Emperors Ankō through Ninken

Emperor Ankō

¶Emperor Ankō was the third son of Emperor Ingyō (Note: this work calls him the second son, but a note appended to that passage gives one account as the third son. On consideration of the Chronicle of Emperor Ingyō, it is clear that he was in fact the third son; the Kojiki agrees, and that account is followed here). His mother was Empress Oshisaka-no-Ōnakatsuhime.

¶In the forty-second year, in the first month, Emperor Ingyō died. Silla sent an envoy to offer condolence, presenting eighty tribute ships and eighty musicians. The envoys all wore mourning dress and wept, presented their tribute and performed music, and at last gathered at the temporary funeral hall, mogari-no-miya. On the tenth day of the tenth month, the day Tsuchinoto-u, Emperor Ingyō was buried. At this time the crown prince, Prince Kinashi-no-Karu, was dissolute and violent, so that the assembled ministers would not submit to him and instead inclined their hearts toward the emperor. The crown prince gathered troops intending to attack the emperor, but realizing before long that the plan could not succeed, he hid himself at the house of Mononobe-no-Ōmae. The emperor surrounded the house, and the crown prince took his own life. On the fourteenth day of the twelfth month, the day Mizunoe-uma, he at last ascended the throne (Note: the Teiō Hennenki and the Rekidai Kōki both give his age as fifty-four at this time, and the Kōnendai Ryakki as fifty-three. Since this work does not record the emperor's age at death, it is not given here). He was called Anaho-no-sumeramikoto. He honored the empress with the title of empress dowager, and the Ō-omi, Katsuragi-no-Tsubura, remained in office as before (Note: the passage from "Ō-omi" onward follows the Kugyō Bunin. The Sendai Kuji Hongi states that Mononobe-no-Koitatsuko was made Ō-muraji). He moved the capital to Isonokami; this was called the Anaho Palace.

¶In the first year, the year Kinoe-uma, in spring, in the second month, he put to death his uncle Prince Ōkusaka, and took as consort Nakashihime, who had been Ōkusaka's wife.

¶In the second year, the year Kinoto-hitsuji, in spring, on the seventeenth day of the first month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, his consort Nakashihime was installed as empress.

¶In the third year, the year Hinoe-saru, in autumn, in the eighth month, Prince Mayuwa harbored a grudge against the emperor. On the ninth day, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, when the emperor made a progress to the Yama Palace, he suddenly died (Note: this work does not record his age at death. The Kojiki, the Sendai Kuji Hongi, and the Mizukagami all give it as fifty-six).

¶Three years later, he was buried at the Sugawara-no-Fushimi Misasagi (Note: the Engishiki places the character "west" above the word "misasagi"). He was posthumously given the title Emperor Ankō.

Emperor Yūryaku

¶Emperor Yūryaku was the fifth son of Emperor Ingyō, and the younger brother of Emperor Ankō by the same mother.

¶At his birth, it is said that a divine radiance filled the hall. As he grew, his vigor and strength surpassed other men's. When Emperor Ankō suddenly died at the Yama Palace, a chamberlain, ōtoneri, rushed to report the calamity. The emperor suspected his elder brothers, armed himself and led troops, and confronted Prince Yatsuri-no-Shirohiko to demand the reason. When the prince would not answer, the emperor drew his sword and cut him down. He went on to question Prince Sakai-no-Kurohiko, who likewise would not answer, and the emperor's anger grew still greater. Prince Kurohiko, in fear, fled together with Prince Mayuwa and hid at the residence of the Ō-omi, Katsuragi-no-Tsubura. The emperor surrounded the residence, set it afire, and burned them all to death. In the tenth month, he put to death Prince Ichinobe-no-Oshiha and Prince Mima. On the thirteenth day of the eleventh month, the day Kinoe-ne, he had officials raise a platform at Asakura in Hatsuse and ascended the throne there, making that place his capital (Note: the Mizukagami, the Kōdaiki, and the Kōnendai Ryakki all give his age as seventy, and the Rekidai Kōki as eighty-two, neither of which agrees with this work; the matter is discussed further below. The Shinsen Shōjiroku states that he pressed the various Hata clansmen into labor and had a great storehouse eight jō high built beside the palace to hold the tribute goods, and that the place was accordingly named the Hatsuse-no-Asakura Palace). He was called Ōhatsuse-no-Wakatake-no-sumeramikoto. He made Heguri-no-Matori Ō-omi, and Ōtomo-no-Muroya and Mononobe-no-Me Ō-muraji.

¶In the first year, the year Hinoto-tori, in spring, on the third day of the third month, the day Mizunoe-ne, he installed Princess Hatahi as empress. In this month he took Katsuragi-no-Karahime and Ominagimi as consorts (Note: this work states that three consorts were taken in this month, including Kibi-no-Wakahime among them. On consideration, Wakahime was in fact taken as consort in the seventh year, and so this statement is not adopted here).

¶In the second year, the year Tsuchinoe-inu, in winter, on the third day of the tenth month, the day Mizunoto-tori, he made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the sixth day, the day Hinoe-ne, he hunted at Mimagase. On this day he returned from the Yoshino Palace, and established the Shishihitobe guild for the first time. In this month he established the Fuhitobe and Kawakami-no-Toneribe guilds.

