Emperor Suzaku

Emperor Suzaku

¶Emperor Suzaku's personal name was Hiroakira. He was the eleventh son of Emperor Daigo (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku, the Rekidai Kōki, and the Ōkagami. On consideration, the sources differ as to the birth order of Emperor Daigo's sons. Calculated from their birth and death dates, the emperor would in fact be the thirteenth son and Emperor Murakami the fifteenth; but this work elsewhere gives the emperor as the eleventh son and Emperor Murakami as the fourteenth, probably because sons who had been given surnames and reduced to subject status were not counted among them. The present work's established numbering is accordingly followed here). His mother was the Empress, of the Fujiwara clan.

¶He was born at the hour of the Tiger on the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month of the first year of Enchō (923), at the Gojō mansion of his maternal uncle, the Minister of the Right, Fujiwara-no-Tadahira (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku. On consideration, the entry for the second year of Gen'ei in the Chūyūki gives the twenty-fourth day of the fourth month, and the Rekidai Kōki and one account in this work both give the fourth day of the fourth month; the back-notes of the Ōkagami and the Kōin Shōunroku are followed here). In the eleventh month, he was made an imperial prince (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the back-notes of the Ōkagami).

¶In the tenth month of the third year, he was made Crown Prince (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki).

¶In the second month of the eighth year, he began his first course of reading, dokusho (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the back-notes of the Ōkagami). On the twenty-second day of the ninth month, the day Mizunoe-uma, the Crown Prince received the abdicated throne, jōi, at the Sen'yōden (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Bishamondō Shozō-ki). The Minister of the Left and concurrently Captain of the Left Palace Guards, Fujiwara-no-Tadahira, was made Sesshō, Regent (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin, the Nihon Kiryaku, and the Fusō Ryakki), and the Minister of the Right and concurrently Captain of the Right Palace Guards, Fujiwara-no-Sadakata, retained his post unchanged (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Ichidai Yōki). Emperor Daigo was honored with the title of Daijō Tennō, Retired Emperor (Note: this work gives no date for this, and none can now be established). On the twenty-sixth day, the day Hinoe-inu, the new emperor visited the Reikeiden to inquire after the Retired Emperor's illness (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the twenty-ninth day, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, a general amnesty was granted throughout the realm (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku, and the Ribu-ō-ki as quoted in the Daigoji Zōji-ki). The emperor's younger brother, Akiakira, was made shinnō, a prince of the blood (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Ichidai Yōki). On this same day, the Retired Emperor died. In winter, on the tenth day of the tenth month, the day Kanoe-ne, Emperor Daigo was buried. On the fifth day of the eleventh month, the day Kinoe-ne, there was a fire at the Rokujō-in. On the twenty-first day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, the emperor ascended the throne at the Daigokuden. He was eight years of age at the time (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki). On the ninth day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, the kokki, death-day observance, of Emperor Montoku was abolished, and that of Emperor Daigo instituted in its place (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the seventeenth day, the day Hinoe-uma, the Sesshō Tadahira resigned as Captain of the Left Palace Guards; the Minister of the Right and concurrently Captain of the Right Palace Guards, Fujiwara-no-Sadakata, was transferred to Captain of the Left Palace Guards, and the Major Counsellor, Fujiwara-no-Nakahira, was made concurrently Captain of the Right Palace Guards (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin).

¶In the first year of Jōhei, the year Kanoto-u (931), in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Kanoe-saru, court government was not conducted because of ryōan, mourning for the sovereign's parents (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Hokuzanshō), and the various seasonal banquets, sechie, were suspended (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Teishinkōki). On the twelfth day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, there was an earthquake (Note: following the Teishinkōki). On the twenty-eighth day, the day Hinoto-i, there was thunder (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku, the Fusō Ryakki, and the Teishinkōki). On the eighth day of the second month, the day Hinoe-saru, because robbers had grown numerous in the capital, the Palace Guards, the Gate Guards, and the Kebiishi, Imperial Police, were ordered to patrol and make arrests every night. On the thirteenth day, the day Kanoto-ushi, hail fell amid wind and thunder (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki), and lightning struck the guard post at the Shūmei Gate (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki and the Teishinkōki). On the eighteenth day, the day Hinoe-uma, because of the strange omen of herons appearing at the Daigokuden, sutras were recited at seven temples (Note: following the Teishinkōki). On the second day of the third month, the day Kanoe-saru, there was an earthquake (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku, the Fusō Ryakki, and the Saikyūki. On consideration, the Kiryaku gives the day as Kanoe-uma, which by calculation from the sexagenary cycle would fall on the twelfth day; but the Fusō Ryakki likewise gives the second day, and the date has accordingly been corrected here). On the twenty-fourth day, the day Mizunoe-uma, offerings were presented to the Grand Shrine of Ise and five other shrines, announcing the accession (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). In summer, on the seventeenth day of the fourth month, the day Kinoto-mi, an envoy was sent to Usa Shrine (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku, the Saikyūki, and the Teishinkōki). On the twenty-sixth day, the day Kinoe-tora, the era name was changed (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku, the Fusō Ryakki, and the Teishinkōki). On the third day of the intercalary fifth month, the day Kanoe-tora, there was an earthquake (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the seventh day, the day Kinoe-uma, divination was performed concerning the long rains (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki, the Hokuzanshō, and the Teishinkōki). On the eleventh day, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, grain from the Jōheisho, the Ever-Normal Office, was sold off. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Kinoe-tora, monks were summoned to the Kokiden to recite sutras, and the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra was read by alternate recitation at the various temples (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Teishinkōki). On the fourth day of the sixth month, the day Kanoe-saru, a rainbow appeared over the Jōmei Gate (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku, the Fusō Ryakki, and the Teishinkōki). On the twenty-third day, the day Tsuchinoto-u, a rainbow again appeared, this time over the Daijōkan hall by the Jōmei Gate (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki; the Teishinkōki gives this as the Chōraku Gate). On the twenty-eighth day, the day Kinoe-saru, sounds of men and horses were heard at the Nakatsukasa-shō, and a mononoke, spirit apparition, appeared at the Kokiden (Note: following the Kokon Chomonjū). In autumn, on the second day of the seventh month, the day Hinoto-i, the illness of the Cloistered Emperor — the Cloistered Emperor Uda — grew grave (Note: following the Teishinkōki). On the third day, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, divination was performed concerning herons that had gathered at the Dazaifu guard post. On the fifth day, the day Kanoe-tora (Note: the source text gives a corrupt character here for the day; it is corrected to Kanoe-tora by calculation from the sexagenary cycle), because of the Cloistered Emperor's illness, fujū, sutra recitation, was performed at seven temples (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the seventh day, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, the moon encroached upon the Heart constellation (Note: following the Teishinkōki). On the nineteenth day, the day Kinoe-tatsu, the Cloistered Emperor died (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku, the Fusō Ryakki, and the Teishinkōki). On the fifth day of the ninth month, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, Emperor Uda was buried (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku. On consideration, the Fusō Ryakki and the back-notes of the Ōkagami give the eighth day, but the Teishinkōki and the Kiryaku are examined and found to support the fifth day, which is accordingly followed here). On the ninth day, the day Mizunoto-mi, because the month fell within Emperor Daigo's death-month, the Chōyō Festival was abolished (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku, and the edict for the Zangiku-e, Chrysanthemum Banquet, of the fourth year of Tenryaku as quoted in the Nenjū Gyōji). In winter, on the first day of the eleventh month, the day Kinoe-saru, there was a solar eclipse (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku, the Nenjū Gyōji, and the Teishinkōki). On the twenty-eighth day, the day Kanoto-i, Emperor Daigo's empress was posthumously honored as Empress Dowager (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku, the back-notes of the Ōkagami, and the Ichidai Yōki; the Fusō Ryakki gives the twenty-sixth day of the fourth month, but this is mistaken). This month, the Daijōsai was suspended on account of shinsō, mourning of the heart (Note: following the Teishinkōki). On the tenth day of the twelfth month, the day Mizunoto-i, an official decree was issued throughout the realm encouraging farming and sericulture, and ordering untilled fields to be brought under cultivation (Note: following the Seiji Yōryaku). On the twenty-fifth day, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, the emperor for the first time held court at the Shishinden to attend to government. Imperial Princess Masako was chosen by divination as Ise Priestess and Imperial Princess Enshi as Kamo Priestess (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Teishinkōki; the names Masako and Enshi follow the Kiryaku). This year, bamboo withered (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku, the Fusō Ryakki, and the Kōnendai Ryakki).

