Empress Kōgyoku, Emperor Kōtoku, and Empress Saimei

Empress Kōgyoku

¶Empress Kōgyoku was at first called Princess Takara. She was a great-granddaughter of Emperor Bidatsu, a granddaughter of Prince Oshisaka-no-Hikohito-no-Ōe, and a daughter of Prince Chinu. Her mother was Princess Kibihime.

¶The empress was first married to Prince Takamuku, a grandson of Emperor Yōmei, and bore him a son, Prince Aya. She was afterward taken as a consort by Emperor Jomei.

¶In the second year of Emperor Jomei's reign, she was installed as empress.

¶In the tenth month of the thirteenth year of Emperor Jomei's reign, Emperor Jomei died (Note: one account in the Ichidai Yōki states that Emperor Jomei, as he lay dying, yielded the throne to the empress; it is not clear on what this is based).

¶In the first year, the year Mizunoe-tora, in spring, on the fifteenth day of the first month, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, the empress ascended the throne. She was called Ametoyotakara-Ikashihitarashihime-no-sumeramikoto. The Ō-omi, Soga-no-Emishi, remained in office as before.

¶The empress governed in accordance with the good government of former ages; but Emishi's son, Iruka, took the reins of power into his own hands and governed as he pleased, his authority exceeding even his father's.

¶In this month, a condolence envoy came from Kudara. On the sixth day of the second month, the day Hinoe-tatsu, Koma presented tribute. On the twenty-second day, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, she sent by decree Tsumori-no-Ōama to Koma, Kunikatsu-no-Kuina to Kudara, Kusakabe-no-Mato to Silla, and Sakamoto-no-Nagae to Mimana. On the twenty-fourth day, the day Kanoe-inu, she summoned Gyōki, son of the younger brother of the king of Kudara, and had him lodge at the house of Azumi-no-Yamashiro-no-Muraji. On the third day of the third month, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, rain fell though there were no clouds. On the sixth day, the day Kanoto-tori (Note: the original text lacks the sexagenary date for this day; it has been supplied here from the Kanei text), envoys came from Silla to congratulate the empress on her accession and to offer condolence. In summer, on the eighth day of the fourth month, the day Mizunoto-mi, Gyōki of Kudara came to the court. Long rains continued for more than a month without stopping. On the fifth day of the fifth month, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, Gyōki was summoned and shown a hunt. On the eighteenth day, the day Mizunoe-saru, Kudara presented tribute, and Kunikatsu-no-Kuina returned from Kudara. In this month, the rice ripened. In the sixth month, there was a great drought. In autumn, on the ninth day of the seventh month, the day Mizunoe-inu, a guest star — a comet — entered the moon. On the twenty-seventh day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, the Ō-omi, Emishi, when the people's great rain-prayers had proved ineffective, gathered monks at the great temple to read the Mahayana sutras and burned incense and prayed himself, but this too showed no sign of effect. On the first day of the eighth month, the day Kinoe-saru, the empress made a progress to the bank of the Minabuchi river, knelt in the four directions in worship, and looked up to Heaven in prayer. At once thunder and rain came, and it rained without ceasing for five days, reaching every province alike. The people cried "Long life!" and praised her as "the Empress of Utmost Virtue." On the thirteenth day, the day Hinoe-saru, Chōfuku, of the Tasotsu rank, a Kudara envoy, came as a hostage and was granted the rank of Shōtoku; those of middle rank and below were likewise granted rank and gifts, each according to his station. On the third day of the ninth month, the day Kinoto-u, she levied conscript laborers, yoboro, from Ōmi and Koshi to build the great temple of Kudara, Kudara-ōji, and ordered every other province to build ships. On the nineteenth day, the day Kanoto-hitsuji, intending to build a new palace, she issued a decree to the provinces: "Gather timber by the twelfth month." She likewise levied conscript laborers from the provinces, reaching as far east as Tōtōmi and as far west as Aki. On the twenty-first day, the day Mizunoto-tori, several thousand Emishi of Koshi together submitted to the court. In winter, on the eighth day of the tenth month, the day Kanoe-tora, there was an earthquake. On the ninth day, the day Kanoto-u, there was another earthquake. On the twenty-fourth day, the day Hinoe-uma, there was yet another earthquake. In this month, rain fell though there were no clouds.

¶On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the day Kinoe-uma, the funeral rites for Emperor Jomei were performed for the first time. On the twenty-first day, the day Mizunoe-tora, Emperor Jomei was buried. On this day, the empress moved for a time to the Oharida Palace. This winter, thunder and rain occurred repeatedly, and the warmth was as if it were spring.

