Emperors Buretsu through Senka

Emperor Buretsu

¶Emperor Buretsu was the son of Emperor Ninken. His mother was Empress Kasuga-no-Ōiratsume.

¶In the seventh year of Emperor Ninken's reign, he was installed as crown prince.

¶In the eleventh year, in the eighth month, Emperor Ninken died. The Ō-omi, Heguri-no-Matori, had grown arrogant and high-handed, monopolizing the affairs of government, and was secretly plotting to usurp the throne. His son Shibi behaved with insolence toward the crown prince. The crown prince took counsel with Ōtomo-no-Kanamura, and Kanamura led troops and put Shibi to death. On the fifth day of the tenth month, the day Mizunoto-ushi, Emperor Ninken was buried. On the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, Kanamura at last put Matori to death.

¶In the twelfth month, Kanamura petitioned him to accept the honored title of emperor, saying: "Among the sons of Emperor Oke, that is, Emperor Ninken, Your Highness alone remains, and the hearts of all the people have turned to you; there is no one to rival you. Now, by the protection of Heaven, the wicked faction has been destroyed, and your brilliant strategy and bold resolve have greatly magnified the authority of Heaven. I humbly beg that Your Highness answer the gods of Heaven and Earth, proclaim the great Mandate far and wide, illuminate and govern Japan, and reign over the whole of this bountiful land." He thereupon ordered his officials to raise a platform at Hatsuse-no-Namiki and ascended the throne there (Note: the Mizukagami gives his age as ten at this time, and the Rekidai Kōki and the Kōnendai Ryakki both give it as forty-nine; both accounts are doubtful, and the matter is discussed further below). He made that place his capital. He was called Ohatsuse-no-Wakasazaki-no-sumeramikoto. On this day, Kanamura was made Ō-muraji (Note: the Sendai Kuji Hongi states that Mononobe-no-Masara was made Ō-muraji).

¶In the first year, the year Tsuchinoto-u, in spring, on the second day of the third month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, Princess Kasuga-no-Iratsume was installed as empress.

¶In the third year, the year Kanoto-mi, in winter, in the eleventh month, he decreed to the Ō-muraji, Ōtomo-no-Muroya, that able-bodied men, yoboro, be levied from Shinano, and had them build a fortress-like structure at Namino.

¶In the fourth year, the year Mizunoe-uma, the king of Kudara, Mata, having proved tyrannical and unprincipled, was deposed by the people of that country, who installed Shima as king in his place.

¶In the sixth year, the year Kinoe-saru, in autumn, on the first day of the ninth month, the day Kinoto-mi, the emperor issued a decree, saying: "In the proper way of handing down a realm, nothing is more precious than establishing an heir. I now have no child to succeed me. By what means, then, am I to leave my name to later ages? Let us follow the old precedent and establish the Ohatsuse-no-Toneri guild, to be handed down for ten thousand generations." In winter, in the tenth month, Kudara presented tribute. The emperor, holding that its tribute had long gone unpaid, detained its envoy.

¶In the seventh year, the year Kinoto-tori, in summer, in the fourth month, the king of Kudara sent his kinsman Shigakimi to serve at court.

¶In the eighth year, the year Hinoe-inu, in winter, on the eighth day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoto-i, the emperor died at the Namiki Palace (Note: this work does not record his age at death. The Mizukagami and the Jinnō Shōtōki both give it as eighteen, and the Rekidai Kōki, the Kōnendai Ryakki, the Kōdaiki, and the Teiō Hennenki all give it as fifty-seven. By the former account, the emperor would have been a mere ten years old when, not yet enthroned, he was courting Princess Kagehime — can such a thing be credited? By the latter account, since the emperor reigned for eight years, he would have ascended the throne at forty-nine; but Emperor Ninken is said to have lived to fifty or fifty-one years, which would mean Emperor Ninken fathered him at the age of two or three — can this, too, be credited? Neither account can be trusted). He was buried at the Kataoka-no-Iwatsuki-no-oka Misasagi (Note: the Engishiki adds the character "north" after the word "oka" in the name).

