Emperor Yōzei

Emperor Yōzei

¶Emperor Yōzei's personal name was Sadaakira. He was the first son of Emperor Seiwa. His mother was the Empress Dowager Fujiwara-shi, of the Fujiwara clan.

¶He was born on the sixteenth day of the twelfth month of the tenth year of Jōgan, the day Kinoto-i, at the Somedono-in.

¶In the second month of the eleventh year, he was installed as crown prince.

¶On the twenty-ninth day of the eleventh month of the eighteenth year, the day Mizunoe-tora, at the Somedono-in he received the throne, and returned to the Tōgū, the Crown Prince's Palace. The Minister of the Right and concurrently Captain of the Left Palace Guards, Fujiwara-no-Mototsune, was made regent, sesshō. On the sixth day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, there was a thunderstorm with hail. On the seventh day, the day Kanoe-inu, there was thunder. On the eighth day, the day Kanoto-i, an edict honored Emperor Seiwa with the title of Retired Emperor. On this day, figured and plain silk, floss silk, and cloth were presented to the Retired Emperor, and two thousand households were granted him as a fief. On the twentieth day, the day Mizunoto-i, a great bird flew over the Shishinden, and so the Butsumyō Zange, the rite of confession before the Buddhas, was cancelled. This year, the kingdom of Balhae sent an envoy to pay tribute.

¶In the first year of Gangyō, the year Hinoto-tori (Note: this work itself gives the year as "Hinoto-nishi," which is not a valid sexagenary term; it is here corrected to Hinoto-tori, taking it as a miscopying), in spring, on the third day of the first month, the day Kinoto-i, the emperor ascended the throne at the Burakuden. He was ten years of age at the time (Note: his age follows this work's own statement that he was born in the tenth year of Jōgan). An edict honored his birth mother, Fujiwara-shi, with the title of Kōtaifujin, and the Minister of the Left, Minamoto-no-Tōru, and the Middle Counsellor and concurrently Captain of the Right Palace Guards, Fujiwara-no-Yoshiyo, both retained their posts unchanged. Tajima province presented a white pheasant as tribute. On the ninth day, the day Kanoto-mi, the Minister of the Right, Mototsune, resigned as Captain of the Left Palace Guards. On the eighteenth day, the day Kanoe-tora, the norikyumi was cancelled. On the twenty-fourth day, the day Hinoe-saru, a great shooting star rose from Amatsu and set at the Shibi, the Purple Tenuity enclosure. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Hinoto-tori, a kakusei, a guest star, appeared in the Hekishuku, the Wall lunar mansion. On the fourteenth day of the second month, the day Hinoe-tatsu, Owari province reported that a tree branch had formed renri, joined branches. On the seventeenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, the imperial princess Satoko was made Ise Priestess by divination, and the imperial princess Atsuko was made Kamo Priestess. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, a rite was performed for three days at the Jijūden. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, the emperor moved his residence to the Jijūden. The Major Counsellor Minamoto-no-Masaru was made Captain of the Left Palace Guards. On the seventeenth day of the intercalary month, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, paddy fields in Otagi district, Yamashiro province, were presented to the Retired Emperor. On the twenty-third day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, Mimasaka and Bizen provinces presented imitation bronze as tribute. On the third day of the third month, the day Kinoe-tatsu, Bingo province presented a white deer as tribute. On the eleventh day, the day Mizunoe-ne, there was a great earthquake. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Hinoto-u, more than a hundred monks were summoned to the Shishinden and made to read the Daihannyakyō by alternate recitation for three days. From this time on, the quarterly observance of this rite, customary in the Jōgan era, was changed, and it was instead performed in spring and autumn. In summer, on the ninth day of the fourth month, the day Kanoe-tatsu, the Daigokuden was rebuilt. On the sixteenth day, the day Hinoto-i, an edict declared: "We have heard that the response to good government never fails to show forth its numinous proof, and that the token of great transforming virtue is certain to be met with divine favor. We, thin in virtue, have unworthily succeeded to this great undertaking, yet Our virtue has not yet been enough to move Heaven, nor has Our bounty yet been felt by the myriad things. And yet Tajima province has taken a white pheasant, Owari province's trees have formed renri, and Bingo province has offered a white deer as tribute. Some, mistaking the moon at dawn, have shown their plumage reflected on the crimson stair of the palace; others, braving the cold frost, have hung their branches upon the green hedge. All have changed their hue in answer to the auspicious sign, and altered their form in response to the propitious token. This is not the work of man, but surely the intent of Heaven. Were We to suppress it and not proclaim it, We should indeed be called shallow. We wish to share this joyful sign together with the realm. We consider that establishing an era name upon an auspicious token is not without precedent, and that changing the era name upon accession likewise already has example. And now, moreover, the shasui, the fire-drill, has changed its smoke, the kakai, the reed ash, shows the correct breath of the season, the wind and the things of the world are mild and warm, and the grass and trees flourish. At this fine season, it is fitting to open upon a propitious fortune. Let the nineteenth year of Jōgan accordingly be renamed the first year of Gangyō. Let a general amnesty be proclaimed throughout the realm, though this shall not extend to those not covered by the ordinary pardon. The nine provinces lie joined like clouds, and the many districts are strung together like stars, yet Heaven sends down its auspicious signs, and the earth has the places where they appear. As for the commoners of Owari, Tajima, and Bingo, let them be exempted from ten days of this year's labor service. To the districts where the auspicious signs in particular appeared, special favor should above all be extended generously: let Ashida district be excused this year's chō, and let both Kasugabe and Yabu districts be exempted from this year's yō. Let Tajihi-no-Tachibana and Tajima-no-Kimitsugutsugu and the others who received the divine gift be granted Senior Sixth Rank Upper, with gifts bestowed according to custom. Let the monks Dōnō and Tōgan, who first discovered the auspicious tree, each be advanced two grades in rank. May this bounty beyond compare reach without limit, far and near alike, and may the hōreki, the sovereign's calendar, endure ever longer together with Heaven and Earth." On the ninth day of the fifth month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, the Dazaifu reported that a white hare had been taken in Higo. On the thirteenth day, the day Mizunoto-ushi, there was an earthquake. On the fourth day of the sixth month, the day Mizunoto-tori, offerings were presented to the deities of Niu and Kibune. On the twelfth day, the day Kanoto-mi, sutra readings were ordered at the temples near the capital. On the fourteenth day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, offerings were presented to the twelve shrines including Iwashimizu and Kamo. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, the rite of the Konji Chōōkyō, the Sutra of the Golden-Winged Bird King, was performed at the Shinsen'en. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Hinoe-saru, a rite was performed for three days at Tōdaiji, together with prayers for rain. In autumn, on the tenth day of the seventh month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, when the pond water of the Shinsen'en was drawn off into the people's fields south of the city, it dried up within a day and a night. On this day, an envoy was sent to the Tatanami mausoleum, to apologize for the felling of trees at the mausoleum. On the thirteenth day, the day Mizunoe-ne, the monk Jōen was made to chant incantations for five days at the Butokuden (Note: the text itself says he "recited the Tokoro," but "Tokoro" may be a miscopying of a word denoting a kind of incantation or dharani), in prayer for rain. On the fourteenth day, the day Mizunoto-ushi, there was an earthquake. On the sixteenth day, the day Kinoto-u, there was heavy rain. On the first day of the eighth month, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, the emperor's health was poor. On the ninth day, the day Hinoto-ushi, the Sekiten was cancelled on account of the kokki, the late emperor's death-day. On the eleventh day, the day Tsuchinoto-u, monks were made to perform a rite for seven days at the Seiryōden, praying for the emperor's recovery. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Mizunoto-mi, Saisei, the planet Jupiter, encroached upon Sashippō, the Left Law-Enforcer star, within the Taibien, the Great Subtlety enclosure. On the second day of the ninth month, the day Kanoe-ne, Sado province reported that a tree had formed renri. On the third day, the day Kanoto-ushi, the god-lamp offerings were suspended. On the fifth day, the day Mizunoto-u, a rite of kekkai, ritual boundary-setting, was performed in the palace for five days. On the ninth day, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, the Chōyō festival was cancelled on account of the emperor's poor health. In winter, on the first day of the tenth month, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, there was a solar eclipse. On the seventeenth day, the day Kinoe-saru, there was a great earthquake. On the eighteenth day, the day Kinoto-tori, there was again an earthquake. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Hinoe-saru, a purification rite, gokei, was performed. On the eighteenth day of the eleventh month, the day Kinoto-u, the Daijōsai was performed. On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoto-u, an edict appointed envoys to present nosaki offerings at the five imperial mausolea. On the twenty-first day, the day Hinoto-i, an edict ordered the shōzei, the regular tax rice, applied to the yō, labor tax, owed by shrines, temples, and the fuko, tax households, of the several noble houses. On this day, Kebiishi, officers of the Imperial Police, were established in Noto and Sado (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku).

¶In the second year, the year Tsuchinoe-inu, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Hinoto-tori, the New Year's felicitations were cancelled on account of rain and snow. On the fifteenth day, the day Kanoto-i, an edict ordered the fudōkoku, reserve stores of grain, in Harima to be diverted and distributed to Izumi. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Mizunoto-i, since the drought of the previous year had caused famine in the home provinces, Kawachi and Izumi suffering most severely, the Jōheishi, the Office of Price Stabilization, was established in the Left and Right Capitals, official rice was sold cheaply, and envoys were sent to give relief to the people. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Kinoto-ushi, Iga province reported that a tree had formed renri. This month, since there were many thieves within the capital, officials of the Left and Right Palace Guards headquarters were sent out to patrol by night. On the fifth day of the second month, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, Bingo province suffered famine, and the taxes of households reduced to destitution were remitted. On the tenth day, the day Hinoe-ne, rice was sold to the starving people of the capital. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kanoto-u, the Assistant Professor of the Daigaku, the University, Yoshibuchi-no-Chikanari, was made to lecture on the Nihongi, the Chronicles of Japan. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Mizunoto-mi, at night thieves broke into the Shishinden, but the toneri, attendants, of the Palace Guards captured them. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Kinoe-uma, ten thousand koku of reserve grain from Bizen were diverted to give relief to Kawachi. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, there was an earthquake. On the fifth day of the third month, the day Kanoto-ushi, an edict ordered the Dazaifu to mine the copper of Kiku district, Buzen province. On the seventh day, the day Mizunoto-u, an envoy was sent to present sacred treasures and offerings at the Daijingū, the Ise Shrine. On the ninth day, the day Kinoto-mi, there was an earthquake. Envoys were sent to present offerings and horses at the nine shrines including Kamo and Matsunoo, and offerings were distributed to the eminent deities of the five home provinces and seven circuits, in a rite of thanksgiving for the fulfillment of prayers. On the twenty-third day, the day Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, more than three hundred chō of paddy land in Yosa district, Tango province, were presented to the Seiwa-in. This month, the fui, submitted Emishi, of Dewa rebelled, and burned Akita Castle together with the district office and the people's houses. The Governor of Dewa, Fujiwara-no-Okiyo, raised troops and defended against them. In summer, on the first day of the fourth month, the day Hinoe-tora, there was a solar eclipse. On the eighth day, the day Kanoto-tori, Kōfukuji suffered a fire. On the ninth day, the day Kinoe-inu, frost fell. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Kanoto-u, Bitchū province took a white sparrow. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Kinoe-uma, a hundred lecture-seats were set up in the home provinces and other provinces, and the Ninnōkyō was expounded, praying for the peace of the state. This month, Fujiwara-no-Okiyo fought the rebellious Emishi and was defeated. An edict levied three thousand soldiers from Kōzuke, Shimotsuke, and Mutsu, to go to the relief of Dewa. On the second day of the fifth month, the day Hinoto-tori, since Settsu suffered famine from drought, three thousand koku each of reserve grain from Harima and Bizen were diverted to give relief. On the fourth day, the day Tsuchinoto-i, the Uchūben, the Middle Controller of the Right, Fujiwara-no-Yasunori, was made Provisional Governor of Dewa, to put down the rebellious Emishi. Mutsu province obtained a renri tree. On the fifth day, the day Kanoe-ne, the Tango festival was cancelled. On the eighth day, the day Mizunoto-u, relief was given to the starving people of Yamato. On the ninth day, the day Kinoe-tatsu, a great shooting star appeared, rising from Teishuku and passing between Shinshuku and Yokushuku, with many stars following it, and the leaves of the trees it passed over gave off a sound. On this day, Sagami and Awa were ordered to present, respectively, a hundred tsukiyumi, bows of zelkova wood, Shinano two hundred azusayumi, bows of catalpa wood, Tajima a hundred mayumi, bows of spindle-tree wood, and Bitchū and Bingo a hundred each of tsumiyumi, bows of mulberry wood. This month, Fujiwara-no-Okiyo broke the rebellious Emishi. The acting district chief of Mogami district, Tomo-no-Sadamichi, the fushū chieftain Tamatsukuri-no-Unamaro, and the acting crossbow instructor Kamuhatori-no-Naoo, among others, died in battle. On the third day of the sixth month, the day Hinoto-u, since the drought had continued long, offerings were distributed to the deities of Kamo, Matsunoo, Inari, Kibune, Niu, Otokuni, and Minushi, in prayer for rain. On the eighth day, the day Mizunoe-saru, Ono-no-Harukaze, Junior Fifth Rank Lower, was made Chinjufu Shōgun, General of the Pacification Headquarters, and, together with the Provisional Assistant Governor of Mutsu, Sakanoue-no-Yoshikage, was sent leading troops to put down the rebellious Emishi, each being granted a suit of armor before setting out. On the fifteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-u, two herons fought before the Shishinden. On the sixteenth day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, lightning struck the banner-pole of Tōji temple. On the nineteenth day, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, Keikoku, the planet Mars, lodged in Tenkō. On the twenty-first day, the day Kinoto-tori, a shooting star appeared from Toshuku, white in color with a short tail, visible until it vanished. On this day, an edict ordered the two circuits of Tōkaidō and Tōsandō to select in advance brave and nimble soldiers, so that they might hasten at once to any call from Dewa. On the twenty-third day, the day Hinoto-i, divination disclosed that there was cause for vigilance on the frontier. An edict ordered Inaba, Hōki, Izumo, Oki, and Nagato to ready their arms and secure their strongholds. Offerings were distributed to the deities of the provinces, and a rite of chōbuku, subjugation, was performed before images of the Four Heavenly Kings. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Kanoto-u, a shooting star appeared from the direction of Tōda, red in color, and vanished in the direction of Raiden; its length was more than two jō. Settsu, after years of continuing drought, had many starving to death by the roadside, and dried provisions amounting to a hundred koku were granted for relief. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, the monk Chōju was sent to Dewa to perform a rite to subdue the rebels. The Provisional Governor of Dewa, Fujiwara-no-Yasunori, sent troops to defend against the rebels at Soegawa in Akita. In autumn, on the morning of the day Kinoe-uma of the seventh month, lightning struck the building of the Ōkurashō, the Ministry of the Treasury. On the fourth day, the day Hinoto-tori, there was an earthquake. On the tenth day, the day Mizunoto-u, Fujiwara-no-Yasunori reported a victory. On the eleventh day, the day Kinoe-tatsu, there was an earthquake. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, there was again an earthquake. On the second day of the eighth month, the day Kinoto-ushi, at night a luminous vapor appeared between the Shishinden and the Jijūden, and a shooting star passed to the south. On the eighteenth day, the day Kanoto-mi, there was a great windstorm with rain. On the twenty-fourth day, the day Hinoto-i, an envoy was sent to present offerings at the Daijingū. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, prayers for clear weather were offered at Kibune and Niu. On the thirtieth day, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, more than three hundred Emishi came to Dewa Castle and surrendered. On the seventh day of the ninth month, the day Tsuchinoto-i, great birds gathered above the granary of Yatsushiro district, Higo province. In Uto district, the river before the shrine of the god Kamachihime turned red as blood, and the grass and trees of the hills along the river withered. On the twenty-first day, the day Mizunoto-ushi, there was heavy rain and the river overflowed. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Hinoto-mi, the Chinjufu Shōgun, Ono-no-Harukaze, reached the encampment at Akita, and most of the Emishi chieftains surrendered. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Kanoe-saru, Kii province reported: "On the twenty-sixth of this month, a dark windstorm raged, and lightning struck the provincial office and the school, destroying more than sixty public and private buildings; trees were uprooted and people died." On the twenty-ninth day, the day Kanoto-tori, there was an earthquake. On this day, there were great earthquakes throughout the provinces of the Kantō. Sagami and Musashi suffered especially severely, the shaking not ceasing for several days. Not a single public or private dwelling remained unharmed; many of the common people were crushed to death, and the ground caved in so that roads were impassable. This month, prolonged rain damaged the crops. In winter, on the ninth day of the tenth month, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, there was an earthquake. On the eleventh day, the day Mizunoto-tori, the Hyōshi, the Military Storehouse Office, deposited fifty suits of armor at the Giyōden. On the twentieth day, the day Mizunoe-uma, the Daihannyakyō was read by alternate recitation for three days at the Shishinden. On the nineteenth day of the eleventh month, the day Kanoe-inu, Taihaku, the planet Venus, moved in retrograde. On the twenty-first day, the day Mizunoe-ne, the Ōharano festival was cancelled on account of ritual impurity. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Hinoto-mi, the moon entered Teishuku. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, the moon encroached upon Bōshuku and Kōrei. On the second day of the twelfth month, the day Mizunoto-i, four great birds flew over the imperial residence. On the eleventh day, the day Mizunoe-saru, the Junior Assistant Governor-General of the Dazaifu, Shimada-no-Tadaomi, memorialized: "The god Kashii has possessed a person and declared that Silla intends to violate our borders, and that we should take strict precautions." An envoy was accordingly sent to pray at the Daijingū. That night, the moon encroached upon Hisshuku. On the twentieth day, the day Kanoto-mi, the Senior Assistant Minister of Popular Affairs, Fujiwara-no-Fusao, was made Provisional Junior Assistant Governor-General of the Dazaifu, to take charge of defensive preparations. On the twenty-fourth day, the day Kinoto-tori, on account of the oracle of the god Kashii and the strange occurrences in Higo, envoys were sent to present offerings to the gods Kashii, Hachiman, and Himekami, and to Sumiyoshi, Munakata, and others. This month, more than a hundred Emishi chieftains of Watarishima, leading three thousand of their people, came to Akita Castle and surrendered. The Emishi of Tsugaru and Watarishima all submitted to the court (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku; the account from "Tsugaru" onward follows the biography of Fujiwara-no-Yasunori).