¶In the second year, the year Mizunoto-u, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Mizunoe-ne, clouds of five colors spread across the whole sky, and a blue mist hung low over the earth. On the tenth day, the day Kanoto-tori, a great wind blew. In the second month, on the twenty-fifth day, the day Kinoto-mi, hail fell. On the thirteenth day of the third month, the day Mizunoto-i, the Kudara guesthouse at Naniwa caught fire, and the flames spread even to the houses of the common people. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kinoto-i, frost fell and damaged the plants. In this month, hail fell repeatedly, and wind and thunder occurred again and again. In summer, on the seventh day of the fourth month, the day Hinoe-inu, a great wind blew. On the twentieth day, the day Tsuchinoto-i, hail fell and the cold grew bitter enough that people put on layers of padded clothing. On the twenty-first day, the day Kanoe-ne, the Dazai of Tsukushi reported that an envoy bearing tribute had come from Kudara. On the twenty-fifth day, the day Kinoe-tatsu (Note: in the original text the entry for Kinoe-tatsu stands below that for Hinoto-hitsuji, but it has here been corrected by calculation of the sexagenary cycle), Ōmi reported that hail had fallen, each stone about an inch across. On the twenty-eighth day, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, the empress moved to the new palace of Asuka-no-Itabuki. On the thirteenth day of the sixth month, the day Kanoto-u, the Dazai of Tsukushi reported that an envoy bearing tribute had come from Koma. In autumn, on the third day of the seventh month, the day Kanoto-i, she sent a man to Naniwa to inspect the tribute goods of Kudara, and reproached the envoy because the quantity fell short of the usual amount. The water of Manda Pond grew extremely foul, and by the eighth month its color had turned the hue of indigo. On the sixth day of the ninth month, the day Mizunoe-uma, Emperor Jomei was reburied. On the eleventh day, the day Hinoto-i, the empress dowager, Kibishima, died (Note: the Shaku Nihongi holds that Kibishima was Princess Oharida, mother of Prince Chinu, but there is no sure basis for this. On consideration, since the empress's own mother was Princess Kibihime, and since Emperor Kōtoku later honored Empress Kōgyoku with the title of Sumemioya-no-Mikoto, August Grandmother, it may be that the empress dowager spoken of here is in fact Princess Kibihime herself). On the seventeenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, she decreed that Haji-no-Ite take charge of the mourning. From the time the empress dowager had first taken to her sickbed until the mourning was declared, the empress never left her bedside, and nursed her without ever tiring. On the nineteenth day, the day Kinoto-hitsuji, the empress dowager was buried at Mayumi Hill. On this day, hail fell. In winter, on the third day of the tenth month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, she gave a wine feast to the assembled ministers and deliberated on the granting of rank, and decreed to the provincial governors: "For now, follow the former edicts without change. Let each of you attend to your own post and govern with care." In the eleventh month, Soga-no-Iruka, plotting to install Prince Furuhito-no-Ōe, sent Kose-no-Tokuta and Haji-no-Ite to attack Prince Yamashiro-no-Ōe and his house. The prince, together with his wife and children, took their own lives by hanging.

¶In the third year, the year Kinoe-tatsu, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Kinoto-i, Nakatomi-no-Kamatari was appointed to the post of Jingihaku, overseer of the worship of the gods, but pleading illness he did not take up the office. In the third month, the land of Yamato reported that purple lichen had grown on Mount Uda. In summer, on the first day of the sixth month, the day Mizunoto-u, Ōtomo-no-Nagatoko presented lily flowers whose stems, unlike ordinary ones, branched into several heads at the tip. On the sixth day, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, a lotus with twin blossoms sharing a single stem grew in Tsurugi Pond.

¶In the fourth year, the year Kinoto-mi, in spring, in the first month, something was in the capital whose cry resembled that of a monkey, but though people drew near, its form could not be seen. In summer, on the twelfth day of the sixth month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, the countries of the three Han presented tribute. The empress was present in the Daigokuden, the Hall of State. Prince Naka-no-Ōe, conspiring with Nakatomi-no-Kamatari and Soga-no-Kurayamada-no-Ishikawamaro, put Soga-no-Iruka to death there in the court. The empress was greatly alarmed and demanded the reason. Prince Naka-no-Ōe prostrated himself on the ground and reported Iruka's crimes. The empress rose and withdrew to her inner chamber. Iruka's corpse was given over to his father, Emishi, who likewise then took his own life. On the fourteenth day, the day Kanoe-inu, the empress yielded the throne to Prince Karu.

Emperor Kōtoku

¶Emperor Kōtoku was at first called Prince Karu. He was the younger brother of Empress Kōgyoku by the same mother.