¶The emperor was fond of the principles of punishment, and his laws and ordinances were clear and exact. He sat in the court attending to the business of government until nightfall, invariably brought hidden injustices to light, and grasped the true circumstances well in settling lawsuits. Yet by nature he was cruel and pitiless, and took pleasure in killing; whenever some especially gruesome punishment was carried out, he always went himself to watch. He would have a pregnant woman's belly cut open to view the unborn child, strip the nails from a man's fingers and set him to dig yams, or have a man lie face down inside a drainage pipe and thrust at him with a three-bladed halberd of his own hand as the water carried him through it; at other times he would have a man's hair plucked out and make him climb a tree, then cut the tree down, or shoot him down with a bow for his own amusement. And yet the emperor, inheriting the accumulated blessings of the peace left by generations of sage rulers before him, presided over a realm in which the common people were rich and prosperous and all within the four seas was at peace. He accordingly gave himself over entirely to extravagance, spreading brocade and embroidery as floor coverings and wearing fine silk damask as clothing, and had gardens and ponds built in which he kept great numbers of birds and beasts. He would ride horses and course with dogs, coming and going at any hour without regard for wind or rain. He also gathered dwarfs and entertainers about him, indulging freely in licentious amusements, and gave himself up to drink day and night together with the palace women. And yet he had an eye for men, employing each according to his particular talent and letting each display his own abilities to the full — this, too, was a merit of the emperor (Note: the passage from "And yet the emperor" onward is adapted from the wording of the decree recorded in this work's Chronicle of Emperor Keitai). He was posthumously given the title Emperor Buretsu.

Emperor Keitai

¶Emperor Keitai was at first called Ōdo-no-Ōkimi. He was a fifth-generation descendant of Emperor Ōjin, and his father was Hikoushi-no-Ōkimi (Note: this work, the Sendai Kuji Hongi, and the Kojiki all say only that he was a "fifth-generation descendant," without recording the genealogy itself. According to the Jōgūki, as cited in the Shaku Nihongi, Emperor Ōjin fathered Prince Wakanuke-Futamata, who fathered Ōiratsuko, also called Prince Ōhodo, who fathered Prince Hikoushi, the emperor's father. The Kojiki states that Prince Wakanuke-Futamata, son of Emperor Homuda [Ōjin], fathered Ōiratsuko, also called Prince Ōhodo, ancestor of the lords of Mikuni. The Sendai Kuji Hongi states that Prince Futamata was the ancestor of the lords of Mikuni. The Shinsen Shōjiroku states that the Mikuni-no-Mahito descend from Prince Marako, a son of Emperor Keitai. It may be that, because the emperor had earlier resided in Mikuni, his descendants took the surname Mikuni; if so, it is clear that he descended from Prince Futamata. One account in the Mizukagami, the Jinnō Shōtōki, and the Kōin Shōunroku all state that Prince Hayabusawake fathered Prince Ōdo, who fathered Prince Shihi, who fathered Prince Hikoushi, but this is probably mistaken). The king resided at a villa in Mio in Ōmi, and took as consort Furuhime, the daughter of a man of Sakanai in Mikuni, who bore him the emperor.

¶The emperor lost his father while still a child, and was raised at Takamuku together with Furuhime (Note: a note in this work states that Takamuku was the name of a village in Echizen). On reaching manhood, he loved men of talent and treated the worthy with courtesy, and his heart was broad and magnanimous.

¶When Emperor Buretsu died, he left no heir. At this time Yamatohiko-no-Ōkimi, a fifth-generation descendant of Emperor Chūai, was living in secrecy in the district of Kuwata in the land of Tanba. The Ō-muraji, Ōtomo-no-Kanamura, resolved in council to receive him, but Yamatohiko-no-Ōkimi, seeing from a distance how heavily guarded the escort of honor was, took great fright and fled into hiding.