¶In the second year, the year Mizunoe-tatsu (932), in spring, on the twenty-fifth day of the first month, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, there was an earthquake (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the twenty-ninth day, the day Kanoto-i, a deer strayed into the Jōmei Gate. On the thirteenth day of the third month, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, offerings were presented at the various shrines to drive away pestilence (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki). On the twenty-first day, the day Mizunoto-u, there was an earthquake. In summer, on the first day of the fourth month, the day Mizunoto-ushi, there was an earthquake. On the twelfth day, the day Kinoe-ne, envoys were sent through the capital to give relief to the sick. On the thirteenth day, the day Kinoto-ushi, offerings were presented at the various shrines to drive away pestilence (Note: following the Teishinkōki). On the first day of the fifth month, the day Mizunoe-uma, there was a solar eclipse (Note: following the Teishinkōki, the Nihon Kiryaku, and the Fusō Ryakki). On the twenty-fifth day, the day Hinoe-uma, divination was performed because an ox had entered a government office and a rat had gnawed the vermilion ink-case of the official seal. On the third day of the sixth month, the day Kinoe-tora, a fox climbed onto the Counsellors' seat in the Jijū-dokoro (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki). On the sixteenth day, the day Hinoto-u, prayers for rain were offered (Note: following the Teishinkōki). On the twenty-sixth day, the day Hinoto-ushi, there was an earthquake. In autumn, on the nineteenth day of the seventh month, the day Tsuchinoto-i, an edict ordered the emperor's regular meals reduced by one quarter (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the fourth day of the eighth month, the day Mizunoto-ushi, the Minister of the Right and concurrently Captain of the Left Palace Guards, Fujiwara-no-Sadakata, died (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin, the Nihon Kiryaku, and the Fusō Ryakki). On the thirteenth day, the day Mizunoe-inu, a rainbow appeared over the government office at the Nikka Gate (Note: following the Teishinkōki). On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kinoe-inu, a storehouse among the granaries of the Hyōgo collapsed for no apparent reason (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki). On the last day of the month, the day Tsuchinoto-u, the Major Counsellor and concurrently Captain of the Right Palace Guards, Fujiwara-no-Nakahira, was transferred to Captain of the Left Palace Guards, and the Major Counsellor, Fujiwara-no-Yasutada, was made concurrently Captain of the Right Palace Guards (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). On the third day of the ninth month, the day Mizunoe-uma, the regular lamp offerings were suspended on account of ritual impurity (Note: following the entry for the first year of Genryaku in the Sankaiki). On the twentieth day, the day Tsuchinoto-i, the Governor of Hitachi, Imperial Prince Sadazane, died (Note: following the Teishinkōki, the Ichidai Yōki, and the Kōin Shōunroku). On the twenty-second day, the day Kanoto-ushi, envoys bearing the great sacred treasures were dispatched (Note: following the Teishinkōki and the Nihon Kiryaku). In winter, on the twenty-fifth day of the tenth month, the day Mizunoto-tori, the purification rite, gokei, was performed (Note: following the Teishinkōki, the Nihon Kiryaku, and the Fusō Ryakki; the Ichidai Yōki gives the twenty-third day). On the thirteenth day of the eleventh month, the day Kanoto-u, the Daijōsai was performed (Note: following the Teishinkōki and the Nihon Kiryaku. On consideration, the Fusō Ryakki, the Ichidai Yōki, the Kōdai Ryakki, and other sources give the sixteenth day, but this is mistaken). On the nineteenth day of the twelfth month, the day Hinoe-tora, an edict again ordered the emperor's regular meals reduced by one quarter (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku).

¶In the third year, the year Mizunoto-mi (933), in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, the New Year's felicitations were cancelled (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the twenty-third day, the day Kanoe-ne, because robbers had grown numerous in the capital, the Palace Guards were ordered by imperial command to form watches and patrol every night (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki). On the thirteenth day of the second month, the day Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, the Major Counsellor Fujiwara-no-Nakahira was made Minister of the Right (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Kugyō Bunin). On the sixteenth day, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, the emperor made a progress to the Suzaku-in and had his attendants hold a contest of archery on foot, busha (Note: following the Ribu-ō-ki as quoted in the Kachō Yojō). In summer, on the first day of the fourth month, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, Wakasa province presented a pheasant chick with four legs (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki), which was released at Ōuchiyama (Note: following the Ribu-ō-ki as quoted in the Kachō Yojō). On the twenty-seventh day, the day Mizunoto-tori, the Ninnō-e assembly was held at thirty-one halls in the capital and throughout the provinces of the realm (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the third day of the sixth month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, there was a fire at the Shoryōryō, the Bureau of Mausolea (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki). On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kanoe-uma, the Yasoshima Festival was performed (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). In autumn, on the eleventh day of the seventh month, the day Kinoto-tori — earlier, a dog had stuck an arrow into the han'i, rank-marker, of the Shishinden, and this had been divined as a portent of military unrest. On this day, official decrees were sent down to the two circuits of Tōkaidō and Sanyōdō, and to Tanba and the Dazaifu, ordering prayers at the shrines and a strengthening of military preparedness. On the thirteenth day, the day Hinoto-i, a whirlwind blew houses apart. This was divined as a portent of military disturbance arising in the northwest and southwest, and the matter was likewise conveyed by decree to Sanindō, Sanyōdō, and the Dazaifu (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki). This month, because of repeated strange occurrences at the Shishinden, the emperor watched a sumo match at the Jijūden instead (Note: following the Saikyūki). In winter, in the twelfth month, pirates rose up along the Nankaidō. On the seventeenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, keigoshi, guard commissioners, were dispatched to the provinces (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki).

