Emperors Kinmei through Sushun

Emperor Kinmei

¶Emperor Kinmei was the legitimate heir of Emperor Keitai. His mother was Empress Tashiraka. Emperor Keitai loved him dearly and always kept him close at hand.

¶In the fourth year of Emperor Senka's reign, in the second month, Emperor Senka died. The assembled ministers took counsel together and resolved to raise the emperor to the throne, so that he might continue the imperial line.

¶In the tenth month, the emperor addressed the assembled ministers with this decree: "I am young in years and shallow in judgment, and am not yet accustomed to the conduct of government. Empress Yamada [the empress of Emperor Senka, Princess Tachibana-no-Naka] is thoroughly versed in affairs of state; I ask that her judgment be sought." The empress firmly declined, saying: "The favor I have received is beyond comparison with even the mountains and the seas. How could a mere woman presume to involve herself in the difficult matters of government? Just now the prince honors the old and cherishes the young, defers humbly to the worthy and treats them with full courtesy, and will even forgo his midday meal while he waits to receive men of learning. Moreover, from his earliest years he has been wise and has long enjoyed a good reputation; he is by nature generous and gentle, and is ever mindful to treat others with consideration and tolerance. I beg that the ministers lose no time in raising the prince to the throne, that he may illuminate and govern the realm."

¶On the seventeenth day of the eleventh month, the day Hinoe-tora, Emperor Senka was buried. On the fifth day of the twelfth month, the day Kinoe-saru, the emperor at last ascended the throne (Note: the Kōnendai Ryakki and the Ichidai Yōki both give his age at this time as thirty. Since this work does not record the emperor's age at death, it is not given here). He was called Amekuni-Oshiharaki-Hironiwa-no-sumeramikoto. He honored Empress Tashiraka with the title of empress dowager. The Ō-muraji, Ōtomo-no-Kanamura and Mononobe-no-Okoshi, and the Ō-omi, Soga-no-Iname, all remained in office as before (Note: the Sendai Kuji Hongi states that Mononobe-no-Me was made Ō-omi, and does not mention Iname at all. The Kugyō Bunin states that nothing is recorded of Mononobe-no-Me's activities after the thirteenth year of Emperor Yūryaku's reign, nor is the year of his death known. On this basis, it was probably the Sendai Kuji Hongi that erred in writing "Me" for "Iname").

¶In the first year, the year Kanoe-saru (Note: because the Sendai Kuji Hongi gives Emperor Senka's reign as three years, it takes the preceding year, the year Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, as the first year; but this is an error not worth following), in spring, on the fifteenth day of the first month, the day Kinoe-ne, his principal consort, Princess Ishihime, was installed as empress. In the second month, Ichibu, a man of Kudara, submitted as a naturalized subject. In the third month, the Emishi and the hayato together brought their followers and submitted. In autumn, on the fourteenth day of the seventh month, the day Tsuchinoto-ushi, the capital was moved to Shikishima; this was called the Shikishima-no-Kanasashi Palace. In the eighth month, Koma, Kudara, Silla, and Mimana all sent envoys to present tribute. He summoned together the naturalized subjects from the various provinces — the Hata people and the Aya people among them — settled them in the provinces and districts, and entered them in the household registers. He made the Ō-kura-no-jō, an officer of the Treasury, hereditary chieftain, tomo-no-miyatsuko, of the Hata clan. On the fifth day of the ninth month, the day Tsuchinoto-u, he made a progress to the Hafuritsu Palace at Naniwa (Note: the Tensho, cited in the Shaku Nihongi, states that he went to Naniwa on the day Tsuchinoto-u and proceeded on to the Hafuritsu Palace on the following day, Kanoe-tatsu). Ōtomo-no-Kanamura, Mononobe-no-Okoshi, and Kose-no-Inamochi attended upon him. He sent envoys to offer worship to the god of Suminoe, and bestowed rank and silk cloth upon the people, each according to his station (Note: the passage from "he sent envoys" onward follows the Tensho, as cited in the Shaku Nihongi).

¶In the second year, the year Kanoto-tori, in spring, in the third month, he received into the rear palace the five consorts Princess Wakaya, Princess Hikage, Katashihime, Oane-no-kimi, and Nukako (Note: the Kojiki does not record Princess Wakaya or Princess Hikage, and in their place gives the empress's younger sister, Koishihime, making four consorts in all). In summer, in the fourth month, he issued a decree to Kudara, seeking to restore Mimana. In autumn, in the seventh month, Kudara submitted a memorial concerning the administration of Arushikaraki, the Lower Han territory, and of Mimana.