¶In the third year, the year Tsuchinoto-i, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Kanoto-u, the New Year's felicitations were not received. On the thirteenth day, the day Mizunoto-u, an edict rewarded those among the fushū of Dewa who had rendered meritorious service. On the twentieth day, the day Kanoe-inu, the Naien, the Inner Banquet, was cancelled. On the second day of the third month, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, Ōmi province reported that a tree had formed renri. Since Yamato had suffered poor harvests for several years running, thirty thousand bundles of regular tax rice from Yamashiro were distributed to the poor. On the seventh day, the day Hinoto-tori, there was an earthquake. On the eighth day, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, there was again an earthquake. On the sixteenth day, the day Hinoe-uma, the jar before the shrine of Empress Jingū at Usa cracked of itself, giving off a sound like the lowing of a calf. The arsenal door of Kikuchi district, Higo province, sounded of its own accord. On the nineteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, the Daihannyakyō was read by alternate recitation for two days at the Shishinden. On the twenty-second day, the day Mizunoe-ne, there was a great earthquake. On the twenty-third day, the day Mizunoto-ushi, the Grand Empress Dowager died. On the twenty-fourth day, the day Kinoe-tora, the Retired Emperor held a great fast-assembly at the Seiwa-in, attended by all the imperial princes and ministers. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kinoto-u, the Empress consort of Emperor Junna was buried. On the thirtieth day, the day Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, there was an earthquake. In summer, on the first day of the fourth month, the day Kanoe-saru, the festivals of Hirano and Matsunoo, among others, and the rite of bestowing a banquet upon the attendant courtiers, were cancelled. On the second day, the day Kanoto-tori, the Umenomiya festival was cancelled. On this day, there was an earthquake. On the fourth day, the day Mizunoto-i, the festivals of Hirose and Tatsuta were cancelled. On the seventh day, the day Hinoe-tora, the Gikaisō, the memorial on vacant court ranks, was cancelled on account of rain. That night, there was an earthquake. On the fourteenth day, the day Mizunoto-tori, the Kamo festival was cancelled. On the eighteenth day, the day Hinoto-ushi, a rite was performed for seven days at the Seiryōden. On the twenty-second day, the day Kanoto-mi, the emperor moved his residence from the Kokiden to the Seiryōden. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Kinoto-tori, the Dokushohajime, the first lecture on the classics, was held for the first time. On the fourth day of the fifth month, the day Mizunoto-mi, the Retired Emperor moved his residence from the Seiwa-in and took up his dwelling at the Awata-in. On the fifth day, the day Kinoe-uma, the Tango festival was cancelled. On the eighth day, the day Hinoto-tori, the Retired Emperor took the tonsure. On the fifteenth day, the day Kinoe-tatsu, there was an earthquake. On the twenty-first day, the day Kanoe-inu, offerings were presented to six shrines including Kamo and Matsunoo, in prayer for rain. On the sixteenth day of the sixth month, the day Kinoto-i, there was an earthquake. On the nineteenth day, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, relief was given to the hungry people of the Left and Right Capitals. In autumn, on the nineteenth day of the seventh month, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, there was an earthquake. On the second day of the eighth month, the day Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, there was an earthquake. On the fourth day, the day Kanoto-tori, Yamato province reported that a purple cloud had appeared. On the tenth day, the day Hinoto-u, the Sekiten was cancelled on account of ritual impurity. On the fourteenth day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, there was an earthquake. This month, the pear and plum trees of the capital bloomed, and some bore fruit. On the morning of the day Tsuchinoe-ne of the ninth month, there was a solar eclipse. On the third day, the day Kanoe-tora, the god-lamp offerings were suspended. On the ninth day, the day Hinoe-saru, the Chōyō festival was cancelled. On the eleventh day, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, a banquet was bestowed upon the imperial princes and ministers at the Chūgūshiki, the Office of the Empress's Household, and gifts were given to those of the fifth rank and above. In winter, on the eighth day of the tenth month, the day Kinoe-ne, the Daigokuden was completed, and those of the fourth rank and below who had taken part in the work, together with the artisans, were feted at the Ganshōdō in the Chōdōin, the Hall of State; the hundred officials assembled in full, and gifts were bestowed. On the twelfth day, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, Keikoku moved in retrograde, entering the Taibien and encroaching upon Sashippō. On the fourteenth day, the day Kanoe-uma, there was a great earthquake. On the fifteenth day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, an edict forbade the Dazaifu and the provinces of Buzen and Nagato to take horses beyond their borders. On the twentieth day, the day Hinoe-ne, the households of Echizen province damaged in the fourteenth year of Jōgan were exempted from tribute and labor tax. On the twenty-second day, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, since the Retired Emperor intended to make a progress to Yamato, strict watch was ordered of the six Guards headquarters. On the twenty-third day, the day Tsuchinoto-u, two thousand ton of floss silk and a hundred strings of coin were presented to the Awata-in. That night, the Retired Emperor left the Awata-in and lodged at Awata-ji temple. On the twenty-fourth day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, the Retired Emperor made a progress to Yamato. On the twenty-third day of the intercalary month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, Ise province reported that a tree had formed renri. On the first day of the eleventh month, the day Hinoe-tatsu, the winter solstice fell. The ministers submitted a memorial of congratulation, and a banquet was bestowed upon the assembled courtiers at the Giyōden, with gifts given out. On the fourth day, the day Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, Oki province reported that the arsenal had shaken. On the sixth day, the day Kanoto-tori, the Umenomiya festival was abolished. On the ninth day, the day Kinoe-ne, Tanba province reported that an auspicious cloud had appeared. On the thirteenth day, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, the Minister of the Right, Mototsune, presented the Montoku Jitsuroku (Note: the account from the thirteenth day onward follows the preface to the Montoku Jitsuroku and the Ruijū Kokushi). On the twenty-fourth day, the day Tsuchinoto-u, the moon entered Teishuku. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, an edict declared: "We, with a person of slight capacity, have relied upon the assistance of Our ministers. Heaven is to be feared, and the realm's road still stretches far before Us. Lately the officials concerned have memorialized that the first day of this month, falling on the winter solstice, is a thing truly to be celebrated. However much We reflect upon it, We feel only awe and caution. At a time when the one yang, ichiyō, the solstice, is to be rejoiced in, We should deepen all the more Our daily watchfulness; at a time when the lengthening of the days is to be enjoyed, We feel instead all the more keenly the anxiety of treading upon thin ice. If this is indeed to be accounted an auspicious thing, how could We hold it back and suppress it? Let all crimes of penal servitude and below, committed before dawn of the twenty-fifth day of the eleventh month of the third year of Gangyō, be generously pardoned without regard to gravity, though this shall not extend to those not covered by the ordinary pardon, nor to arrears of unpaid government goods and the like. Those whose claim to mon'in, the hereditary privilege of entering office, has long lapsed, yet whose talent has shown itself, should be given special and honorable reward, to set the order of the court in good array. Civil and military officials within the court and without, of the rank of sakan or above, shall each be advanced one grade in court rank. Officials of Senior Sixth Rank Upper resident in the capital, and those from shishō down to jikichō, together with the aged of the realm, should each be granted gifts according to their circumstance. We wish those under penal charge to witness how, as thunder sounds and ice melts, pardon is extended to them, and those holding good rank to hear, as the crane calls without swallowing its voice, of this joyous occasion reaching their ears. Let the officials concerned make careful inquiry into the actual circumstances of those to receive rank and gifts." On the twenty-seventh day, the day Mizunoe-uma, Iwami province reported: "A white monkey has been taken, and there are six cases of trees forming renri." On the twenty-eighth day, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, Keikoku entered Teishuku. On the third day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, an edict declared: "In recent years the home provinces have grown exhausted, and the granaries stand empty. Let the dispatch of handenshi, land-allotment commissioners, be suspended for the time being this year, and let the matter of handen, land allotment, be entrusted specially to the governors of the home provinces." On the fifth day, the day Kanoe-tora, Mino province reported that a tree had formed renri. On the twenty-first day, the day Hinoe-uma, an edict declared: "Since Yamashiro province lies close to the capital and has many powerful residents, let an envoy be sent there specially to carry out the land allotment." On the twenty-second day, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, the moon entered Teishuku (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku).

¶In the fourth year, the year Kanoe-ne, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Kinoto-u, the New Year's felicitations were not received on account of rain. On the first day of the second month, the day Kinoto-tori, there was a solar eclipse. On the eleventh day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, a sound was heard in the sky. On the seventeenth day, the day Kanoto-ushi, the Sono-Karakami festival was cancelled on account of ritual impurity. On the twenty-third day, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, a sound like thunder was heard in the east. On the twenty-fourth day, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, there was an earthquake. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, at the request of the Governor of Dewa, the three districts of Ogachi, Hiraka, and Yamamoto were exempted from tribute and labor tax for one year. More than six thousand two hundred koku of reserve grain were also released, to give relief to more than eight hundred fushū, submitted Emishi, of the three districts. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Mizunoe-ne, there was an earthquake. Earlier, Oki province had reported that the arsenal had shaken, and that the drum within the storehouse had sounded of its own accord. The Onmyōryō, the Bureau of Yin-Yang, divined this to mean that rebel troops would soon arise. On this day, official directives were sent down to Inaba, Hōki, Izumo, and Oki, to prepare against the unforeseen. On the eleventh day of the third month, the day Kinoe-ne, since Kamuhatori-no-Sadauji and ten other hakuchō, unranked soldiers of Dewa, were thoroughly skilled in bow and horsemanship, had repeatedly taken part in the campaigns, and had given no thought to their own property, a special edict permitted them shusshin, qualification for appointment to office. In summer, on the second day of the fourth month, the day Kinoto-tori, there was a great earthquake. On the fifth day, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, there was again an earthquake. On the tenth day, the day Mizunoto-mi, there was again an earthquake. On the twelfth day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, Keikoku moved in retrograde and encroached upon Jōshō within Bōshuku. On the fifth day of the fifth month, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, there was an earthquake. On the sixteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, offerings were presented to the deities of Kamo, Matsunoo, Inari, Otokuni, Kibune, and Niukawakami, in