¶In the fourth year, the year Kanoe-ne, in spring, in the second month, he hunted at Mount Katsuragi. In autumn, on the eighteenth day of the eighth month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, he made a progress to the Yoshino Palace. On the twentieth day, the day Kanoe-inu, he hunted at Kawakami-no-Ono.

¶In the fifth year, the year Kanoto-ushi, in spring, in the second month, he hunted at Mount Katsuragi. A wild boar suddenly sprang out and made to charge the emperor; the emperor himself fended it off with his bow and trampled it to death. In autumn, in the seventh month, Kasuri-no-kimi, king of Kudara, sent his younger brother Konikishi to serve at court.

¶In the sixth year, the year Mizunoe-tora, in spring, on the fourth day of the second month, the day Kinoto-u, he made a progress to Hatsuse-no-Ono. On the seventh day of the third month, the day Hinoto-i, he had his consorts gather mulberry leaves with their own hands, to encourage the work of sericulture. In summer, in the fourth month, the land of Wu sent an envoy to present tribute.

¶In the seventh year, the year Mizunoto-u, in autumn, in the eighth month, he sent Mononobe troops and put to death Kibi-no-Shimotsumichi-no-Sakitsuya and seventy members of his clan. In this year, he made Kibi-no-Tasa governor of Mimana and took Kibi-no-Wakahime as consort. Around this time, Silla had long failed to send tribute. He therefore sent Tasa's son Otogimi and Kibi-no-Amabe-no-Akao to chastise it, having them take the route through Kudara. He gave a letter to the king of Kudara and had him present craftsmen. Tasa thereupon took Mimana as his base and turned against the court, conspiring with Otogimi to make him rely on Kudara as well. But Otogimi's wife Kusuhime killed Otogimi, and at last returned home together with Akao, leading the craftsmen of Kudara.

¶In the eighth year, the year Kinoe-tatsu, in spring, in the second month, he sent Musa-no-Ao and Hinokuma-no-Hakata to Wu. In this year, Koma attacked Silla. Silla sought aid from the commanding general of the Japanese Headquarters in Mimana, Mimana Nihon-fu, and the king of Mimana had Kashiwade-no-Ikaruga, Kibi-no-Onashi, and Naniwa-no-Akamego lead troops to its relief. They inflicted a great defeat on the Koma forces.

¶In the ninth year, the year Kinoto-mi, in spring, on the first day of the second month, the day Kinoe-ne, he sent Ōshikōchi-no-Katabu to worship the god of Munakata at Munakata. Katabu had an illicit affair with an uneme, a palace attendant woman, and was seized and put to death. In the third month, the emperor intended to lead a campaign against Silla in person, but just then received a divine warning and gave up the plan. He therefore sent Ki-no-Oyumi, Soga-no-Karako, Ōtomo-no-Katari, and Okahi to attack Silla, and issued this decree: "Silla, in its land in the west, has for generations professed submission, sending tribute at the proper times without ever failing in its duty. But since I have come to rule the realm, it has flung itself beyond Tsushima and vanished beyond Sawara, obstructing tribute to Koma and swallowing up the fortresses of Kudara. Worse still, it has even ceased its own tribute and neglected its duties, showing the ambition of a wolf's whelp, coming when hungry and fleeing when sated. Now I appoint you four lords as generals. You are to carry out Heaven's punishment with the royal army." The generals accordingly advanced and attacked Silla, inflicting a great defeat on it. The land of Toku was entirely pacified, but the remaining people had not yet submitted. Oyumi and the others again rallied their troops and attacked, but Ōtomo-no-Katari and Ki-no-Okasaki-no-Kume were killed in battle, and both armies withdrew. Oyumi fell ill and died in camp. In summer, in the fifth month, Ki-no-Ōiwa went to Silla, took over Okahi's troops, and killed Soga-no-Karako.

¶In the tenth year, the year Hinoe-uma, in autumn, in the ninth month, Musa-no-Ao returned from Wu.

¶In the eleventh year, the year Hinoto-hitsuji, in summer, on the first day of the fifth month, the day Kanoto-i, the district of Kurita in Ōmi reported, "White cormorants have gathered at the beach of Tanakami." He decreed the establishment of the Kawase-no-Toneri guild. In autumn, in the seventh month, a man of Wu named Kishin came from Kudara and submitted as a naturalized subject.

¶In the twelfth year, the year Tsuchinoe-saru, in summer, on the fourth day of the fourth month, the day Tsuchinoto-u, he sent Musa-no-Ao and Hinokuma-no-Hakata to Wu. In winter, on the tenth day of the tenth month, the day Mizunoe-uma, he ordered the palace carpenter, kodakumi, Tsuge-no-Mita, to build a many-storied tower for the first time.

¶In the thirteenth year, the year Tsuchinoto-tori, in autumn, in the eighth month, Ayashi-no-Komaro, a man of Mii-no-kuma in Harima, relying on his strength, grew arrogant and violent, refusing to pay his taxes, robbing travelers on the roads, and plundering merchant ships. Ono-no-Ōki was sent to put him to death.