¶In the fourth year of Empress Kōgyoku's reign, on the fourteenth day of the sixth month, the day Kanoe-inu, the imperial seal was conferred upon the emperor — Prince Karu — and he was raised to the throne. The emperor wished to yield the throne to Prince Furuhito-no-Ōe, but the prince firmly declined and entered Hōkōji to become a monk. The emperor therefore ascended the altar and took the throne. He was called Ame-yorozu-Toyohi-no-sumeramikoto. On this day, Empress Kōgyoku was honored with the title Sumemioya-no-Mikoto, August Grandmother, Prince Naka-no-Ōe was installed as crown prince, and the posts of Minister of the Left, Minister of the Right, and Uchi-tsu-omi were established for the first time (Note: the account from "established for the first time" onward follows the Kugyō Bunin and the Rekiunki). Abe-no-Kurahashimaro was made Minister of the Left, Soga-no-Kurayamada-no-Ishikawamaro Minister of the Right, and Nakatomi-no-Kamatari was made Uchi-tsu-omi and granted the cap of Daikin rank. Takamuko-no-Kuromaro and the monk Min were made Kuni-no-Hakase, Academicians of the Realm. On the fifteenth day, the day Kanoto-i, gold tablets were bestowed upon the Ministers of the Left and Right (Note: one account in the original text states that refined gold was bestowed).

¶On the nineteenth day, the day Kinoto-u, the emperor, together with the crown prince, attended upon the Sumemioya-no-Mikoto and had the assembled ministers swear an oath beneath a great zelkova tree, declaring before the gods of Heaven and earth: "Heaven covers and earth bears up all things, and the way of sovereigns is but one. Yet in this latter age custom has grown shallow and cold, and the order between lord and vassal has been lost. August Heaven has lent me its hand, and through me has put the violent and rebellious to death. Now let us together pour out our hearts: from this time forward, let there be no second government under the sovereign, and no divided loyalty among his vassals. Should anyone break this oath, let calamities of Heaven and portents of earth arise against him, and let him suffer the punishment of the gods and the chastisement of men. This oath is as clear as the sun and the moon." This year was accordingly recorded as the first year of Taika, "Great Change." This was the origin of the practice of era names (Note: the statement that era names began here follows the proclamation on the change of era name to Kōnin, as recorded in the Nihon Kiryaku. On consideration, the Ranshōshō, the Nichūreki, the Wakan Gōfu, and the Nyoze-in Nendaiki all hold that era names were first established in the reign of Emperor Keitai, under the name Zenki; but since no such record appears in the old histories, this view is not adopted here).

¶In the first year of Taika, the year Kinoto-mi, in autumn, on the second day of the seventh month, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, Princess Hashihito was installed as empress, and Otarashihime and Chi-no-Iratsume were made consorts. On the tenth day, the day Hinoe-ne, Koma, Kudara, and Silla each sent envoys to pay tribute at court. Because the Kudara envoy had also been charged with presenting Mimana's tribute, Kose-no-Tokuta proclaimed the imperial decree reproaching him for this and sent the tribute goods back. Miwa-no-Kurikuma-no-Azumahito and Umakai-no-Miyatsuko (his given name is missing) were sent to inspect the borders of Mimana. On the twelfth day, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, the emperor decreed to the Ministers of the Left and Right: "You ought to govern the realm in accordance with the ways of the sage kings of old, and ought also to show the whole realm good faith." On the thirteenth day, the day Tsuchinoto-u, he likewise questioned the court nobles and the many tomo-no-miyatsuko in turn, asking how the people might be governed to their contentment. On the fourteenth day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, the Minister of the Right, Ishikawamaro, submitted: "The gods of Heaven and earth ought first to be worshipped, and the affairs of government deliberated only afterward." Accordingly Yamato-no-Aya-no-Hirafu was sent to Owari and Imube-no-Komaro to Mino, and offerings to the gods were levied.

¶On the fifth day of the eighth month, the day Kanoe-ne, provincial governors, kokushi, were appointed for the eastern provinces. The emperor then decreed: "I intend to govern the myriad lands in accordance with the trust the gods of Heaven have placed in me. Let household registers be made for all the king's subjects, great and small alike, and let their rice fields be surveyed. The benefits of gardens, ponds, and the resources of land and water shall be shared together with the people. Provincial governors in their provinces must not judge offenses on their own authority, nor accept bribes and thereby reduce the people to poverty. When they come up to the capital, they must not levy large numbers of people to accompany them, but may bring only the kuni-no-miyatsuko and district chieftains, gunryō. Should they have official business, let them eat the millet and ride the horses within their own jurisdiction. Any assistant governor, suke, or officer above that rank who upholds the law shall without fail be rewarded; whoever breaks the law shall have his rank reduced. Any clerk, jō, or officer below that rank who commits the crime of taking bribes shall have the amount exacted twofold, and shall be punished according to the gravity of the offense. Should there be those who falsely claim the titles of kuni-no-miyatsuko, tomo-no-miyatsuko, agata-nushi, or inagi, and privately hold government estates, miyake, and govern districts and prefectures as their own, the provincial governor shall investigate the matter in detail and report the circumstances fully." He further had vacant land chosen on which to build armories, to store the swords, armor, and bows and arrows of each province and district. In the border provinces and districts that bordered on the Emishi, their weapons were inspected and then returned to their original owners. In the six agata of the land of Yamato, separate envoys were sent to survey the rice fields and make household registers (Note: a note in the original text explains that this meant examining the area of cultivated land and the number and ages of the people in each household). Cloth and silk were then bestowed on the provincial governors, each according to his rank.