¶In the fourth year, the year Kinoe-uma (934), in spring, on the fifteenth day of the first month, the day Hinoe-inu, a sound like thunder was heard in the sky. On the fifth day of the second month, the day Kinoto-i, a crow built its nest atop the beam of a government office. On the eleventh day of the third month, the day Kanoto-i, Yamashiro province presented a chick with one head, two bodies, four legs, and two tails (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki). On the twenty-sixth day, the day Hinoe-tora, the Empress Dowager's fiftieth-year felicitation, goga, was held at the Jōneiden (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki). In summer, on the twenty-third day of the fourth month, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, offerings were presented at the various shrines to pray for the suppression of the pirates (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki). On the first day of the fifth month, the day Kanoe-ne, an edict was handed down to the Sakyō-shiki, the Office of the Left Capital, declaring: "The occupation most essential to the people has weaving and spinning at its root. That households should prosper and want for nothing depends truly on this calling. Yet of late the people's ways have grown slack, and they no longer trouble to cultivate mulberry. Sericulture has already grown scarce, and they sit idle, suffering the cold. Let the provinces be instructed in the proper methods of planting and cultivation, and let the capital likewise be ordered to plant trees. Let notices be posted ward by ward, and let the hochō, ward chiefs, be charged accordingly to lead and encourage the people under their charge, so that abundant industry may be achieved. Let officials make their rounds of inspection and repeatedly urge and press the matter forward. Envoys shall be sent to examine how things stand in fact; should any be found neglectful, the hochō shall be punished, and the officials responsible shall likewise be held to blame" (Note: following the Seiji Yōryaku). On the ninth day, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, envoys were sent to present offerings at the shrines of the two circuits of Sanyōdō and Nankaidō, praying for the suppression of the brigands (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki). On the twenty-seventh day, the day Hinoe-tora, a rainbow appeared to the southeast of the Shishinden (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). In autumn, on the twenty-sixth day of the seventh month, the day Kinoe-ne, the Hyōgo no Jō, Lieutenant of the Arsenal, Ariwara-no-Sukeyasu, was sent to pursue and capture the pirates (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki). On the first day of the ninth month, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, there was a solar eclipse. In winter, on the nineteenth day of the tenth month, the day Hinoe-inu, there was an earthquake. On this day, lightning struck the west pagoda of Tōdaiji temple, causing a fire (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki). On the twenty-second day, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, the office of Tsuibu Kaizokushi, Commissioner for the Pursuit of Pirates, was established (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku).

¶In the fifth year, the year Kinoto-hitsuji (935), in spring, on the twenty-eighth day of the first month, the day Mizunoto-tori, divination was performed because a crow had nested at the Benkanchō, the Controllers' Office, and a rainbow had appeared. On the nineteenth day, the day Kinoe-saru, there was an earthquake. On the twentieth day, the day Kinoto-tori, there was again an earthquake (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki). On the first day of the third month, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, there was a solar eclipse (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki). On the sixth day, the day Kanoe-ne, there was a fire at the Konpon Chūdō, the Central Hall, of Enryakuji (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki; the entry for the fourth year of Kōei in the Entairyaku gives the fifth day). In summer, on the fourth day of the fourth month, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, frost fell. On the seventh day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, there was an earthquake (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki). On the fifteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-u, there was a great earthquake (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the twenty-seventh day, the day Kanoto-u, prayers for rain were offered at the various shrines (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki). On the fourth day of the fifth month, the day Hinoto-tori, one hundred monks read the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sutra at the Daigokuden over three days, praying for rain (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki). On the ninth day, the day Mizunoe-tora, the completion of the lecture hall of Tōdaiji temple was celebrated (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki). On the twenty-eighth day of the sixth month, the day Kanoto-u, offerings were presented at the various shrines to pray for the suppression of the pirates (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). In autumn, on the first day of the ninth month, the day Mizunoto-mi, officers of the Left Gate Guards captured thirteen robbers. This month, because a crow had carried off the kuji, the lot marking the hours, the Fudō rite was performed for seven days at the Jōneiden (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki). In winter, on the seventh day of the tenth month, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, a chrysanthemum banquet was held (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Saikyūki). This year, Taira-no-Masakado, a man of Shimōsa province, killed the Hitachi Daijō, Senior Clerk of Hitachi, Taira-no-Kunika (Note: following the Rekidai Kōki and the Shōmonki).

¶In the sixth year, the year Hinoe-saru (936), in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Kanoto-u, the New Year's felicitations were cancelled on account of rain. On the fifth day of the third month, the day Kinoe-uma, the Daigen rite was performed at the Burakuin to ward off the pirates by incantation. On the twelfth day, the day Kanoto-ushi, it was performed again at the Jibushō, Ministry of Civil Administration (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). In summer, in the sixth month, Ki-no-Sukuhito, of Junior Fourth Rank Lower, was made Governor of Iyo (Note: the Kiryaku gives this office as Daisuke, Senior Assistant Governor, rather than Governor), and sent to pursue and capture the pirates; the pirate chief Ono-no-Ujihiko and others thereupon led their men in surrender (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki). In autumn, on the fourteenth day of the seventh month, the day Kanoe-ne, the Major Counsellor and concurrently Captain of the Right Palace Guards, Fujiwara-no-Yasutada, died (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Kugyō Bunin). On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, the Major Counsellor Fujiwara-no-Tsunesuke was made concurrently Captain of the Right Palace Guards (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). Divination concerning the long rains was performed at the konrō, the covered corridor (Note: following the Teishinkōki as quoted in the Hokuzanshō). On the nineteenth day, the day Kinoto-i, the Minister of the Left, Tadahira, was made Daijō Daijin, Chancellor, while retaining his post as Sesshō (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Kugyō Bunin). On the twelfth day of the ninth month, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, Princess Kishi was chosen by divination as Ise Priestess. On the eighth day of the twelfth month, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, the Nihongi was lectured upon at the Giyōden (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). This year, the Enmei-in was built at Enryakuji (Note: following the Eigaku Yōki).

¶In the seventh year, the year Hinoto-tori (937), in spring, on the second day of the first month, the day Kinoto-u, there was a solar eclipse (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku, the Saikyūki, and the Nijō-ki as quoted in the Hyakurenshō. On consideration, the second day could not properly fall on an eclipse. A certain record quoted in the Kiryaku states that the eclipse occurred on New Year's Day and that a banquet was held on the second day. Calculating now from the sexagenary cycle, last year's twelfth month was a long month of thirty days, with Kinoe-tora as its last day, so that this year's first month would begin on the day Kinoto-u. That the text here reads "the second day, Kinoto-u" is probably because, out of aversion to an eclipse falling on New Year's Day itself, the twelfth month of the previous year was at the time reckoned as a short month of twenty-nine days, making Kinoe-tora the first day of this year's first month. This has not been altered here). On the fourth day, the day Hinoto-mi, the emperor underwent his genpuku, coming-of-age ceremony, at the Shishinden (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the back-notes of the Ōkagami). On the fifth day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, he held court at the Daigokuden and received the New Year's felicitations (Note: following the Saikyūki, the Nihon Kiryaku, and the Fusō Ryakki). After returning to the palace, he bestowed gifts according to rank. On the seventh day, the day Kanoe-saru, he appeared at the Shishinden. The assembled courtiers presented a memorial of congratulation on his coming of age, and an edict bestowed court rank upon the assembly (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the twenty-second day, the day Kinoto-i, the Minister of the Right, Fujiwara-no-Nakahira, was made Minister of the Left, and the Major Counsellor, Fujiwara-no-Tsunesuke, was made Minister of the Right (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Kugyō Bunin). On the first day of the second month, the day Kinoe-saru, the Dazaifu presented a white pheasant. On the nineteenth day, the day Mizunoe-tora, Princess Kishi was made consort, nyōgo. On the first day of the third month, the day Kinoe-tora, snow and hail fell (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the last day of the month, the day Mizunoe-uma, the Nakatsukasa-kyō, Minister of Central Affairs, Imperial Prince Yoshiakira, died (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Ribu-ō-ki). In autumn, on the eighth day of the ninth month, the day Hinoto-mi, an edict permitted officials of the various bureaus charged with missions who fell ill and remained beyond one hundred and twenty days to continue their stay without penalty; any who failed to report for duty without good cause were to be dismissed according to the ordinary regulations, though those who claimed a parent's illness were, after their circumstances had been examined, to be excused at discretion (Note: following the Seiji Yōryaku). This month, the prohibition on the use of deep crimson was once again proclaimed. In winter, on the eighteenth day of the tenth month, the day Hinoto-tori, divination was performed because herons had gathered on the shibi, roof-finials, of the Daigokuden. In the eleventh month, Kai province reported that Mount Fuji was burning (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the eleventh day of the twelfth month, the day Kanoe-tora, offerings were presented to the Grand Shrine of Ise (Note: following the Hokuzanshō, and the entry for the second year of Eikyū in the Chūyūki).