prayer for rain. On the twentieth day, the day Mizunoto-tori, rain fell. The ministers and the officials of the six Guards headquarters down to those who had kept watch at their posts were recorded, and chōfu, tribute cloth, was bestowed upon them; the ministers were further given silk from the imperial wardrobe, each according to his rank. On the twenty-second day, the day Kinoto-i, the rite of the Kanjōkyō was performed for three days at the Shinsen'en, praying for clear weather. On the seventeenth day of the sixth month, the day Tsuchinoto-i, Tajima province reported that a foreign ship had been sighted at sea. Tajima, Inaba, Hōki, Izumo, and Oki were accordingly ordered to keep careful watch and prepare against the unforeseen. On the twenty-second day, the day Kinoe-tatsu, since more than ten days had passed without rain, offerings were presented to eleven shrines, in prayer for rain. On the twenty-third day, the day Kinoto-mi, the Right Arsenal sounded of its own accord. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, monks were summoned to the Shishinden and made to read the Daihannyakyō by alternate recitation for three days, praying for rain. In autumn, on the second day of the seventh month, the day Kinoe-tora, sutra readings had earlier been ordered at the Seven Great Temples and the various jōgakuji, officially endowed temples, to pray for rain. That night, there was heavy rain. On the fifth day, the day Hinoto-mi, Hōki province presented a white swallow as tribute. On the seventeenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, there was an earthquake. On the morning of the day Mizunoe-uma of the eighth month, there was a solar eclipse. On the sixteenth day, the day Hinoto-tori, an envoy was sent to present offerings at the Daijingū. In winter, on the first day of the tenth month, the day Kanoto-mi, there was an earthquake. On the second day, the day Mizunoe-uma, there was again an earthquake. On the third day, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, there was again an earthquake. On the fourteenth day, the day Kinoe-uma, there was again a great earthquake (Note: the account from the fourteenth day onward follows the Ruijū Kokushi). Izumo suffered especially severely, with very great damage to its shrines, temples, government offices, and dwellings. On the sixteenth day of the eleventh month, the day Hinoe-tora, the Chinkonsai was cancelled on account of ritual impurity. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kinoto-i, the Retired Emperor's health was poor, and he moved his residence to Enkakuji temple. That night, there was an earthquake. On the thirtieth day, the day Tsuchinoto-u, a great shooting star appeared, passing out from between Kakushuku and Kōshuku and vanishing at Kōka. On this day, an edict sent envoys to the nine temples of Tōdai, Kōfuku, Gangō, Saidai, Yakushi, Daian, Hōryū, Shōdai, and Enryaku, and had twenty monks at each temple read the Daihannyakyō by alternate recitation, to be carried out from the third to the fifth day of the coming month. Envoys were also sent to the twelve temples of Shin'yakushi, Shitennō, Kōzen, Hase, Tsubosaka, Sūfuku, Bonshaku, Genkō, Kanno, Mitsumatsu, Kojima, and Ryūmon, to pray for the Retired Emperor's recovery. On the first day of the twelfth month, the day Kanoe-tatsu, a shooting star appeared from the east, red in color, and vanished at the constellation Ko, the Bow. On the second day, the day Kanoto-mi, a hundred persons were ordained on the Retired Emperor's behalf. On the fourth day, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, the Minister of the Right, Fujiwara-no-Mototsune, was made Daijō Daijin, Chancellor, while continuing as regent (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku. The Gukanshō, the back-notes of the Ōkagami, the Kugyō Bunin, and the Rekidai Kōki all state that on the eighth day of the eleventh month Mototsune changed from sesshō, regent, to kanpaku, chancellor-regent. This work, however, contains no such record, and since this very edict states that he continued "as before" in the regency, it is thereby known that the other works are in error). An edict declared: "Of late, the Retired Emperor's health was not good. The pool of virtue was startled by the ripples of still water, and the mountain of humanity was moved by the hue of sorrowful cloud. We, with a shallow person, have reverently succeeded to this great charge, paying every reverence to the six schools of Buddhist teaching and praying for the hidden protection of the Three Treasures, yet Our sincerity has not yet reached its mark, and Our response has still been slow in coming. We consider that, through the bounty of pardoning crime, We might bring about the further joy of a lengthened span of life. Let a general amnesty be proclaimed throughout the realm, pardoning in full even those crimes not covered by the ordinary pardon. Once the wind of humanity is raised, it should spread evenly without partiality; the bounty of Our favor should be extended broadly, reaching truly far and wide. Let those, monk or layman, who have not yet received their geyu, certificate of the completion of office, all be released from obligation. If this sincerity of Ours is not false, may August Heaven surely answer it." On this day, the Retired Emperor, Emperor Seiwa, died at Enkakuji. There was a great earthquake. On the fifth day, the day Kinoe-saru, the emperor moved his residence to the Jōneiden. In accordance with the testamentary edict, the wearing of mourning garb and the rites of mourning were dispensed with. An edict forbade feasting, music, and the wearing of fine dress. On this day, two thousand tan of shōfu, commercial cloth, and a hundred strings of Jōgan coin were presented to Enkakuji. On the sixth day, the day Kinoto-tori, there was a great earthquake, which damaged the judan, the raised platform, of the Daigokuden, and destroyed much of the palace wall and many dwellings in the capital. On the seventh day, the day Hinoe-inu, Emperor Seiwa was buried. The former prisoners were released, and coin was bestowed upon them. On the nineteenth day, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, at night a sound was heard in the sky. On the twenty-first day, the day Kanoe-ne, a sound was heard in the sky. This month, there were repeated earthquakes (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku).

