Emperor Ninmyō

Emperor Ninmyō

¶Emperor Ninmyō's personal name was Masara. He was the second son of Emperor Saga. His mother was the Empress Tachibana-shi, of the Tachibana clan. The empress had once dreamed that she took up round straw cushions, enza, and stacked them one upon another to a height without limit, intoning the words "the thirty-three heavens" each time she added one. Not long after, she conceived, and in the first year of Kōnin she gave birth to the emperor (Note: the account from "Kōnin" onward follows the Rekidai Kōki, the Ichidai Yōki, and the Teiō Hennenki).

¶At first he held only the rank of imperial prince (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). In the fourth month of the fourteenth year of Kōnin, Emperor Junna, having received the cession of the throne from Emperor Saga, ascended as emperor and installed Imperial Prince Masara as crown prince. Emperor Saga sent a letter declining this on the prince's behalf, but Emperor Junna did not accept it (Note: the account from "Emperor Saga" onward follows the Nihon Kiryaku). In the eighth month, the prince underwent the genpuku, the ceremony of coming of age (Note: following the Kōnendai Ryakki).

¶In the tenth year of Tenchō, on the twenty-eighth day of the second month, the day Kinoto-tori, Emperor Junna handed down an edict ceding the throne to the crown prince, Imperial Prince Masara. That same evening, the crown prince submitted a memorial declining the honor. Its substance was that he himself was poor in virtue and talent and knew not which way to turn; that he had passed his early childhood in the care of the Retired Emperor Saga, and more than ten years in the Crown Prince's Palace under the kindness of Emperor Junna, without yet having repaid that debt of kindness; and that he feared if he were now suddenly granted the great position and made to succeed to the imperial line, it would invite the censure of the age. Emperor Junna did not accept this. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Hinoe-inu, the crown prince submitted a further memorial, stating that more than ten days had passed since he received the gracious edict, yet no permission to decline had been granted, and earnestly requesting once more that, if his decline could not be allowed, he be permitted to remain in the position of crown prince. This too was not accepted. The crown prince then went to the Reizen'in to pay his respects to the Retired Emperor Saga and the Grand Empress Dowager, and returned to the Crown Prince's Palace. On the last day of the month, the day Hinoto-i, Emperor Junna issued an edict installing his own son, Imperial Prince Tsunesada, as crown prince. Emperor Junna also sent a letter expressing his wish to decline this himself, on the grounds that Imperial Prince Tsunesada was still young and his learning not yet mature, and that so weighty a ceremony ought not to be rashly conferred upon him. On the first day of the third month, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, there was a solar eclipse. The crown prince replied with a memorial arguing that wisdom and folly do not depend on age, and urging that the installation of Imperial Prince Tsunesada as crown prince be accepted. Emperor Junna again sent back a letter expressing his continued view that the installation was premature, but the crown prince returned the letter to him unopened, and at the same time submitted a memorial proposing that the honorific title of Retired Emperor be offered to Emperor Saga. Emperor Junna sent a letter declining this as well. On the second day, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, the crown prince issued an edict declaring that the offering of the honorific title of Retired Emperor had always been the established practice and was not a matter of private wish, and proclaimed throughout the realm that Emperor Saga would be styled Retired Emperor, the Empress Dowager would be styled Grand Empress Dowager, and the Empress would be styled Empress Dowager. Emperor Junna again sent a letter declining this, but the crown prince did not comply. On the sixth day, the day Kinoto-mi, he ascended the imperial throne at the Daigokuden, the Hall of State. He was twenty-four years of age at the time (Note: this age is calculated from this work's own statement that he died at forty-one). The Minister of the Left, Fujiwara-no-Otsugu; the Minister of the Right and Captain of the Left Palace Guards, Kiyohara-no-Natsuno; and the Provisional Middle Counselor and Captain of the Right Palace Guards, Fujiwara-no-Yoshino, all retained their posts (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). On the seventh day, the day Kinoe-uma, he moved from the Crown Prince's Palace, and resided for a time at the Matsumoto-in. On the eighth day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, he attended to the government of the court for the first time. On the eleventh day, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, the Major Counselor Fujiwara-no-Mimori was made Tutor to the Crown Prince, tōgū-no-fu. On the fifteenth day, the day Mizunoe-tora, the emperor went to the Shishinden and bestowed wine upon his assembled ministers, and robes and bedding upon the imperial princes and those below them. On this day, the Provisional Middle Counselor Fujiwara-no-Yoshino resigned as Captain of the Right Palace Guards. On the twentieth day, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, the Daihannyakyō, the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra, was read by alternate recitation at the Daigokuden, praying for the ripening of the five grains and the banishing of epidemic disease, and the taking of life was forbidden throughout the realm for three days. On the twenty-fourth day, the day Kanoto-i, Tachibana-no-Ujikimi, Junior Third Rank, was made Captain of the Right Palace Guards. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Mizunoto-ushi, the imperial princesses Hisako and Takako were made Ise Priestess and Kamo Priestess respectively. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Kinoe-tora, there was famine and epidemic disease in Tōtōmi province, and relief was given. In summer, on the first day of the fourth month, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, a banquet was held at the Shishinden (Note: the banquet of the fourth month is first seen in the twelfth year of Enryaku under Emperor Kanmu, and that of the tenth month first in the fifth year of Tenmu under Emperor Tenmu. From this year onward these banquets are held repeatedly without interruption, from which it is clear that they had become an established custom. For that reason they will not be noted individually hereafter). On the third day, the day Kanoe-saru, frost fell. On the twenty-first day, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, an edict declared that since the Saga-in was the place where the Retired Emperor Saga had once resided, its poor should share in his bounty, and ordered that among the poor of Kadono district in Yamashiro province, those who had failed to repay loans or deliver miscellaneous levies from the previous year be specially exempted. On this day, it was decreed that the festival of the fifth month be restored to the fifth day. On the twenty-second day, the day Tsuchinoto-u, he moved his residence to the Imperial Palace. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Mizunoe-uma, he went to the Daigokuden, viewed the sacred treasures presented by the Izumo Kuni-no-Miyatsuko, the hereditary chieftain of Izumo, and received the kanyogoto, a ritual congratulatory recitation. On the eleventh day of the fifth month, the day Hinoto-tori, Musashi province petitioned to establish a hiden-sho, a relief institution for the poor, on the boundary between Tama and Iruma districts, and to build five structures there to shelter travelers; this was granted. On this day, the provinces of Echizen, Kaga, Noto, Sado, Kōzuke, Shimotsuke, Kai, Sagami, Musashi, Kazusa, Shimōsa, and Awa, among others, were ordered to present sumai-bito, wrestlers, as tribute. On the fifteenth day, the day Kanoto-ushi, the weather turned cold, and most people wore padded outer garments. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kanoto-i, the emperor fell ill. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Mizunoe-ne, Yamato province petitioned that, since poor harvests had continued for several years and even the regular yearly tribute had fallen short, grain should be borrowed from the province's wealthy households, following the precedent of the official order of the tenth year of Kōnin, in order to relieve the starving; this was granted. The emperor decreed that the stores of the wealthy existed, in principle, to relieve the poor, but that officials had hitherto managed this poorly, borrowing without any thought of ensuring repayment, so that rich and poor alike had grown exhausted by it; he therefore ordered that envoys be sent without fail at the autumn harvest to see that repayment was made. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Kinoe-tora, an edict declared that poor harvests brought suffering upon the people, and that the principles of relieving poverty and encouraging agriculture did not change with the age; in view of the coincidence of poor harvests and epidemic disease in the provinces, it ordered the governors of the capital region and the seven circuits to give relief, shinkyū, with due regard for enabling the people to devote their full strength to cultivation. On the second day of the sixth month, the day Hinoto-mi, the setting of pit-traps and spear-traps was forbidden in the mountains near the capital, in Yamashiro, Ōmi, Tanba, and elsewhere. On the third day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, the provinces were ordered to store up grain, in preparation for relief. On the seventh day, the day Mizunoe-inu, the emperor again fell ill. Monks were summoned to perform rites of invocation, padded offerings were distributed among seven temples, and sutras were read by alternate recitation in prayer for his recovery. On the eighth day, the day Mizunoto-i, the illness abated somewhat. The Director of the Jingikan, Ōnakatomi-no-Fuchiuo, was sent to present offerings to the great god of Kamo, and orders were given for the repair of shrines and temple pagodas throughout the realm. The emperor decreed that, having heard that epidemic disease was spreading through the provinces with many deaths, the calamity could not be removed except through ritual observance, and ordered the provinces to invite monks of accomplished practice and have them, for three days, read the Kongō Hannyakyō, the Diamond Sutra, by day and perform the Yakushi rite of repentance by night. On the ninth day, the day Kinoe-ne, an edict proclaimed a general amnesty throughout the realm, though this did not extend to offenses not covered by the ordinary pardon. Abe-no-Kiyotsugu and Kudara-no-Aisen, who had been exiled for complicity in the affair of the first year of Kōnin, together with the sons of Fujiwara-no-Nakanari, were in each case merely to be transferred to a nearer province, while Fujiwara-no-Sadamoto, Junior Fifth Rank Lower, was specially pardoned and allowed to return to the capital. On the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, the emperor's illness was cured (Note: there is no day Tsuchinoto-ushi within this month; this is presumably an error for Kinoto-ushi, the tenth day). On the twenty-third day, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, the people of Yamashiro were forbidden to cut water weeds in order to catch fish. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, there was an earthquake. In autumn, on the eighth day of the seventh month, the day Mizunoto-mi, people whose surnames or given names, or place names of mountains, rivers, districts, and villages, happened to coincide with the emperor's personal name, Masara, were ordered to change them. On the first day of the intercalary month, the day Kinoto-u, offerings were presented to the eminent deities, myōjin, of the realm, to ward off in advance the calamities of wind and flood. On the twenty-fourth day, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, Echigo province petitioned that, since the people were in distress from famine and epidemic disease, the buying and selling of rice be permitted so as to relieve the destitute; this was granted. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Mizunoe-uma, since prolonged rains had continued for more than ten days, offerings were presented at the shrines of Niukawakami, Matsunoo, Kamo, and Kibune, praying for clear weather. On the first day of the eighth month, the day Kinoe-saru, there was a solar eclipse. On the tenth day, the day Mizunoto-mi, the emperor paid a visit to the former Retired Emperor, the Retired Emperor Saga, at the Reizen'in. On the twenty-third day, the day Hinoe-uma, offerings were presented at the Daijingū, the Grand Shrine of Ise. On the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, he hunted for pleasure at Kurusuno. In winter, on the nineteenth day of the tenth month, the day Kanoto-ushi, a purification rite was performed at the Kamo river. On the second day of the eleventh month, the day Kinoe-tora, thunder sounded. On the fourth day, the day Hinoe-tatsu, thunder sounded again. On the ninth day, the day Kanoto-tori, thunder sounded once more (Note: this work gives the day as Kanoto-ushi, but the Nihon Kiryaku is here followed instead). On the fifteenth day, the day Hinoto-u, the inshi rite of purificatory sacrifice was performed at the Hasshōin (Note: this work gives the day as Mizunoto-u, but the Ruijū Kokushi is here followed instead). On the sixteenth day, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, the Daijōsai, the Great Thanksgiving Rite, was performed. On the ninth day of the twelfth month, the day Kanoto-u, an edict declared that, having heard that the buying and selling of rice in the provinces benefited the people without loss to the state, this should henceforth be permitted permanently, without a fixed term. On the thirteenth day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, he made a progress to Serikawano. On the fifteenth day, the day Hinoto-tori, the Minister of the Right, Kiyohara-no-Natsuno, presented the completed Ryō no Gige, a commentary on the administrative code (Note: the account from "fifteenth day" onward follows this work's own preface).

¶In the first year of Jōwa, the year Kinoe-tora, in spring, on the second day of the first month, the day Mizunoto-ushi, he visited the Later Retired Emperor, the Retired Emperor Junna, at the Junna-in. On the third day, the day Kinoe-tora, the era name was changed. An edict declared that at each change of reign an auspicious era name should invariably be established, and proclaimed that the eleventh year of Tenchō would be renamed the first year of Jōwa. On the fourth day, the day Kinoto-u, he visited the former Retired Emperor, the Retired Emperor Saga, at the Reizen'in. On the seventh day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, he went to the Burakuden and viewed the aoma, the ceremonial horses of the New Year (Note: this is the first instance in the official histories of the phrase "viewing the aoma." The Nenjū Gyōji and the Kuji Kongen accordingly take this as the origin of the custom. According to the Dairishiki, however, it had already become an established observance from the Kōnin era onward, and so it will not be separately noted hereafter). On the eighth day, the day Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, the monk Kūkai was ordered to perform rites for seven days at the Shingon-in. The Goshichinichi no Mishiho, the Rite of the Latter Seven Days, began with this (Note: the account from "eighth day" onward follows the Sanyōshō Gyōjōki as quoted in the Kōbō Daishi Gyōjō Yōshūshō, and the Nenjū Gyōji and the Kuji Kongen). On the sixteenth day, the day Hinoto-u — earlier, the Dazaifu had reported the appearance of an auspicious cloud, keiun, and the ministers had offered their congratulations on this. The emperor decreed that auspicious signs appear only to those possessed of virtue, and that even sage sovereigns such as Yao and Emperor Guangwu had been modest and had not boasted of them; reflecting on his own want of virtue, he declared that the true auspicious sign lay rather in "the peaceful life of the common people and the harmony of wind and rain," and, expressing his resolve to apply himself to government, declined the ministers' congratulations. On the nineteenth day, the day Kanoe-uma, the Councillor Fujiwara-no-Tsunetsugu was appointed envoy-in-chief of the mission to Tang, bearing the imperial credentials, and the Junior Assistant of the Danjōdai, Ono-no-Takamura, was made his deputy. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Hinoe-ne, epidemic disease spread through Kaga province, and relief was given. On the first day of the second month, the day Mizunoe-uma, there was a solar eclipse. On the eighth day, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, he made a progress to Serikawano. On the tenth day, the day Kanoto-u, an edict declared that nothing surpassed the sacred power of the Saishōōkyō, the Sutra of the Sovereign Kings of Golden Light, in bringing the common people peace and the five grains abundance, and ordered the temples endowed with fiefs and estates to perform its rites. On the twelfth day, the day Mizunoto-mi, the use of gold and silver leaf-powder was forbidden. On the thirteenth day, the day Kinoe-uma, a woman of Kaga province gave birth to three children at once, and was granted three hundred bundles of shōzei, regular tax rice, together with provisions for a wet nurse. Imperial Prince Asuka, of the third rank, died. This month, there was famine in Echigo and Iwami, and relief was given. On the twentieth day of the third month, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, several hundred creatures flew crying over the forbidden palace, their cries resembling those of gulls (Note: this work places this event in the second month, but it is here corrected in accordance with the Ruijū Kokushi). In summer, on the second day of the fourth month, the day Mizunoe-uma, the ministers again offered congratulations on an auspicious cloud. On the sixth day, the day Hinoe-inu, an edict ordered the kokubunji, the provincial temples, of the home provinces and seven circuits to read the Kongō Hannyakyō by alternate recitation, and also to perform the Yakushi rite of repentance, praying to ward off calamity and for a bountiful harvest. This continued for three days, during which the taking of life was forbidden. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Hinoe-uma, an edict ordered the temples of the capital to read by alternate recitation one complete set of the Daihannyakyō and a hundred thousand scrolls of the Kongō Hannyakyō, to suppress epidemic disease. On the fifteenth day of the fifth month, the day Kinoto-ushi, an edict ordered the governors of Sagami, Kazusa, Shimōsa, Hitachi, Kōzuke, Shimotsuke, and other provinces to divide among themselves the task of copying the Daizōkyō, the Buddhist canon. On the fifteenth day of the sixth month, the day Kinoe-uma, the Ninnōkyō, the Sutra of the Benevolent Kings, was expounded at a hundred seats in all — at the Shishinden, the Jōneiden, the Kenrei Gate, the halls of the Hasshōin, the various offices and bureaus of the palace, the temples of the eastern and western capital, and the Rajōmon gate to the south — in prayer for rain. On the seventeenth day, the day Hinoe-saru, offerings were presented to the various deities, in prayer for rain. On the eighteenth day, the day Hinoto-tori, there was an earthquake. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Kinoto-mi, relief was given for famine in Tango province. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, offerings were presented at the Daijingū and to the eminent deities of the home provinces and seven circuits, in prayer for rain. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, relief was given for famine in Ise province. On the last day of the month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, the Daihannyakyō was read by alternate recitation at the Daigokuden, praying for rain and to ward off wind damage. In autumn, on the eighth day of the seventh month, the day Hinoto-mi, rain poured down. On the eleventh day, the day Kanoe-saru, he went to the Shishinden and bestowed a banquet on his assembled ministers. On the twelfth day, the day Kanoto-tori, there was flooding from the rain. On the thirteenth day, the day Mizunoe-inu, offerings were presented to the eminent deities of the home provinces, and the great temples and the provincial lecturers were ordered to perform rites, to ward off damage from the prolonged rains. On the seventeenth day, the day Hinoe-tora, relief was given for famine in Echizen and Izumo. On the twenty-second day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, a seal was bestowed on the Chinjufu, the Pacification Headquarters, of Mutsu. On the third day of the eighth month, the day Kanoto-mi, he paid a visit to the Reizen'in. On the ninth day, the day Hinoto-i, the former Retired Emperor moved his residence to the Saga-in. On the twelfth day, the day Kanoe-tora, an informal banquet was held at the Seiryōden, called the Hōgika-en, the Fragrant Blossom Banquet, and gifts were bestowed on close attendants and on the lieutenants of the Palace Guards. On the twenty-first day, the day Tsuchinoto-i, there was a violent storm, uprooting trees and destroying houses. Offerings were presented to the eminent deities of the home provinces, to still the calamity. On the eleventh day of the ninth month, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, offerings were presented at the Daijingū (Note: offerings in the ninth month are first seen in the fifth year of Yōrō under Empress Genshō, and from this year onward are recorded repeatedly without interruption. Since this was clearly an established custom, it will not be separately noted hereafter). In winter, on the second day of the tenth month, the day Tsuchinoto-u, Sado province reported the appearance of an auspicious cloud. The emperor, while reflecting on his own want of virtue, declared by edict that the appearance of an auspicious cloud last year in Chikuzen province, and now again in Sado, must surely be due to the sacred efficacy of the imperial ancestral shrines, and announced that this fortunate occasion would be made the occasion for extending broad benefit throughout the realm. On the eleventh day, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, the imperial procession made a progress to Kurikumano and hunted with hawks. On the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the day Hinoto-mi, the Sergeant of the Left Palace Guards, Saeki-no-Miyanari, presented a white crow. On the fifth day of the twelfth month, the day Kanoto-mi, an edict ordered the Ryō no Gige to be put into effect. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kanoto-ushi, thunder sounded.

¶In the second year, the year Kinoto-u, in spring, on the third day of the first month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, he visited the former Retired Emperor at the Saga-in. On the fourteenth day, the day Kanoe-saru, an edict ordered the provinces of Sagami, Kazusa, Hitachi, Kōzuke, Shimotsuke, and others, to divide among themselves the copying of the vinaya treatises, commentaries, histories, biographies, and anthologies listed in the catalogues of the Jōgenji and Bonshakuji temples. On the twenty-second day, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, new coins were cast. On this day, thunder sounded. On the twenty-third day, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, he went to the archery ground. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Kinoe-inu, he hunted for pleasure at Serikawano (Note: the Genkō Shakusho records that in this month he made a progress to Mount Mani in Settsu and met the nun Nyoi, but since this does not appear in the official histories, it is here noted only in passing). On the twenty-first day of the second month, the day Hinoe-saru, he went to the Shishinden. The Minister of the Right, Kiyohara-no-Natsuno, presented shisō, an auspicious fungus, and a banquet was bestowed on the attendant courtiers. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Mizunoe-tora, he hunted for pleasure at Minaseno. On the second day of the third month, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, there was an earthquake. On the fourteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, the Dazaifu petitioned that, since the island of Iki lay far out at sea and its terrain was narrow, making a swift response difficult should a foreign enemy intrude, three hundred and thirty of the local people should be conscripted to guard its strategic points at all times; this was granted. On the sixteenth day, the day Kanoto-tori, relief was given for famine in Shimōsa province. In summer, on the second day of the fourth month, the day Hinoe-ne, an edict declared that, as for his own sons and daughters, the title of imperial prince would be removed and the surname of ason bestowed upon them, and that, following the generous precedent set by the former Retired Emperor, they should not be given a separate surname but should all bear the name Minamoto, of the Genji. Those who already held the title of imperial prince would keep it unchanged, and children born later of the same mother would be treated the same way; this followed the two precedents set by the edicts of the fifth year of Kōnin and the ninth year of Tenchō. On the third day, the day Hinoto-ushi, an edict ordered the fifteen great temples to read the Daihannyakyō by alternate recitation, to drive away epidemic disease in the provinces. On the fifth day, the day Tsuchinoto-u, an edict ordered the Monju-e, the rite dedicated to the bodhisattva Monju, to be performed throughout the realm (Note: the Monju-e was established in the first year of Tenchō, and its funding was fixed in the fourth year; this was presumably a revival of a practice that had since lapsed). On the eleventh day of the fifth month, the