Empress Jitō

Empress Jitō

¶Empress Jitō was at first called Princess Uno-no-Sarara. She was the second daughter of Emperor Tenji, and her mother was Ochi-no-Iratsume.

¶In the third year of Empress Saimei's reign, she became the consort of Emperor Tenmu. By nature she was deep and composed, of broad and generous temperament; she made frugality her guiding principle, delighted in propriety, and possessed all the virtues befitting a mother to the realm.

¶In the tenth month of the fourth year of Emperor Tenji's reign, she accompanied Emperor Tenmu to Yoshino. When the emperor raised his army, she always took part in deciding his plans together with him. When the emperor ascended the throne, she was installed as empress, and whenever matters of government were deliberated, she gave him great help and support.

¶In the first year of Shuchō, the emperor's illness grew grave. He issued an edict to the empress and to the crown prince, ordering them to decide the affairs of government together. In the ninth month, the emperor died. The empress attended court and administered the government as regent, shōsei, exercising rule without formally ascending the throne.

¶In winter, on the second day of the tenth month, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, the conspiracy of Prince Ōtsu was discovered. An edict ordered Ōtsu and more than thirty of his associates to be seized. On the third day, the day Kanoe-uma, Prince Ōtsu was made to take his own life. On the thirtieth day, the day Hinoe-saru, the last day of the month, an edict was issued: "Prince Ōtsu plotted rebellion, and has now already been put to death for it. The officials and commoners who were drawn into his plot are all entirely pardoned, save only Togi-no-Michitsukuri, who alone is banished to Izu." A further edict was issued: "The Silla monk, shamon, Gyōshin plotted rebellion together with Prince Ōtsu. Since I cannot bear to have punishment inflicted on him, he is to be moved instead to a temple in Hida." On the seventeenth day of the eleventh month, the day Mizunoto-ushi, there was an earthquake. On the nineteenth day of the twelfth month, the day Kinoto-tori, a musha-daie — a great unrestricted assembly at which alms were distributed without regard to rank — was held at the temples of Daikan, Asuka, Kawara, Oharida, Toyura, and Sakata on behalf of the late emperor, taikō tennō, that is, Emperor Tenmu (Note: the original text here calls him Amanonunahara-Okinomahito-no-sumeramikoto, but the edict rebuking the Silla envoys in the fifth month of the third year calls him simply the late emperor; this latter usage is followed here, and likewise below). On the twenty-sixth day, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, cloth was bestowed, in varying amounts, on the aged and the solitary of the capital. In the intercalary month, the Dazai of Tsukushi presented sixty-two monks and nuns, men and women, of the Three Han. In this year, a snake and a dog mated, and both died.

¶In the first year, the year Hinoto-i (Note: according to such works as the Gukanshō and the Kōdai Ryakki, the era name Shuchō remained in use for seven years even after Emperor Tenmu's death. The original text, however, takes this year as the first year of the reign and does not continue the Shuchō era name. Since the empress did not actually ascend the throne until the fourth year, the year Kanoe-tora, it might be thought that this year of her accession ought instead to be taken as the first year of the reign. Yet the text of the third month of the eighth year states, "now, in the seventh year, the year Mizunoto-mi," and so on — language which shows that, at the time, this year was already being reckoned as the founding year of the reign. This reckoning is accordingly followed here), in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Hinoe-tora, the crown prince, leading the court nobles and the hundred officials, went to the mourning hall, mogari-no-miya, and expressed his grief. On the fifth day, the day Kanoe-uma, he did likewise. On the fifteenth day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, coarse silk and silk floss were bestowed, in varying amounts, on those of the capital who were eighty years of age or older, and on those who, through serious illness or poverty, could not support themselves. On the nineteenth day, the day Kinoe-saru, Jikikōshi Tanaka-no-Norimaro was sent in pursuit of the Daini, Mori-no-Karita, and his party, who were on their way to Silla, so that he might join them in announcing the great mourning there. On the fifteenth day of the third month, the day Tsuchinoto-u, fifty-six naturalized subjects from Koma were settled in Hitachi. On the twenty-second day, the day Hinoe-inu, fourteen naturalized subjects from Silla were settled in Shimotsukeno. In summer, on the tenth day of the fourth month, the day Mizunoto-u, twenty-two naturalized subjects from Silla, presented by the Dazai of Tsukushi, were settled in Musashi. On the twenty-second day of the fifth month, the day Kinoto-tori, the crown prince, leading the court nobles and the hundred officials, expressed his grief at the mourning hall. The chieftains, hitogo-no-kami, of the Hayato of Ōsumi and of Ata each led their followers and offered eulogies of mourning. On the twenty-eighth day of the sixth month, the day Kanoe-saru, an amnesty was granted. In autumn, on the second day of the seventh month, the day Kinoe-ne, an edict was issued: "As for debts incurred before the year Kinoto-tori, no interest is to be charged on them. Those who are already working off such debts through their own labor are not to be made to continue, whatever the amount of interest still outstanding." On the ninth day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, rewards were bestowed, each according to rank, on three hundred and thirty-seven of the Hayato chieftains of Ōsumi and Ata. On the fifth day of the eighth month, the day Hinoe-saru, the niiname rite was performed at the mourning hall, and on this day blue rice was offered. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, the late emperor's robes were cut up to make three hundred kesa robes; Jikidaishi Fujiwara-no-Ōshima and Kifumi-no-Ōtomo were sent to Asukadera to distribute them among three hundred monks. On the ninth day of the ninth month, the day Kanoe-uma, kokki-sai rites, observances for the anniversary of the sovereign's death, were held at the temples of the capital. On the tenth day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, a feast, toki, was held at the mourning hall. On the twenty-third day, the day Kinoe-saru, the king of Silla sent his son Sōrin and others, who presented tribute and asked for a report on the state of government. In winter, on the twenty-second day of the tenth month, the day Mizunoe-ne, the crown prince, leading the court nobles, the hundred officials, the provincial governors, and the kuni-no-miyatsuko, built the Ōuchi mausoleum. On the third day of the twelfth month, the day Mizunoto-mi, a religious service was held at Sūfukuji on behalf of Emperor Tenji, and this was made a perpetual kokki observance (Note: the account from "On the third day of the twelfth month" onward follows the Gōke Shidai and the Kuji Kongen).