¶In the fifth year, the year Kanoto-ushi, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Kanoe-ne, the New Year's felicitations were not received, on account of ryōan, the sovereign's mourning. This month, there were repeated earthquakes. The several sechie, court festivals, were cancelled. Strange occurrences repeatedly appeared at the encampments of the several Guards headquarters. On the first day of the second month, the day Tsuchinoto-u, there was a solar eclipse. On the third day, the day Kanoto-mi, there was an earthquake. On the ninth day, the day Hinoto-i, the Sekiten was cancelled. The emperor moved his residence to the Seiryōden. The seal of the Danjōdai was stolen. On the twenty-third day, the day Kanoto-ushi, there was an earthquake. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Kinoe-tatsu, the three districts of Ogachi, Hiraka, and Yamamoto in Dewa were again exempted from tribute and labor tax for one year. On the third day of the third month, the day Kanoto-i, the Gosai, the rite of sacred abstinence, was cancelled. On the twenty-first day, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, a star appeared from Bōshuku, blue in color, and vanished at Tenshi, the Heavenly Market. On the twenty-third day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, relief was given to those in the capital who, through hunger and distress, could not support themselves. In summer, on the first day of the fourth month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, the Mōka banquet, the Early Summer feast, was cancelled. On the third day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, there was an earthquake. On the fourth day, the day Kanoto-mi, there was again an earthquake (Note: the account from the third day onward follows the Ruijū Kokushi). On the fifth day of the fifth month, the day Mizunoe-ne, the Tango festival was cancelled. On the eleventh day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, the Daijōkan sent official directives to the two circuits of San'yōdō and Nankaidō, ordering the pursuit and capture of pirates. On the thirteenth day, the day Kanoe-saru, there was an earthquake. An edict ordered: "Pursue and capture the pirates of Yamashiro, Settsu, and Harima." On the sixteenth day, the day Mizunoto-i, a double halo encircled the sun, black within and red without. On the first day of the sixth month, the day Hinoto-ushi, the office charged with mining copper at Okada in Yamashiro province was abolished. On the fourteenth day, the day Kanoe-tora, relief was given to the destitute of the capital on account of prolonged rain. On the twenty-third day, the day Tsuchinoto-i, the arsenal sounded of its own accord. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kanoto-ushi, there was an earthquake. In autumn, on the seventh day of the seventh month, the day Mizunoto-ushi, a star appeared from the direction of Resshi, red in color, encroaching upon the central star of Shinshuku, and its length was more than one jō. On the morning of the day Hinoto-ushi of the eighth month, there was a solar eclipse. On the eleventh day, the day Hinoto-i, the Sekiten was cancelled. On the third day of the ninth month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, the god-lamp offerings were suspended. On the ninth day, the day Kinoe-tora, the Chōyō festival was cancelled. On the nineteenth day, the day Kinoe-ne, there was an earthquake. On the twentieth day, the day Kinoto-ushi, there was again an earthquake. On the twentieth day, the day Hinoe-tora, there was again an earthquake (Note: the recurrence of the date "the twentieth day" together with a second sexagenary designation on the same day stands as it does in the original text; one of the two is probably a miscopying for the twenty-first day). In winter, on the first day of the tenth month, the day Hinoe-ne, the Mōtō banquet, the Early Winter feast, was cancelled. On the sixth day, the day Kanoto-mi, there was an earthquake. On the fourteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, men and women were forbidden to wear kuchinashi-iro, gardenia-yellow robes dyed with a mixture of madder and safflower. On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, the Burakuden banquet was cancelled. On the sixth day of the twelfth month, the day Kanoe-tatsu, there was an earthquake. On the eighth day, the day Mizunoe-uma, there was an earthquake. At night, a sound like a wolf howling was heard at the Zōshichō, the clerks' office of the Daijōkan. This year, the Sōgakuin was founded (Note: the account from this year onward follows the Saikyūki).

¶In the sixth year, the year Mizunoe-tora, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Kinoe-tatsu, the New Year's felicitations were not received, on account of wind and snow. On the second day, the day Kinoto-mi, the emperor underwent the genpuku at the Shishinden. On the seventh day, the day Kanoe-inu, the Empress Dowager Fujiwara-shi was honored as Grand Empress Dowager, and the Kōtaifujin Fujiwara-shi was made Empress Dowager; a general amnesty was proclaimed throughout the realm. On the tenth day, the day Mizunoto-ushi, the Major Counsellor Minamoto-no-Masaru was made Minister of the Right. On the twenty-eighth day of the second month, the day Kanoto-ushi, a cockfight was held and viewed at the Kokiden. On the twenty-fourth day of the third month, the day Hinoe-tora, there was an earthquake. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, a banquet was held at the Seiryōden, celebrating the Empress Dowager's fortieth-year felicitation. In summer, on the seventh day of the fourth month, the day Tsuchinoto-u, the imperial princess Keishi was made Ise Priestess by divination. On the ninth day, the day Kanoto-mi, the imperial princess Bokushi was made Kamo Priestess by divination. On the second day of the fifth month, the day Mizunoto-u, Yamato province reported that a crow had hatched a white chick. This month, since prolonged rain continued, relief was given to the poor and infirm of the capital. On the nineteenth day of the sixth month, the day Kanoe-tora, there was an earthquake. On the twenty-fourth day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, the moon encroached upon the great star of Hisshuku. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Hinoe-saru, since Hōki had suffered famine for several years running, three thousand koku of regular tax rice from Inaba and Izumo were distributed there. In autumn, on the morning of the day Kanoto-hitsuji of the intercalary seventh month, there was a solar eclipse. On the fifth day of the eighth month, the day Kinoe-tatsu, Imperial Prince Kose, who held no rank, died. On the fourth day of the ninth month, the day Mizunoto-tori, there was an earthquake. On the seventh day, the day Hinoe-ne, the moon encroached upon the first and second stars of Kengyū, the Oxherd. In winter, on the first day of the tenth month, the day Kanoe-ne, there was thunder. On the second day, the day Kanoto-ushi, there was again thunder. On the fourteenth day, the day Mizunoto-ushi, there was again thunder. On the fourth day of the eleventh month, the day Mizunoe-saru, Saisei entered the moon. On the fifteenth day, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, a shooting star passed to the northwest. On the sixteenth day, the day Kinoe-saru, there was thunder, and an earthquake. On the seventeenth day, the day Kinoto-tori, the emperor moved his residence from the Seiryōden and took up residence at the Ryōkiden. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, the kingdom of Balhae sent tribute. On the first day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoto-i, there was a solar eclipse. On the seventeenth day, the day Kinoto-u, there was thunder, and a sound was heard within the earth.