¶In the fourth year, the year Mizunoto-i, in autumn, in the ninth month, Kudara sent an envoy to present goods from Funan, a land in the southern seas, and two slaves. In winter, in the eleventh month, Tsumori-no-Muraji (Note: Tsumori-no-Muraji's given name is missing) was sent to Kudara bearing an imperial decree, to plan for the restoration of Mimana.

¶In the fifth year, the year Kinoe-ne, in spring, in the third month, Kudara submitted a memorial setting out a plan for the restoration of Mimana. In winter, in the twelfth month, the land of Koshi reported that people of the Mishihase, a northern people, had come to Minabe Point, north of Sado Island.

¶In the sixth year, the year Kinoto-ushi, in spring, in the third month, Kashiwade-no-Hasui was sent to Kudara. In summer, in the fifth month, Kudara submitted a memorial. In winter, in the eleventh month, Hasui returned from Kudara. In this year, there was great turmoil in Koma.

¶In the seventh year, the year Hinoe-tora, in spring, on the third day of the first month, the day Hinoe-uma, the envoy from Kudara returned home. He was given seventy fine horses and ten ships. In summer, on the twelfth day of the sixth month, the day Mizunoto-hitsuji, Kudara presented its tribute. In this year, there was again turmoil in Koma.

¶In the eighth year, the year Hinoto-u, in summer, in the fourth month, Kudara sought to attack Silla and recover Mimana, and sent an envoy to request reinforcements. Tōjō Shigon, of the Lower Section, Kahō, offered to serve in attendance in place of Mokkyūmana, who held the rank of Tokusotsu.

¶In the ninth year, the year Tsuchinoe-tatsu, in spring, on the third day of the first month, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, the Kudara envoy asked to be allowed to return home, and by decree the dispatch of reinforcements was approved. On the ninth day, the day Kanoto-ushi, Koma laid siege to the Kudara fortress of Matsu-no-sashi. In summer, on the third day of the fourth month, the day Kinoe-ne, a Kudara envoy came asking that the reinforcements be withheld after all. On the second day of the sixth month, the day Mizunoe-inu, an envoy was sent to Kudara. In winter, in the tenth month, three hundred and seventy soldiers were sent to Kudara to help build a fortress at Tokunishin.

¶In the tenth year, the year Tsuchinoto-mi, in summer, on the seventh day of the sixth month, the day Kanoto-u, the Kudara envoy asked to return home, and the emperor decreed: "Enashi and Matsu (Note: this work's entry for the fifth year names Ake-enashi and Saro-matsu, with a note explaining that these are personal names) are secretly in communication with Koma. We ought first to ascertain the truth of the matter, and the reinforcements already promised shall accordingly be withheld, as requested."

¶In the eleventh year, the year Kanoe-uma, in spring, on the tenth day of the second month, the day Kanoe-tora, an envoy was sent to Kudara (Note: a note in this work, citing the Kudara Hongi, states that the Japanese envoy was Ahita), bearing a gift of thirty sets of arrows. In summer, in the fourth month, the envoy returned. King Mei of Kudara accordingly presented captives taken from Koma. On the sixteenth day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, Kudara sent an envoy to present the Koma captives.

¶In the twelfth year, the year Kanoto-hitsuji, in spring, in the third month, a thousand koku of wheat seed were given to Kudara. In this year, the king of Kudara led his own forces together with the troops of Silla and Mimana against Koma, took the cities of Hanjō and Pyongyang, and at last recovered the old territory of the six districts.

¶In the thirteenth year, the year Mizunoe-saru, in summer, in the fourth month, Prince Yada-no-Tamakatsu-no-Ōe died. Koma conspired with Silla to destroy Kudara and Mimana. On the eighth day of the fifth month, the day Kinoto-i, Kudara, Kara, and Alla sent envoys to request reinforcements. In winter, in the tenth month (Note: the Ichidai Yōki adds the five characters "on the thirteenth day, the day Kanoto-tori"), King Mei of Kudara sent an envoy to present a gilt bronze image of Shaka, the Buddha Śākyamuni, together with banners, canopies, sutras, and commentaries, and submitted a memorial extolling the merit of the Buddha. The emperor was uncertain whether the image ought to be worshipped, and had the assembled ministers debate the matter. Soga-no-Iname submitted that it ought to be worshipped, while Mononobe-no-Okoshi and Nakatomi-no-Kamako both submitted that it ought not. The emperor deferred to the latter view, but nonetheless bestowed the image upon Iname, who gave up his house at Mukuhara to serve as a temple. At this time a great pestilence raged throughout the provinces, continuing for long and growing ever more severe. Okoshi and Kamako submitted: "This pestilence has truly been brought about by the Buddha. The image ought to be cast aside and discarded, the root of this calamity cut off, and future blessing thereby sought." The emperor decreed that this be done, and ordered the officials in charge to throw the image into the Horie canal at Naniwa and set fire to the monastery. On this same day, the great hall of the palace caught fire. In this year, Kudara abandoned Hanjō and Pyongyang, and Silla entered Hanjō and took up residence there.