¶In the second year, the year Tsuchinoe-ne, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Kanoe-saru, the crown prince, leading the court nobles and the hundred officials, expressed his grief at the mourning hall. On the eighth day, the day Hinoto-u, a musha-daie was held at Yakushiji. On the sixteenth day of the second month, the day Kinoto-mi, a decree was issued: "Henceforth, a feast is to be held on the anniversary of the sovereign's death." In summer, on the eleventh day of the sixth month, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, a decree was issued to the realm: "The penalty for capital crimes is to be reduced by one degree, and all minor offenses are to be entirely pardoned. Half of this year's tribute tax throughout the realm is remitted." In autumn, on the tenth day of the seventh month, the day Hinoto-u, a great rain-prayer was held. On the twentieth day, the day Hinoe-ne, the Kudara monk Dōzō was ordered to pray for rain; on this day a heavy rain fell. On the tenth day of the eighth month, the day Hinoe-saru, the niiname rite was performed at the mourning hall in token of grief. On the eleventh day, the day Hinoto-tori, Jōdaishi Prince Ise was ordered to proclaim the arrangements for the funeral. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kanoto-i, Tamna presented tribute. In winter, on the tenth day of the eleventh month, the day Kinoto-ushi, Emperor Tenmu was buried. On the twelfth day of the twelfth month, the day Hinoe-saru, two hundred and thirteen Emishi were entertained at Asukadera, and were granted rank and gifts, each according to his standing.

¶In the third year, the year Tsuchinoto-ushi, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Kinoe-tora, the empress came forth to the front hall and received the New Year's felicitations. On the second day, the day Kinoto-u, the Daigakuryō, the Bureau of Education, presented eighty staffs. On the seventh day, the day Kanoe-saru, a banquet was given for the court nobles, and robes and trousers, hōko, were bestowed on them. On the ninth day, the day Mizunoe-inu, an edict was issued to the provincial governor of Izumo: "Send back any foreigners who have drifted ashore in distress from wind and waves." Awata-no-Mahito, the Dazai of Tsukushi, presented one hundred and seventy-four Hayato. On the sixteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, the hundred officials were entertained. On the eighteenth day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the twenty-first day, the day Kinoe-inu, she returned to the palace. On the twenty-sixth day of the second month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, Jōkōshi Prince Takeda, together with Jikikōshi Haji-no-Nemaro, Ōyake-no-Maro, and Fujiwara-no-Fuhito, and Mudaishi Taima-no-Sakurai, Hozumi-no-Yamamori, Nakatomi-no-Maro, Kose-no-Tayasu, and Ōmiwa-no-Yasumaro, were made judges, hanji. On the twenty-fourth day of the third month, the day Hinoe-ne, a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm, save that offenses not pardoned under an ordinary amnesty were excluded from it. In summer, on the eighth day of the fourth month, the day Kanoe-tora, naturalized subjects from Silla were settled in Shimotsukeno. On the thirteenth day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, the crown prince, Kusakabe, died. On the twentieth day, the day Mizunoe-tora, Silla sent envoys to offer condolences. On the twenty-second day of the fifth month, the day Kinoe-inu, an edict was sent to Haji-no-Nemaro ordering him to rebuke Silla for its discourtesy and to refuse its tribute. On the first day of the sixth month, the day Mizunoe-uma, robes were bestowed on the Dazai of Tsukushi. On the second day, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, Prince Shiki, together with Jikikōshi Sami-no-Sukunamaro and Hata-no-Itsuki, Gonkōshi Iyobe-no-Umakai and Tsuki-no-Okina, and Mudaisan Ōtomo-no-Tauchi and Kose-no-Tayasu, were made commissioners for the compiling of edifying sayings, senzengonshi — an office charged with selecting and gathering wise and wholesome maxims. On the nineteenth day, the day Kanoe-ne, rice was bestowed, in varying amounts, on the men of Tang, Shokushugen and Satsu Kōkaku. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Kanoe-inu, the twenty-two chapters of the Code, ryō, were distributed to the various offices. In autumn, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, the day Hinoe-tora, an edict ordered the Left and Right Capital Offices, sakyōshiki and ukyōshiki, and the provincial governors, to build archery grounds. On the twentieth day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, Kashiwabara-no-Hiroyama, a man of Kawachi, falsely claimed to be a member of the Palace Guard, hyōe. Ikube-no-Tora, himself of the Palace Guard, seized him. Hiroyama was accordingly banished to Tosa, and Tora was granted rank, becoming Tsuikōsan. On the second day of the eighth month, the day Mizunoe-uma, the hundred officials assembled at the Jingikan, the Bureau of Shrine Affairs, and received instruction concerning the gods of Heaven and earth. On the fourth day, the day Kinoe-saru, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the sixteenth day, the day Hinoe-saru, officials were posted to prohibit fishing and hunting over a stretch of one thousand bu of the sea at Muko in Settsu, and over twenty thousand kei each at Nagino in Ate District of Kii and at Mino in Iga District of Iga, following the precedent already set at Takashi-no-umi in Ōtori District of Kawachi. On the seventeenth day, the day Hinoto-tori, rewards were bestowed on the court nobles, each according to rank. On the twenty-first day, the day Kanoto-ushi, an edict ordered Tanaka-no-Norimaro, the Governor-General, sōryō, of Iyo, to release a white swallow that had been presented by Sanuki. On the twenty-third day, the day Mizunoto-u, an archery contest was reviewed. On the tenth day of the intercalary month, the day Kanoe-saru, an edict was issued to the provincial governors: "This winter, household registers are to be compiled, and vagrants are to be investigated and apprehended by means of them. The deadline is the ninth month; in every province, one quarter of the people are to be inspected and drilled in military exercises." On the tenth day of the ninth month, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, Jikikōsan Isonokami-no-Maro and Jikikōshi Ishikawa-no-Mushina were sent to Tsukushi bearing letters of appointment, and were also charged with overseeing the new citadel, Niiki. In winter, on the eleventh day of the tenth month, the day Kanoe-saru, the empress made a progress to the fortress of Takayasu. On the eighth day of the eleventh month, the day Hinoe-inu (Note: the original text gives the first day of the eleventh month as the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, but reckoning forward from the day Kinoe-ne there proves to be no day Hinoe-inu in that month; and since the first day of the tenth month was the day Kanoe-inu, the "day Tsuchinoto-ushi" is probably an error for "day Tsuchinoto-u" — the day Hinoe-inu then falling properly on the eighth), Takata-no-Iwanari, of Tsuikōni rank, was rewarded for his diligence in military training on three occasions. On the eighth day of the twelfth month, the day Hinoe-tatsu, the game of sugoroku was forbidden.