¶In the first year, the year Hinoto-i, in spring, on the fourth day of the first month, the day Kinoe-ne, Ōtomo-no-Kanamura again took counsel and said, "Ōdo-no-Ōkimi is deeply compassionate and filial, and is fit to succeed to the throne." The Ō-muraji, Mononobe-no-Arakai, and the Ō-omi, Kose-no-Ohito, both agreed with this proposal. Ministers and chieftains were accordingly sent, bearing tokens of authority and an imperial carriage, to receive the emperor at Mikuni (Note: the Kojiki states that he came from the land of Ōmi). The emperor sat composedly upon a camp stool, with his attendants ranged in order about him, looking every bit as dignified as if he already held the throne. The envoys who bore the tokens of authority, beholding his majesty from a distance, were filled with secret admiration. The emperor nonetheless still hesitated and would not set out, until a horse-keeper of Kawachi named Arako secretly sent a man to tell him in detail of the Ō-omi's and Ō-muraji's intention to receive him. The emperor at last resolved to set out, and sighed, saying, "Had it not been for Arako, I should have become the laughingstock of the realm." After his accession he showed Arako great and lasting favor. On the twenty-fourth day, the day Kinoe-saru, he arrived at the Kusuba Palace. On the fourth day of the second month, the day Kinoe-uma, the Ō-muraji, Ōtomo-no-Kanamura, knelt and presented the mirror, the sword, and the seal of office. The emperor declined several times, but Kanamura prostrated himself on the ground and pressed his request, and the emperor at last granted it. On this day he ascended the throne, at the age of fifty-eight (Note: his age is given according to the Mizukagami, the Gukanshō, and the Kōdaiki, and according to this work's own statement that he died at eighty-two). He was called Ōdo-no-sumeramikoto (Note: a note in this work states that he was also called Hikofuto-no-mikoto. The Sendai Kuji Hongi states that his consort was honored with the title Grand Imperial Consort). The Ō-muraji, Ōtomo-no-Kanamura and Mononobe-no-Arakai, and the Ō-omi, Kose-no-Ohito, all remained in office as before (Note: the date of Ohito's appointment as Ō-omi nowhere appears earlier in this work, so the statement that he "remained as before" is doubtful here. The date of Arakai's appointment as Ō-muraji is likewise unknown. The Kugyō Bunin states that Arakai died in the first year of Emperor Senka's reign, having held office for thirty years; by this reckoning he was clearly already Ō-muraji by this year). On the fifth day of the third month, the day Kinoe-ne, Princess Tashiraka was installed as empress. On the ninth day, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu (Note: this work mistakenly places the entries for the days Tsuchinoe-tatsu and Mizunoto-tori under the second month; they are here corrected by calculation from the sexagenary cycle), he issued a decree, saying: "I have heard it said that if a single man fails to till the soil, the realm may suffer hunger on his account, and if a single woman fails to weave, the realm may suffer cold on her account. For this reason the sovereign himself tills the soil to encourage farming, and the empress herself tends silkworms to encourage women's work. How much less, then, can the assembled ministers and the common people grow rich by abandoning agriculture? Let the officials in charge proclaim this everywhere throughout the realm, that all may know my intent." On the fourteenth day, the day Mizunoto-tori, he received eight consorts into the rear palace: Menoko-hime, Wakako-hime, Hiro-hime, Omi-no-Iratsume, Seki-hime, Yamato-hime, Hae-hime, and a second Hiro-hime (Note: a note in this work states that, although the eight consorts were received in a certain order, the statement that they were received on the day Mizunoto-tori reflects only that, after his accession, he divined and chose an auspicious day on which to summon them all to the rear palace for the first time, and that the same holds for the other entries of this kind. The two women both called Hiro-hime are two different people of the same name; for details, see the biographies of the empresses and consorts).

¶In the second year, the year Tsuchinoe-ne, in winter, on the third day of the tenth month, the day Mizunoto-ushi, Emperor Buretsu was buried.

¶In the third year, the year Tsuchinoto-ushi, in spring, in the second month, an envoy was sent to Kudara to search out and bring home the people of that country who had fled to Mimana (Note: a note in this work, citing the Kudara Hongi, states that Kuramachikimi came from Japan).

¶In the fifth year, the year Kanoto-u, in winter, in the tenth month, the capital was moved to Tsutsuki in Yamashiro.

¶In the sixth year, the year Mizunoe-tatsu, in summer, on the sixth day of the fourth month, the day Hinoe-tora, Hozumi-no-Oshiyama, governor of Tari, was sent to Kudara, together with a gift of forty horses from Tsukushi.

¶In winter, in the twelfth month, Kudara presented tribute. It separately submitted a memorial requesting the four districts of Kamitsutari, Shimotsutari, Sada, and Muro in Mimana, and this was granted.