¶In the first year of Tengyō, the year Tsuchinoe-inu (938), in spring, on the fourth day of the third month, the day Kanoto-i, the emperor watched a cockfight (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). In summer, on the fifteenth day of the fourth month, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, there was a great earthquake (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki). The building of the Naizenshi, the Palace Kitchen Office, collapsed, and four people were crushed to death (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). Divination was performed concerning this (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki). Earthquakes continued daily until the end of the month (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the second day of the fifth month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, the emperor fell ill (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the fifth day, the day Kanoto-i, the Tango Festival banquet was cancelled (Note: following the Saikyūki). The Minister of the Right and concurrently Captain of the Right Palace Guards, Fujiwara-no-Tsunesuke, died (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku, the Fusō Ryakki, and the Kugyō Bunin). On the twenty-second day, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, the era name was changed (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku, the Ichidai Yōki, the entry for the first year of Bunji in the Sankaiki, and the Kōnendai Ryakki; the Gukanshō and the Fusō Ryakki give the twenty-third day). On the twenty-sixth day, the day Mizunoe-saru, heavy rain fell, rivers overflowed, and there was an earthquake. On the third day of the sixth month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, there was again a great earthquake. On the twentieth day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, there was again an earthquake, and the Kamo River overflowed, destroying many houses (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the twenty-third day, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, the Middle Counsellor Fujiwara-no-Saneyori was made concurrently Captain of the Right Palace Guards (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Saikyūki). In autumn, on the third day of the seventh month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, the Ninnō Sutra was read at the shrines and temples to drive away the earthquakes (Note: following the Gekinikki). On the twenty-seventh day, the day Mizunoe-saru, offerings and horse races, sōme, were presented at the various shrines to pray for rain (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the third day of the eighth month, the day Hinoto-ushi, there was a great earthquake. On the sixth day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, there was again a great earthquake (Note: following the entry for the second year of Genryaku in the Sankaiki, and the Gekinikki). In winter, on the ninth day of the tenth month, the day Mizunoe-uma, offerings were presented to Usa Shrine to drive away the earthquakes. On the twenty-first day, the day Kinoe-uma, earthquakes occurred repeatedly (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the twelfth day of the eleventh month, the day Kinoto-u, there was again an earthquake (Note: following the Ribu-ō-ki as quoted in the Daigoji Zōji-ki). On the sixth day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoto-u, heavy snow fell, to a depth of about one jō (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku).

¶In the second year, the year Tsuchinoto-i (939), in spring, on the second day of the first month, the day Kinoe-tatsu, a sound like a drum, and the whir of a whistling arrow, were heard from the shrine hall at Kasuga. On the fourth day of the third month, the day Hinoe-uma, the Saishu, Chief Priest of Ise, was ordered to perform rites of purification against the military disturbances in the Bandō, the eastern provinces, and instructions were given to tighten the night watches of the Six Guards. This month, the Dazaifu turned back an envoy from Goryeo. In summer, on the seventeenth day of the fourth month, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, Dewa province reported that the fushū, frontier tribesmen under Japanese administration, had risen in revolt. On the twenty-ninth day, the day Kanoe-ne, a search was ordered for robbers (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the fifteenth day of the fifth month, the day Hinoe-tatsu, offerings were presented at the various shrines to purify away the military disturbance (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Gekinikki). On the nineteenth day, the day Kanoe-saru, the Fifteen Great Temples and the various shrines were ordered to perform rites of purification against the disturbance in the Bandō. On the second day of the sixth month, the day Mizunoe-saru, offerings were presented at the shrines of Niu and Kifune, praying for rain (Note: following the Gekinikki). On the fourth day, the day Kinoe-inu, a star appeared in the daytime sky (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Gekinikki). On the twelfth day, the day Mizunoe-uma, offerings were presented at the various shrines, praying for rain (Note: following the Gekinikki). On the fifteenth day, the day Kinoto-tori, a rainbow appeared and lasted for about four hours (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the twentieth day, the day Kanoe-tora, sutras were recited at the Daigokuden, praying for rain (Note: following the Gekinikki and the Saikyūki). In autumn, on the eighth day of the seventh month, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, divination was performed concerning the drought. On the ninth day, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, offerings were presented at eleven shrines, praying for rain (Note: following the Gekinikki). On the twelfth day, the day Kanoto-i, the Ninnō Sutra was read over three days at the Fifteen Great Temples and at Enryakuji (Note: following the Hokuzanshō). On the fifteenth day, the day Kinoe-tora, the Sonshō rite was performed for five days at Enryakuji, praying for rain (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki and the Hokuzanshō). On the eleventh day of the eighth month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, Owari province reported that robbers had shot and killed the provincial governor, Tomomasa, whose surname is unknown (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku; the surname of Tomomasa is missing from the text). This month, the emperor fell ill. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Mizunoto-i, esoteric rites were performed for five days at the various temples, praying for the emperor's recovery. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Hinoe-tora, there was an earthquake (Note: following the Gekinikki). On the second day of the ninth month, the day Kanoe-uma, in the streets of the capital, children carved an image of a deity in wood and gathered in crowds to revere and worship it (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki. This work gives the day as Hinoe-uma, but it is here corrected by calculation from the sexagenary cycle). In winter, on the tenth day of the tenth month, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, there was an earthquake. On the fifteenth day, the day Mizunoe-ne, and again on the eighteenth day, the day Kinoto-u, there were further earthquakes (Note: following the Gekinikki). On the twenty-third day, the day Kanoe-saru, sixty persons were ordained as monks, praying for the recovery of the Empress Dowager's illness (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the fourteenth day of the eleventh month, the day Kanoto-mi, the emperor began for the first time to read the Shiji, the Records of the Grand Historian (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Gekinikki). On the fifteenth day, the day Mizunoe-uma, sacred treasures were presented to Iwashimizu and seven other shrines, and horse races were held, in fulfillment of a vow made in the seventh year of Jōhei for the Empress Dowager's recovery (Note: following the Gekinikki; the Nihon Kiryaku states that sacred treasures and horse races were presented at seven shrines, praying for the Empress Dowager's illness). On the twenty-first day, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, Taira-no-Masakado rose in rebellion (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki and the Shōmonki). He seized the Hitachi no Suke, Assistant Governor of Hitachi, Fujiwara-no-Korechika, and the Musashi Gon-no-Kami, Provisional Governor of Musashi, Okiyo-ō, joined him in response (Note: following the Shōmonki). On the eleventh day of the twelfth month, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, Masakado overran Shimotsuke province. On the fifteenth day, the day Kanoto-i, he overran Kōzuke province. This month, he seized Musashi and Sagami, and intimidated the provincial governors into surrendering the inyaku, the seals of office and the keys to the granaries (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki and the Shōmonki). At length he styled himself Shin'nō, the New Sovereign (Note: following the Shōmonki), and established a capital with a full complement of officials (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki and the Shōmonki). Earlier, the former Iyo Jō, Secretary of Iyo, Fujiwara-no-Sumitomo, had gathered pirates about him and had been plundering the two circuits of Nankaidō and Sanyōdō; by this time he too had joined Masakado (Note: following the Gekinikki, the Fusō Ryakki, and the Kojidan). He secretly sent men to set fires in the eastern and western quarters of the capital, throwing the city into turmoil (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki and the Kojidan. On consideration, the entry for the sixth month of the sixth year of Jōhei in the Nihon Kiryaku states that Sumitomo had gathered his forces at Hiburi Island in Iyo province and was plundering public and private property; the entry for the day Mizunoe-inu of the same month likewise names the former Iyo Jō, Fujiwara-no-Sumitomo, as a pirate chief. Yet considering the report from Iyo province of the twenty-first day of the twelfth month quoted in the Gekinikki, it states that the former Jō, Fujiwara-no-Sumitomo, had received an imperial command in the sixth year of Jōhei to pursue and capture pirates, but that he had of late taken to the sea himself with troops, throwing the province into disorder. According to this, he had not yet rebelled in the sixth year of Jōhei, and only began his rebellion in this present year; this account is accordingly followed here). On the twenty-sixth day, the day Mizunoe-inu, Fujiwara-no-Sumitomo captured the Bizen no Suke, Assistant Governor of Bizen, Fujiwara-no-Sanetaka, and the Harima no Suke, Assistant Governor of Harima, Shimada-no-Koremoto (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku; the text here lacks Sanetaka's surname, which has been supplied from the Fusō Ryakki and the Gekinikki). On the twenty-ninth day, the day Kinoto-ushi, an imperial decree was sent down to Shinano province, dispatching troops to guard its borders, and keigoshi were sent out to east and west alike. On this day, the various Guards were ordered to stand watch, and the Sankan, Three Barriers, were made secure (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Gekinikki). This year, the Uemon Gon-no-Suke, Provisional Assistant Captain of the Right Gate Guards, Minamoto-no-Shun, and others were made Suimon Tōgokushi, Commissioners of Inquiry into the Eastern Provinces (Note: following the Gekinikki; the name Suimon Tōgokushi follows the Nihon Kiryaku, though this work itself calls them Tōgoku Mikkokushi, Commissioners for Secret Reports from the Eastern Provinces).