¶In the fourteenth year, the year Mizunoto-tori, in spring, on the twelfth day of the first month, the day Kinoto-i, Kudara sent an envoy to request reinforcements. In summer, in the fifth month, it was reported from Kawachi that the sea of Chinu had resounded loudly and given off a light; Mizobe-no-Atai (his given name is missing) was commanded to go down into the sea to investigate, and he brought up a piece of camphor wood, from which craftsmen were ordered to carve two images of the Buddha. In the sixth month, the Uchi-tsu-omi (his given name is missing) was sent to Kudara, where leave was granted to dispatch reinforcements, and ships, horses, bows, and arrows were bestowed as well. The Erudite of Medicine, the Erudite of Divination, and the Erudite of the Calendar were also ordered by decree to travel there and back in rotation. In autumn, on the fourth day of the seventh month, the day Kinoe-ne, the emperor made a progress to the Kusu-no-Magari Palace, and ordered Ōshin'ni to record the dues owed by the shipping guilds, on the strength of which he made him Funa-no-Osa, Chief of Ships, and bestowed on him the hereditary name Funabito. On the seventh day of the eighth month, the day Hinoto-tori, Kudara sent an envoy to request reinforcements, bows, and horses. In winter, in the tenth month, Prince Yoshō, son of the king of Kudara, fought Koma and inflicted a great defeat on it.

¶In the fifteenth year, the year Kinoe-inu, in spring, on the seventh day of the first month, the day Kinoe-uma, Prince Nunakura-no-Futotamashiki was installed as crown prince. On the ninth day, the day Hinoe-saru, a Kudara envoy reached Tsukushi and inquired as to the number of reinforcements to be sent and the date of their departure. In the second month, Kudara again sent an envoy to request reinforcements. Tōjō Shimakko, of the rank of Tokusotsu, was sent in place of Tōjō Shigon, of the rank of Nasotsu, as attendant in waiting; Goryūki, Erudite of the Five Classics, was sent in place of Mateian, of the rank of Kotoku; and the monk Donne and eight companions were sent in place of the monk Dōshin and six companions. In addition, Ō Dōryō, of the rank of Setoku, an Erudite of Divination; Ō Hōson, of the rank of Kotoku, an Erudite of the Calendar; Ō Ryōda, of the rank of Nasotsu, an Erudite of Medicine; Han Ryōhō, of the rank of Setoku, and Tei Yūda, of the rank of Kotoku, both gatherers of medicinal herbs; and the musicians Sankon, of the rank of Setoku, Imaji and Shinnu, both of the rank of Kitoku, and Shinda, of the rank of Taitoku, were all sent as tribute, each replacement being granted exactly as requested. In summer, on the third day of the fifth month, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, the Uchi-tsu-omi was sent with a naval force to Kudara, to join in an attack on Silla. In winter, in the twelfth month, the Uchi-tsu-omi and his men attacked and took the Silla fortress of Hansan. The king of Kudara submitted a memorial reporting the victory, and presented the captives taken, together with fine brocade, felt cloth, and three hundred axes. In this month, King Mei of Kudara was killed by Silla.

¶In the sixteenth year, the year Kinoto-i, in spring, in the second month, Prince Yoshō, son of the king of Kudara, sent his younger brother Prince E to announce the king's death. On hearing this the emperor grieved, and sent an envoy to console and comfort him. In autumn, on the fourth day of the seventh month, the day Mizunoe-uma, the Ō-omi, Soga-no-Iname, together with Hozumi-no-Iwayumi, was sent to the five districts of Kibi, where the Shirai granary, miyake, was established.

¶In the seventeenth year, the year Hinoe-ne, in spring, in the first month, Prince E, son of the king of Kudara, asked to return home. He was given many weapons and fine horses. Abe-no-Omi, Saeki-no-Muraji, and Harima-no-Atai (the given names of all three are missing) were sent to raise a naval force from Tsukushi and escort him. Separately, Tsukushi-no-Hi-no-kimi was sent, leading a thousand brave men, to escort him as far as Mitetsu and guard that strategic point. In autumn, on the sixth day of the seventh month, the day Tsuchinoto-u, Soga-no-Iname and others were sent to the district of Kojima in Bizen, where a granary, miyake, was established, and Katsuragi-no-Yamada-no-Mizuko was made overseer of its rice fields, tatsukai. In winter, in the tenth month, Soga-no-Iname and others were sent to the district of Takechi in Yamato, where they established the Ōmusa granary, worked by naturalized people of Kudara (Note: a note in this work states that the people called Karahito, Han people, here were in fact people of Kudara), and the Omusa granary, worked by naturalized people of Koma (Note: one text cited in a note to this work states that naturalized people of Kudara were everywhere made cultivators, tabe, of the Ōmusa granary, and naturalized people of Koma cultivators of the Omusa granary, and that the granaries were named accordingly). In the land of Ki, the Amabe granary was established.