day Kinoto-u, he sought refuge from the heat at the Shinsen-en. On the last day of the sixth month, the day Mizunoto-u, an edict ordered the fifteen great temples to read the Daihannyakyō by alternate recitation, praying for a bountiful harvest. An edict also ordered that boats be increased at the key crossings of the Tōkaidō and Tōsandō circuits, for the convenience of travelers. This summer, there was famine in Ise, Ōmi, Echizen, Kaga, and Nagato, and relief was given. In autumn, on the second day of the seventh month, the day Kinoto-mi, offerings were presented to the eminent deities of the realm, to ward off the calamities of wind and rain. On the third day, the day Hinoe-uma, the regular tax grain of Sanuki was used to relieve the starving people of Awaji. On the fifth day, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, offerings were presented at the Daijingū, to ward off the calamities of wind and rain. On the fourteenth day, the day Hinoto-mi, he went to the Shishinden, and had Sugawara-no-Kiyokimi, Senior Fourth Rank Lower, lecture for the first time on the Hou Hanshu, the History of the Later Han. On the twentieth day, the day Mizunoto-i, the people were forbidden to gather mica beads in Ōmi. On the first day of the eighth month, the day Kinoe-inu, in gratitude for the clearing of the rains, thanksgiving rites were held for the eminent deities of the home provinces. Relief was given for famine and epidemic disease in Sado. On the twenty-first day, the day Kinoe-uma, a banquet was held at the Shishinden. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Tsuchinoto-i, dyed figured silk presented as tribute by the Dazaifu was bestowed on those of the fifth rank and above who attended at court (Note: the bestowal of dyed figured silk from the Dazaifu is also recorded in the seventh month of the seventh year of Tenchō and the seventh month of the eighth year, from which this would appear to have been an established practice, though it cannot now be stated with certainty). In winter, on the thirteenth day of the tenth month, the day Kinoe-saru, he made a progress to Mitsuno and hunted with hawks. On the twenty-third day, the day Kinoe-uma, newly minted coin was presented to both the Saga-in and the Junna-in, and bestowed on the crown prince and on the imperial princes and those of the fifth rank and above who attended at court. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Hinoto-tori, thunder sounded. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Tsuchinoto-i, forty thousand of the newly minted coins were distributed among the eminent temples of the capital and of Nara. On the seventh day of the eleventh month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, an edict forbade improper conduct among monks and nuns. On the fifteenth day of the twelfth month, the day Kinoto-tori, he hunted for pleasure at Serikawano. On the twentieth day, the day Kanoe-tora, relief was given for famine and epidemic disease in Noto. On the twenty-second day, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, he made a progress to the Shinsen-en and flew falcons.

¶In the third year, the year Hinoe-tatsu, in spring, on the third day of the first month, the day Mizunoto-u, he visited the former Retired Emperor at the Saga-in. On the twenty-second day, the day Mizunoe-inu, he made a progress to the Shinsen-en. On the day Tsuchinoe-inu, he made a progress to the Shinsen-en and flew falcons (Note: there is no day Tsuchinoe-inu within this month; this is presumably an error for Tsuchinoe-tatsu, the twenty-eighth day). On the thirteenth day of the second month, the day Mizunoe-uma, he made a progress to the Shinsen-en and flew sparrowhawks and falcons. On the twentieth day, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, he made a progress to the Shinsen-en and flew falcons. On the eleventh day of the third month, the day Kanoe-inu, a banquet was held at the Shishinden. On the twelfth day, the day Kanoto-i, there was an earthquake. This spring, there was famine in Ise, Owari, and Iwami, and relief was given. In summer, on the twenty-fourth day of the fourth month, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, the emperor went to the Shishinden and bestowed a banquet on the ambassador to Tang, Fujiwara-no-Tsunetsugu, and his party. He had the assembled ministers of the fifth rank and above compose poems, to serve as a farewell. On the third day of the fifth month, the day Kanoto-ushi, he made a progress to the Shinsen-en and fished. On the ninth day, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, an edict declared that it was feared that the thunder heard last winter might portend flood damage or epidemic disease, and ordered that a kanjō hall for consecration rites be built at the Shingon-in of Tōdaiji, with twenty-one monks stationed there to perform, during the summer retreat and the three months of extended fasting, rites for averting calamity and increasing fortune, as a permanent observance for the protection of the state. On the eighteenth day, the day Hinoe-tatsu, there was a great windstorm, breaking trees and tearing off roofs. On the twentieth day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, there was a great earthquake. On the last day of the intercalary month, the day Hinoto-tori, offerings were presented at the shrines of Kibune and Niukawakami, among others, in prayer for rain. On the first day of the sixth month, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, an edict declared that, since no rain had fallen and the drought had continued for more than ten days, the two temples of the eastern and western capital, the thirteen great temples, and the temples of the home provinces should read the sovereign sutras by alternate recitation, praying for an abundant autumn harvest. On the sixth day, the day Mizunoto-u, offerings were presented at the shrines of Matsunoo, Kamo, Sumiyoshi, and Tarumi, among others, in prayer for rain. On the thirteenth day, the day Kanoe-inu, there was an earthquake. On the twenty-first day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, a banquet was held at the Shishinden. This summer, there was famine in Wakasa, Kaga, Noto, Hōki, Bitchū, and Satsuma, and relief was given. In autumn, on the sixth day of the seventh month, the day Mizunoto-tori, a white rainbow appeared in the east. On the fourteenth day, the day Kanoto-mi, relief was given for famine in Inaba. On the fifteenth day, the day Mizunoe-uma, an edict declared that this was precisely the season of the autumn ripening, and that, should wind and rain fall out of season, the harvest would surely be damaged; it therefore ordered the provinces of the five home provinces and seven circuits to present offerings to the eminent deities, to forestall calamity before it occurred. It further declared that if the chief officials of the provinces, leading their subordinates, observed ritual purification themselves and performed the rites as though the gods were truly present, efficacy would surely follow. On the sixteenth day, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, in response to the spread of epidemic disease through the provinces, the governors of the home provinces and seven circuits were ordered to have the Daihannyakyō read by alternate recitation, and to present offerings to the eminent deities. On the twenty-first day, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, there was a great thunderstorm, and lightning struck a willow tree on the Suzaku Avenue. This month, a courier of the Dazaifu reported that the ships of the mission to Tang had met with a violent storm and turned back. On the twenty-fourth day of the eighth month, the day Kanoto-tori, the Daihannyakyō was read by alternate recitation at the Hasshōin, to ward off epidemic disease, and the several offices observed a vegetarian fast. On the fifteenth day of the ninth month, the day Kanoto-mi, the mission to Tang entered the capital. In winter, on the ninth day of the eleventh month, the day Kinoe-inu, an ominous cloud covered the sky. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Mizunoto-mi, a woman of Inaba gave birth to four children at once. She was granted three hundred bundles of shōzei. On the sixth day of the twelfth month, the day Kanoe-ne, offerings were presented at the Daijingū. On this day, an edict declared that the recent lightning strike on Shitennōji, which had destroyed its pagoda and shrine hall, was presumably an ill omen, and ordered nineteen temples — Tōdaiji, Shin-Yakushiji, Kōfukuji, Gangōji, Daianji, and Shitennōji, among others — to read the Daihannyakyō by alternate recitation for three days and nights. On the twenty-second day, the day Hinoe-tatsu, he made a progress to the Shinsen-en and flew falcons.