¶In the seventh year, the year Mizunoto-mi, in summer, in the sixth month, Kudara sent its generals Chami Monki and Shuri Sokuji, attached to Hozumi-no-Oshiyama. It presented as tribute Dan Yōji, an Erudite of the Five Classics, and reported that the land of Hanha had invaded and seized the territory of Komon. In winter, on the fifth day of the eleventh month, the day Kinoto-u, envoys from Kudara, Silla, Alla, and Hanha were summoned together, and a decree was issued granting the lands of Komon and Tasa to Kudara. In this month, Hanha sent an envoy to present rare treasures and request the land of Komon, but this was not granted.

¶On the eighth day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, Prince Magari-no-Ōe was installed as crown prince (Note: this work contains no statement that he was installed as crown prince; this is recorded here on the basis of the wording of the decree below. The Sendai Kuji Hongi places this in the first month of the eighth year). The emperor issued a decree, saying: "I have succeeded to the imperial line and kept watch over the ancestral shrines, remaining ever cautious and diligent, fearful and unremitting even in the evening. Of late the realm has been peacefully governed, the land within has been pure and tranquil, and bountiful harvests have often come. How admirable, Maroko, that you have made my heart known in every direction! How glorious, Magari-no-Ōe, that you have made the influence of my virtue shine throughout the myriad lands! Nothing is to be treasured but the worthy, and nothing brings greater joy than doing good. Through this the sacred teaching has spread far and wide, and its great achievement has reached broadly abroad. This is truly owing to your own strength. You should rightly take up the position of the Eastern Palace, and help me make good what I myself lack."

¶In the eighth year, the year Kinoe-uma, in spring, in the first month, the granary, miyake, of Safu was bestowed upon the crown prince's consort, Princess Kasuga. In the third month, Hanha built fortresses to guard against the royal troops, and invaded Silla.

¶In the ninth year, the year Kinoto-hitsuji, in spring, on the fourth day of the second month, the day Hinoto-ushi, Mononobe-no-Muraji was sent to escort home the envoy of Kudara (Note: Mononobe-no-Muraji's given name is missing. A note in this work, citing the Kudara Hongi, calls him Mononobe-no-Shishi-no-Muraji). In summer, in the fourth month, Hanha sent out troops and intercepted Mononobe-no-Muraji at the Tasa river, carrying out great plunder. Mononobe-no-Muraji barely escaped, and fled to Mommura (Note: a note in this work states that Mommura was the name of an island).

¶In the tenth year, the year Hinoe-saru, in autumn, in the ninth month, Kudara sent its general Shuri Sokuji to escort Mononobe-no-Muraji home, and at the same time expressed its gratitude for having been granted the land of Komon. It presented as tribute Kan Kōanmo, an Erudite of the Five Classics, and requested that he replace Dan Yōji, and this was granted. On the fourteenth day, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, it further sent its general Shaku Makuko, together with the Japanese envoy Shinano-no-Ahita, to attend court alongside the envoys from Koma.

¶In the twelfth year, the year Tsuchinoe-inu, in spring, on the ninth day of the third month, the day Kinoe-ne, the capital was moved to Otokuni.

¶In the seventeenth year, the year Mizunoto-u, in summer, in the fifth month, the king of Kudara, Bunei, died.

¶In the eighteenth year, the year Kinoe-tatsu, in spring, in the first month, Mei — known as King Seimei — was installed as king of Kudara.

¶In the twentieth year, the year Hinoe-uma, in autumn, on the thirteenth day of the ninth month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, the capital was moved to Iware-no-Tamaho (Note: one text cited in a note to this work places this in the seventh year).

¶In the twenty-first year, the year Hinoto-hitsuji, in summer, in the sixth month, Ōmi-no-Kena was made to lead sixty thousand troops to Mimana, in order to recover the old territory that had been seized by Silla. Iwai, the provincial chieftain, kuni-no-miyatsuko, of Tsukushi, rebelled, and, basing himself in the two lands of Hi and Toyo, secretly communed with Silla and blocked Kena's army. In autumn, on the first day of the eighth month, the day Kanoto-u, a decree was issued making the Ō-muraji, Mononobe-no-Arakai, generalissimo, and sending him to subdue the rebellion.

¶In the twenty-second year, the year Tsuchinoe-saru, in winter, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the day Kinoe-ne, the generalissimo Mononobe-no-Arakai attacked Iwai and defeated him. Iwai submitted to execution, and Tsukushi was entirely pacified. In the twelfth month, Kuzuko, lord of Tsukushi, fearing to be implicated in his father's crime, presented the Kasuya granary, miyake, in order to redeem his guilt.