¶In the eighteenth year, the year Hinoto-ushi, in spring, in the third month, Yoshō was installed as king of Kudara.

¶In the twenty-first year, the year Kanoe-tatsu, in autumn, in the ninth month, Silla sent an envoy to present tribute, and was received with hospitality and gifts exceeding the usual custom.

¶In the twenty-second year, the year Kanoto-mi, Silla presented tribute, but was received with less honor than before. Silla then rose in rebellion once again.

¶In the twenty-third year, the year Mizunoe-uma, in spring, in the first month, Silla destroyed the Mimana government post, miyake. In summer, in the sixth month, a decree was issued admonishing and encouraging the people of Mimana, with a plan to bring about its restoration. In autumn, on the first day of the seventh month, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, the Silla envoy bearing tribute arrived; but as Silla had only just destroyed Mimana, the envoy was afraid and dared not ask to return home, and so was registered as a commoner in the district of Kōara in Kawachi. In this month, the generalissimo Ki-no-Omaro, with Kawabe-no-Niebe as his lieutenant, was sent to chastise Silla and demand the reason for its attack on Mimana. Silla raised troops to resist, and Omaro defeated them; but Niebe afterward advanced rashly and was defeated, taken captive by Silla, and Tsuki-no-Ikina, an envoy charged with the tribute mission, died in this battle. In the eighth month, the generalissimo Ōtomo-no-Sadehiko was sent leading several tens of thousands of troops, who attacked Koma and inflicted a great defeat on it, returning with women and treasure. Chisō, a man of the land of Wu, brought with him works on the techniques of Confucianism and Buddhism, including the Meidōzu, a diagram of the Hall of Light, in a hundred and sixty-four volumes in all, together with images of the Buddha and musical instruments (Note: the passage from "a man of the land of Wu" onward follows the Shinsen Shōjiroku). In winter, in the eleventh month, a man of Silla presented tribute, but his envoy was once again detained and not permitted to return.

¶In the twenty-sixth year, the year Kinoto-tori, in summer, in the fifth month, people of Koma submitted as naturalized subjects and were settled in the land of Yamashiro.

¶In the twenty-eighth year, the year Hinoto-i, there was great flooding throughout the provinces. Famine followed, severe enough that people took to eating one another. A decree was issued: "Let the grain stored in the granaries of the neighboring districts be released for relief" (Note: the Kuji Kongen states that the annual springtime distribution of relief to the poor in the fifth month began with Emperor Kinmei; this claim is probably based on this very entry).

¶In the thirty-first year, the year Kanoe-tora, in spring, on the first day of the third month, the day Kinoe-saru, the Ō-omi, Soga-no-Iname, died. In summer, on the second day of the fourth month, the day Kinoto-tori, the emperor made a progress to the Hatsuse-no-Shibagaki Palace. A man of Koshi reported that an envoy from Koma had drifted ashore. In this month the emperor's procession returned from Hatsuse. Yamato-no-Aya-no-Nukako and Katsuragi-no-Naniwa were sent to welcome the Koma envoy. In the fifth month, Kashiwade-no-Katabuko was sent to Koshi to entertain him. In autumn, in the seventh month, Yamato-no-Aya-no-Sakanoue-no-Komaro and Nishikori-no-Ōishi were sent to entertain the Koma envoy at the Sagaraka Guesthouse in Yamashiro.

¶In the thirty-second year, the year Kanoto-u, in spring, on the fifth day of the third month, the day Mizunoe-ne, Sakata-no-Mimiko-no-Iratsukimi was sent to Silla to demand an account of its destruction of Mimana. In summer, on the fifteenth day of the fourth month, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, the emperor took to his sickbed. The crown prince was then away from the capital; a post-horse was sent at speed to summon him, and he was brought to the emperor's bedside and took his hand. The emperor decreed: "My illness is grave. I entrust to you what remains to be done. You must without fail chastise Silla and restore Mimana; then I shall die with nothing left to regret." On this day (Note: this work writes "month" in place of "day"; it is here corrected according to the Kōnendai Ryakki), the emperor died in his bedchamber (Note: this work does not record his age at death. The Ichidai Yōki and the Kōnendai Ryakki both give it as sixty-two. The Kōdaiki gives it as sixty-three. The Jinnō Shōtōki gives it as eighty-one. Which is correct cannot be determined). In the fifth month, a period of mourning, mogari, was observed at Furuichi in Kawachi. In the ninth month, he was buried at the Hinokuma-no-Sakaai Misasagi, and was posthumously given the title Emperor Kinmei.