¶In the fourth year, the year Hinoto-mi, in spring, on the third day of the first month, the day Hinoto-u, he visited the former Retired Emperor at the Saga-in. On the twentieth day of the second month, the day Mizunoto-ushi, relief was given for famine in Bizen. On the fourth day of the third month, the day Hinoto-u, a comet appeared in the southeast. On the seventh day, the day Kanoe-uma, since the rivers of Owari had flooded, a third of its tribute and labor tax was remitted. On the twentieth day, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, Mino reported that an armory had sounded of its own accord. This month, the mission to Tang set out. There was famine in Izumi, Awaji, and Mimasaka, and relief was given. In summer, on the sixteenth day of the fourth month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, Mutsu reported that stones at the hot spring by the fortress of Tamatsukuri had rumbled and shaken like thunder. On the seventh day of the fifth month, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, having heard that misconduct persisted unabated at the temples near the capital, it was decreed that bettō, superintendents, be appointed, chosen from among civil and military officials of the fifth rank who were perceptive and upright, to correct this. On the twenty-first day, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, relief was given for famine in Iyo. On the sixth day of the sixth month, the day Hinoto-tori, the Saikuin, a relief institution for the suffering, was built in Mogami district, Dewa. On the eighth day, the day Tsuchinoto-i, the Minister of the Right, Kiyohara-no-Natsuno, resigned as Captain of the Left Palace Guards (Note: the Kugyō Bunin gives the seventh day, and one text gives the fourth). On the thirteenth day, the day Kinoe-tatsu, a rainbow appeared six times over the Imperial Palace. On the sixteenth day, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, an edict ordered the provinces of the five home provinces and seven circuits to present offerings to the eminent deities, to forestall the calamities of wind and rain (Note: the Ruijū Kokushi and the Nihon Kiryaku give the day as Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, but which is correct cannot be determined). On the nineteenth day, the day Kanoe-inu, there was an earthquake. On the twenty-first day, the day Mizunoe-ne, an edict declared that epidemic disease had often arisen, causing much suffering, and ordered the kokubunji of the five home provinces and seven circuits to read the Kongō Hannyakyō by day and perform the Yakushi rite of repentance by night, for three days from the eighth day of the seventh month, during which the taking of life was forbidden. On the twenty-second day, the day Mizunoto-ushi, envoys were sent to the seven provinces of Yamashiro, Yamato, Kawachi, Settsu, Ōmi, Iga, and Tanba, to perform rites of pacification and drive away baleful influences. On the twenty-third day, the day Kinoe-tora, the Middle Counselor Minamoto-no-Tokiwa was made Captain of the Left Palace Guards. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, relief was given for famine in Bingo. Envoys were sent to Yamashiro and Yamato, to present offerings at eminent mountains and pray for rain. In autumn, on the sixteenth day of the seventh month, the day Hinoto-ushi, there was an earthquake. On the twenty-second day, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, the Dazaifu sent word by swift courier that the mission to Tang had again met with a violent storm and turned back. On the last day of the eighth month, the day Kanoe-saru, the tribute and labor tax of more than three thousand two hundred registered taxpayers of Mutsu was remitted for five years. On the second day of the ninth month, the day Mizunoe-inu, there was an earthquake. On the fourth day, the day Kinoe-ne, the emperor fell ill. Palace envoys were sent to have sutras read at seven temples. On the eighth day, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, the Junior Assistant Minister of Ceremonial, Yoshimine-no-Kotsura, was sent to the Hachiman shrine, to present offerings in thanks for the prayers that had already been made. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, the illness was cured. In winter, on the first day of the tenth month, the day Kanoto-u, since prolonged rains had continued and the price of grain had soared, the Assistant Governors of the Left and Right Capitals, together with the Assistant Captain of the Right Gate Guards and the Assistant Kebiishi, officers of the Imperial Police, were summoned before the hall and sent out with a proclaimed edict (Note: the character for "Left" has presumably dropped out before the word "Right"). The common people of the eastern and western capital who were suffering from hunger or illness were investigated and given relief. On the seventh day, the day Hinoto-tori, the Minister of the Right, Kiyohara-no-Natsuno, died. On the eighth day of the eleventh month, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, he made a progress to the Shinsen-en and flew falcons. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Hinoto-i, he again made a progress to the Shinsen-en and flew falcons. On the first day of the twelfth month, the day Kanoe-tora, there was a solar eclipse. On the second day, the day Kanoto-u, a thief entered the Shunkōden at night and stole silk. On the night of the fifth day, the day Kinoe-uma, two women thieves entered the Seiryōden, and a guardsman on night duty seized one of them. On the eleventh day, the day Kanoe-ne, there was a great wind. On the night of the day Kanoe-ne, a thief entered the Tōchōden of the Ōkurashō, the Ministry of the Treasury, broke a hole in the wall, and stole coarse silk, ashiginu (Note: the day Kanoe-ne given above is presumably an error for Kanoe-inu, which falls on the twenty-first day). On the twenty-second day, the day Kanoto-i, the Rokuefu, the Six Guards Headquarters, were sent out to conduct a great search throughout the capital.

