are to undergo the examination for appointment, kōsen, are to have their clan lineage and background carefully investigated before being considered. If the background of a clan is not clear, then even a candidate of good conduct and ability is not to be considered for appointment." On the twenty-eighth day, the day Kinoto-ushi, on account of the illness of Princess Hidaka, one hundred and ninety-eight men and women under sentence of death or lesser penalties were pardoned. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Kanoe-tora, the last day of the month, more than a hundred and forty monks were ordained at Daikandaiji. On the second day of the ninth month, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, an imperial command was issued: "From this time forward, the kneeling bow and the prostrating bow are abolished, and the standing bow used at the Naniwa court is to be adopted instead." In winter, on the eighth day of the tenth month, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, a great public feast, daiho, was held.

¶In the eleventh year, the year Mizunoto-hitsuji, in spring, on the second day of the first month, the day Kanoe-tora, the hundred officials attended the New Year's audience. Tajihi-no-Shima, the Dazai of Tsukushi, presented a sparrow with three legs. On the seventh day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, a banquet was given for the princes and the assembled ministers in the Daigokuden, and they were shown the sparrow. On the eighteenth day, the day Hinoe-uma, a decree was issued: "I have heard it said that when the principles of government accord with Heaven, auspicious omens respond in kind. Since I ascended the throne, auspicious omens have appeared one after another; on the one hand I am filled with awe, and on the other with joy. It is right that I should share this happy occasion with the whole realm. Gifts are to be bestowed, each according to rank, on those of Shōkon rank and above; offenses of banishment and below are pardoned, and the labor dues of the common people are remitted." On this day, the Oharida Dance and the music of the three Han were performed before the palace hall. On the first day of the second month, the day Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, a decree had Prince Ōtsu take part in the business of government for the first time. In summer, on the fifteenth day of the fourth month, the day Mizunoe-saru, a decree ordered the use of copper coins. This summer, monks and nuns were summoned to the palace for the summer retreat, ango, for the first time. In autumn, on the fourth day of the seventh month, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, the emperor visited the residence of Princess Kagami to inquire after her illness. On the fifteenth day, the day Kanoe-ne, prayers for rain were held. On the eighteenth day, the day Mizunoto-u, the imperial carriage made a progress around the capital. On the fifth day of the eighth month, the day Kanoe-saru, a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm. In this month, since no rain had fallen for a long time, the Kudara monk Dōzō was made to pray for rain. On the second day of the ninth month, the day Hinoe-tora, a great wind blew. In winter, on the thirteenth day of the tenth month, the day Hinoto-u, a hunt was held at Kurahashi. On the fourth day of the eleventh month, the day Hinoto-i, a decree ordered the various provinces to practice the methods of military formation. On the thirteenth day, the day Hinoe-saru, Silla presented tribute. On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the day Hinoe-tora, Prince Ise, of the Fifth Rank, Hata-no-Yakuni, of Daikinge rank, Ōno-no-Homuji and Nakatomi-no-Ōshima, of Shōkinge rank, together with assistant officers, recorders, scribes, and craftsmen, were sent out to make a circuit of the realm and fix the boundaries of the various provinces. On the seventeenth day, the day Kanoe-uma, a decree was issued: "All civil and military officials, and all those of rank within the home provinces, are to attend court in the first month of each of the four seasons. Should any be prevented from attending by illness, the office concerned is to record the fact and report it to the Hōkan." The emperor, wishing to establish a capital at Naniwa, decreed that the hundred officials should each select and determine a house site there.