¶When the emperor was still a child, a figure appeared to him in a dream and declared: "If the emperor shows favor to a man named Hata-no-Ōtsuchi and keeps him close, he will surely hold the realm when he comes of age." On waking, he sent men to search for such a man in every direction, and found him at the village of Fukakusa in the district of Ki in the land of Yamashiro. The emperor rejoiced greatly, ordered him to be kept close in attendance, and his favor toward him grew deeper with each passing day. On ascending the throne, he appointed him to the Ō-kura-no-tsukasa, the Office of the Treasury. During the emperor's reign a great windstorm struck the realm, and divination revealed it to be the work of the wrath of the god of Kamo. An auspicious day in the fourth month was accordingly chosen for his worship, and thereafter the grain ripened in abundance. The Kamo Festival is said to have begun from this (Note: the passage from "during the emperor's reign" onward follows the Hata-uji Honkeichō, as cited in the Honchō Getsuryō, the Kuji Kongen, and the Nenjū Gyōji. The Ichidai Yōki takes the festival's origin to be the year Hinoto-u in the reign of Emperor Tenji, but this is mistaken).

Emperor Bidatsu

¶Emperor Bidatsu was the second son of Emperor Kinmei. His mother was Empress Ishihime.

¶In the fifteenth year of Emperor Kinmei's reign, he was installed as crown prince (Note: this work places this in the twenty-ninth year, but the Chronicle of Emperor Kinmei is here followed instead).

¶In the thirty-second year of Emperor Kinmei's reign, in the fourth month, Emperor Kinmei died. On the first day of the eighth month, the day Hinoe-ne, a condolence envoy from Silla came and paid respects at the mogari-no-miya. In the ninth month, Emperor Kinmei was buried.

¶In the first year, the year Mizunoe-tatsu, in summer, on the third day of the fourth month, the day Kinoe-inu, the emperor ascended the throne (Note: the Kōnendai Ryakki gives his age as thirty-five. Since this work does not record the emperor's age at death, it is not given here). He was called Nunakura-no-Futotamashiki-no-sumeramikoto. He placed his palace at Kudara-no-Ōi. He honored the empress with the title of empress dowager. The Ō-muraji, Mononobe-no-Yuge-no-Moriya, remained in office as before (Note: this is the first appearance of Moriya in this work, yet it says he "remained as before"; it may be that he had already become Ō-muraji after Okoshi's death. The Kugyō Bunin likewise states that the date of his first appointment is unknown. The Sendai Kuji Hongi states that Mononobe-no-Ōichi-no-Mikari was made Ō-muraji). Soga-no-Umako was made Ō-omi. On the first day of the fifth month, the day Mizunoe-tora, he decreed that the assembled ministers be sent to the Sagaraka Guesthouse to inspect the tribute goods of Koma before they were sent on to the capital. In the sixth month, the deputy envoy of Koma killed his own chief envoy.

¶In the second year, the year Mizunoto-mi, in summer, on the third day of the fifth month, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, the Koma envoy's ship reached the sea off Koshi and broke apart, drowning many aboard. The court suspected that the envoy had repeatedly lost his way, and ordered Kibi-no-Amabe-no-Naniwa to escort him back to his own country. Naniwa, fearing the winds and waves, cast two of the Koma men into the sea and returned alone.

¶In the third year, the year Kinoe-uma, in autumn, on the twentieth day of the seventh month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, the Koma envoy came once more, asking why the man sent to escort him home had never arrived. Naniwa was accordingly rebuked and punished for his crime. In winter, on the ninth day of the tenth month, the day Hinoe-saru, the Ō-omi, Soga-no-Umako, was sent to the land of Kibi, where the cultivators, tabe, of the Shirai granary were increased. In the eleventh month, Silla presented tribute.