¶In the fourth year, the year Kanoe-tora, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, the empress ascended the throne. She was called Takamagahara-Hirono-hime-no-sumeramikoto. Mononobe-no-Maro set up the great standard, ōtate; Nakatomi-no-Ōshima, the Jingihaku, head of the Bureau of Shrine Affairs, recited the words of blessing of the heavenly gods, amatsukami no yogoto; Imbe-no-Murao presented the sacred sword and mirror of the imperial regalia; and the hundred officials formed ranks and made obeisance. On the second day, the day Tsuchinoto-u, the court nobles and the hundred officials attended the New Year's audience, following the forms of the gan'e, the New Year's ceremony. On the third day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, a banquet was given for the court nobles. On the seventeenth day, the day Kinoe-uma, a general amnesty was proclaimed, save that offenses not pardoned under an ordinary amnesty were excluded from it. Those already holding rank were each advanced one grade; widowers, widows, orphans, and the childless, and those who through serious illness or poverty could not support themselves, were given rice, and their tribute labor was remitted. On the twentieth day, the day Hinoto-tori, one hundred Tokibe, judicial officers who carried out the practical work of interrogation, were merged into the Gyōbushō, the Ministry of Justice. On the twenty-third day, the day Kanoe-ne, offerings, heihaku, were distributed to the gods of Heaven and earth within the home provinces, and the rice lands of the kanbe, shrine households, were increased. On the fifth day of the second month, the day Mizunoe-ne, the empress made a progress to the embankment at Wakigami and reviewed the horses of the court nobles and chamberlains. On the eleventh day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, fifty people of Silla became naturalized subjects. On the seventeenth day, the day Kinoe-ne, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the nineteenth day, the day Hinoe-tora, a feast was held within the palace. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Mizunoe-saru, twelve naturalized subjects from Silla were settled in Musashi. On the twentieth day of the third month, the day Hinoe-saru, rice was bestowed, twenty bundles to each person, on those of the home provinces who were eighty years of age or older; those who held rank were given an additional two lengths of cloth. In summer, on the seventh day of the fourth month, the day Mizunoto-ushi, rice was bestowed, twenty bundles to each person, on more than five thousand aged men and women of the home provinces. On the fourteenth day, the day Kanoe-saru, an edict was issued to the hundred officials and to the people of the home provinces: "Those who hold rank are to have their record of attendance examined over a period of six years, and those without rank over seven years, and are to be ranked into nine grades accordingly. Those of the fourth grade and above are, in accordance with the Statute on the Assessment of Service, kōshiryō, to be granted cap rank after their merit, and the standing of their lineage, great or small, have been weighed. The colors of official dress are fixed in eight grades." On the twenty-second day, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, prayers for rain were held. On the third day of the fifth month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the tenth day, the day Kinoto-tori, twenty-one men and women of Kudara became naturalized subjects. On the fifteenth day, the day Kanoe-tora, a lecture on the ango retreat was held within the palace for the first time. On the sixth day of the sixth month, the day Kanoto-i, the empress made a progress to Hatsuse. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kanoe-uma, those who held rank were summoned and made to report the order of their rank and their ages. In autumn, on the first day of the seventh month, the day Hinoe-ne, the court nobles and the hundred officials for the first time wore court robes of the new system. On the third day, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, offerings were distributed to the gods of Heaven and earth. On the fifth day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, Prince Takechi was made Grand Minister of State, and Tajihi-no-Shima was made Minister of the Right. On the fourteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, thread, silk floss, and cloth were bestowed on more than three thousand monks observing the ango retreat at seven temples. On the fourth day of the eighth month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the eleventh day, the day Kinoto-u, naturalized subjects from Silla were settled in Shimotsukeno. On the first day of the ninth month, the day Kinoto-i, an edict was issued to the provincial governors: "In compiling household registers, follow the Statute on Households, koryō, in every particular." On the eleventh day, the day Kinoto-tori, wishing to make a tour of Kii, the empress issued an edict: "The capital's land tax and tribute for this year need not be collected." On the thirteenth day, the day Hinoto-i, she made a progress to Kii. On the twenty-third day, the day Hinoto-tori, Silla sent envoys who escorted to Tsukushi a student-monk who had studied in Tang, and Ōtomobe-no-Hakama, a man of Tsukushi who had served as a military conscript, gunchō (Note: the Ruijū Kokushi writes his name as Hakamaro). On the twenty-fourth day, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, the imperial carriage returned to the palace. In winter, on the fifth day of the tenth month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the twenty-second day, the day Kinoto-ushi, the integrity and loyalty of Ōtomobe-no-Hakama were commended, and he was granted the rank of Mudaishi. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Mizunoe-saru, the Grand Minister of State, Prince Takechi, was made to lead the hundred officials in inspecting the site of the Fujiwara Palace. On the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the day Kinoe-tora, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the fourteenth day, the day Hinoe-tatsu, she returned to the palace. On the nineteenth day, the day Kanoto-tori, she made a progress to inspect the site of the Fujiwara Palace, and the court nobles and the hundred officials all attended her. On the twenty-third day, the day Kinoto-ushi, rewards were bestowed, in varying amounts, on the court nobles and those below them.