¶In the twelfth year, the year Kinoe-saru, in spring, on the twenty-third day of the first month, the day Hinoe-uma, the emperor appeared in the eastern courtyard and summoned skilled archers, dwarf performers, and attendants of the left and right to shoot at targets. On the twenty-eighth day of the second month, the day Kanoe-tatsu, Prince Hirose, of Jōkōshi rank, Ōtomo-no-Yasumaro, of Shōkinchū rank, together with assistant officers, clerks, yin-yang masters, and craftsmen, were sent to the home provinces; Prince Mino and Uneme-no-Tsukura, of Shōkinge rank, were sent to Shinano; both parties were sent to survey sites for building a new capital. On the ninth day of the third month, the day Kanoto-u, the imperial carriage made a progress around the capital, and the site of the palace was determined. In summer, on the fifth day of the fourth month, the day Hinoe-tatsu, prisoners under sentence of penal servitude and below were pardoned. On the twentieth day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, envoys were sent to Silla, with Takamuku-no-Maro, of Shōkinge rank, as chief envoy and Tsunu-no-Ushikai, of Shōsenge rank, as his deputy. On the fifth day of the intercalary month, the day Hinoe-jutsu, a decree ordered the hundred officials to maintain and cultivate proper dignity of bearing. A further decree was issued: "The essence of government lies above all in military affairs. Civil and military officials alike are to apply themselves diligently to the practice of arms; there must be no lack in the store of troops, horses, and weapons. Those who possess horses shall serve as cavalry, and those without horses as infantry. I shall review these preparations from time to time. Should anyone fail to heed this decree and neglect proper training, he will certainly be punished, from the princes down to all the ministers. Those of Daisen rank and below who deserve punishment are to be punished, and those who deserve the rod are to receive the rod; on the other hand, those who apply themselves diligently to training and become skilled are to have their sentence reduced by two degrees, even if it is a capital offense. This does not, however, extend to those who, relying on their own talent, deliberately violate the law." On the eleventh day, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, Prince Mino and his party presented a map of the province of Shinano. On the sixteenth day, the day Hinoto-tori, a feast was held in the palace, on the strength of which attendants who had committed offenses were pardoned. On the fourteenth day of the fifth month, the day Kinoe-ne, twenty-three naturalized Kudara men and women, both monks and laypeople, were settled in Musashi. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, envoys were sent to Koma, with Miwa-no-Hiketa-no-Naniwamaro as chief envoy and Kuwabara-no-Hitotari as his deputy. On the fourth day of the sixth month, the day Kinoe-saru, snow fell. In autumn, on the fourth day of the seventh month, the day Mizunoto-ushi, the emperor made a progress to Hirose. On the twenty-third day, the day Mizunoe-saru, a comet appeared in the northwest. In winter, on the first day of the tenth month, the day Tsuchinoto-u, a decree ordered that the clan names of the various clans throughout the realm be reformed and fixed into eight ranks (Note: this is the system of the Yakusa-no-Kabane, the Eight Clan Titles). On the third day, the day Kanoto-mi, Prince Ise and others were sent out to fix the boundaries of the various provinces. On this same day, envoys were sent to Tamna, with Agatainukai-no-Tasuki as chief envoy and Kawara-no-Kane as his deputy. On the fourteenth day, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, there was a great earthquake in the capital and in the provinces. Mountains collapsed and rivers overflowed, and many people and livestock died. The hot springs of Iyo were buried, and more than five hundred thousand kei of fields in Tosa sank beneath the sea. That night, a sound like a drum was heard in the east. An island formed naturally in the sea northwest of Izu Island, more than three hundred jō in length. In this month, the governor of Tosa reported that the tide had surged violently and many ships carrying tribute goods had sunk. On the twenty-first day, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, a star fell in the northeast. On the twenty-third day, the day Kanoe-uma, at the hour of the Bird a star fell in the east, as large as a basin; at the hour of the Dog, stars fell like rain. In this month a comet appeared near the Pleiades. On the sixth day of the twelfth month, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, Silla sent back the students Haji-no-Oi and Shirai-no-Hōnen, who had studied in Tang, together with others who had been detained in Tang during the war with Kudara. Inokai-no-Kobito and Tsukushi-no-Miyake-no-Tokko arrived at Tsukushi. On the thirteenth day, the day Kanoe-tora, prisoners under sentence of death and below were pardoned (Note: the Mizukagami and the Genkō Shakusho record that this winter the emperor fell ill, and that when the crown prince, acting on an imperial command, led the hundred officials in prayer at Daikandaiji, the emperor received a sign in a dream and recovered). In this year, a decree ordered that the tribute dues of the four provinces of Iga, Ise, Mino, and Owari be remitted in alternate years from this time forward. The land of Yamato reported that a chicken with four legs had been born in Katsuragi-no-Shimo District. The province of Tanba reported that a calf with twelve horns had been born in Hikami District.