¶In the fourth year, the year Kinoto-hitsuji, in spring, on the ninth day of the first month, the day Kinoe-ne, Hirohime was installed as empress. In this month, Omina-no-kimi was made a consort. In the second month, on the day Kinoto-ushi (Note: reckoning now from Kinoe-ne as the first day of the month, there is no day Kinoto-ushi in this month; it is probably an error for Tsuchinoto-ushi, which falls on the fourth day), Kudara presented tribute twice the usual amount. The emperor, troubled that Mimana had not yet been restored, had the princes and the Ō-omi take counsel together. In summer, on the sixth day of the fourth month, the day Kanoe-tora, Kishi-no-Kaneko was sent to Silla, Kishi-no-Itabi to Mimana, and Kishi-no-Osahiko to Kudara. In the sixth month, Silla presented tribute in greater quantity than usual, and also presented tribute from the four settlements of Tatara, Sunara, Wada, and Hochiki. In winter, in the eleventh month, the empress died. In this year, it was divined whether the residences of Prince Amabe and Prince Itoi might serve as a palace (Note: the Sendai Kuji Hongi writes "Itoi" with a different character meaning "to shine"), and the result was favorable. A palace was accordingly built at Osada, and called the Sakitama Palace (Note: the Kōnendai Ryakki and the Kōdai Ryakki both place the building of the palace in the sixth month. The Rekidai Kōki states that the emperor ascended the throne in the first year and moved the capital to Iware. Both accounts are mistaken).

¶In the fifth year, the year Hinoe-saru, in spring, on the tenth day of the third month, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, Toyomike-Kashikiya-hime was installed as empress.

¶In the sixth year, the year Hinoto-tori, in spring, on the first day of the second month, the day Kinoe-tatsu, he decreed the establishment of the Himatsuribe and Kisaichibe guilds. In summer, on the fifth day of the fifth month, the day Hinoto-ushi, Prince Ōwake, together with Oguro-no-Kishi, was sent as a provincial governor, miyakotsukai, to Kudara. In winter, on the first day of the eleventh month, the day Kanoe-uma, Prince Ōwake and his party returned. The king of Kudara accordingly presented a number of sutras and commentaries, together with a vinaya master, a meditation master, a nun, an exorcist, and craftsmen skilled in Buddhist images and temple building. By decree these were placed at Prince Ōwake's temple in Naniwa.

¶In the seventh year, the year Tsuchinoe-inu, in spring, on the fifth day of the third month, the day Mizunoe-saru, Princess Uji was sent to serve at the Ise Shrine, but was implicated in an incident and dismissed from her post.

¶In the eighth year, the year Tsuchinoto-i, in winter, in the tenth month, Silla presented tribute, along with an image of the Buddha.

¶In the ninth year, the year Kanoe-ne, in summer, in the sixth month, Silla presented tribute, but it was refused.

¶In the tenth year, the year Kanoto-ushi, in spring, in the intercalary second month, several thousand Emishi invaded the borderlands, and their chieftain Ayakasu and the others were summoned and reprimanded. Ayakasu and his men, in great fear, apologized and swore never to rebel again.

¶In the eleventh year, the year Mizunoe-tora, in winter, in the tenth month, Silla presented tribute, but again it was refused.

¶In the twelfth year, the year Mizunoto-u, in autumn, on the first day of the seventh month, the day Hinoto-tori, he decreed that Oshikatsu, kuni-no-miyatsuko of the land of Ki, and Kibi-no-Amabe-no-Hashima be sent to Kudara to summon Nichira, son of the kuni-no-miyatsuko of Ashikita. The king of Kudara would not consent. In winter, in the tenth month, Hashima was again pressed to summon him, and at last brought Nichira home with him.

¶In the thirteenth year, the year Kinoe-tatsu, in spring, on the eighth day of the second month, the day Kanoe-ne, Naniwa-no-Itabi was sent as an envoy to Silla, and from there went on to Mimana as well. In autumn, in the ninth month, Kafuka-no-Omi and Saeki-no-Muraji (the given names of both are missing) returned from Kudara, each bringing back an image of the Buddha. Soga-no-Umako built a hall to house them, and the Buddhist Law spread ever more widely from this time.

¶In the fourteenth year, the year Kinoto-mi, in spring, in the second month, a pestilence spread and many of the people died. On the first day of the third month, the day Hinoto-mi, the Ō-muraji, Mononobe-no-Yuge-no-Moriya, and the court counselor, maetsukimi, Nakatomi-no-Katsumi, submitted: "Ever since the Buddhist Law has flourished, the pestilence has only grown worse. It ought to be strictly forbidden and cut off." The emperor decreed, "Let it be so." The images of the Buddha, the pagoda, and the hall were burned, and the remaining images were cast into the Horie canal at Naniwa.