¶In the third year, the year Kanoe-ne (940), in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Hinoto-u, there was a solar eclipse (Note: following the Nijō-ki as quoted in the Hyakurenshō). The harakaka no sō, presentation of red-bellied fish, was suspended (Note: following the entry for the third year of Jōwa in the Entairyaku). Fujiwara-no-Tadanobu, of Junior Fourth Rank Upper, was made Tōkaidō Tsuibushi, Pursuit Commissioner of the Tōkaidō, and Ono-no-Koremoto, of Junior Fifth Rank Lower, was made Tōsandō Tsuibushi (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the sixth day, the day Mizunoe-saru, the conferral of court rank was suspended, the renowned deities throughout the realm were each advanced one grade, and music was stopped (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Saikyūki). Deputy officials and above of the various Guards were made to carry bows and arrows (Note: following the Saikyūki, the Hokuzanshō, and the entry for the third year of Jōwa in the Entairyaku). Envoys were sent to the Grand Shrine of Ise to pray for the suppression of the rebels (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Hokuzanshō). On the ninth day, the day Kinoto-i, the Suimon Tōgokushi, the Uemon Gon-no-Suke, Minamoto-no-Shun, and others, were stripped of their posts on the grounds that they had lingered without advancing (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the eleventh day, the day Hinoto-ushi, official decrees were sent down to the two circuits of Tōkaidō and Tōsandō, calling for brave men to come forward. It was declared that whoever slew the rebel chief would be granted shushiden, land held in rank-fief, to pass down to his descendants, and that whoever cut down a lieutenant commander or below would be rewarded according to his merit (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki). On the thirteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-u, offerings were presented at the various shrines (Note: following the Hokuzanshō). On the fourteenth day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, the office of Tsuibu Kyōzokushi, Commissioner for the Pursuit of the Rebel Bandits, was established (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the nineteenth day, the day Kinoto-tori, the Sangi, Councillor, Fujiwara-no-Tadafumi, was made Seitō Taishōgun, Great General for the Pacification of the East (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Nihon Kiryaku; the title "Seitō" follows the Kiryaku, the Jinnō Shōtōki, and the Shokugenshō. The Kugyō Bunin and the Fusō Ryakki give "Seii," but this is probably mistaken). On the twenty-first day, the day Hinoto-i, the Sangi Tomo-no-Yasuhira was sent to the Grand Shrine of Ise with offerings, praying for the suppression of the rebellion (Note: following the Ise Kugyō Chokushi Rei). On the twenty-second day, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, the Daiitoku rite was performed for twenty-one days at Enryakuji (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki and the Kojidan). On the twenty-fourth day, the day Kanoe-tora, it was performed again at the Nakayama Minami Jingūji in Mino province (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki). On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kanoto-u, Tōtōmi and Izu provinces reported that the rebels had broken through the Kukizaki barrier in Suruga province, plundered the provincial temple, and captured the kanpushi, the bearer of the official decree (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the eighth day of the second month, the day Kinoe-tatsu, the emperor appeared at the Shishinden and bestowed the setto, ceremonial sword of command, upon the Seitō Taishōgun, Fujiwara-no-Tadafumi, sending him to subdue Masakado (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki). On the twenty-second day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, the Ninnō-e assembly was held at the Ryōkiden, praying for the suppression of the rebels (Note: following the prayer text in the Honchō Monzui; the Nihon Kiryaku gives the twenty-fifth day). On the fourth day of the third month, the day Kanoe-uma, the office of Tsuibu Kaizokushi, Commissioner for the Pursuit of Pirates, was established. On the fifth day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, the Hitachi Jō, Secretary of Hitachi, Taira-no-Sadamori, and the Shimotsuke Jō, Secretary of Shimotsuke, Fujiwara-no-Hidesato, reported that Masakado had been put to death (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku. On consideration, the various sources place this on the fourteenth day of the second month, but the date given here follows the Kiryaku and records the day on which Hidesato's report actually reached the court). On the ninth day, the day Kinoto-i, the merit of Fujiwara-no-Hidesato, Taira-no-Sadamori, and others was rewarded, and each was advanced in court rank and office according to his achievement (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki). On the eighteenth day, the day Kinoe-saru, Fujiwara-no-Tadafumi reported that Fujiwara-no-Kinmasa had put Okiyo-ō to death. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kanoto-u, the Kazusa no Suke, Assistant Governor of Kazusa, Fujiwara-no-Shigemochi, was held responsible for having let Masakado seize the seal and keys of office, and was removed from his post (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). In summer, on the first day of the fourth month, the day Hinoe-saru, the monthly banquet was suspended on account of the strain on the national finances (Note: following the Kuki as quoted in the Saikyūki). On the fifteenth day of the fifth month, the day Kanoe-tatsu, Fujiwara-no-Tadafumi returned to the capital. On the twenty-first day, the day Hinoe-inu, the barriers were reopened and the strict guard was lifted. On the first day of the sixth month, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, there was a solar eclipse. In autumn, on the twentieth day of the eighth month, the day Mizunoto-ushi, offerings were presented at Iwashimizu and eleven other shrines, praying for the suppression of the rebels in the south. On the twenty-second day, the day Kinoto-u, soldiers were levied from Ōmi province to subdue the pirates. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, Sanuki and Awa provinces reported that the rebels had plundered Sanuki and Iyo, and burned the ships of Bingo province (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). The Sanuki no Suke, Assistant Governor of Sanuki, Fujiwara-no-Kunikaze, fled to Awaji province (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki and the Kojidan). On the twenty-seventh day, the day Kanoe-saru, soldiers were levied from the provinces and keigoshi sent out in several directions (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). Ten households each from Owari, Mikawa, and Tōtōmi, together with Inabe district in Ise province, were granted to the Grand Shrine of Ise in thanksgiving for the suppression of the rebels (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki). On the twenty-eighth day, the day Kanoto-tori, offerings were presented to Ise and the other shrines, and twenty-five households were newly granted to Iwashimizu. On the last day of the month, the day Mizunoe-inu, the Godan rite was performed for the first time at Enryakuji, and the Daigen rite for the first time at Hōrinji (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). This month, because of wind and rain the grain failed to ripen, and the people suffered a great famine (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki). On the third day of the ninth month, the day Kinoto-ushi, offerings were presented to Iwashimizu and to the upper and lower shrines of Kamo (Note: following the Saikyūki). On the twelfth day, the day Kinoe-inu, a fox carried off the key to the chest holding the naiin, the imperial privy seal. On the fifteenth day, the day Hinoto-ushi, a pheasant strayed onto the northern altar of the Geki bureau. On the seventeenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-u, the doors of the shrine of Hinokuma-Kunikakasu rattled of themselves. In winter, on the seventh day of the tenth month, the day Tsuchinoto-i, a chrysanthemum banquet was held. On the twenty-second day, the day Kinoe-tora, Aki and Suō provinces reported that Sumitomo had overrun the Dazaifu. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, Sagami province reported that sweat had issued from the Buddhist images of the provincial temple and the jōgakuji. On the twentieth day of the eleventh month, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, Suō province reported that the rebels had burned the Jusenshi, the Mint (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the twenty-first day, the day Mizunoe-uma, the Bishamonten Chōbuku rite was performed for fourteen days at the jingūji of Sumiyoshi (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki and the Teiō Hennenki). On the seventh day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, heavy snow fell, to a depth of three shaku. On the nineteenth day, the day Kanoe-inu, Tosa province reported that the rebels had burned Hata district (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). This month, Kuroshima island in Aika district of Izumo province sank into the sea (Note: following the Kokon Chomonjū). The posts of the Uemon Gon-no-Suke, Minamoto-no-Shun, and the others were restored (Note: following the Gekinikki).