¶On this same day, a bell and a petition box were set up at court, and the emperor decreed: "Whenever anyone has a grievance to bring, if he has a tomo-no-miyatsuko over him, let the tomo-no-miyatsuko first deliberate on it and then report it; if he has an elder over him, let the elder likewise deliberate on it first and then report it. Should the tomo-no-miyatsuko or elder fail to pass the complaint on, let the petitioner place his written complaint in the box. At daybreak an official shall take it up and report it to me. I will myself note the date, deliberate on it together with the assembled ministers, and punish the tomo-no-miyatsuko or elder at fault. Should officials band together to suppress a complaint, or render an unjust judgment, let the bell be struck. By this means let the people of the realm all come to know my intent." On this same day he also decreed laws concerning male and female bondservants.

¶On the first day of the ninth month, the day Hinoe-tora, envoys were sent to the provinces to have arms made ready (Note: a note in the original text states that from the sixth month to the ninth, envoys were sent in every direction and weapons of every kind were gathered). On the third day, the day Hinoto-u, Prince Furuhito plotted rebellion. On the twelfth day, the day Hinoto-ushi, Kibi-no-Kasataru came before the crown prince and confessed the plot of his own accord (Note: a note in the original text states that Kasataru reported it to the two Ō-omi, Abe and Soga). Uda-no-Emuroko and Koma-no-Miyachi were ordered to lead troops and strike Prince Furuhito down, and he was put to death (Note: one account in a note to the original text holds that this took place on the last day of the eleventh month, the day Kinoe-uma). On the nineteenth day, the day Kinoe-saru, envoys were sent to the provinces to record the numbers of the people. The emperor decreed: "From ancient times, every emperor in turn has set aside nashiro and koshiro, people designated to perpetuate the royal name, so that the name might be handed down to later ages. For this reason the Omi, the Muraji, the tomo-no-miyatsuko, and the kuni-no-miyatsuko have likewise each set aside private subjects of their own, and have used them as they pleased. They have also carved out provinces and agata, mountains and seas, forests and moors, ponds and fields as their private property, and have never ceased contending over them. Some have thereby come to hold tens of thousands of measures, keisoku, of rice land joined together, while others do not have ground enough to set the point of an awl. When tribute and taxes are to be sent up, these men first collect them for themselves and only afterward send on a portion. When palaces are repaired or mausolea built, each likewise leads out his own private subjects to the work. The Book of Changes says: 'Diminish what is above and add to what is below; moderate all things by fixed measure, and neither wealth nor the people will come to harm.' At present the people remain poor, and yet men of power divide up land and water as their own property, sell it to the people, and every year demand its price anew. From this time forward, the private sale of land is forbidden, so as to close off the road to such engrossment." At this the people rejoiced greatly.

¶In winter, on the ninth day of the twelfth month, the day Mizunoto-u, the capital was moved to Naniwa-no-Nagara-no-Toyosaki. In this year, from spring into summer, the rats of Yamato made their way to Naniwa.

¶In the second year, the year Hinoe-uma, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Kinoe-ne, the New Year was celebrated (Note: the Kuji Kongen states that the New Year's morning congratulations began in the first month of the first year of Emperor Jinmu's reign; since the practice appears again here, this may be taken as one of the origins of the rite of court congratulation. On consideration, it is recorded that when the emperor viewed the white pheasant in the first year of Hakuchi, the ceremonial guard was arrayed as at the New Year assembly; from this it would seem that the rite of the New Year assembly was already established by this time. Yet the original text records it on some later occasions and not on others: it states that on the first day of the first month of the fourth year of Emperor Tenmu's reign, the hundred officials paid New Year's homage, and that in the eleventh and thirteenth years the hundred officials paid homage on the second day of the first month on both occasions. Perhaps there was some reason that delayed it to the second day, or some reason that caused the rite to be suspended. For this reason, whether to record it or not is decided here solely by following the old text in each case). When the ceremony was over, the emperor issued a decree promulgating new statutes. The first abolished the koshiro people set aside under former reigns, the various government estates, miyake, everywhere, and the hereditary dependents, kakibe, and private estates, tadokoro, held by the Omi, the Muraji, the tomo-no-miyatsuko, the kuni-no-miyatsuko, and village chiefs, and granted stipend households, jikifu, to the court nobles and above, and cloth and silk, in varying amounts, to officials and commoners. The second newly fixed the boundaries of the home provinces, the Kinai, put the capital in order, established provincial and district governors, divided districts into greater, middle, and lesser, and set up the offices of district chieftain, deputy chieftain, chief administrator, and chief clerk. The third established household registers, enacted the law of allotting and reclaiming rice fields, han'den shūju, and fixed the boundaries of the fields. The fourth abolished the old corvée levies and put into effect the system of tax in grain, corvée, and tribute in kind, so, yō, and chō.