¶In the twenty-third year, the year Tsuchinoto-tori, in spring, in the third month, Kudara requested that the harbor of Tasa in Kara be opened as a route for its tribute missions, and this was granted. Mononobe-no-Isechine and Kishi-no-Oyu were sent to place this harbor under Kudara's jurisdiction. The king of Kara resented this. In this month, Ōmi-no-Kena was sent to Alla, to try to reconcile the various foreign peoples. In summer, on the seventh day of the fourth month, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, Konomata-kanki, king of Mimana, came to court and complained that Silla, breaking its word, was invading his territory. In this month, an envoy was sent to escort Konomata-kanki home. Ōmi-no-Kena was ordered by decree to reconcile the two countries. In autumn, in the ninth month, the Ō-omi, Kose-no-Ohito, died.

¶In the twenty-fourth year, the year Kanoe-inu, in spring, on the first day of the second month, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, the emperor issued a decree, saying: "From the time of the Emperor of Iwarehiko [Emperor Jinmu] and the King of Mimaki [Emperor Sujin] onward, every ruler has governed the realm through the aid of widely learned ministers and far-sighted counselors. For this reason, when Michi-no-Omi laid out his plans, the age of Kan'yamato [Emperor Jinmu] flourished because of it, and when Ōhiko put forward his strategies, the age of Mimaki [Emperor Sujin] grew prosperous because of it. As for a ruler who seeks to achieve a restoration of the line, has there ever been a time when he did not rely on the counsel of the wise and far-sighted? In later times, in the age of Emperor Ohatsuse [Emperor Buretsu], though he inherited the peace left by the sage emperors before him, the customs of the people gradually decayed without his perceiving it, and the government little by little declined without his amending it. Yet in his use of men he employed each according to his particular quality: he did not hold a man's shortcomings against him if his judgment was broad, nor did he censure a man's faults if his talent was outstanding. Because of this he was able to preserve the ancestral shrines, and never endangered the altars of the state. Seen in this light, was this not truly owing to the strength of far-sighted counsel? I have now succeeded to this great undertaking for twenty-four years. The realm is pure and tranquil, there is no cause for concern within or without, the soil is fertile, and the grain ripens abundantly. What I secretly fear is that the myriad people may, because of this, drift gradually into extravagance. I therefore now intend to send men out to raise up persons of upright and incorruptible character, to proclaim the great Way, and to spread the great teaching widely abroad. To discharge one's office well has from ancient times been accounted a difficult thing; how much more, then, must I myself take the utmost care?" In autumn, in the ninth month, an envoy came from Mimana and reported that Ōmi-no-Kena's manner of governing had gone astray from the proper course. Kena was accordingly recalled.

¶In the twenty-fifth year, the year Kanoto-i, in spring, on the seventh day of the second month, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, the emperor took to his sickbed and transmitted the throne to the crown prince. On this day he died at the Tamaho Palace, at the age of eighty-two (Note: one text cited in a note to this work states that the emperor died in the twenty-eighth year, the cyclical year Kinoe-tora. The statement here that he died in the twenty-fifth year, the cyclical year Kanoto-i, follows the text of the Kudara Hongi, which states: "In the third month of the great year Kanoto-i, the army advanced as far as Alla and built the fortress of Kottoku; in this month Koma assassinated its king, An, and it was also heard that the emperor of Japan, together with the crown prince and the princes, had all died." By this account, the year Kanoto-i corresponds to the twenty-fifth year. The Sendai Kuji Hongi records both accounts. The Kojiki states that he died on the ninth day of the fourth month of the year Hinoto-hitsuji, at the age of forty-three, which does not agree with this work. All the other sources state that he died in the twenty-fifth year, the year Kanoto-i. On consideration, the first year of Emperor Ankan's reign falls in the cyclical year Kinoe-tora, and if Emperor Keitai died in the year Kanoto-i, then the two years Mizunoe-ne and Mizunoto-ushi would be left as a vacancy in the throne. But according to this work's own statement that Emperor Ankan ascended the throne on the very day Emperor Keitai died, there could have been no such vacancy. The account in the text cited in a note to this work, that he died in the twenty-eighth year, the year Kinoe-tora, is probably closer to the truth. Yet there is no day Hinoto-hitsuji in the second month, and it also does not accord with reason that Emperor Ankan should have ascended the throne in the second month after having moved the capital in the first month. Since there is at present no way to investigate and correct this, the old text is followed here for the time being). He was buried at the Aino Misasagi (Note: the Engishiki calls it the Aino Misasagi of Mishima in the land of Settsu). He was posthumously given the title Emperor Keitai.