¶In the fourth year, the year Kanoto-ushi (941), in spring, in the third month, a kakusei, guest star — a comet — appeared in the west, its light like a white rainbow, and vanished after about a month (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki). In summer, on the nineteenth day of the fifth month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, the Seinan Kaizokushi, Commissioner for the Pacification of the Southern Sea Pirates, Ono-no-Yoshifuru, reported that the rebels had plundered the Dazaifu. The Sangi, Fujiwara-no-Tadafumi, was made Seisei Taishōgun, Great General for the Pacification of the West, and sent to subdue them. On the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, the day Mizunoto-ushi, soldiers of Ōmi, Mino, and Ise were reviewed at the Ukon Umaba, the Right Palace Guards' riding ground. In autumn, on the seventh day of the seventh month, the day Kinoto-ushi — earlier, the Iyo Keigoshi, Guard Commissioner of Iyo, Tachibana-no-Tōyasu, had captured Sumitomo and put him to death (Note: this work gives his surname as Takashina rather than Tachibana, but the Fusō Ryakki and the Kojidan are followed here). On this day his head was brought to the capital (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku; that Tōyasu is recorded as Keigoshi follows the Fusō Ryakki, the Gekinikki, and the Kojidan). On the sixteenth day, the day Kinoe-inu, Fujiwara-no-Yoshiko was made consort, nyōgo (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Ichidai Yōki). This month, offerings were presented at sixteen shrines. Sutras were recited at the Seven Great Temples, at Enryakuji, and at the Eastern and Western Temples, praying for rain. Official decrees were sent down to the provinces, praying for a bountiful harvest (Note: following the Hokuzanshō). On the seventh day of the eighth month, the day Kinoe-uma, Ono-no-Yoshifuru returned to the capital (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Gekinikki. This work gives the day as Kinoe-ne, but it is here corrected to Kinoe-uma by calculation from the sexagenary cycle). On the ninth day, the day Hinoe-saru, envoys were sent to present offerings at Iwashimizu and Kamo, praying for the suppression of Sumitomo's remaining followers. On the sixth day of the ninth month, the day Mizunoto-i, the Tsuitō Kyōzokushi, Commissioner for the Pursuit of the Rebel Bandits, Minamoto-no-Tsunemoto, captured the rebel chief Kuwabara-no-Nariyuki. On the fifteenth day, the day Mizunoe-saru, the Dazaifu sent a courier by post-horse to report the rebellion. On the nineteenth day, the day Hinoe-ne, Bizen province sent a courier by post-horse to report the rebellion of Fujiwara-no-Fumimoto, Miyoshi-no-Fumikimi, and other rebels. On the twenty-second day, the day Tsuchinoto-u, Harima province sent a courier by post-horse to report that Miyoshi-no-Fumikimi had been captured (Note: following the Gekinikki). On the twenty-fifth day, the day Mizunoe-uma, the system of han'i, rank-markers, was established (Note: following the Gekinikki and the Shūgaishō). In winter, on the twenty-sixth day of the tenth month, the day Mizunoe-ne, Tajima province brought to the capital the heads of the rebels Fujiwara-no-Fumimoto and others (Note: following the Gekinikki). On the last day of the month, the day Hinoe-tatsu, the Daijō Daijin, Tadahira, resigned as Sesshō (Note: following the Gekinikki, the Rekidai Kōki, the Kugyō Bunin, and the Ichidai Yōki; the Gukanshō and the Sekkanden give the twentieth day). On the eighth day of the eleventh month, the day Kinoe-ne, Tadahira was made Kanpaku (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin, the Fusō Ryakki, the Teiō Hennenki, and the Gekinikki; the Nihon Kiryaku, the Gukanshō, and the Ichidai Yōki all give the twenty-eighth day). On the twenty-ninth day, the day Kinoto-tori, the Dazaifu brought to the capital the captive Saeki-no-Koremoto and the head of Kuwabara-no-Nariyuki (Note: following the Gekinikki). On the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth month, the day Kinoe-tora, a general amnesty was granted throughout the realm (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). This year the harvest was bountiful (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki).