¶In this month, the emperor made a progress to the detached palace of Koshiro (Note: one account in a note to the original text states that the Koshiro government estate at Sayabe village in Naniwa was pulled down and a temporary palace built in its place). Envoys were sent to the districts and provinces to have the armories put in order, and the Emishi submitted to the court. On the fifteenth day of the second month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, the emperor came to the eastern gate of the palace and had the Minister of the Right, Ishikawamaro, proclaim a decree, saying: "I have heard that when a wise and discerning sovereign governs the people, he hangs a bell at the palace gate to learn of the people's grievances, and builds a hut at the crossroads to hear the complaints of travelers on the road. Even the words of a humble woodcutter or grass-gatherer are sought out and taken as instruction. For this reason I earlier issued a decree saying: 'Those of old who governed the realm set up at court a banner to invite good counsel and a post for posting criticism, so that the way of government might be kept open; whenever anyone came forward to remonstrate, this was the means by which opinion was broadly sought from those below.' The Guanzi says: 'That the Yellow Emperor held deliberations in the Hall of Light was so that he might observe the counsel of the worthy from above. That Yao held audience in the chamber of the crossroads was so that he might hear the voices of the people from below. That Shun set up a banner inviting good counsel was so that the sovereign's eyes and ears might never be stopped. That Yu set up a drum of remonstrance at court was to be ready for all who wished to seek audience. That Tang held court in the hall of general inquiry was so that he might see the people's faults. That King Wu had the park of the Spirit Tower was so that the worthy might come forward. These are the reasons why the sage emperors and enlightened kings of old held on to these things without losing them, and gained them without ever letting them go' (Note: in the Guanzi as it is read today, "Hall of Light" appears as "Hall of Brightness," "drum of remonstrance" for "battle drum," "seek audience" for "inquire and sigh," "general inquiry" for "general street," "the people's faults" for "the people's criticism," "the park" for "the deliberation," and "never letting them go" for "never forgetting them"). For this reason I lately had a bell hung and a box set up, and appointed officials to collect the petitions placed in it. Every morning I have had these taken up and examined, so that no case of injustice or delay might occur. Of late someone placed a petition in the box stating that when the people come to the capital on some errand, officials at once detain them and put them to labor. This had not escaped my own notice from the first, but since the move of the capital is still recent and the work of construction is not yet finished, I have had no choice but to make use of their labor. Having lately received this petition, I cannot but be moved by it. Let the various miscellaneous labor-levies be suspended." Koma, Kudara, Mimana, and Silla paid tribute at court. On the twenty-second day, the day Kinoto-u, the emperor's procession returned from the detached palace of Koshiro.

¶On the second day of the third month, the day Kinoe-ne, the emperor decreed to the provincial governors of the eastern provinces: "Whoever reigns between Heaven and earth and governs the myriad people cannot rule by his own judgment alone, but must always borrow the strength of those who assist him. For this reason our imperial ancestors governed together with the grandfathers and fathers of you, my lords, and I too, relying on the protection of the gods, wish to govern together with you. I earlier sent court nobles of good family to govern the eight circuits of the east; of these, six upheld the law, while two broke the statutes. I honor those who upheld the law, and I hold in contempt those who broke the statutes. Let both be dealt with according to the earlier edict." On the nineteenth day, the day Kanoto-mi, he decreed to the assembly envoys, chōshūshi, of the eastern provinces: "Last year, in the eighth month, I myself admonished you, saying: 'You must not use the authority of your office to take what belongs to others, whether public or private; each of you should eat the millet and ride the horses within his own jurisdiction. Should anyone break this admonition, any deputy governor or officer above shall have his rank reduced, and any clerk, sakan, or officer below shall be punished with the rod, and the goods taken unlawfully shall be exacted twofold.' Having now questioned the assembly envoys and the various kuni-no-miyatsuko, and learned in full the offenses committed by the provincial governors, how can I fail to grieve at heart that this edict has been disobeyed? Whoever governs the people, if he himself takes the lead in righteousness, who then would dare to act otherwise? Whether lord or vassal, whoever does not keep his heart upright ought to bear the penalty for it. The offenses committed by the various provincial governors should be judged by the penal code according to their gravity. And those kuni-no-miyatsuko who, defying the edict, have bribed the provincial governors in pursuit of unlawful gain, and have been greedy and corrupt, cannot be left unpunished either. Yet since we have only lately moved into the new palace, and are about to make offerings to the gods, and since this is moreover the busy season of farming, and the people are being made to labor on the construction, a general amnesty should be granted throughout the realm. Let every offense short of a capital crime be pardoned. From this time forward, let the provincial governors reverently honor the earlier edict, and never again indulge in self-willed conduct." Shioya-no-Konoshiro, Kamukoso-no-Sakikusa, the lord of Asakura, Mariko-no-Muraji, Mikawa-no-Ōtomo-no-Atai, and Ashio-no-Atai — six men in all (Note: the given names of four of them are missing) — were commended at length by imperial decree for their good administration. The tonden, rice fields administered by the various government offices, were abolished, the rice that the empress dowager Kibishima had lent out was remitted, and these tonden fields were divided among the assembled ministers and the tomo-no-miyatsuko.