¶In the fifth year, the year Kanoto-u, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Mizunoto-tori, rank was bestowed on the princes, the various ministers, the princesses, the royal women, and the naimyōbu, ladies of the inner palace (Note: the Kuji Kongen states that the bestowal of rank on women probably began at this time. The Teiō Hennenki states that rank was first bestowed on women in the year Kinoto-tori, the thirteenth year of Emperor Tenmu's reign, but the original text contains no such record, and it is not clear on what this is based). On the fourteenth day, the day Hinoe-inu, an edict was issued commending Jikikōshi Tsukushi-no-Fuhitomasu for his twenty-nine years of careful and diligent service, and he was granted a stipend of fifty households, together with cloth and rice. On the sixteenth day, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the twenty-third day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, she returned to the palace. On the first day of the second month, the day Mizunoe-tora, letters of rank were bestowed on the palace women. On the fifth day of the third month, the day Hinoe-ne, horses were reviewed in the imperial garden. In summer, on the first day of the fourth month, the day Kanoto-ushi, an edict was issued: "As for male and female slaves whom an ancestor has freed, and who have already been struck from the household register, their kinsmen may not afterward bring suit again to make them slaves." On the sixteenth day, the day Hinoe-tatsu, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the twenty-second day, the day Mizunoe-inu, she returned to the palace. On the nineteenth day of the sixth month, the day Tsuchinoe-ne (Note: reckoning now from the day Kinoe-ne, the first day of this month was the day Kanoe-ne, and there is no day Tsuchinoe-ne within it; this is probably an error for "day Tsuchinoe-uma," which falls properly on the nineteenth), an edict was issued: "This summer the long rains have continued beyond their season, and I fear they will surely damage the crops. Reflecting on this fault, my heart finds no peace from evening to morning. The court nobles and the hundred officials are to abstain from wine and meat, and are to examine their hearts and repent of their offenses. The monks of the temples of the home provinces are to read the sutras for five days, so that they too may make their response." On the twentieth day, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm, save that thieves and brigands were excluded from it. The rains, which had continued since the fourth month, had still not ceased by this month, and there was severe flooding in the capital and in forty districts and provinces. In autumn, on the third day of the seventh month, the day Mizunoe-saru, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On this day, Tanaka-no-Norimaro, the provincial governor of Iyo, presented silver and lead produced in Uwa District. On the seventh day, the day Hinoe-ne, a banquet was given for the court nobles, and court robes were bestowed on them. On the twelfth day, the day Kanoto-mi, the imperial carriage returned to the palace. On the twenty-third day of the eighth month, the day Kanoto-tori, envoys were sent to worship the wind god of Tatsuta and the gods of Suwa and Minochi in Shinano, among others. On the ninth day of the ninth month, the day Hinoto-ushi, Jōdaisan Prince Kawashima died. In winter, on the first day of the tenth month, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, there was a solar eclipse. On the eighth day, the day Kinoto-mi, an edict was issued: "Every imperial mausoleum is to have five households or more assigned to it, and the tombs of meritorious princes are to have three households as caretakers. If the number of mausoleum-households, ryōko, proves insufficient, commoners are to be assigned in their place, their corvée labor remitted, and their term of service rotated every three years." On the thirteenth day, the day Kanoe-inu, lands set aside as chōseichi, ground on which the taking of life was forbidden, were established in the home provinces and elsewhere. On this day, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the twentieth day, the day Hinoto-mi, she returned to the palace. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Kinoe-ne, envoys were sent to still and worship the gods of the new capital, Shin'yakukyō (Note: the Shaku Nihongi states that Shin'yakukyō refers to the site of the Fujiwara Palace). On the first day of the eleventh month, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, the Daijōsai, the Great Thanksgiving Rite, was performed. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, quilts were bestowed on the court nobles. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, a banquet was held for all from the court nobles down to the sakan, clerks, and silk was bestowed, in varying amounts. On the thirtieth day, the day Hinoto-tori, the last day of the month, food and silk were bestowed, in varying amounts, on the officials of the various bureaus of the Jingikan, and on all those, down to the district officials and commoners, men and women, of Harima and Inaba, who had served at the Daijōsai.