¶In the fifth year, the year Mizunoe-tora (942), in spring, on the fourteenth day of the third month, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, an edict ordered the court nobles, the heads of offices within and without the capital of Fifth Rank and above, and the Confucian scholars who had passed the shūsai and myōgyō examinations, each to submit a fūji, a sealed memorial, setting out the gains and losses of current government (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the sixteenth day, the day Kanoe-uma, there was an earthquake. On the seventeenth day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, there were repeated earthquakes. On the eighteenth day, the day Mizunoe-saru, there was again an earthquake. On the nineteenth day, the day Mizunoto-tori, a fox climbed onto the palace hall. On the eighteenth day of the intercalary third month, the day Kanoto-ushi, there was an earthquake (Note: following the Gekinikki). In summer, on the eighth day of the fourth month, the day Kanoto-tori, the Jingi no Jō, Junior Assistant of the Office of Deities, Ōnakatomi-no-Masanao, presented a white crow (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the ninth day, the day Mizunoe-inu, envoys were sent to give money to the hungry and the plague-stricken in the eastern and western capitals (Note: following the Gekinikki). On the fourteenth day, the day Hinoto-u, offerings and sacred treasures were presented to the Grand Shrine of Ise (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku; the matter of the sacred treasures follows the text of the senmyō, imperial proclamation, in the Gekinikki. The Gekinikki gives the day as Tsuchinoto-u, but this is mistaken, and the present work's date is followed here by calculation from the sexagenary cycle). On the twenty-seventh day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, offerings were presented to Usa Shrine and Kashii Shrine (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku), and the Iwashimizu Rinjisai, Special Festival of Iwashimizu, was held for the first time (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki, the Ribu-ō-ki as quoted in the Hokuzanshō, the Gōke Shidai, and the Nenjū Gyōji). On the twenty-ninth day, the day Mizunoe-uma, the emperor made a progress to the Kamo Shrine, presented sacred treasures, held horse races, and gave thanks for the suppression of the rebels (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku. On consideration, the entry for the twenty-fifth day of the fourth month of the second year in this work records the same event, but this is mistaken). The imperial progress to Kamo begins from this (Note: following the Rekidai Kōki, the Gukanshō, the Ranshōshō, and the Shūgaishō). On the sixteenth day of the fifth month, the day Tsuchinoto-i, the prohibition on the use of deep crimson was once again proclaimed. On the twenty-first day of the sixth month, the day Mizunoto-tori, azuma-asobi dance and horse races were presented to the Gion Shrine, giving thanks for the suppression of the rebellion (Note: the Ichidai Yōki gives the twenty-fifth day). In autumn, on the eleventh day of the eighth month, the day Mizunoe-inu, a great wind blew, destroying houses and felling trees. On the eighth day of the ninth month, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, a sound as of something falling was heard at the Giyōden (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). In winter, on the fifth day of the eleventh month, the day Kinoto-tori, offerings were presented to the Grand Shrine of Ise (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Saikyūki). On the fifteenth day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, Izumo province reported that seven ships of Silla had arrived at Oki (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku).

¶In the sixth year, the year Mizunoto-u (943), in spring, on the fourth day of the third month, the day Mizunoe-uma, the Dazaifu reported that on Iki Island a cow had given birth to a calf with two tails and eight legs. On the twelfth day, the day Kanoe-tora, there was a fire at the Kokusōin, the Granary Office. On the fifteenth day, the day Mizunoto-mi, there was a rumor abroad in the capital, and many people observed ritual seclusion and shut themselves indoors (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). This spring, bamboo bore fruit (Note: following the Tōji Chōja Bunin). In summer, on the first day of the fourth month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, there was a solar eclipse (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Saikyūki). On the twentieth day, the day Hinoto-u, the Kujaku-kyō rite was performed in the palace (Note: following the Tōji Chōja Bunin). On the twenty-second day, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, a white creature appeared at a government office, leaping about and crying out. On the first day of the fifth month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, there was an earthquake. On the seventeenth day, the day Kinoe-uma, one hundred monks recited sutras at the Daigokuden, praying for rain (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the twenty-seventh day, the day Kinoe-tatsu, the title of the Empress Dowager, of the Fujiwara clan, formerly rescinded, was posthumously restored (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Honchō Monzui). On the last day of the month, the day Hinoe-uma, the emperor watched a game of kemari, kickball, at the Unmeiden (Note: following the Ribu-ō-ki as quoted in the Saikyūki). This month, offerings were presented at Iwashimizu, Kamo, and nine other shrines, praying for a bountiful harvest (Note: following the Hokuzanshō; that the prayer was for a bountiful harvest follows the Kuji Kongen). The Goryū, Five Dragons, rite was performed (Note: following the Hokuzanshō). That summer, there was drought and pestilence (Note: following the Tōji Chōja Bunin). In autumn, on the ninth day of the seventh month, the day Kinoto-tori, offerings were presented at eleven shrines, praying for rain. On the twenty-sixth day, the day Mizunoe-tora, the Hyōbu-kyō, Minister of War, Imperial Prince Motoyoshi, died. On the second day of the eighth month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, offerings were presented to the Grand Shrine of Ise, to still the rumbling at the Shiōji temple of the Dazaifu (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku).

¶In the seventh year, the year Kinoe-tatsu (944), in spring, on the twenty-eighth day of the first month, the day Kanoto-ushi, an edict called for the submission of memorials of opinion. On the sixth day of the second month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, the Mino no Suke, Assistant Governor of Mino, Tachibana-no-Tōyasu, was killed by robbers (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). In summer, on the ninth day of the fourth month, the day Kanoto-i, the Major Counsellor, Fujiwara-no-Saneyori, was made Minister of the Right (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin, the Nihon Kiryaku, and the Fusō Ryakki). On the twenty-second day, the day Kinoe-ne, the emperor's younger brother, Imperial Prince Nariakira, was made Kōtaitei, Crown Prince's younger-brother heir (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki), and the Minister of the Left, Fujiwara-no-Nakahira, was made his Fu, Tutor (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin). In autumn, on the twentieth day of the seventh month, the day Kanoe-tora, swarms of winged ants rose up at Kitano. On the morning of the day Kanoe-uma in the ninth month, there was a solar eclipse (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On this same day, there was a fire at the Left Palace Guards' headquarters (Note: following the Hokuzanshō). On the second day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, a great wind blew throughout the realm (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki. On consideration, this work gives the third day, but the Nihon Kiryaku is followed here, in keeping with the sexagenary calculation). Many public and private houses in the capital were destroyed (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki). The provincial headquarters of Shinano was destroyed (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki). The provincial governor, Ki-no-Fumimoto, was crushed to death (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Fusō Ryakki). On the eleventh day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, heavy rain fell and rivers overflowed (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). This month, the Fifteen Great Temples and the other temples with endowed services were ordered to read the Hannya Sutra by alternate recitation, praying for clear weather (Note: following the Hokuzanshō). In winter, on the sixth day of the tenth month, the day Kinoto-mi, a pack of foxes strayed into the post of the Left Palace Guards (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the ninth day of the eleventh month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, the Shihon, Fourth Rank prince, Imperial Prince Tsuneakira, died (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku and the Ichidai Yōki).