Emperor Ankan

¶Emperor Ankan was at first called Prince Magari-no-Ōe. He was the eldest son of Emperor Keitai by a consort of lesser rank. His mother was the consort Menoko-hime. By nature the emperor was dignified and difficult to approach, yet magnanimous, and possessed the bearing proper to a sovereign.

¶In the seventh year of Emperor Keitai's reign, he was installed as crown prince (Note: this work contains no statement that he was installed as crown prince; this matter has already been discussed in the preceding chronicle).

¶In the twenty-fifth year, on the seventh day of the second month, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, Emperor Keitai transmitted the throne to the crown prince, and the crown prince ascended the throne, at the age of sixty-eight (Note: his age is given according to the Mizukagami, the Gukanshō, and the Rekidai Kōki, and according to this work's own statement that he died at seventy). He was called Magari-no-Ōe-Hirokuni-Oshitake-Kanahi-no-sumeramikoto. On this same day, Emperor Keitai died. The Ō-muraji, Ōtomo-no-Kanamura and Mononobe-no-Arakai, both remained in office as before (Note: the entry for the first year in this work mentions the Ō-muraji Mononobe-no-Okoshi. The Chronicle of Emperor Kinmei likewise states that Mononobe-no-Okoshi remained Ō-muraji as before; from this it is probably around this time that Okoshi became Ō-muraji. The Kugyō Bunin states that the date of Okoshi's first appointment is unknown, and so it is not recorded here). In winter, on the fifth day of the twelfth month, the day Kanoe-ne, Emperor Keitai was buried.

¶In the first year, the year Kinoe-tora, in spring, in the first month, the capital was moved to Magari-no-Kanahashi in Yamato, and this was made the name of the palace. On the sixth day of the third month, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, his consort Princess Kasuga-no-Yamada was installed as empress, and the three consorts Sate-hime, Kakari-hime, and Yaka-hime were received into the rear palace. In summer, in the fourth month, the Ijimi granary, miyake, was established for the empress. In the fifth month, Kudara sent an envoy to present tribute. In winter, on the fifteenth day of the tenth month, the day Kinoe-ne, the emperor charged the Ō-muraji, Kanamura, by decree, saying: "I have no child to succeed me. After ten thousand years, will my name then come to an end? Uncle, I ask you to devise some plan for this." Kanamura submitted this reply: "Whoever is king over the realm, whether or not he has an heir, ought always to leave his name behind by some means. I beg that granaries, miyake, be established for the three consorts, to be shown to later generations." The emperor followed this counsel. He bestowed the Oharida granary and cultivators, tabe, from the various provinces upon Sate-hime; the Sakurai granary and cultivators from the various provinces upon Kakari-hime; and the Naniwa granary and laborers, kuwayoboro, from the various districts upon Yaka-hime. In the intercalary twelfth month, on the fourth day, the day Mizunoe-uma, he made a progress to Mishima. In this month, Kasahara-no-Omi, a man of Musashi, and his kinsman Owaki contended over the position of provincial chieftain, kuni-no-miyatsuko. Owaki sought the help of Kamitsukeno-no-Okuma, intending to kill Omi. Omi fled to the capital and laid the matter before the throne. By decree, Omi was made kuni-no-miyatsuko, and Owaki was put to death. Omi presented the four granaries of Yokonu, Tachibana, Tahi, and Kurasu.