¶In the thirteenth year, the year Kinoto-tori, in spring, on the second day of the first month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, the hundred officials attended the New Year's audience. On the twenty-first day, the day Hinoto-u, the titles of rank were reformed and the number of grades increased: twelve grades were set for the princes and above, and forty-eight for the ministers. On this day, the crown prince was granted Jōkōichi rank, Prince Ōtsu Jōdaini rank, Prince Takechi Jōkōni rank, and Prince Kawashima and Prince Osakabe were both granted Jōdaisan rank. Ranks were also advanced for the princes and ministers generally, each according to his standing. On the fourth day of the second month, the day Kanoe-tatsu, rank was bestowed on a hundred and forty-seven people of Tang, Kudara, and Koma. In the third month, ash fell in the province of Shinano, and all the grass and trees withered. In summer, on the fourth day of the fourth month, the day Tsuchinoto-u, the province of Kii reported that the hot springs of Muro had been buried. On the fifth day of the fifth month, the day Kanoe-inu, an archery contest was held at the southern gate. The imperial carriage made a progress to Asukadera. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Kanoto-mi, Takamuku-no-Maro and Tsunu-no-Ushikai returned from Silla. In autumn, on the twenty-sixth day of the seventh month, the day Kanoe-uma, the colors of court dress were fixed for those of Myōi rank down to Shin'i rank. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, a decree exempted from labor dues those of rank in the provinces east of Mino on the Tōsandō and east of Ise on the Tōkaidō. On the twelfth day of the eighth month, the day Kinoto-tori, the emperor made a progress to Jōdoji. On the thirteenth day, the day Hinoe-inu, he made a progress to Kawaradera and bestowed rice on the assembled monks. On the twentieth day, the day Mizunoto-mi, Agatainukai-no-Tasuki and his party returned from Tamna. On the ninth day of the ninth month, the day Mizunoe-ne, a banquet was held in the courtyard of the Anden, the hall of the old palace. On this day, cloth was bestowed, each according to rank, on the crown prince and the other princes. On the tenth day, the day Mizunoto-ushi, sacred treasures were offered for the first time to the two Grand Shrines of Ise (Note: the account from "on the tenth day" follows the old shrine records cited under the second year of Enbun in the Entairyaku. The Hōkihongi states that at this time a decree was issued that the two Grand Shrines be rebuilt every twenty years and the rite of transferring the shrine, sengū, be performed, and that this was made a permanent institution. The Enryaku Gishikichō, the Engishiki, and other works likewise record that the shrines were rebuilt every twenty years, but do not give the year and month; this is appended here for reference). On the eleventh day, the day Kinoe-tora, Prince Miyako, Prince Hirose, Prince Naniwa, Prince Takeda, and Prince Mino were sent out separately to the capital region to inspect weapons held by the common people. On the fifteenth day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, Tsunu-no-Ushikai, of Jikikōshi rank, was sent to the Tōkaidō, Ishikawa-no-Mushina to the Tōsandō, Sami-no-Sukunamaro to the Sanyōdō, Kose-no-Kurimochi to the San'indō, Michi-no-Tomi, of Jikikōsan rank, to the Nankaidō, and Saeki-no-Hirotari, of Jikikōshi rank, to Tsukushi, each accompanied by one assistant officer and one scribe, to make a circuit observing local customs and to inquire into the record of the provincial and district officials. On the eighteenth day, the day Kanoto-tori, the emperor appeared at the Daianden and summoned the court nobles to play board games before the palace hall. On the nineteenth day, the day Mizunoe-jutsu, bearskins and goatskins were bestowed, each according to rank, on the crown prince and forty-eight court nobles. On the twentieth day, the day Mizunoto-i, Miwa-no-Hiketa-no-Naniwamaro and his party returned from Koma. On the twenty-fourth day, the day Hinoto-u, the emperor fell ill. Sutras were read for three days at the three temples of Daikandaiji, Kawaradera, and Asukadera, and rice was bestowed, each according to rank. In winter, in the tenth month, it was planned to make a progress to the hot springs of Tsukama. On the tenth day, the day Mizunoe-uma, Karube-no-Taruse, Takada-no-Niinomi, and Aratao-no-Maro were sent to Shinano to build a temporary palace there. On the twelfth day, the day Kinoe-saru, Prince Hatsuse, of Jōdaishi rank, and Kose-no-Umakai, of Jikikōshi rank, were made to oversee the corvée labor of the home provinces. On the seventeenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, Prince Ise and others were sent to the eastern provinces. On the second day of the eleventh month, the day Kinoe-tatsu, ten thousand kin of iron were transported to the Suō regional headquarters, and a further ten thousand kin of iron, two thousand ren of arrow shafts, together with coarse silk, thread, and cloth, were transported to the Dazai of Tsukushi, to be kept in store. On the fourth day, the day Hinoe-uma, a decree was issued: "The great and small horns, drums and flutes, banners and pennants, crossbows, and signal fires of the various provinces are forbidden to be kept in private houses, and are all to be deposited at the district offices." On the sixth day, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, the emperor made a progress to the rear garden of Hakukin. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, Silla sent envoys to present tribute and to ask for a report on the state of government. On the tenth day of the twelfth month, the day Kanoto-mi, there was an earthquake.