¶In the eighth year, the year Kinoto-mi (945), in spring, in the third month, the emperor fell ill. In summer, on the twentieth day of the fifth month, the day Kinoto-u, fujū, sutra recitation, was performed at seven temples, praying for his recovery (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). In autumn, on the twenty-sixth day of the seventh month, the day Kanoe-saru, the Dazaifu reported that one hundred people of Wuyue had landed at Kayashima in Matsura district, Hizen province. Earlier, a rumor had spread among the people that "the god Shidara is entering the capital," and at this point several hundred people, bearing a mikoshi, portable shrine, on their shoulders, went to Teshima district in Settsu province and danced and sang through the night (Note: following the Gekinikki). On the twenty-seventh day, the day Kanoto-tori, there was a great storm of wind and rain (Note: following the Saikyūki). On the third day of the eighth month, the day Hinoe-tora, the sangō, chief officiating monks, of Iwashimizu reported that the mikoshi had arrived from Shimakami district in Settsu province, and that the common people, presenting offerings and dancing and singing in its train, numbered several tens of thousands (Note: following the Gekinikki). On the fifth day, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, sounds of men and horses were heard at the Sen'yō and Kenshū Gates. On the tenth day, the day Mizunoto-tori, hoofprints of a horse and footprints of a mononoke, spirit apparition, were found in the garden of the Shishinden (Note: following the Kokon Chomonjū). On the first day of the ninth month, the day Kinoe-uma, the Minister of the Left and concurrently Fu to the Crown Prince's younger-brother heir and Captain of the Left Palace Guards, Fujiwara-no-Nakahira, resigned his posts. On the fifth day, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, the former Minister of the Left, Fujiwara-no-Nakahira, died (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin, the Nihon Kiryaku, and the Gekinikki). In winter, on the last day of the tenth month, the day Mizunoto-mi, a chōkō, extended lecture series, on the Saishōō Sutra was held at Iwashimizu, in thanksgiving for the suppression of the rebels of past years (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). On the twenty-ninth day, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, the shōshi, the Ministry of Civil Affairs examination, was held. On the first day of the eleventh month, the day Kinoe-uma, the calendar was presented to the throne. The emperor did not appear at the palace hall, on account of ritual seclusion (Note: following the Gekinikki). On the twenty-fifth day, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, the Minister of the Right and concurrently Captain of the Right Palace Guards, Fujiwara-no-Saneyori, was transferred to Captain of the Left Palace Guards, and the Major Counsellor, Fujiwara-no-Morosuke, was made concurrently Captain of the Right Palace Guards (Note: following the Kugyō Bunin and the Ichidai Yōki). On the seventh day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, on account of the celestial portent, offenses of penal servitude and below were pardoned (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku).

¶In the ninth year, the year Hinoe-uma (946), in spring, on the twenty-first day of the first month, the day Mizunoto-ushi, the Naien, Inner Palace Banquet, was cancelled. On the first day of the second month, the day Mizunoe-inu, there was a solar eclipse. On the eighth day, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, there was an earthquake. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Hinoe-inu, there was a great wind (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku). In summer, on the twentieth day of the fourth month, the day Kanoe-tatsu, the emperor yielded the throne to his younger brother, the Crown Prince's heir (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku, the back-notes of the Ōkagami, the Bishamondō Shozō-ki, and the Teiō Hennenki; the Kugyō Bunin, the Gukanshō, the Eiga Monogatari, and one account each in the Kiryaku and the Hennenki give the thirteenth day, while one account each in the Fusō Ryakki and the Ichidai Yōki gives the nineteenth day). The emperor humbly declined to receive the honorific title of Daijō Tennō, Retired Emperor. Emperor Murakami pressed him firmly, however, and he at length consented. In the seventh month, he moved his residence to the Suzaku-in, and repeatedly made progresses to Saga, Daigo, the Ōi River, Uji, and Higashiyama, hunting at Serikawano and Kurikumano. At times he summoned men of letters and took pleasure in poetry and wine; at other times he went out to a detached palace and watched mounted archery (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku).

¶In the third month of the first year of Tenryaku (947), because many people had died in the military disturbances of recent years, Buddhist images were painted and sutras copied out (Note: following the Honchō Monzui). A sensōku, feast for a thousand monks, was held at Enryakuji. In the eighth month of the second year (948), he moved his residence to the Higashi Nijō-in.

¶In the fourth month of the third year (949), a sensōku was again held, this time at Kōfukuji. In the eleventh month, he moved once more to the Suzaku-in (Note: following the Nihon Kiryaku).

¶In the third month of the sixth year (952), he shaved his head and entered religious life (Note: following the Teiō Keizu as quoted in the Daigoji Zōji-ki, the Fusō Ryakki, and the back-notes of the Ōkagami). His Buddhist name was Buddaju (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki, the back-notes of the Ōkagami, and the Ribu-ō-ki). In the fourth month, he moved to the main hall of Ninnaji temple (Note: following the Ribu-ō-ki). On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, he died. He was thirty years of age (Note: following the back-notes of the Ōkagami and the Fusō Ryakki). By his final testament, the appointment of sōshi, officials of burial, and the construction of an imperial mausoleum were both halted (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki; that the appointment of sōshi was halted follows the Hokuzanshō). By established precedent, a general amnesty was not granted when the sovereign succeeding to the throne was not the son of the taikō tennō, the previous emperor; but on this occasion, the precedent of the Crown Prince under Emperor Montoku was specially invoked, and a general amnesty was granted throughout the realm (Note: following the Ribu-ō-ki). He was cremated at Raijōji temple in Kitano (Note: following the back-notes of the Ōkagami, the Ichidai Yōki, and the Teiō Keizu as quoted in the Daigoji Zōji-ki; the Fusō Ryakki places this at a hill in Otagi district, and one account in the Teiō Hennenki places it east of Hosshōji temple, on the southern plain of Nakao), and his remains were interred beside the Nochi-no-Yamashina mausoleum (Note: following the Teiō Keizu, the Fusō Ryakki, the Ichidai Yōki, and the back-notes of the Ōkagami). No kokki, death-day observance, was instituted for him, nor was he included among those honored with the Nosaki offerings (Note: following the Fusō Ryakki; that he was not included in the Nosaki offerings follows the Hokuzanshō). He was called the Suzaku-in.

¶The emperor's rule was guided above all by kanjin, generosity and benevolence, and some among his councillors judged it overly lenient. When Fujiwara-no-Tadahira once raised this point before him with quiet composure, the emperor replied, "I have heard as much from the previous emperor, my father. Your own father, lord, is said to have once remarked: 'Government is like the stringing of a koto. Draw the thick strings too tight, and the thin ones will snap.' Were I to govern with a stern and unyielding hand, how could the common people below ever bear it?" (Note: following the Kojidan).