¶In the seventh year, the year Mizunoto-u, in spring, on the morning of the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu of the first month, the New Year's felicitations were not received, on account of rain. On the eighteenth day, the day Kinoto-tori, the norikyumi was cancelled. On the twentieth day, the day Hinoto-i, the Naien was cancelled. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Hinoe-saru, the Nakatsukasa-kyō, the Minister of Central Affairs, Imperial Prince Koretsune, died. On the ninth day of the second month, the day Hinoe-uma, an urgent courier arrived by post horse from Kazusa, reporting that the fushū had rebelled. An official directive was sent down ordering their pursuit and capture. On the eighteenth day, the day Kinoto-u, another urgent courier arrived from Kazusa, reporting that the Emishi had been entirely pacified. On the tenth day of the third month, the day Hinoe-ne, a halo encircled the moon, encroaching upon Jōshō within the Taibien, and a white vapor pierced through the moon. In summer, on the twenty-second day of the fifth month, the day Hinoto-i, offerings were presented to the deities of Kamo, Matsunoo, Inari, Kibune, Minushi, and Otokuni, in prayer for rain. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Kanoto-u, there was heavy rain. This month, a white deer was born at the Shinsen'en. On the first day of the sixth month, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, there was a solar eclipse. On the third day, the day Hinoto-tori, there was an earthquake. On the twenty-second day, the day Hinoe-tatsu, relief was given to the starving people of Musashi. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Mizunoe-inu, there was an earthquake. In autumn, on the nineteenth day of the seventh month, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, the Dazaifu had earlier reported: "Bandits have killed the Governor of Chikugo, Miyako-no-Mitori, yet the office of the Dazaifu has delayed and failed to capture the bandits, nor has it hastened to report the matter by post horse." On this day, the Daijōkan sent down an official directive, reproving the office. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Kanoe-tora, a ji, an ear-like arc, appeared to the right of the sun. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Kanoto-u, ji appeared on both the left and right of the sun. On the seventeenth day of the eighth month, the day Kanoe-inu, Inaba province presented a white tortoise as tribute. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, the shibi, the roof-finial, of the Daigokuden broke. On the second day of the ninth month, the day Kinoto-ushi, offerings were presented to the deities of Kamo, Matsunoo, Kibune, Inari, Otokuni, and Niu, in prayer for clear weather. On this day, a great tree south of the Shunkamon gate broke of its own accord. On the third day, the day Hinoe-tora, the god-lamp offerings were suspended. This month, the rain continued long. In winter, on the ninth day of the tenth month, the day Mizunoe-tora, the Provisional Assistant Captain of the Left Gate Guards, Fujiwara-no-Yoshitsumi, was made Suimon-Chikugo-sassai-shi, the commissioner charged with investigating the killing in Chikugo. On the seventeenth day, the day Kanoe-inu, Bizen had earlier reported: "Wicked men and bandits of various quarters have gathered on the islands within our waters, raiding and plundering the inhabitants, killing and robbing travelers. We have accordingly maintained two hundred and twenty-four brave and sturdy men, furnishing them with weapons and boats to prepare our defense. We further request to issue twenty thousand bundles of kugaitō, official rice for lending (Note: the Ruijū Kokushi gives this figure as a hundred thousand bundles), on interest, and to apply the interest collected to provisions." The request was now granted. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Kanoe-saru, there was thunder and a great wind. On the sixteenth day of the eleventh month, the day Tsuchinoto-u, the Niinamesai was cancelled. Keikoku lost its proper course, and, moving forward, remained for three days within Bōshuku. On the seventeenth day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, the sechie was cancelled. On the eighteenth day, the day Kanoto-mi, the moon entered Ken'en. On the thirtieth day, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, there was a fire at the Zushoryō, the Bureau of Books and Drawings. On the first day of the twelfth month, the day Mizunoto-mi, there was a solar eclipse. On the twenty-second day, the day Kinoe-tora, an edict permitted the gathering of brushwood in the kin'ya, the forbidden preserves, of the home provinces, Ise, Ōmi, and other provinces. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Hinoto-mi, an edict forbade the provinces to appoint, as provincial scholars or physicians, men who had not received proper professional training, and forbade district chiefs to transfer their posts to one another privately (Note: following the Sandai Jitsuroku).

¶In the eighth year, the year Kinoe-tatsu, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Mizunoto-i, the New Year's felicitations were not received, on account of snow. On the fourth day, the day Hinoe-tora, there was thunder, a violent windstorm, and hail. On the eighteenth day, the day Mizunoe-uma, the Naien was cancelled. On the twenty-third day, the day Kinoto-tori, a kan, a halo, encircled the sun, with a yellow ji appearing to its right and a white rainbow facing the sun on its left. On the twenty-fourth day, the day Hinoe-inu, a kan again encircled the sun, with white ji appearing to both its left and right. That night, a star appeared in the southeast, about one jō in length. On the fourth day of the second month, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, the emperor ceded the throne to the Nijō-in, and the civil and military officials attended him in procession. That same day, an edict was proclaimed naming him Retired Emperor (Note: the back-notes of the Ōkagami state that the honorific title was presented to him in the third month; but on examining the text of this work, the emperor was already styled Retired Emperor on the very day he ceded the throne, and the title was not first presented only after Emperor Kōkō's accession. This account accordingly does not follow that view). He was known in the world as the Nijō-in (Note: following the Kakaishō). After ceding the throne, the emperor gave himself up to idle and unrestrained conduct. He would constantly range over the hills and fields, bow and arrow in hand, together with a dozen or more young pages, or steal out into the town, seize horses from their stables, and whip them to drive off their owners. He once broke into the villa of the Minister of the Left, Minamoto-no-Tōru, tore down its hedge, and departed. On another occasion he seized a young woman, bound her with the strings of a koto, set her adrift in the water, and made sport of her, so that people hated and suffered from his conduct (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki).

¶In the ninth month of the third year of Tenryaku, his health failed, and he took the tonsure. Emperor Murakami ordered by edict that thirty persons be ordained on his behalf (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku; the account of his taking the tonsure follows the Kōin Shōunroku and the Kōdai Ryakki). On the thirtieth day, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, he died at the Reizei-in (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Kōdai Ryakki). He was eighty-two years of age (Note: the Nihon Kiryaku and the Kōdai Ryakki give his age as eighty-one, but this is taken to be an error, and the account follows the Kōdai Ryakki and the Kōin Shōunroku instead; the original text's own interlinear note here is inconsistent in the sources it cites, and the passage is difficult to construe with confidence. It is translated here as it stands, for the time being). Temporary interment was performed at Enkakuji, and he was buried northeast of Kaguragaoka (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). A kokkisai, a memorial observance for his death-day, was established at Saiji temple (Note: following the Shikanki), and he was known as the Yōzei-in.