¶In the second year, the year Kinoto-u, in spring, on the fifth day of the first month, the day Mizunoe-ne, the emperor issued a decree, saying: "Of late, year after year has brought a bountiful harvest, and the neighboring lands along our borders are likewise at peace. The people take joy in farming, and the common folk are spared famine. The influence of benevolent virtue fills Heaven and earth, and fair report of it has spread everywhere. Within and beyond the realm all is pure and in communion, and the state is rich and prosperous. I am greatly rejoiced by this. Let a great feast of wine be held for five days." In summer, on the first day of the fourth month, the day Hinoto-ushi, the Magari-no-Toneribe and Magari-no-Yugeibe guilds were established. On the ninth day of the fifth month, the day Kinoe-tora, granaries, miyake, were established at Honami and Kama in Tsukushi; at Unesaki (Note: one text writes this character differently), Kuwahara, Kanto, Ōnuki, and Aka in Toyo; at Kasugabe in Hi; at Koshibe and Ushika in Harima; at Shitsuki in Kibi-no-Michi-no-Shiri; at Kutsu, Hawaka, and Kawaoto in Tane; at Ie and Itoshibe in Ana; at Kasugabe in Awa; at Fuse and Kawabe in Kii; at Soshiki in Tanba; at Ashiura in Ōmi; at Mashiki and Iruka in Owari; at Midono in Kamitsukeno; and at Wakanie in Suruga.

¶In autumn, on the first day of the eighth month, the day Kinoto-i, he decreed that the Inukaibe guild be established in the various provinces. On the third day of the ninth month, the day Hinoe-uma, he decreed that Sakurai-no-Tabe-no-Muraji, Agata-Inukai-no-Muraji, and Naniwa-no-Kishi take charge of the dues owed from the various granaries, miyake. On the thirteenth day, the day Hinoe-tatsu, he decreed that cattle be pastured on the pine-covered strand of Ōsumi Island and Hime Island at Naniwa.

¶In winter, on the seventeenth day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, the emperor died at the Magari-no-Kanahashi Palace, at the age of seventy. He was buried at the Furuichi-no-Takaya-no-oka Misasagi in Kawachi. He was posthumously given the title Emperor Ankan.

Emperor Senka

¶Emperor Senka was at first called Prince Hinokuma-no-Takada (Note: the Kanenaga manuscript writes "Takada" as "Takamuku"). He was the second son of Emperor Keitai, and the younger brother of Emperor Ankan by the same mother. By nature he was pure and well versed in affairs, of a cheerful and superior disposition, and never grew arrogant toward others on account of his own talent or lineage.

¶In the twelfth month of the second year of Emperor Ankan's reign, Emperor Ankan died, leaving no heir. The assembled ministers presented the mirror and the sword to the emperor, who at last ascended the throne, at the age of sixty-nine (Note: his age is given according to the Mizukagami and the Gukanshō, and according to this work's own statement that he died at seventy-three). He was called Takeo-Hirokuni-Oshitate-no-sumeramikoto (Note: the Jinnō Shōtōki places his accession in the following year). The Ō-muraji, Ōtomo-no-Kanamura and Mononobe-no-Arakai, remained in office as before (Note: Mononobe-no-Okoshi likewise remained Ō-muraji as before; this has already been discussed in a note to the Chronicle of Emperor Ankan). In this month, Emperor Ankan was buried.

¶In the first year, the year Hinoe-tatsu, in spring, in the first month, the capital was moved to Hinokuma-no-Iorino, and this was made the name of the palace. On the first day of the second month, the day Mizunoe-saru, Soga-no-Iname was made Ō-omi, and Abe-no-Himaro (Note: one text writes "Hi" as "Ō") was made a court counselor, maetsukimi. On the eighth day of the third month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, his principal consort, Princess Tachibana-no-Naka, was installed as empress. In summer, on the first day of the fifth month, the day Kanoto-ushi, he decreed that a government storehouse be built at the harbor of Na in Tsukushi, to which the grain from the granaries, miyake, of the various provinces was to be transported and gathered. In autumn, in the seventh month, the Ō-muraji, Mononobe-no-Arakai, died.

¶In the second year, the year Hinoto-mi, Silla invaded Mimana. In winter, on the first day of the tenth month, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, he decreed to the Ō-muraji, Ōtomo-no-Kanamura, that his sons Iwa and Sadehiko be sent to relieve Mimana. Iwa remained in Tsukushi to guard against the Three Hans, while Sadehiko went to Mimana to pacify it, and at the same time relieved Kudara.

¶In the fourth year, the year Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, in spring, on the tenth day of the second month, the day Kinoe-uma (Note: this work's Chronicle of Emperor Kinmei places this event in the tenth month; which is correct cannot be determined), the emperor died at the Hinokuma-no-Iorino Palace, at the age of seventy-three. He was buried at the Yamato-no-Musa-no-Tsukisaka-no-e Misasagi. He was posthumously given the title Emperor Senka.