¶In the first year of Shuchō, the year Hinoe-inu, in spring, on the second day of the first month, the day Mizunoto-u, the emperor appeared at the Daigokuden and gave a banquet for the court nobles. On the ninth day, the day Kanoe-inu, he summoned the Sangō, the three chief monastic officers, together with the administrative monks of Daikandaiji, and gave them a meal in the palace. On the fourteenth day, the day Kinoto-u, the Naniwa Palace caught fire. On the sixteenth day, the day Hinoto-mi, the emperor appeared at the Daianden and gave a banquet for the princes and court nobles, bestowing coarse silk and cotton cloth, each according to rank. On the seventeenth day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, a banquet was held in the rear palace. On the eighteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, a great public feast was held. On this day, the emperor appeared at the Mikutsudono and bestowed gifts, each according to rank, on performers and singers. On the nineteenth day, the day Kanoe-saru, there was an earthquake. On the fifth day of the second month, the day Kinoto-i, the rank of Gon'i was conferred on nine provincial governors who had shown merit. On the tenth day of the third month, the day Kanoe-jutsu, snow fell. In summer, on the nineteenth day of the fourth month, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, Silla presented tribute. On the twenty-fourth day of the fifth month, the day Mizunoto-i, the emperor fell ill. The Yakushikyō sutra was expounded at Kawaradera, and the summer retreat was held in the palace with prayers offered. In this month a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm. On the second day of the sixth month, the day Kanoe-uma, rank was conferred on thirty-four craftsmen, yin-yang masters, physicians, and students who had studied in Tang. On the seventh day, the day Kinoto-i, rank was added for twenty-eight men of merit in the various offices. On the tenth day, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, divination concerning the emperor's illness showed it to be a curse of the sacred sword Kusanagi; it was accordingly returned to the Atsuta Shrine in Owari. On the twelfth day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, snow fell. On the sixteenth day, the day Kinoe-saru, Prince Ise and others were sent to Asukadera to pray for the emperor's recovery. On the nineteenth day, the day Hinoto-i, the hundred officials were sent to Kawaradera to perform a lamp-lighting offering. A great feast was held and rites of penitence were performed. In autumn, on the third day of the seventh month, the day Kanoto-ushi, a decree ordered a great purification throughout the provinces. On the fourth day, the day Mizunoe-tora, the household taxes of the whole realm were reduced by half, and all corvée labor was remitted. On the fifth day, the day Mizunoto-u, offerings were made at the shrines of Kunikakasu, Asuka, and Sumiyoshi. On the eighth day, the day Hinoe-uma, a hundred monks were summoned to the palace to read the Konkōmyōkyō. On the tenth day, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, the Minbushō, the Ministry of Popular Affairs, caught fire. On the fifteenth day, the day Mizunoto-ushi, a decree was issued: "All matters of state, great or small, are henceforth to be reported to the empress and the crown prince." On this day a general amnesty was proclaimed. On the nineteenth day, the day Hinoto-mi, a decree was issued: "All outstanding debts of the poor people of the realm, whether owed to the state or to private parties, incurred before the thirtieth day of the twelfth month of the year Kinoto-tori, are entirely forgiven." On the twentieth day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, an era name was established, Shuchō, and the palace was accordingly named the Asuka Kiyomihara Palace. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Hinoe-tora, seventy ascetics of pure conduct were ordained, and a feast was held at the Mikutsuin. In this month, the princes and the assembled ministers had images of Kannon made, and had the Kannon Sutra expounded at Daikandaiji, praying for the emperor's recovery. On the first day of the eighth month, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, eighty people were ordained. On the second day, the day Kanoe-uma, a hundred men and women were ordained, a hundred images of bodhisattvas were set up in the palace, and two hundred scrolls of the Kannon Sutra were read. On the ninth day, the day Hinoto-ushi, prayers were offered to the gods of Heaven and earth for the emperor's recovery. On the thirteenth day, the day Kanoto-mi, Hata-no-Iwakatsu was sent to make offerings to the great god of Tosa.

¶On the ninth day of the ninth month, the day Hinoe-uma, the emperor died in the main hall (Note: the original text does not record his age at death; the Ichidai Yōki and the Kōin Shōunroku both give his age as sixty-five). On the twenty-fourth day (the cyclical designation "Kōyū" given in the original text appears to be a copying error), his body was laid in a mourning hall, mogari, in the southern courtyard, and he was buried at the Ōuchi Misasagi (Note: the Engishiki calls this the Hinokuma-no-Ōuchi Misasagi). He was afterward given the posthumous title Emperor Tenmu.