¶The emperor wished to see Mimana speedily restored, and chose Sakata-no-Mimiko-no-Ō as his envoy. But just then both the emperor and the Ō-muraji, Moriya, fell ill with sores, and the plan could not be carried out. He therefore decreed to his younger brother, Prince Tachibana-no-Toyohi: "Uphold the command left by the late emperor, and make the restoration of Mimana your charge." At this time many in the capital were suffering from the same affliction, and the dead were very numerous, so that people privately whispered that this had come about because the images of the Buddha had been burned. In summer, in the sixth month, Umako, being ill, asked leave to pay homage to the Three Treasures of Buddhism. The emperor had always been fond of letters and history, and did not believe in the Buddhist Law. He decreed to Umako: "You alone may do this; you must not lead others astray." In autumn, on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, the day Tsuchinoto-i, the emperor died in the great hall (Note: this work does not record his age at death. The Jinnō Shōtōki and the Nyoze-in Nendaiki both give it as sixty-one. The Kōdaiki, the Kōnendai Ryakki, the Rekidai Kōki, and the Kōin Shōunroku all give it as forty-eight. Which is correct cannot be determined. The Mizukagami and the Gukanshō give it as twenty-four, but this is an error). A mourning hall, mogari-no-miya, was built at Hirose.

¶In the fourth year of Emperor Sushun's reign, the emperor was buried at the Shinaga Misasagi (Note: the Engishiki calls it the Kawachi-Shinaga-no-Nakao Misasagi). He was posthumously given the title Emperor Bidatsu.

Emperor Yōmei

¶Emperor Yōmei was at first called Prince Ōe. He was the fourth son of Emperor Kinmei. His mother was Katashihime.

¶The emperor always revered the way of the gods, and at the same time believed in the Buddhist Law.

¶In the fourteenth year of Emperor Bidatsu's reign, in the eighth month, Emperor Bidatsu died. On the fifth day of the ninth month, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, the emperor ascended the throne (Note: the Kōnendai Ryakki gives his age as sixty-seven. Since this work does not record the emperor's age at death, it is not given here). He was called Emperor Tachibana-no-Toyohi. He placed his capital at Iware, in a palace called the Ikenobe-no-Namitsuki Palace. The Ō-omi, Soga-no-Umako, and the Ō-muraji, Mononobe-no-Yuge-no-Moriya, both remained in office as before. On the nineteenth day, the day Mizunoe-saru, Princess Sukatehime was sent to serve at the Ise Shrine.

¶In the first year, the year Hinoe-uma, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Mizunoe-ne, Princess Anahobe-no-Hashihito was installed as empress, and Iwakina was received into the rear palace as a consort of lesser rank. In summer, in the fifth month, Prince Anahobe secretly plotted rebellion and killed Miwa-no-Sakau.

¶In the second year, the year Hinoto-hitsuji, in summer, on the second day of the fourth month, the day Kinoe-ne (Note: this work writes the day as Hinoe-ne, but this month began on the day Kinoto-mi, and there is no day Hinoe-ne in it; it has here been corrected by calculation to Kinoe-ne), the emperor performed the harvest rite, niiname, on the bank of the Iware river, but fell ill and returned to the palace. He decreed to the assembled ministers: "I wish to take refuge in the Three Treasures; let this be discussed among you." Mononobe-no-Moriya and Nakatomi-no-Katsumi submitted: "There is no need to honor the Buddha, a foreign deity." Soga-no-Umako approved the emperor's wish, and brought monks into the palace. From this the breach between Moriya and Umako grew only wider. Umako secretly gathered troops, and Moriya and Katsumi likewise gathered troops to defend themselves. Tomi-no-Ichii killed Katsumi. The emperor's sores grew grave, and on the ninth day, the day Mizunoto-ushi, he died in the great hall (Note: this work does not record his age at death. The Jinnō Shōtōki, the Nyoze-in Nendaiki, and the Wakan Gōfu all give it as forty-one. The Kōdai Ryakki and the Kōnendai Ryakki both give it as sixty-nine. Which is correct cannot be determined). He was buried at the Iware-no-Ikenoe Misasagi.

¶In the first year of Empress Suiko's reign, he was reburied at the Shinaga Misasagi in Kawachi (Note: the Engishiki adds the character "hara" after "Shinaga" in the name. The Kojiki states that his tomb was first at Wakigami in Iware, and was later moved to the Shinaga-no-Naka Misasagi). He was posthumously given the title Emperor Yōmei.

Emperor Sushun

¶Emperor Sushun was the twelfth son of Emperor Kinmei (Note: the Sendai Kuji Hongi, the Shōtoku Taishi Denryaku, the Gukanshō, the Kōnendai Ryakki, and the Teiō Hennenki all give him as the fifteenth son. The Rekidai Kōki gives him as the sixteenth son, and the Ichidai Yōki as the sixth son. The Mizukagami and the Jinnō Shōtōki agree with this work). His mother was Oane-no-kimi.