¶In the fourteenth year, the year Kanoe-inu, in spring, on the thirteenth day of the first month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, Musa-no-Ao and the others returned from Wu, arriving at the harbor of Sumiyoshi together with the Wu envoys and the weavers Anahatori and Kurehatori, and the seamstresses Ehime and Otohime. In this month, the Shihatsu road was opened for the Wu envoys. In the third month, the Wu envoys were welcomed and given residence at Hinokuma-no. Ehime was set to serve the great god of Ōmiwa, and Otohime was made a member of the Kinunuibe, the Aya clan's guild of seamstresses. In summer, on the first day of the fourth month, the day Kinoe-uma, the Wu envoys were entertained. Ne-no-Omi, having committed an offense, was put to death.

¶In the fifteenth year, the year Kanoto-i, he decreed that the Hata clan, numbering one hundred and eighty guilds, be gathered together (Note: the Shinsen Shōjiroku gives the number as ninety-two guilds, totaling 18,670 persons), and bestowed them upon Hata-no-Miyatsuko-Sake. He also pressed the various Hata clansmen into labor and had a great storehouse eight jō high built beside the palace, establishing the Office of the Great Storehouse and making Sake-no-kimi its chief (Note: the passage from "pressed the various Hata clansmen" onward is based on the Shinsen Shōjiroku).

¶In the sixteenth year, the year Mizunoe-ne, in autumn, in the seventh month, he decreed that mulberries be planted in the provinces and districts suited to it, and at the same time divided and resettled the Hata clan so that they might present the yōchō, tax in cloth and labor. In winter, in the tenth month, he decreed that the Aya clan be gathered together and their hereditary chieftains, tomo-no-miyatsuko, fixed.

¶In the seventeenth year, the year Mizunoto-ushi, in spring, on the second day of the third month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, the Niehajibe guild of offering-potters was established.

¶In the eighteenth year, the year Kinoe-tora, in autumn, on the tenth day of the eighth month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, he sent Mononobe-no-Ushiro and Mononobe-no-Me to attack the brigand Asake-no-Iratsuko of Ise, and had him cut down.

¶In the nineteenth year, the year Kinoto-u, in spring, on the thirteenth day of the third month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, the Anahobe guild was established. That winter, Koma attacked and overthrew Kudara, killing its king, Kasuri-no-kimi (Note: this work places this event in the twentieth year, but the Kudaraki, cited in a note to this work, states that it was in the year Kinoto-u of King Gaero's reign that the great army of Koma invaded and the royal citadel fell. Kinoto-u corresponds to the nineteenth year, and so that year is followed here).

¶In the twenty-first year, the year Hinoto-mi, in spring, in the third month, he installed Monsu, younger brother of Kasuri-no-kimi, as king of Kudara, and granted him the land of Kumanari (Note: that Monsu was the younger brother of Kasuri-no-kimi follows a note in this work).

¶In the twenty-second year, the year Tsuchinoe-uma, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, Prince Shiraka was installed as crown prince (Note: the Sendai Kuji Hongi states that on this day Mononobe-no-Futsukuru was made Ō-muraji). In autumn, in the seventh month, he sent an envoy to Mainohara in Yosa, in Tanba, to receive and welcome the great god Toyouke. In the ninth month, the god was enshrined in the new shrine at Yamadanohara, in the district of Watarai in Ise (Note: the passage from "in autumn, in the seventh month" follows the Jinnō Shōtōki).

¶In the twenty-third year, the year Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, in summer, in the fourth month, Monkon, king of Kudara, died. The emperor summoned Mata, second son of King Konshiki, personally instructed him, and ordered him to return to his country and become king. He bestowed weapons on him and had five hundred troops of Tsukushi escort him home. Tsukushi's Achi-no-Omi and Umakai-no-Omi led a naval force and attacked Koma.

¶In autumn, on the first day of the seventh month, the day Kanoto-ushi, the emperor fell ill. He decreed, "Whatever the matter, great or small, let it be decided under the crown prince's authority." On the seventh day of the eighth month, the day Hinoe-ne, his condition grew grave. He summoned the Ō-omi before him, took his hand, and bade him farewell. On this day he died in the main hall (Note: this work does not record his age at death. The Sendai Kuji Hongi and the Kojiki both give it as 124; a note to the Kojiki states that he died on the ninth day of the eighth month of the year Tsuchinoto-mi. The Mizukagami and the Ichidai Yōki both give it as ninety-three. The Jinnō Shōtōki gives it as eighty. The Gukanshō gives it as 104. On consideration, if one reckons from this work's own statement, in the seventh year of Emperor Ingyō's reign, that on the night the empress gave birth to the future Ōhatsuse emperor the emperor made his first progress to the Fujiwara Palace, the true figure works out to sixty-two).

¶In his final testament to Ōtomo-no-Muroya and Yamato-no-Aya-no-Tsuka, he said: "Prince Hoshikawa harbors a wicked and rebellious heart, as is known throughout the realm. After I am gone, he will surely bring harm upon the crown prince. The people under your charge are many. Strive to aid one another, and do not let yourselves be slighted or despised" (Note: the passage from "Prince Hoshikawa" onward follows one tradition recorded in this work). Earlier, the general Kibi-no-Oshiro had led five hundred Emishi troops in a campaign against Silla, but on reaching Kibi he heard of the emperor's death, and the Emishi one after another turned against him and raided the surrounding districts. Oshiro attacked and pacified them completely. In his early years the emperor had followed only his own inclinations and took pleasure in killing without cause. He favored the scribes Musa-no-Ao and Hinokuma-no-Hakata. The people of the realm reviled him, calling him the "Great Wicked Emperor." Yet when he hunted on Mount Katsuragi, he met the god Hitokotonushi, and rode and hunted alongside him side by side until nightfall, when the hunt ended; the god escorted the emperor as far as the waters of Kume. The common people thereupon changed their name for him and praised him as the "Emperor of Virtue."