¶On the twentieth day, the day Mizunoe-uma, the crown prince had earlier been ordered to deliberate on whether the private dependents attached to the koshiro and to the names of princes, and the government estates, miyake, ought to be abolished or kept as they were. The crown prince accordingly submitted that they be abolished, and first presented five hundred and twenty-four private dependents and a hundred and eighty-one government estates. On the twenty-second day, the day Kinoe-saru, the emperor decreed: "I have heard that the lord of a western country once admonished his people, saying: 'The burial rites of antiquity raised the grave on high ground, without heaping up earth or planting trees over it; the inner and outer coffins needed only be enough to let the bones decay within them, and the burial garments only enough to let the flesh decay.' I therefore wish to have my own tomb built on hill land unfit for cultivation, so that once a generation has passed, its location will no longer be known. Gold, silver, bronze, and iron shall not be buried with me; only earthenware vessels shall be used, in keeping with the spirit of the clay carriages and straw figures of antiquity. The lacquered seams of the coffin shall be sealed with no more than three applications, and the rice placed in the mouth of the dead shall not be mixed with pearls or jewels, nor shall pearl-sewn shrouds or jade cases be used. These are all foolish and vulgar customs. It is also said that burial means concealment, a wish that the dead not be seen by others. Of late my people have often been reduced to poverty by the building of elaborate tombs. This is surely because no limit has been set according to rank. I now therefore establish a new law. From princes down to commoners, none shall hold a mogari, a prolonged mourning vigil before burial. Within the home provinces and in every province, burial grounds shall be fixed in a single place, and shall not be scattered here and there. Every such harmful custom — whether a mourner hanging himself, or strangling another to die in attendance on the dead, or burying a horse in the grave pit, or depositing treasure in the tomb, or cutting one's hair and stabbing one's thigh while pronouncing words of grief — is henceforth entirely forbidden. Should anyone defy this decree, the penalty shall extend to his whole clan." He further decreed: "Abolish the taxes levied on the market officials and on the ferrymen at the chief river crossings, and grant them rice fields instead." Envoys were sent to the provinces to encourage farming, and the drinking of wine and eating of delicacies before the season of cultivation were forbidden.

¶In autumn, on the fourteenth day of the eighth month, the day Mizunoto-tori, a decree was issued explaining to the Omi, the Muraji, the tomo-no-miyatsuko, and the kuni-no-miyatsuko the intent behind newly establishing the hundred offices and reforming all the old posts. In the ninth month, Takamuko-no-Kuromaro, of the Shōtoku rank, was sent to Silla to demand a hostage, and the tribute formerly paid on behalf of Mimana was abolished. In this month, the emperor made a progress to the detached palace of Kaeru. In this year, the rats of the land of Koshi made their way east without ceasing, day and night.

¶In the third year, the year Hinoto-hitsuji, in spring, on the fifteenth day of the first month, the day Mizunoe-tora, archery was reviewed at court. On this day, Koma and Silla sent envoys to present tribute. In winter, on the eleventh day of the tenth month, the day Kinoe-ne, the emperor made a progress to the hot spring of Arima. The Ministers of the Left and Right and the assembled ministers and court nobles attended him. On the last day of the twelfth month, the day Kanoto-mi, he returned to the temporary palace of Muko. On this day, the crown prince's residence caught fire. In this year, the emperor moved to the Ogōri Palace. New codes of ceremony were established, the hours at which the hundred officials were to attend court were fixed, and caps of seven colors and thirteen ranks were instituted. Yamato-no-Aya-no-Aratai-no-Hirafu, a craftsman of the Daisen rank, sought to dig a channel linking the area to Naniwa, but mismanaged the direction of the work, and the people were worn out by it. Someone submitted a memorial remonstrating against it. The emperor decreed: "Let the work be halted this very day." The stockade of Nutari was built, and stockade households were placed there. Takamuko-no-Kuromaro, of the Shōtoku rank, and Nakatomi-no-Oshikuma, of the Shōsenchū rank, returned from Silla. Silla sent Kim Chunchu, Grand Asan of the senior ministers, to escort them home; he presented a peacock and a parrot, one of each, and was himself detained as a hostage.

¶In the fourth year, the year Tsuchinoe-saru, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Mizunoe-uma, the New Year was celebrated. That evening, the emperor made a progress to the Toyosaki Palace at Naniwa. In summer, on the first day of the fourth month, the day Kanoto-i, the old system of caps was abolished. In this year, Silla paid tribute. The stockade of Iwafune was repaired as a defense against the Emishi, and people chosen from Koshi and Shinano were for the first time settled there as stockade households.