¶When Emperor Yōmei died, no successor had yet been decided. The Ō-muraji, Mononobe-no-Moriya, sought to install Prince Anahobe. On the seventh day of the sixth month, the day Kanoe-inu, the Ō-omi, Soga-no-Umako, acting on the decree of Empress Kashikiya-hime, had Saeki-no-Niete (Note: the Shōtoku Taishi Denryaku writes this as Saeki-no-Muraji-Funato-no-Nawate), Haji-no-Iwamura, and Ikuha-no-Makui kill Prince Anahobe. On the eighth day, the day Kanoto-i, Prince Yakabe was killed. In the seventh month, Umako, together with the emperor [Emperor Sushun, not yet enthroned], the other princes, and the assembled ministers, led an army against Moriya, fought a great battle, and defeated him. Tomi-no-Ichii shot and killed Moriya with an arrow, and for this service was granted ten thousand ke of rice land. On the twenty-first day, the day Kinoe-uma, Emperor Yōmei was buried. On the second day of the eighth month, the day Kinoe-tatsu, Empress Kashikiya-hime, together with the assembled ministers, settled on a plan urging the emperor's accession, and he ascended the throne (Note: the Kōnendai Ryakki and the Ichidai Yōki both give his age as sixty-nine. Since this work does not record the emperor's age at death, it is not given here). He was called Emperor Hatsusebe (Note: the Kojiki writes this as Hatsusebe-no-Wakasazaki). He placed his palace at Kurahashi (Note: the Kojiki calls it the Kurahashi-no-Shibagaki Palace). The Ō-omi, Soga-no-Umako, remained in office as before. In this year, Kudara presented tribute.

¶In the first year, the year Tsuchinoe-saru, in spring, in the third month, Otego was made a consort. In this year, Kudara presented tribute, together with relics of the Buddha and nine monks, and sent craftsmen skilled in temple building, in the casting of pagoda finials, in tile making, and in painting.

¶In the second year, the year Tsuchinoto-tori, in autumn, on the first day of the seventh month, the day Mizunoe-tatsu, Ōmi-no-Mitsu (Note: the Shōtoku Taishi Denryaku writes "Mitsu" with a different character meaning "reed") was sent to the Eastern Mountain Circuit, Shishihito-no-Kari to the Eastern Sea Circuit, and Abe-no-Omi to the Northern Land Circuit, to observe conditions along the borders.

¶In the fourth year, the year Kanoto-i, in summer, on the thirteenth day of the fourth month, the day Kinoe-ne, Emperor Bidatsu was buried. In autumn, on the first day of the eighth month, the day Kanoe-inu, he decreed that the assembled ministers deliberate on securing and governing Mimana. In winter, on the fourth day of the eleventh month, the day Mizunoe-uma (Note: this work gives the date as "the first day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoto-u, the fourth day being Mizunoe-uma"; it is here corrected to the eleventh month, in accordance with the sexagenary calendar and following the Shōtoku Taishi Denryaku), Ki-no-Omaro, Kose-no-Hirabu, Saomi (Note: the Shōtoku Taishi Denryaku writes this as Kose-no-Omi-Saru, without the three characters "Hirabu"), Ōtomo-no-Kui, and Katsuragi-no-Onara were made generals, in order to restore Mimana. They led more than twenty thousand troops and stationed them in Tsukushi. Kishi-no-Iwakane was sent to Silla, and Kishi-no-Itabi to Mimana, to inquire into conditions in the two countries.

¶In the fifth year, the year Mizunoe-ne, in winter, on the fourth day of the tenth month, the day Hinoe-ne, a certain man presented a wild boar from the mountains. The emperor pointed at it and declared: "When will the day come that I may cut off the head of the man I hate, just as this boar's head has been cut off?" And he had great quantities of weapons made ready. The Ō-omi, Umako, heard of this and grew afraid. On the third day of the eleventh month, the day Kinoto-mi, the emperor died suddenly (Note: this work does not record his age at death. The Mizukagami, the Jinnō Shōtōki, the Kōdaiki, and the Ichidai Yōki all give it as seventy-two. The Kōin Shōunroku, the Kōnendai Ryakki, and the Rekidai Kōki give it as seventy-three. Which is correct cannot be determined). On this same day he was buried at the Kurahashi-no-Oka Misasagi. On the fifth day, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, a post-horse was sent racing to Tsukushi, to tell the generals, Ki-no-Omaro among them, that they must not neglect affairs abroad because of turmoil at home (Note: that a post-horse was sent racing to Tsukushi after Emperor Sushun's death and before Empress Suiko's accession was most likely Umako's own doing; but this work offers no account by which the matter can be further examined). He was posthumously given the title Emperor Sushun.