¶In the sixth year, the year Mizunoe-tatsu, in spring, on the twelfth day of the first month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, the empress inspected the roads of the new capital, Shin'yakukyō. On the sixteenth day, the day Mizunoe-uma, the hundred officials were entertained. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Mizunoto-mi, she made a progress to Takamiya. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Kinoe-uma, she returned to the palace. On the eleventh day of the second month, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, wishing to make a progress to Ise, she issued an edict ordering the various offices to make ready clothing and goods. On the nineteenth day, the day Kinoto-u, prisoners guilty of light offenses were pardoned. The Middle Counselor, Jikidaini Miwa-no-Takechimaro, submitted a memorial remonstrating against making a distant progress just when the farming season was at its busiest. On the third day of the third month, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, Jōkōshi Prince Hirose, Jikikōsan Taima-no-Chitoko, and Jikikōshi Ki-no-Yumihari were made caretakers of the palace in the empress's absence. Takechimaro went to the palace gate, took off his cap, and remonstrated forcefully, but he was not heeded. On the sixth day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, the empress made a progress to Ise. On the seventeenth day, the day Mizunoe-uma, the tribute labor for this year was remitted for the shrine districts through which the imperial carriage passed, and for Iga, Ise, and Shima, and cap rank was bestowed on their kuni-no-miyatsuko. The cavalrymen who attended the progress, the porters of the various offices, and the laborers who built the temporary palace were also granted remission of this year's tribute labor. A general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm, save that thieves and brigands were excluded from it. On the nineteenth day, the day Kinoe-saru, rice was bestowed, fifty bundles to each person, on the men and women of Shima who were eighty years of age or older, through whose land the progress had passed. On the twentieth day, the day Kinoto-u, the imperial carriage returned to the palace. In the districts and counties through which it had passed, officials and commoners were gathered together, entertained, and treated to music in token of thanks. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Kinoe-uma, a decree was issued: "The households of the cavalrymen of Ōmi, Mino, Owari, Mikawa, and Tōtōmi who attended the progress, and of the porters and the laborers who built the temporary palace in the various provinces, are granted remission of this year's tribute labor. Rice is bestowed on the men and women of the realm who are in need." In summer, on the fifth day of the fourth month, the day Kanoe-ne, the people of the four home provinces who had served as porters were granted remission of this year's tribute labor. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kanoe-saru, a decree ordered the pardoning of prisoners. On the seventh day of the fifth month, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, the province of Sagami presented a nestling red crow. On the twelfth day, the day Hinoe-ne, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the sixteenth day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, she returned to the palace. On the seventeenth day, the day Kanoto-mi, envoys of chamberlain rank, taifu esshamu, were sent to worship at famed mountains and rivers and pray for rain. On the twenty-third day, the day Hinoto-i, Jōkōshi Prince Naniwa and others were sent to still and worship the site of the Fujiwara Palace. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Kanoe-tora, envoys were sent to present offerings, heihaku, to the great gods of Ise, Ōyamato, Sumiyoshi, and Kii, and to announce that a new palace was to be built. On the third day of the intercalary month, the day Hinoto-tori, there was severe flooding. Envoys were sent to make a circuit of the districts and provinces, lending goods to those who, struck by disaster, could not support themselves; the prohibitions on mountains, forests, and marshes were relaxed, and an edict ordered the Konkōmyōkyō sutra to be expounded in the home provinces. On the fifteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, an edict was sent to the Dazai of Tsukushi ordering Prince Kawachi and others to escort and deliver the image of Amida that the Tang envoy Kaku Musō had made on behalf of Emperor Tenji. On the ninth day of the sixth month, the day Mizunoe-saru, the senior officials, chōri, of the districts and provinces were ordered by imperial command to pray at famed mountains and rivers. On the eleventh day, the day Kinoe-inu, envoys of chamberlain rank were sent to the four home provinces to pray for rain. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Mizunoto-mi, the last day of the month, the empress inspected the site of the Fujiwara Palace. In autumn, on the second day of the seventh month, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm, save that the Ten Evils and thieves and brigands were excluded from it. Fuse-no-Shikobuchi, the provincial governor of Sagami, the shōryō, junior district officer, of Miura District (Note: his name is missing from the text), and Kashima-no-Kusu, who had caught the red crow, were all granted rank and gifts, and the tribute labor of their home district was remitted for three years. On the seventh day, the day Kanoe-ne, a banquet was given for the court nobles. On the ninth day, the day Mizunoe-tora, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Kanoto-i, she returned to the palace. That night, Mars and Jupiter drew close together. On the third day of the eighth month, the day Kinoto-ushi, an amnesty was granted. On the seventeenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-u, the empress made a progress to the estate, tadokoro, of Princess Asuka, and returned to the palace the same day. On the ninth day of the ninth month, the day Kanoto-ushi, commissioners for the allotment of rice land, handen taifu, were sent to the four home provinces. On the fourteenth day, the day Hinoe-uma, the Jingikan presented four scrolls of sacred writings, nine keys, and one wooden seal from among the shrine treasures. On the twenty-first day, the day Mizunoto-ushi, the provincial governor of Ise presented auspicious joined ears of grain, and the provincial governor of Echizen presented a white moth. In winter, on the twelfth day of the tenth month, the day Mizunoto-tori, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the nineteenth day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, she returned to the palace. On the eighth day of the eleventh month, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, Silla presented tribute. On the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth month, the day Kinoe-saru, envoys were sent to present Silla's tribute at the five shrines of Ise, Sumiyoshi, Kii, Ōyamato, and Unatari.