¶The Kudara uneme Ikezuhime had an illicit affair with Ishikawa-no-Tate, so he ordered the Kumebe guild to seize the pair, bind their hands and feet to a tree, set them upon a makeshift platform, and burn them to death. While hunting at Mimagase, he took a great many birds and beasts, and turning to the assembled ministers he asked, "In the pleasures of the hunt, which is better—to have the kitchen steward, kashiwade, carve the game, or to carve it oneself?" None of the ministers could answer. The emperor grew angry and with his own hand cut down his driver, Ōtsu-no-Umakai; all who witnessed it trembled in fear. A dog kept by a man of Uda killed a bird belonging to the Bureau of Birds, tori-no-tsukasa. The emperor, enraged, had the man tattooed and made him a member of the Torikaibe, the bird-keepers' guild. At the time, the resident officials of Shinano and Musashi serving their turn of duty, jikichō, remarked to one another, "In our home villages birds are so plentiful they pile up like hills. Why should a man be tattooed over a single bird?" The emperor heard of this, had birds gathered and piled up before them, and the officials, unable to offer any defense on the spot, were themselves likewise made Torikaibe. Such was the severity of his rule.

¶Once he watched the palace carpenter Inabe-no-Mane planing wood. Mane used a stone as his workbench, and though he swung his adze all day long, its edge was never damaged. The emperor, marveling at this, asked him, "Do you never strike the stone by mistake?" "Never," Mane replied. The emperor then had uneme wrestle naked before him to test the carpenter's composure, and Mane, his attention distracted, let the blade slip and damaged its edge. The emperor, angered that Mane's earlier words had proved false, sought to put him to death. Mane's fellow craftsmen, grieving over this, composed a song to remonstrate with the emperor indirectly, and on hearing it the emperor pardoned him. In his later years the emperor came to devote himself to the affairs of government, and the realm was peaceful and without incident (Note: the passage from "in his later years" onward follows the wording of this work's account of his final testament).

¶He was buried at the Tajihi-no-Takawashi-no-hara Misasagi in Kawachi. He was posthumously given the title Emperor Yūryaku.

Emperor Seinei

¶Emperor Seinei was at first called Prince Shiraka, and was the third son of Emperor Yūryaku. His mother was the consort Katsuragi-no-Karahime.

¶The emperor was born with white hair, and growing up he showed a heart devoted to loving the people, so that Emperor Yūryaku held him in special regard.

¶In the twenty-second year, he was installed as crown prince.

¶In the twenty-third year, in the eighth month, Emperor Yūryaku died. Prince Hoshikawa plotted rebellion and fortified himself in the great storehouse. The Ō-muraji, Ōtomo-no-Muroya, together with Yamato-no-Aya-no-Tsuka, attacked and subdued him. On the fourth day of the tenth month, the day Mizunoe-saru, Muroya led the assembled ministers and presented the imperial seal to the crown prince.

¶In the first year, the year Kanoe-saru, in spring, on the fifteenth day of the first month, the day Mizunoe-ne (Note: the Mizukagami gives the date as the fourth day, and the Ichidai Yōki likewise gives the fourth day, Mizunoe-ne. Reckoning the sexagenary cycle now, the first month begins on Tsuchinoe-inu, and its fourth day falls on Kanoto-ushi; these two works are therefore in error), he had officials raise a platform at Mikakuri in Iware and ascended the throne there, making that place his capital (Note: the Mizukagami and the Kōnendai Ryakki both give his age as thirty-seven, but since this work does not record it, it is not given here). He was called Shiraka-no-Takehirokuni-Oshi-Waka-Yamatoneko-no-sumeramikoto. He honored his birth mother, Katsuragi-no-Karahime, with the title of grand imperial consort, and Heguri-no-Matori remained Ō-omi, and Ōtomo-no-Muroya remained Ō-muraji, as before. In winter, on the ninth day of the tenth month, the day Kanoto-ushi, Emperor Yūryaku was buried. A certain hayato wept and wailed beside the tomb for seven days and nights, refused all food, and died. The officials, out of respect, buried him to the north of the tomb.