¶In the fifth year, the year Tsuchinoto-tori, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Hinoe-uma, the New Year was celebrated. In the second month, the system of cap ranks was reformed into nineteen grades, and the eight ministries and hundred offices were established. On the seventeenth day of the third month, the day Kanoto-tori, the Minister of the Left, Abe-no-Kurahashimaro, died. The emperor performed the rites of mourning for him at the Suzaku Gate. On the twenty-fourth day, the day Tsuchinoe-tatsu, the Minister of the Right, Soga-no-Kurayamada-no-Ishikawamaro, falsely accused by his own younger brother, Hyūga, took his own life. When the truth of the matter afterward came to light, Hyūga was demoted and sent off as Governor-General of Tsukushi. In summer, on the twentieth day of the fourth month, the day Kinoe-uma, Kose-no-Tokuta, of the Shōshi rank, was made Minister of the Left, and Ōtomo-no-Nagatoko, of the Shōshi rank, was made Minister of the Right, and both were granted the Daishi rank. On the first day of the fifth month, the day Mizunoto-u (Note: calculating now by the sexagenary cycle, this day ought to be Kinoe-tatsu rather than Mizunoto-u; but following the old text, no change is made without due cause), Miwa-no-Shikobu, of the Shōkage rank, and Kanimori-no-Tsunomaro, of the Daisenjō rank, were sent to Silla. In this year, a Silla envoy, Kim Tasui, Asan of the Saptak clan, came as a hostage.

¶In the first year of Hakuchi, the year Kanoe-inu, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Kanoto-ushi, the emperor's procession made a progress to the Ajifu Palace, received the New Year's congratulations, and returned to the palace that same day. On the ninth day of the second month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, Kusakabe-no-Shikofu, the provincial governor of Anato, presented a white pheasant, hakuchi. The emperor decreed: "Let it be kept in the garden." On the fifteenth day, the day Kinoe-saru, the emperor viewed the white pheasant. The ceremonial guard was arrayed as at the New Year assembly, and the pheasant was carried in on a palanquin borne by the assembled ministers. The Ministers of the Left and Right helped bear it before the throne, and the crown prince had the Minister of the Left, Tokuta, lead the assembled ministers in presenting a memorial of congratulation. The emperor decreed: "Whenever a sage king has appeared in this world and governed the people, Heaven has answered him by manifesting an auspicious sign. Of old, among the lords of the western lands, a white pheasant is said to have appeared in the ages of King Cheng of Zhou and Emperor Ming of Han. In our own land of Japan, in the age of Emperor Homuda — Emperor Ōjin — a white bird built its nest in the palace; and in the time of Emperor Ōsazaki — Emperor Nintoku — a dragon-horse appeared from the west. From ancient times to the present, auspicious signs have appeared from time to time, but always in answer to a sovereign of virtue. The phoenix, the unicorn, the white pheasant, the white crow, rare plants and fine trees, and all such auspicious signs, are propitious marks brought forth by Heaven and earth. That a wise and sage sovereign should receive such a sign is indeed fitting. Yet I consider myself a man of scant virtue — how could I have brought this about? It must surely be the result of the sincere hearts of the ministers who assist me, the Omi, the Muraji, the tomo-no-miyatsuko, and the kuni-no-miyatsuko, each upholding and obeying the laws of the realm. Let the assembled ministers and the hundred officials, with pure hearts, reverently serve the gods of Heaven and earth. Together with the whole realm, we ought to receive this auspicious sign." He further decreed a change of era name, granted a general amnesty throughout the realm, forbade the flying of hawks within the borders of Anato, and bestowed gifts, each according to rank, on all from the assembled ministers down to the clerks, reishi. Shikofu was granted the Daisen rank and rewarded generously, and the tribute levies of Anato were remitted for three years. In summer, in the fourth month, Silla paid tribute (Note: one account in a note to the original text states that throughout this reign, the three countries of Koma, Kudara, and Silla sent envoys to pay tribute every year). In winter, in the tenth month, intending to rebuild the Toyosaki Palace, the emperor ordered Aratai-no-Hirafu, the Chief Minister of Works, to set up boundary markers, and had the dwellings and graves within its bounds moved elsewhere, bestowing gifts, each according to rank, on those who were moved.

¶In the second year, the year Kanoto-i, in summer, in the sixth month, Kudara paid tribute. In autumn, in the seventh month, the Minister of the Right, Ōtomo-no-Nagatoko, died (Note: the account from "in autumn, in the seventh month" follows the Kugyō Bunin). In winter, on the last day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoe-uma, more than two thousand one hundred monks and nuns were summoned to the Ajifu Palace to read the Buddhist canon; more than two thousand seven hundred lamps were lit within the palace, and the Antaku-kyō, the Doshiki-kyō, and other sutras were read. At this time the emperor moved from the Ōgōri Palace to the new palace, called Naniwa-no-Nagara-no-Toyosaki (Note: on consideration, the original text states that the Ogōri Palace was built in the third year of Taika, yet here it speaks of moving from the Ōgōri Palace; it is probably because the readings of the characters for "lesser" and "greater" are close to one another, and not that these were different places). In this year, a Silla envoy bearing tribute reached Tsukushi, but, his dress being cut in the fashion of Tang, he was reproached for it and sent back.