¶In the seventh year, the year Mizunoto-mi, in spring, on the second day of the first month, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, an edict ordered the commoners of the realm to wear yellow clothing, and male and female slaves to wear black. On the thirteenth day, the day Mizunoto-u, quilts, coarse silk, silk floss, and cloth were bestowed on those of the home provinces who were eighty years of age or older and held rank. On the sixteenth day, the day Hinoe-uma, cloth was bestowed, in varying amounts, on the men and women of the capital who were eighty years of age or older, and on those in need. On this day, the Ayahito, naturalized clansmen of Chinese descent, performed the tōka, a stamping dance. On the third day of the second month, the day Mizunoe-inu, Silla sent envoys to attend the mourning. On the tenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, an edict ordered Kinunui-no-Ōkimi and others of the Zōkyōshi, the Office of Capital Construction, to rebury remains that had been dug up. On the first day of the third month, the day Kanoe-tora, there was a solar eclipse. On the fifth day, the day Kinoe-uma, Kami-Kudara, a Doctor of the Daigakuryō, was granted a stipend of thirty households in generous recognition of the way of Confucian learning. On the sixth day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the thirteenth day, the day Mizunoe-tora, she returned to the palace. On the sixteenth day, the day Kinoto-mi, gifts of condolence, fumotsu, were bestowed on the king of Silla. On the seventeenth day, the day Hinoe-uma, an edict throughout the realm encouraged the planting of mulberry, hemp, pear, chestnut, and turnip. In summer, on the seventeenth day of the fourth month, the day Hinoe-ne, envoys of chamberlain rank were sent to pray for rain at the various shrines. On the first day of the fifth month, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the seventh day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, she returned to the palace. On the fifteenth day, the day Mizunoto-u, a musha-daie was held within the palace. In autumn, on the seventh day of the seventh month, the day Kinoe-uma, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the fourteenth day, the day Kanoto-ushi, envoys of chamberlain rank were sent to pray for rain at the various shrines. On the sixteenth day, the day Mizunoto-u, this was done again; on this day the imperial carriage returned to the palace. On the first day of the eighth month, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, the imperial carriage made a circuit of the site of the Fujiwara Palace. On the seventeenth day, the day Kinoe-inu, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the twenty-first day, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, she returned to the palace. On the first day of the ninth month, the day Hinoto-i, there was a solar eclipse. On the fifth day, the day Kanoto-u, she made a progress to Tōnomine (Note: an old record cited in the Tōnomine Ryakki states that in the ninth month of this year the empress charged the monk Jōe to expound a wondrous sutra for five days on behalf of the late emperor, and that she accordingly made a progress to Tōnomine and attended that service). On the sixth day, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, she returned to the palace. On the tenth day, the day Hinoe-saru, a musha-daie was held within the palace on behalf of Emperor Tenmu, and prisoners were entirely pardoned. In winter, on the twenty-third day of the tenth month, the day Tsuchinoto-u, the Ninnōkyō sutra was for the first time expounded for four days in the provinces (Note: both the Genkō Shakusho and the Ranshōshō state that in the tenth month of this winter, the two sutras, the Ninnōkyō and the Saishōōkyō, were expounded within the palace, and that this was made a regular, established observance). On the fifth day of the eleventh month, the day Kanoe-tora, she made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the tenth day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, she returned to the palace. On the twenty-first day of the twelfth month, the day Hinoe-ne, Doctors of Military Tactics, jinpō hakase, were sent to expound military arts in the provinces. In this year, at Yasu District in Ōmi, a reizen, a sweet miraculous spring, gushed forth.