¶In the second year, the year Kanoto-tori, in spring, in the second month, the emperor, having no child, grieved that his name would not be handed down to later ages. He had Ōtomo-no-Muroya establish the Shirakabe-no-Toneri, the Kashiwade, and the Yugei—guards who bear quivers—in the various provinces. In winter, in the eleventh month, Iyo-no-Kumebe-no-Odate, governor of Harima, reported: "The two sons of Prince Ichinobe-no-Oshiha, Prince Oke and Prince Woke, the latter being the younger, are living at the house of Oshinumibe-no-Hosome, the chieftain of the Shijimi granary, miyake, in the district of Akashi." The emperor rejoiced greatly, and had Odate carry a token of authority and lead attendant chamberlains to go and receive the two princes (Note: the Kojiki records the matter as follows. When Emperor Seinei died, there being no heir, Princess Iitoyo was then residing at the Tsunosashi Palace. At that time Yamabe-no-Odate was governor of Harima, and at a drinking party held at the house of a local man named Shijimu he ordered the guests to dance in turn. When the turn came to Prince Oke and Prince Woke, who had been tending the hearth fire, they sang and danced, and Odate, hearing their song, realized they were of imperial blood. Greatly astonished, he sent a post-horse at speed to report what had happened, and Princess Iitoyo, rejoicing, had the two princes received and brought into the palace. The Ichidai Yōki states that in the second month of the second year the emperor, grieving that he had no heir, sent the Ō-muraji Ōtomo-no-Muroya to the provinces to seek out princes of the imperial blood, and that in the tenth month he reached the district of Akashi in Harima and had Odate receive the imperial grandsons. The Jinnō Shōtōki likewise states that men were sent to the provinces to seek out princes of the imperial blood. On consideration, these various accounts differ from this work, but they are retained here for reference).

¶In the third year, the year Mizunoe-inu, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Hinoe-tatsu, Odate escorted Prince Oke and Prince Woke as far as Settsu. He had ministers and chieftains, omi and muraji, carry tokens of authority, set the princes in a carriage with a blue canopy, and brought them into the palace. In summer, on the seventh day of the fourth month, the day Kanoto-u, Prince Oke was installed as crown prince, and Prince Woke was made a prince. In autumn, on the second day of the ninth month, the day Mizunoto-ushi, ministers and chieftains were sent to the provinces to observe local customs. In winter, on the fourth day of the tenth month, the day Kinoto-tori, he decreed that the presentation of dogs, horses, and playthings be discontinued. On the eighteenth day of the eleventh month, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, he held a banquet for the ministers and chieftains in the great courtyard and bestowed silk floss and cloth upon them. In this month, envoys came from the lands across the sea bearing tribute.

¶In the fourth year, the year Mizunoto-i, in spring, on the seventh day of the first month, the day Hinoe-tatsu, he held a banquet in the audience hall for the envoys of the various foreign lands and bestowed gifts on each according to rank. In summer, in the intercalary fifth month, over five days he held the great feast, taiho. In autumn, on the seventh day of the eighth month, the day Mizunoto-ushi, the emperor personally reviewed the cases of prisoners, and the Emishi and the hayato together came and submitted. On the first day of the ninth month, the day Hinoe-ne, he went to the archery hall and had the hundred officials and the envoys of the various foreign lands shoot, bestowing gifts on each according to rank.

¶In the fifth year, the year Kinoe-ne, in spring, on the sixteenth day of the first month, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, the emperor died (Note: this work does not record his age at death. The Mizukagami, the Ichidai Yōki, and the Kōnendai Ryakki all give it as forty-one, and the Kōdaiki and the Rekidai Kōki both give it as forty-two; which is correct cannot be determined). He was buried at the Sakato-no-hara Misasagi in Kawachi (Note: the Teiō Hennenki and the Kōnendai Ryakki write "Sakato" as "Wakuda"). He was posthumously given the title Emperor Seinei.

Emperor Kenzō

¶Emperor Kenzō was at first called Prince Woke, also known as Kume-no-Wakugo (Note: the Kojiki calls him Oke-no-Iwasuwake-no-mikoto). He was a grandson of Emperor Richū and the second son of Prince Ichinobe-no-Oshiha. His mother was called Haehime.