¶In the fifth year, the year Tsuchinoe-uma, in spring, on the third day of the first month, the day Mizunoe-inu, he visited the former Retired Emperor at the Saga-in. On the tenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, the Major Counselor Fujiwara-no-Mimori was made Minister of the Right. On the fifth day of the second month, the day Mizunoto-mi, he went to the archery ground and watched the kakeyumi, a wagered archery contest. On the ninth day, the day Hinoto-tori, the governors of the home provinces were ordered to suppress bands of robbers. On the tenth day, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, the governors of the Sanyōdō and Nankaidō circuits were ordered to capture pirates. On the twelfth day, the day Kanoe-ne, he hunted for pleasure at Minaseno. Officers of the Left and Right Gate Guards and kadono-osa, ward chiefs, were dispatched throughout the home provinces, to pursue and arrest those guilty of crime and theft. In summer, on the second day of the fourth month, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, an edict sent envoys to Yamato, to record the assets of the wealthy and lend them to the needy, to be repaid at the autumn harvest. On the fifth day, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, an edict ordered the provinces of the five home provinces and seven circuits to read the Kairyūōkyō, the Sutra of the Sea Dragon King, from the departure of the mission to Tang until its return. On the seventh day, the day Kinoe-uma, since last year's grain had failed to ripen and epidemic disease had occurred repeatedly, the provinces of the realm were ordered to read the Daihannyakyō for seven days, and the taking of life was forbidden. On the thirteenth day, the day Kanoe-ne, since Chikuzen, Chikugo, Hizen, Bungo, and other provinces had for many years suffered from epidemic disease, and were further worn out by the labor of shipbuilding, the destitute among them were granted a year's exemption from tribute and labor tax. On the fourteenth day, the day Kanoto-ushi, relief was given for famine in the provinces under the jurisdiction of the Dazaifu. On the twenty-first day, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, relief was given for famine in Bizen. On the eighteenth day of the fifth month, the day Kinoe-inu, the Daihannyakyō was read by alternate recitation at the Hasshōin for five days, praying for the prosperity and joy of the realm. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Kinoe-saru, there was an earthquake. On the second day of the sixth month, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, there was again an earthquake. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Mizunoe-ne, he went to the Seiryōden and had Naomichi-no-Hirokimi, Assistant Professor of the Daigaku, the University, read from the Gunsho Chiyō, an anthology of statecraft. In autumn, on the fifth day of the seventh month, the day Kanoe-saru, the mission to Tang set out from the Dazaifu. On the eleventh day, the day Hinoe-tora, he made a progress to the Kadono river to view the fish, and relief was given for famine in Yamato. On the seventeenth day, the day Mizunoe-saru, offerings were distributed to the eminent deities of the provinces, in prayer for the autumn harvest. On the eighteenth day, the day Mizunoto-tori, something resembling powder fell from the sky; it did not vanish even after the rain had passed, and continued falling and stopping by turns. On the twentieth day, the day Kinoto-i, a sound like drumming was heard in the east. On the twenty-second day, the day Hinoto-ushi, offerings were presented at the Daijingū, in prayer for the autumn harvest. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, in response to the celestial portent, the Ninnōkyō was read for three days at the Shishinden. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Kanoto-mi, relief was given for famine in Yamashiro. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Kinoe-saru, offerings were presented at the Daijingū, in prayer for a bountiful year. On the fourteenth day of the eighth month, the day Tsuchinoto-i, lightning struck a willow tree at the Kenmotsu Bureau, and a man was killed by the shock. On the nineteenth day, the day Kinoe-tatsu, horses were presented at Kibune and Niukawakami, in prayer for clear weather. On the twentieth day, the day Kinoto-mi, there was a violent storm, and houses were destroyed. On the twenty-third day, there was famine in Bizen. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Mizunoto-ushi, offerings were presented to the eminent deities of Kamo, Matsunoo, Otokuni, Tarumi, and Sumiyoshi, among others, in prayer for clear weather. On the eighth day of the ninth month, the day Mizunoto-i, horses were again presented at Kibune and Niukawakami, in prayer for clear weather. On the ninth day, the day Kinoe-ne, the court banquet was cancelled on account of the emperor's ill health, but chrysanthemum wine was bestowed on the imperial princes and chamberlains of attendant rank and above who attended at court. On the tenth day, the day Kinoto-ushi, sutras were read at seven great temples, in prayer for recovery from illness. From the seventh month to the ninth, the sixteen provinces of Kawachi, Mikawa, Tōtōmi, Suruga, Izu, Kai, Musashi, Kazusa, Mino, Hida, Shinano, Echizen, Kaga, Ecchū, Harima, and Kii, among others, reported one after another that something resembling ash had fallen from the sky. In winter, on the fourth day of the tenth month, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, the Director of the Left Palace Armory, Prince Okano, among others, was sent to present sacred treasures at the Daijingū. On the thirteenth day, the day Hinoto-tori, forty officials of the fifth rank and below skilled in calligraphy were summoned to the Reizen'in, and made to copy out a thousand scrolls of the Kongō Jumyō Darani-kyō, the Dharani Sutra of Diamond Longevity. On the fourteenth day, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, a white rainbow appeared stretching north and south across the western hills. On the twenty-second day, the day Hinoe-uma, a comet appeared in the southeast. On the seventh day of the eleventh month, the day Kanoto-tori, an edict ordered the home provinces and seven circuits to copy out and make offerings before the Hannya Shingyō, the Heart Sutra, to drive away baleful calamity. This continued for three days, during which the taking of life was forbidden. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Kanoto-mi, the crown prince, Imperial Prince Michiyasu, the future Emperor Montoku, underwent the genpuku at the Shishinden. On the fifteenth day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoto-i, the deputy envoy to Tang and Junior Assistant of the Danjōdai, Ono-no-Takamura, was exiled to Oki.

¶In the sixth year, the year Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Kinoe-tora, the New Year's felicitations were cancelled on account of mourning for the emperor's younger sister, Imperial Princess Hōshi. On the twenty-third day, the day Hinoe-ne, a comet appeared in the west, its length about one jō. On the second day of the intercalary month, the day Kinoto-tori, he visited the former Retired Emperor at the Saga-in. On the sixteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-i, he made a progress to Mitsuno. On the eighteenth day, the day Kanoto-ushi, he hunted for pleasure at Minaseno. On the twenty-third day, the day Hinoe-uma, an edict declared that sufficient stores came from a bountiful year, and an abundant harvest from diligence in farming; that last year, through the encouragement of agriculture, the provinces had enjoyed a good harvest, but that this year such encouragement had been neglected; and it accordingly ordered the circuits and provinces to urge and require diligence in farming and sericulture. It further declared that, having heard that epidemic disease was spreading through the provinces and the common people were dying young, the kokubunji throughout the realm should read the Hannyakyō by alternate recitation for seven days, and that monk-physicians should be sent out to treat the sick along the roads, and that in the villages and hamlets the epidemic deities should be reverently worshipped each season. On the thirteenth day of the second month, the day Kinoto-ushi, he made a progress to the Shinsen-en, the crown prince accompanying him. He went to the horse enclosure of the Right Palace Guards, and had the vanguard guardsmen try riding the imperial horses. On the fifteenth day, the day Hinoto-u, the two temples of the eastern and western capital were made to expound and read the Hannya Shingyō, to drive away the ill effect of the comet's appearance. On the fourth day of the third month, the day Kinoto-tori, the tribute and labor tax of more than thirty thousand destitute people of Mutsu was remitted for three years. An edict ordered the seven provinces of Sagami, Musashi, Kazusa, Shimōsa, Hitachi, Kōzuke, and Shimotsuke to copy out the Daizōkyō, the Buddhist canon. On the sixteenth day, the day Hinoto-tori, Tomo-no-Arihito, Superintendent of the Ships of the mission to Tang, Toki-no-Osada, a student of the calendar sent to deepen his learning, Saeki-no-Yasumichi, a student of the calendar sent to study abroad, and Shii-no-Nagayo, a student of astronomy sent to study abroad, among others, were exiled to Sado. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Kanoe-inu, offerings were presented to the two deities Kibune and Ushi, the rain god, in prayer for rain. In summer, on the second day of the fourth month, the day Mizunoto-ushi, envoys were sent to Ise, to search out a band of robbers who had been illegally casting coin in the mountains of Nabari. On the seventh day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, there was an earthquake. Relief was given for famine in Ena district, Mino. On the tenth day, the day Kanoto-tori, prayers for rain were offered to Ushi, the rain god, at Niu. On the seventeenth day, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, the emperor fell ill. Sutras were read at seven temples in the capital, and an edict distributed offerings to the shrines of Matsunoo, Kamo, and others. The Ninnōkyō was also read for seven days at the fifteen great temples, in prayer for rain. On the twentieth day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, an edict ordered the governors of the seven circuits to present offerings to the eminent deities and pray for rain. On the twenty-first day, the day Mizunoe-saru, envoys were sent to present offerings and pray for rain at the Daijingū, and at the shrines of Uji and Tsuzuki in Yamashiro and Iwanari and Suchi in Yamato, among others. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Hinoe-ne, the Councillor Abe-no-Yasuhito and the Senior Assistant Minister of Central Affairs, Ki-no-Natora, among others, were sent to the mausoleum of Empress Jingū, to apologize for having felled trees on the mausoleum grounds. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Hinoto-ushi, Mutsu reported the appearance of a kyakusei, a guest star such as a comet or nova, together with an earthquake, and petitioned that a thousand additional garrison troops be posted at Taga Castle, in preparation against the unforeseen; this was followed. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, the Daihannyakyō was read by alternate recitation at the Hasshōin, in prayer for rain, and the several offices observed a vegetarian fast for three days. Toward evening, rain fell. On the twelfth day of the fifth month, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, Kawachi presented a tachibana, a mandarin orange tree. It stood barely two sun in height, yet bore blossoms. On the first day of the sixth month, the day Kanoe-inu, envoys were sent to the two shrines of Niu and Kibune. On the fourth day, the day Mizunoto-ushi, an edict ordered the temples to read sutras and perform rites of repentance for three days and nights, in prayer for rain. On the sixth day, the day Kinoto-u, the merchants of the eastern and western markets were made to perform a rain-dance on the Suzaku Avenue. On the fifteenth day, the day Kinoe-ne, a celebration was held at Tōji for the consecration of its Buddhist images. On the night of the twenty-eighth day, the day Hinoto-ushi, a red vapor appeared over the Shishinden, its light like that of a torch, but it vanished after a time. In autumn, on the fifth day of the seventh month, the day Kinoe-saru, the Daihannyakyō was read by alternate recitation at the Shishinden and the Jōneiden, to drive away the strange portent. On the eighth day, the day Hinoto-i, there was an earthquake. On the twentieth day, the day Kanoe-ne, the governors of the home provinces were ordered to encourage the cultivation of buckwheat. On the morning of the day Kanoe-inu in the eighth month, the former Retired Emperor fell ill. The emperor went to the Saga-in to pay his respects. On this day, an edict ordered the provinces to revive the Monju-e. On the fourth day, the day Mizunoto-ushi, he again went to the Saga-in, and had sutras read at Enryakuji, praying for the former Retired Emperor's recovery. On this day, prayers for clear weather were offered at the two shrines of Niu and Kibune. On the seventh day, the day Hinoe-tatsu, an edict ordered the provinces within and beyond the home territory to present offerings to the gods of heaven and earth, in prayer for the autumn harvest. On the sixteenth day of the ninth month, the day Kinoe-uma, the envoy-in-chief, Fujiwara-no-Tsunetsugu, returned from Tang. On the twenty-first day, the day Tsuchinoto-i, an edict discontinued the kichijō keka, the rite of repentance to the goddess Kichijō, within the Saishōōkyō-e held at the provincial kokubunji, and ordered instead that it be performed at the provincial headquarters, to become the established practice. In winter, on the first day of the tenth month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, Echizen reported the appearance of an auspicious cloud. On the eighth day, the day Hinoe-tatsu, it was again forbidden to feed young wheat shoots to horses. On the thirteenth day, the day Kanoto-tori, the gifts received from Tang were presented at the Daijingū. On the second day of the eleventh month, the day Kanoe-tatsu, offerings were presented at the Daijingū. On the fifth day, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, the residence of the Ise Priestess was struck by fire, which burned more than a hundred official buildings. On the second day of the twelfth month, the day Kanoe-inu, the Councillor Funya-no-Akitsu was sent to present offerings at the Daijingū and report the fire at the Ise Priestess's residence. On the eighth day, the day Hinoe-tatsu, the ministers offered congratulations on the auspicious cloud. The emperor decreed that the bounty of Heaven was indeed owing to the power of the gods, and that an auspicious sign invariably appeared to one possessed of virtue; yet reflecting on his own want of virtue, he declared himself unworthy to have called forth this auspicious cloud, and, quoting the saying of the ancients that "on seeing an auspicious sign, one should redouble one's caution," he asked his ministers to devote themselves with full loyalty to making good what he himself lacked. On the thirteenth day, the day Kanoto-tori, envoys were sent out separately to present the gifts from Tang at the mausolea of Nochi-no-Tawara, Yashima, Yamamomo, and Kashiwabara, among others. On the seventeenth day, the day Kinoto-ushi, he hunted for pleasure at Minaseno. On the twenty-second day, the day Kanoe-uma, the gifts from Tang were presented at the mausoleum of Nagaoka.

¶In the seventh year, the year Kanoe-saru, in spring, on the eleventh day of the first month, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, the emperor fell ill. On the thirteenth day, the day Kanoe-tora, there was an earthquake. On the twentieth day, the day Hinoto-tori, the naien, the informal palace banquet, was cancelled on account of the emperor's ill health. On the second day of the second month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, he visited the former Retired Emperor at the Saga-in. On the twelfth day, the day Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, since robbers were numerous in the capital, the Rokuefu were made to keep watch by night. On the fourteenth day, the day Kanoto-tori, the exile Ono-no-Takamura was summoned back. On the sixteenth day, the day Mizunoto-i, the exiles Tomo-no-Arihito and Toki-no-Osada (Note: this "Toki-no-Osada" is presumably the same person as the "Toki-no-Osada" named earlier, though the original text renders the name with different characters in each place, and it is accordingly reproduced here as it stands) were summoned back. On the twenty-third day, the day Kanoe-uma, an edict declared deep concern at reports that wicked bandits were setting fires by night and seizing goods in broad daylight, and ordered the offices of the Left and Right Capitals and the provinces of the five home provinces and seven circuits to enforce strict control, search the streets, and promptly hand over those they captured. On the twenty-fourth day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, an edict ordered relief for the aged of the capital and those suffering from hunger and illness. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Kanoto-tori, an edict declared that the flourishing of the state lay in enriching the people, and that full granaries came from a bountiful harvest; that last year's drought had kept the grain from ripening, leaving the people hungry and the state's resources short, and that, although this was a natural calamity, it might also be feared that the people had grown negligent in farming; it accordingly admonished the provinces of the five home provinces to apply themselves diligently to agriculture, and ordered that encouragement be given according to the season, without negligence. On the sixth day of the third month, the day Mizunoe-uma, the Rokuefu were sent out separately, to search out thieves in the capital. On the nineteenth day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, an edict declared that the customs of the age had of late grown disordered, with harmful consequences continuing unabated, and forbade, regardless of rank, the wearing by women of thin silk outer garments in summer and under-skirts in winter, and forbade as well the layering of more than one skirt over another, in order to enforce economy. In summer, on the first day of the fourth month, the day Hinoe-uma, there was a solar eclipse. On the eighth day, the day Mizunoto-ushi, the kanbutsu rite, the bathing of the Buddha image, was performed at the Seiryōden. The kanbutsu rite began with this. On the twenty-second day, the day Hinoto-u, the revised kyakushiki, supplementary regulations and procedures, were promulgated and put into effect. On the twenty-third day, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, an edict declared that revering the gods as though they were truly present, and regarding the people as one's own children, had from ancient times been the proper understanding of a provincial governor; that, though laws had often been issued and their results observed, the administration of officials had lacked fairness, the people had suffered from epidemic disease, the grain had failed to ripen, and famine had followed one upon another; and that, judged against the true state of government, this called for censure. It accordingly ordered the governors of the provinces of the five home provinces and seven circuits to correct their past negligence and apply themselves diligently to their duties henceforth. They were to make circuits of their jurisdictions to see to the repair of shrines, and, should the negi or hafuri, shrine priests, prove negligent, to punish them in accordance with the kyakushiki. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kanoe-uma, offerings were presented at the shrines of Matsunoo, Kamo, Otokuni, Kibune, Niukawakami, Ushi, and Tarumi, among others, in prayer for rain and to ward off wind damage. On the second day of the fifth month, the day Hinoto-ushi, Tajima reported that the drums of the armories in Yabu and Keta districts had sounded of their own accord, their noise heard several ri away. On this day, an edict ordered the provinces of the five home provinces and seven circuits to plant millet, foxtail millet, barnyard millet, wheat, soybeans, red beans, and sesame. On the fifth day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, since the Later Retired Emperor, the Retired Emperor Junna, had fallen ill, the court banquet was cancelled. On the eighth day, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, the Later Retired Emperor died. On the thirteenth day, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, Emperor Junna was buried. On the seventeenth day, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, the ministers memorialized, requesting that the emperor set aside his mourning garments for ordinary dress and attend to the government of the court. On the nineteenth day, the day Kinoe-uma, an edict declared his deep grief that Heaven had taken away the Retired Emperor Junna, and his wish to observe the full rites of mourning; but since there was the established custom of "substituting a day for a month," and since the Retired Emperor's own testament had directed that mourning garments be set aside once the funeral rites were concluded, he announced to the realm that, in accordance with the counsel of his ministers, he would restrain his grief and follow this provisional measure. On the twentieth day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, in response to hunger and illness among the people of the capital, rice and coin were distributed. On the twenty-third day, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, the emperor set aside his mourning garments and returned to the government of the court. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kanoe-ne, relief was given for famine in Settsu. On the fifth day of the sixth month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, there was a strange portent within the palace. On divination, it was found to be a curse from the Kashiwabara mausoleum. The Middle Counselor Fujiwara-no-Chikanari, among others, was accordingly sent to the mausoleum to offer an apology. On the seventh day, the day Kanoto-i, a hundred high seats were set up within the palace, and the Ninnōkyō was expounded, to drive away baleful portents within and without. On the ninth day, the day Mizunoto-ushi, prayers for rain were offered at the shrines of Kibune, Niukawakami, and Ushi. On the thirteenth day, the day Hinoto-mi, since last year's autumn harvest had been poor and epidemic disease had lately been occurring repeatedly, the five home provinces were ordered, for seven days, to read the Daihannyakyō by alternate recitation by day and perform the Yakushi rite of repentance by night, and the taking of life was forbidden. On the fourteenth day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, sutra readings and rites of repentance were again performed at the fifteen great temples. On the fifteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, offerings were presented at the Daijingū and at the shrines of Kamo, Matsunoo, and others. The provinces were also ordered to present offerings to the gods of heaven and earth, in prayer for rain. On the sixteenth day, the day Kanoe-saru, an edict declared that a wise sovereign, in governing the age, conducted himself with caution toward his people, and that a sage king, attentive to the people's livelihood, saved the myriad things; and, citing how the sage kings of antiquity — Fuxi and Shennong, and the rulers of Yun and Hua — had alike devoted themselves to nurturing the people, it declared that he too, having received the mandate of Heaven and bearing this heavy charge, conducted himself with caution day by day, took no pleasure in extravagance, and was pained at heart for his people's sake. Yet, it continued, his government and teaching had not reached everywhere; last year yin and yang had fallen into disorder and the autumn harvest had been poor, and of late drought had continued for more than ten days, damaging the crops, so that he had heard of famine and epidemic disease occurring in the provinces — and this, he declared, was owing entirely to his own want of virtue, the common people being blameless. Taking as his model the ancient sage kings who had dispelled baleful influences through virtue, he reduced his own dress and table, discontinued entirely the fodder given to the horses of the Left and Right Bureaus of Horses, and ordered that labor service not urgently needed be suspended as circumstances allowed, and that the prisons be promptly examined for anyone wrongly accused, that such persons be released. He further ordered that, in the provinces of the realm where there was access to water for irrigation, the poor be given priority in its use, and that generous relief be extended to those with no one to rely on and those in distress. As for the many who, falling ill and bedridden with no one to nurse them, lost their lives, he declared that for the provincial and district officials, who ought to stand as parents to the people, to disregard this ran contrary to the way of raising the people as one's own children, and he ordered that grain and medicine be distributed to them, that their lives might be preserved. At the same time, the unpaid tribute and labor tax owed in the provinces of the five home provinces and seven circuits from before the second year of Jōwa was entirely remitted, and the land tax of the station households, ekiko, of the three circuits of Tōkaidō, Tōsandō, and Sanyōdō was specially exempted for a term of three years. On the eighteenth day, the day Mizunoe-inu, heavy rain fell. On the twenty-second day, the day Hinoe-tora, the ministers memorialized, requesting that the stipends of those of the fifth rank and above be reduced, but this was not accepted. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Mizunoe-saru, the ministers memorialized once more, and in response an edict was handed down permitting the fiefs of those of the third rank and above to be reduced by a quarter. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Mizunoto-tori, an edict ordered the provinces of the five home provinces and seven circuits to present offerings to the eminent deities, to ward off the calamities of wind and rain. In autumn, on the fifth day of the seventh month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, offerings were presented at the Daijingū, in prayer for a bountiful year. On the seventh day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, the Minister of the Right and Tutor to the Crown Prince, Fujiwara-no-Mimori, died. On the tenth day, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, on account of the ryōan, the emperor's mourning, the provinces of the five home provinces and seven circuits were made to suspend the Sekiten, the Confucian offering ceremony. On the twenty-first day, the day Kinoe-uma, he went to the Shishinden and attended to the government of the realm for the first time since the mourning. On the eighth day of the eighth month, the day Kanoto-i, the Major Counselor Minamoto-no-Tokiwa was made Minister of the Right. On the twenty-second day, the day Kinoto-ushi, the Minister of the Right, Minamoto-no-Tokiwa, was made concurrently Tutor to the Crown Prince. On the ninth day of the ninth month, the day Kanoto-mi, on account of the mourning, the Chōyō festival, the Double Ninth, was cancelled. On the twenty-first day, the day Mizunoto-mi, the Dazaifu reported that the water of the Shinreiike, the pond of the divine spirit, in Aso district, Higo, had dried up over a stretch of forty jō. In winter, on the second day of the tenth month, the day Kinoe-tatsu, there was a solar eclipse. On the fourth day, the day Hinoe-uma, on account of the drought, the crown prince's table was reduced by a quarter. On the twelfth day, the day Kinoe-tora, there was an earthquake. On the twenty-first day, the day Mizunoto-i, on account of the emperor's ill health, sutras were read at seven temples of the capital. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, a sound like drumming was heard in the west. On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, the Dazaifu reported that Jang Bogo of Silla had privately sent an envoy to present local products as tribute, but this was declined.