¶In the eighth year, the year Kinoe-uma, in spring, on the sixteenth day of the first month, the day Kanoe-ne, the hundred officials were entertained. On the twenty-first day, the day Kinoto-mi, the empress made a progress to the Fujiwara Palace, and returned to the palace the same day. On the twenty-fourth day, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, she made a progress to the Yoshino Palace (Note: the original text does not record the day of her return). On the first day of the third month, the day Kinoe-saru, there was a solar eclipse. On the second day, the day Kinoto-tori, Jikikōshi Ōyake-no-Maro, Gondaini Utena-no-Yashima, and Kifumi-no-Motozane were made the Bureau of Coinage, jusenshi. On the sixteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-i, an edict was issued: "Now, in the seventh year, the year Mizunoto-mi, a reizen gushed forth at Mount Tsuga in Yasu District in Ōmi. Those suffering from illness lodged at Yasudera and drank of it, and many were cured. Four chō of rice land and sixty lengths of cloth are accordingly granted. The tribute labor and miscellaneous corvée, zōyō, of Yasu District for this year are remitted. All the officials of the province, from the governor, kami, down to the clerk, sakan, are each advanced one grade in rank. Kadono-no-Hatsuki, who first discovered the spring, and the Kudara woman Torarame, are each granted two bolts of coarse silk, ten lengths of cloth, and ten hoes." On the twenty-second day, the day Kinoto-mi, offerings were presented at the various shrines. On the twenty-third day, the day Hinoe-uma, coarse silk and cloth were bestowed, in varying amounts, on one hundred and sixty-four men, from the head of the Jingikan down to the shrine attendants, hafuribe. In summer, on the seventh day of the fourth month, the day Kanoe-saru, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the fourteenth day, the day Hinoto-u (Note: one text of the original work gives this as the day Hinoto-hitsuji, but reckoning now from the day Kinoe-ne, there is no day Hinoto-i or day Hinoto-hitsuji in this month; this is probably an error for "day Hinoto-u," which falls properly on the fourteenth), she returned to the palace. On the sixth day of the fifth month, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, a banquet was given for the court nobles and chamberlains. On the eleventh day, the day Mizunoto-mi, one hundred copies of the Konkōmyōkyō sutra were distributed among the provinces, to be read in the first ten days of every New Year, the expense to be met from the province's own public goods. On the eighth day of the sixth month, the day Kanoe-saru, Osakabe-no-Karakuni, a man of Saraara District in Kawachi, caught and presented a white copper pheasant; he was accordingly granted the rank of Shinkōni and given gifts, and the senior and junior district officers, dairyō and shōryō, of his home district were each advanced one grade in rank. In autumn, on the fourth day of the seventh month, the day Hinoe-inu, inspectors, junsatsushi, were sent to the provinces. On the first day of the ninth month, the day Mizunoe-uma, there was a solar eclipse. On the fourth day, the day Kinoto-tori, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. In winter, on the twentieth day of the tenth month, the day Kanoe-uma, Otokunibe-no-Otohi, who had caught a white bat in Araki District in Hida, was granted the rank of Shindaishi, and was given coarse silk, silk floss, and cloth, and had his household's corvée service remitted for life. On the twenty-sixth day of the eleventh month, the day Hinoe-uma, offenses up to and including shushi, capital crimes, were pardoned. On the sixth day of the twelfth month, the day Kinoto-u, the court moved to reside at the Fujiwara Palace. On the ninth day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, the hundred officials attended the New Year's audience. On the tenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, coarse silk, silk floss, and cloth were bestowed, in varying amounts, on all from the princes down to the district officials. On the twelfth day, the day Kanoto-tori, a banquet was held for the court nobles and chamberlains.

¶In the ninth year, the year Kinoto-hitsuji, in spring, on the eighth day of the intercalary second month, the day Hinoe-inu, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the fifteenth day, the day Mizunoto-mi, she returned to the palace. On the second day of the third month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, the king of Silla sent his son Ryōrin to present tribute and ask for a report on the state of government. On the twelfth day, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, she made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the fifteenth day, the day Mizunoe-inu, she returned to the palace. On the twenty-third day, the day Kanoe-uma, Mukōni Fumi-no-Hakase and Shinkōsan Shimo-no-Morota were sent to Tane to investigate the dwellings of the barbarian tribes there. In summer, on the twenty-first day of the fifth month, the day Hinoto-u, a sumo match of the Ōsumi Hayato was reviewed. On the third day of the sixth month, the day Kinoto-u, envoys of chamberlain rank were sent to pray for rain at the shrines of the home provinces. On the sixteenth day, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, gifts were bestowed, in varying amounts, on the court ministers who were eighty years of age or older, and on those suffering from chronic illness. On the eighteenth day, the day Kinoe-uma, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Mizunoe-tora, she returned to the palace. In autumn, on the twenty-fourth day of the eighth month, the day Tsuchinoto-i, she made a progress to Yoshino. On the first day of the ninth month, the day Kinoto-mi, she returned to the palace. On the fourth day, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, prisoners were pardoned and released. On the sixth day, the day Kanoe-inu, Jikikōshi Ono-no-Kenu and Mudaini Iki-no-Hakatoko were sent to Silla. In winter, on the tenth day of the tenth month, the day Kinoto-tori, she made a progress to Yonabari in Uda District. On the twelfth day, the day Hinoe-inu, she returned to the palace. On the fifth day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, she made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the thirteenth day, the day Hinoe-inu, she returned to the palace.