¶Once, when Emperor Yūryaku had killed Prince Oshiha, the prince's attendant, toneri, Kusakabe-no-Omi (Note: a note in this work states that Omi was the name of the Kusakabe-no-Muraji), together with his son Atahiko, took the emperor and his elder brother by the same mother, Prince Oke, and fled from danger to the district of Yosa in Tanba. Omi changed his name to Tashikuku (Note: the Sendai Kuji Hongi gives it as Tasakuku), but, still fearing for his life, fled further to a cave on Mount Shijimi in Harima, where he hanged himself. The emperor, not knowing of this, went together with Prince Oke to the district of Akashi in Harima, where they served as menials in the house of Oshinumibe-no-Hosome, the chieftain of the Shijimi granary, calling themselves "the Tanba boys." Atahiko stayed with them without leaving, faithfully observing his duty as their retainer throughout. In the eleventh month of the second year of Emperor Seinei's reign, Iyo-no-Kumebe-no-Odate, governor of Harima, came to the district of Akashi to collect the offerings for the harvest festival, niiname (Note: one note in this work states that he was making a circuit of the districts collecting the land tax), and held a feast at Hosome's house. The emperor said to Prince Oke, "Since we fled here to escape the trouble, several twelve-year cycles have already passed. Tonight is the time to reveal our names and make our noble birth known." Prince Oke said sorrowfully, "Which is better—to come forward ourselves and risk harm, or to go on hiding and preserve our lives?" The emperor said, "We are grandsons of Emperor Izahowake, yet we have long endured the drudgery of servants. Better to proclaim our great name and die for it." The brothers embraced and wept. Prince Oke said, "This task can be accomplished by none but my younger brother." The emperor declined again and again, but Prince Oke pressed him so firmly that the emperor at last agreed. Hosome had the two princes hold up torches for the company, and as the night wore on and the feast grew merry, he had the household perform dances in turn. When the dancing ended, Hosome said to Odate, "As I watch, those who have been holding up the torches put others before themselves and defer modestly—they are surely men to be called gentlemen." Odate then struck up the strings and urged the two princes to dance. The brothers went on yielding to each other for a long while, until Odate rebuked them, "Why do you not dance at once?" Prince Oke rose first and danced. The emperor then stood, straightened his robes, and sang, likening himself to a willow bending and rising unbroken beside a river lined with rush mats, its roots never lost, and performed a special dance (Note: a note in this work states that this special dance was called the Tachiide-mai, the "Dance of Stepping Forth," "tachiide" being read "tatsutsu," meaning to dance while alternately rising and sitting). He then sang again, likening himself to the humble servant of Otohi amid the plains and reed-fields scattered here and there across Yamato. Odate, hearing this, grew suspicious and had him repeat the song once more. The emperor then sang, declaring himself the descendant—cut off root and branch like the sacred cedar at Furu in Isonokami—of Ame-Yorozu-Kuni-Yorozu-Oshiha-no-mikoto, who had once governed the realm from the Ichinobe Palace (Note: on consideration, Prince Oshiha never in fact ascended the throne. Even the words with which Emperor Ninken admonished his elder brother state, "Our late lord was of the imperial line, but he never ascended the throne." That the song here nonetheless speaks in such terms is probably because the prince, wishing to make his own imperial descent known, deliberately used exaggerated language). Odate, greatly astonished, rose from his seat, bowed twice, and led his whole clan to attend upon them, presenting offerings. He mustered the entire population of the district to build a new palace, settled the two princes there, and returned to the capital to report what had happened. Emperor Seinei rejoiced greatly and said, "Heaven has shown its broad favor and granted me two sons," and then, together with the Ō-omi and Ō-muraji, settled on a plan: the two princes were received into the palace, Prince Oke was installed as crown prince, and the emperor was made a prince.

¶In the fifth year, in the first month, Emperor Seinei died. The crown prince sought to yield the throne to the emperor, but the emperor firmly declined and would not accept. Princess Iitoyo-ao then styled herself Oshinumi-no-Iitoyo-ao-no-mikoto and conducted the affairs of government from the Tsunosashi Palace at Oshinumi. On the ninth day of the eleventh month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, Emperor Seinei was buried. In this month, Iitoyo-ao-no-mikoto died. In the twelfth month, the hundred officials gathered together at court. The crown prince took the imperial seal, set it before the emperor, bowed twice, withdrew, and took his place among the ranks of the ministers, saying: "The throne, after all, ought to go to the one of merit. That we have come to this day is entirely owing to my younger brother's achievement." The emperor firmly declined, saying: "Emperor Shiraka wished to hand the throne to my elder brother, and so installed him as crown prince. For me now to have schemed on my brother's behalf and then to claim the merit for myself would be to lose the proper way of a younger brother's deference. This is something I, Woke, could never do." The crown prince said: "That Emperor Shiraka entrusted the realm to me was only because I am the elder. It was my younger brother alone who devised the plan by which we escaped our household's peril and made known that we were grandsons of an emperor; because of this the ministers gladly upheld us, and the people's hearts turned toward us. This is enough to secure the four bonds of the state and extend its glory down through ten thousand generations. I may be the elder, but in truth I have no virtue or merit to my name. To remain in a position unsuited to me would surely bring reproach and regret. I have heard it said, 'the throne ought not to be left vacant for long, and Heaven's mandate ought not to be humbly declined.' I beg only that my younger brother take thought for the altars of the state and devote his heart to the common people." His words were so earnest that in the end he wept. The emperor, having no choice, consented, but did not ascend the throne at once.

¶In the first year, the year Kinoto-ushi, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, the Ō-omi and Ō-muraji petitioned for the emperor's enthronement. The ministers and the hundred officials were accordingly gathered at the Yatsuri Palace in Chikatsu-Asuka, and he ascended the throne there (Note: one note to this work states that Emperor Woke had two palaces, one at Ogata and one at Ikeno, and that another account places a palace at Mikakuri. The Mizukagami gives his age as thirty-six, and the Kōnendai Ryakki and the Rekidai Kōki both give it as forty-six; since this work does not record it, it is not given here). He was called Emperor Woke. His elder brother by the same mother, Oke, remained crown prince as before. In this month, Princess Naniwa-no-Ono was installed as empress. A general amnesty was granted throughout the realm, and Heguri-no-Matori remained Ō-omi, and Ōtomo-no-Muroya remained Ō-muraji, as before (Note: the passage from "Ō-omi" onward follows the Kugyō Bunin. The Sendai Kuji Hongi states that Mononobe-no-Omae was made Ō-muraji). On the fifth day of the second month, the day Mizunoe-tora, he decreed: "Our late lord met with many misfortunes and lost his life in the wilderness. In my own childhood I fled and hid myself away. Unexpectedly raised up and sought out, I have, to my shame, succeeded to this great undertaking, yet though his remains have been widely sought, no one knows where they lie. For this reason the crown prince and I weep and grieve, our indignation and sorrow beyond our own control." In this month he summoned the elders and questioned them himself one after another, until a certain old woman proved to know the place. He therefore made a progress to Kayano in Kutawata, in Ōmi, and had Prince Oshiha reburied there. On the first jōshi day of the third month, he made a progress to the rear garden and for the first time held the Winding Stream Banquet, kyokusui (Note: this work records the Winding Stream Banquet being held again on the first jōshi day of the third month in both the second and third years, but makes no mention of it thereafter. The Shoku Nihongi records that on the third day of the third month of the first year of Taihō, in the reign of Emperor Monmu, the imperial kinsmen and the hundred officials were feasted at the Eastern Hall, and from the third year of Jinki, in the reign of Emperor Shōmu, the Winding Stream Banquet is frequently recorded, though it is unclear just when it was fixed as a regular observance. The Nenjū Gyōji, however, takes this year as the origin of the Winding Stream Banquet, and so it is not noted again hereafter. The Kuji Kongen states that it began in the first year of Emperor Yūryaku's reign, but the basis for this is not clear). In summer, on the eleventh day of the fourth month, the day Hinoto-mi, he summoned the former governor of Harima, Kumebe-no-Odate, bestowed on him a decree of high praise for his service, granted him the office of mountain warden, and gave him anew the surname Yamabe-no-Muraji, with Kibi-no-Omi as his deputy. In the fifth month, Sasakiyama-no-kimi-Karafukuro, who had once plotted the murder of Prince Oshiha, was to be put to death for it, but the emperor by decree reduced his sentence, struck his name from the household register, assigned him as a tomb warden, ryōko, and placed him under the authority of the Yamabe-no-Muraji (Note: the Kojiki records the matter as follows. When the emperor had earlier fled from danger, he passed through Kariwai in Yamashiro, where an old man of the Ikai, swineherds, of Yamashiro came and took his food from him. On ascending the throne, the emperor had this old man beheaded at Asukagawara and cut the sinews of his clansmen's knees, so that his descendants who enter Yamato are said always to be lame. According to this work, the emperor possessed the virtue of a ruler who governs the people as a true gentleman, and would never have inflicted punishment over a single meal's resentment; indeed, his pardon of Karafukuro's crime here suggests that the Kojiki's story is not to be trusted, but it is appended here nonetheless for reference). In the sixth month, he made a progress to the Hishō Hall to escape the summer heat, and held a music banquet there with the assembled ministers.

¶In the third year, the year Hinoto-u, in spring, on the first day of the second month, the day Hinoto-mi, Ahe-no-Kotoshiro was sent to Mimana. In summer, on the thirteenth day of the fourth month, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, the Sakikusabe guild was established. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, the emperor died at the Yatsuri Palace (Note: this work does not record his age at death. The Kojiki and the Mizukagami both give it as thirty-eight, and the Ichidai Yōki, the Rekidai Kōki, the Jinnō Shōtōki, and the Kōnendai Ryakki all give it as forty-eight; which is correct cannot be determined). He was buried at the Kataoka-no-Iwatsuki-no-oka Misasagi (Note: the Engishiki places the character "south" above the word "misasagi").

¶Because the emperor had long lived among the common people, he well understood their hardships. After ascending the throne, he devoted himself wholly to the affairs of government, relieved and aided orphans and widows, lightened the burden of labor service, and whenever he saw some unjust treatment he grieved as though he himself had fallen into the ditch. Within a few years the common people grew rich and prosperous, the realm was again at peace, and year after year brought abundant harvests, so that a measure, koku, of grain could be bought for a single silver coin, and oxen and horses filled the open fields. He was posthumously given the title Emperor Kenzō.

Emperor Ninken

¶Emperor Ninken had the personal name Ōshi and the style name Shima-no-Iratsuko, and was at first called Prince Oke (Note: a note in this work gives another name, Ōi. A note to the Chronicle of Emperor Kenzō states that Prince Oke was also known as Shima-no-Wakugo, and also as Ōshi-no-mikoto. On consideration, Ōi and Ōshi are both read "Ōshi," and Shima-no-Iratsuko and Shima-no-Wakugo are likewise probably no more than variant names for the same person. A note in this work also observes that although the personal and style names of the other emperors are not recorded, they are given here specifically because this is how the old text had it). He was the elder brother of Emperor Kenzō by the same mother. That he once fled from danger between Tanba and Harima has already been related in the Chronicle of Emperor Kenzō.

¶In the second year of Emperor Seinei's reign, he was summoned to the capital. The following year he was installed as crown prince. When Emperor Seinei died, he yielded the realm to Emperor Kenzō and remained crown prince. In the fourth month of the third year, Emperor Kenzō died. In this year, Ki-no-Ōiwa, intending to make himself king of the Three Hans, built the fortress of Taisan in Mimana and took possession of it, but just then Kudara attacked, and his forces were defeated and withdrew.

¶In the first year, the year Tsuchinoe-tatsu, in spring, on the fifth day of the first month, the day Kinoto-tori, the emperor ascended the throne at the Isonokami-no-Hirotaka Palace (Note: the Mizukagami and the Kōnendai Ryakki both give his age as forty, but since this work does not record it, it is not given here. One note to this work states that Emperor Oke had two palaces, one at Kawamura and one at Shijimi-no-Takano). He was called Emperor Oke.