¶In the tenth year, the year Hinoe-saru, in spring, on the third day of the second month, the day Kinoto-i, she made a progress to Yoshino. On the thirteenth day, the day Kinoto-tori, she returned to the palace. On the third day of the third month, the day Kinoto-mi, she made a progress to the Futatsuki Palace. In summer, on the twenty-seventh day of the fourth month, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, Mononobe-no-Kusuri of Kazahaya District in Iyo, and Mibu-no-Moroishi of Kawashi District in Higo, who had long suffered hardship in the land of Tang, were both granted rank, becoming Tsuidaini, and had their tribute labor remitted; they were given four chō of rice land, a thousand bundles of rice, and coarse silk, thread, cloth, and hoes. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Tsuchinoto-i, she made a progress to Yoshino. On the fourth day of the fifth month, the day Kinoto-mi, she returned to the palace. On the eighteenth day of the sixth month, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, she made a progress to Yoshino. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Hinoe-saru, she returned to the palace. In autumn, on the first day of the seventh month, the day Kanoto-ushi, there was a solar eclipse. On the second day, the day Mizunoe-tora, an amnesty was granted. On the tenth day, the day Kanoe-inu, the Grand Minister of State, Prince Takechi, died (Note: the original text calls him Nochi-no-Miko-no-Mikoto; the name given here instead follows the Kugyō Bunin and the Shaku Nihongi).

¶In the eleventh year, the year Hinoto-tori, in spring, on the eleventh day of the first month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, rice was bestowed, in varying amounts, on the widowers, widows, orphans, and the childless of the realm, on those suffering serious illness, and on the poor who could not support themselves. On the sixteenth day of the second month, the day Mizunoe-uma, the empress's grandson, Karu, was installed as crown prince (Note: the Shoku Nihongi records that Emperor Monmu became crown prince in this year, but does not give the month and day; the date given here follows instead the Ōji Edawakareki, cited in the Shaku Nihongi). On the twenty-eighth day, the day Kinoe-uma, Jikikōichi Taima-no-Kunimi was made Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, tōgū taifu; Jikikōsan Michi-no-Tomi was made Chamberlain, taifu; and Jikidaishi Kose-no-Awamochi was made Assistant, suke. On the eighth day of the third month, the day Kinoe-tatsu, a musha-daie was held at the Eastern Palace. In summer, on the fourth day of the fourth month, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, those who had completed their full term of service, mansen, were granted rank, in varying amounts, from the Jō order up to the Jiki order. On the seventh day, the day Mizunoe-saru, the empress made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the fourteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-u, she returned to the palace. On the eighth day of the fifth month, the day Mizunoto-u, envoys of chamberlain rank were sent to pray for rain at the various shrines. In the sixth month, the empress fell ill. On the second day, the day Hinoto-u, an amnesty was granted. On the sixth day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, an edict ordered the temples of the home provinces to have the sutras read. On the nineteenth day, the day Kinoe-saru, offerings, heihaku, were distributed to the gods of Heaven and earth. In autumn, on the seventh day of the seventh month, the day Kanoto-ushi, one hundred and nine brigands of the jōtō — a term of uncertain meaning — were pardoned (Note: the term "jōtō brigands" is difficult to interpret. The Shaku Nihongi likewise states that "jōtō cannot be verified," and so the old text is left here as it stands), and cloth was accordingly bestowed, four jō to each person, save that those from outside the home provinces were given rice instead, twenty bundles to each person. On the first day of the eighth month, the day Kinoto-ushi (Note: the Shoku Nihongi gives the first day of this month as the day Kinoe-ne, differing from the original text here. Reckoning now by the calendar, the day Kinoe-ne is in fact correct; for the present, however, the old text is followed as it stands. The Mizukagami and the Ichidai Yōki both place this event in the tenth year, but both are mistaken), the empress yielded the throne to the crown prince, and took the title Daijō Tennō, Retired Empress (Note: the title Daijō Tennō follows the Shoku Nihongi, the Man'yōshū, and the Mizukagami). The title of Retired Empress began with her (Note: this follows the Ranshōshō, the Ichidai Yōki, and the Rekidai Kōki).

¶On the twenty-second day of the twelfth month of the second year of Taihō, the day Kinoe-tora, she died (Note: the Mizukagami and the Kōdai Ryakki give the tenth day. The original text gives no record of her age; the Kōin Shōunroku, the Jinnō Shōtōki, and the Ichidai Yōki all give it as fifty-eight). In her final testament she decreed: "Let there be no wearing of mourning dress to express grief. The civil and military officials are to carry on the business of government as usual. The rites of the funeral are to follow strictly the dictates of frugality."

¶In the third year, she was cremated at Asuka-no-oka, and was interred together with Emperor Tenmu at the Ōuchi-no-yama mausoleum. She was given the posthumous name Ōyamatonekoame-no-Hirono-Hime-no-Mikoto (Note: this follows the Shoku Nihongi). She was later given the posthumous title Empress Jitō.