¶Heguri-no-Matori remained Ō-omi, and Ōtomo-no-Muroya remained Ō-muraji, as before (Note: the passage from "Ō-omi" onward follows the Kugyō Bunin). On the second day of the second month, the day Mizunoe-ne, his consort Princess Kasuga-no-Ōiratsume was installed as empress. In winter, on the third day of the tenth month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, Emperor Kenzō was buried.

¶In the second year, the year Tsuchinoto-mi, in autumn, in the ninth month, Empress Naniwa-no-Ono died.

¶In the third year, the year Kanoe-uma, in spring, on the first day of the second month, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, the Isonokamibe-no-Toneri guild was established.

¶In the fourth year, the year Kanoto-hitsuji, in summer, in the fifth month, Ikuha-no-Kashima and Homika-no-kimi committed an offense, and both were cast into prison and died there.

¶In the fifth year, the year Mizunoe-saru, in spring, on the fifth day of the second month, the day Kanoto-u, he decreed to the provinces that wandering members of the Saekibe guild be sought out everywhere, and made the descendants of Saekibe-no-Nakatsuko hereditary chieftains, Saeki-no-Miyatsuko.

¶In the sixth year, the year Mizunoto-tori, in autumn, on the fourth day of the ninth month, the day Mizunoe-ne, he sent Naniwa-no-Hitaka to Koma to seek out craftsmen, and Hitaka returned bringing back the artisans Suruki and Nuruki.

¶In the seventh year, the year Kinoe-inu, in spring, on the third day of the first month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, Ohatsuse-no-Wakasazaki-no-mikoto was installed as crown prince.

¶In the eighth year, the year Kinoto-i, there was a great harvest.

¶In the eleventh year, the year Tsuchinoe-tora, in autumn, on the eighth day of the eighth month, the day Hinoto-mi, the emperor died in the main hall (Note: this work does not record his age at death. The Mizukagami, the Jinnō Shōtōki, the Rekidai Kōki, the Gukanshō, and the Kōnendai Ryakki all give it as fifty, and the Ichidai Yōki and the Teiō Hennenki both give it as fifty-one; which is correct cannot be determined). He was buried at the Hanyū-no-Sakamoto Misasagi in Kawachi.

¶When Emperor Kenzō had first ascended the throne, he said to the emperor: "Our late lord was innocent of any crime, yet Emperor Ōhatsuse killed him and cast his bones into the open fields, where to this day they have not been found. My heart has been filled with indignation and grief; lying down I weep, and walking I cry out, resolved to avenge this wrong and wipe away this shame. I have heard it said that one does not live beneath the same heaven as a father's enemy. Even a common man, meeting his father's or mother's enemy in the marketplace, would fight him on the spot without turning back for a weapon. How much more is this true for me, who have already become the Son of Heaven. I now wish to open his tomb and break his bones in revenge—would this be permissible?" The emperor, in tears, remonstrated with him, saying: "Emperor Ōhatsuse governed all affairs himself and ruled over the realm. Our late lord, though of the imperial line, met with misfortune and never ascended the throne. Considering this, the distinction between high and low station is already fixed, and to go so far, in resentment of this, as to destroy his tomb—how could this accord with the way owed to the spirits of Heaven? This is the first reason it cannot be done. Your Majesty and I, Oke, both received the exceptional favor of Emperor Shiraka and have come to this day through it; and was not that Emperor Ōhatsuse the father of Emperor Shiraka? I have heard it said that words are always repaid and virtue is always requited. Your Majesty governs the realm, and your virtuous conduct is widely known; yet I fear that if even distant foreign lands should come to hear of such an act, it would go against the way of governing the realm and overseeing the people. This is the second reason it cannot be done." Emperor Kenzō approved of this and followed his counsel (Note: on consideration, the Kojiki records the matter differently. Emperor Kenzō sent a man to destroy Emperor Yūryaku's tomb, but the emperor asked to go himself, and Emperor Kenzō permitted it. On reaching the place, he dug only a little at the side of the tomb, then returned to the capital and reported, "The tomb has already been destroyed." Emperor Kenzō, suspicious at how quickly this had been done, questioned him closely, and the emperor told him the truth of the matter. Emperor Kenzō said, "I meant to destroy the tomb to avenge our late lord's enemy—why did you do only this?" The emperor answered, "Emperor Ōhatsuse is indeed our father's enemy, but he was also the Son of Heaven, and one whom our father himself had served. To avenge an enemy by destroying his tomb would surely be condemned by later ages. And yet I could not simply fail to avenge my father's enemy either. For this reason I dug only a little at the side of the tomb to disgrace it, and that should be enough to make the point to later generations." Emperor Kenzō approved of this. Since this differs somewhat from the account in this work, it is appended here for reference).

¶From his earliest years the emperor was wise, deeply compassionate, modest, and considerate. During his reign the officials carried out their duties well, the people found contentment in their occupations, the five grains ripened abundantly, the population grew and flourished, and both near and far were governed in peace and purity, so that the whole realm submitted to the emperor's benevolent rule. He was posthumously given the title Emperor Ninken.