¶In the third year, the year Mizunoe-ne, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Tsuchinoto-mi, the New Year was celebrated. On this day, the emperor made a progress to the Ōgōri Palace. On the ninth day of the third month, the day Hinoe-tora, the emperor's procession returned to the palace. In summer, on the twentieth day of the fourth month, the day Hinoto-hitsuji, heavy rain fell for nine days without stopping, and the resulting flood destroyed houses and ruined crops, and many people and animals died. In this month, household registers were made. Silla and Kudara paid tribute. In winter, in the twelfth month, the monks and nuns of the whole realm were summoned to the palace, a religious feast was held, and lamps were lit.

¶In the fourth year, the year Mizunoto-ushi, in summer, on the twelfth day of the fifth month, the day Mizunoe-inu, Kishi-no-Nagani, of the Shōsenjō rank, was made chief envoy to Tang, with Kishi-no-Koma, of the Shōotsujō rank (Note: a note in the original text states that he was also called Ito), as his deputy. Likewise Takata-no-Nemaro, of the Daisenge rank (Note: a note in the original text states that he was also called Yatsukahagi), was made chief envoy, with Kanimori-no-Omaro, of the Shōotsujō rank, as his deputy. In this month, the emperor's procession visited the lodging of the monk Min to inquire after his illness (Note: one account in a note to the original text states that in the seventh month of the fifth year, the monk Min lay ill at Azumidera, and the emperor visited him in person and took his hand, saying, "If the master should die today, I too shall die tomorrow"). In the sixth month, Kudara and Silla paid tribute. In this month, the monk Min died. An envoy was sent to present a gift of condolence, and painters were ordered to paint numerous images of the Buddha, which were placed at Kawara-dera (Note: one account in a note to the original text gives this as Yamada-dera). In autumn, in the seventh month, Takata-no-Nemaro, the envoy to Tang, reached Take-shima in Satsuma, where his ship was swept away and sank, and only five men, Kadobe-no-Kane among them, were saved. In this year, the crown prince petitioned to move to the capital of Yamato, but this was not granted. The crown prince, attending upon the Sumemioya-no-Mikoto and the empress, and leading his younger brother, moved to the temporary palace of Asuka-Kawabe in Yamato, and the assembled ministers and the hundred officials all followed him. The emperor, displeased at this, considered giving up the throne. A palace was built at Yamazaki.

¶In the fifth year, the year Kinoe-tora, in spring, on the first day of the first month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, rats moved to the capital of Yamato during the night. On the fifth day, the day Mizunoe-ne, the Uchi-tsu-omi, Nakatomi-no-Kamatari, was granted the purple cap. In the second month, Takamuko-no-Kuromaro, of the Daikinjō rank, was made chief envoy with authority, ōshi, to Tang (Note: one account in a note to the original text states that in summer, in the fifth month, Takamuko-no-Kuromaro, of the Daikage rank, was sent to Tang), with Kawabe-no-Maro, of the Shōkinge rank, as chief envoy and Kusushi-no-Enichi, of the Daisenge rank, as deputy envoy. In summer, in the fourth month, two men and two women of the land of Tokhara and one woman of the land of Śrāvastī drifted ashore in Hyūga. In autumn, in the seventh month, the envoys to Tang — Kishi-no-Nagani, of the Shōsenjō rank, and Kishi-no-Koma, of the Shōotsuge rank (Note: the earlier passage in the original text gives him as Shōotsujō), among others — returned home together with escorts sent by Kudara and Silla, and presented books and treasures. Nagani was granted the Shōkage rank and enfeoffed with two hundred households, and Koma was granted the Shōsenjō rank. In winter, on the first day of the tenth month, the day Mizunoto-u, the emperor took to his sickbed. The crown prince, together with the Sumemioya-no-Mikoto, the empress, his younger brother, and the assembled ministers, all came to attend him at the Naniwa palace. On the tenth day, the day Mizunoe-ne, the emperor died in the main chamber (Note: this work does not record his age at death. The Jinnō Shōtōki and the Nyoze-in Nendaiki both give it as fifty-nine. There is nothing else by which the matter can be further examined). A mourning hall was built in the southern garden, and Haji-no-Tsuchitoko, of the Shōsenjō rank, was put in charge of its affairs. In the twelfth month, the emperor was buried at the Ōsaka-no-Shinaga Misasagi in Kawachi.

¶The emperor revered the Buddhist Law and held the Way of the Gods in light regard (Note: a note in the original text gives, as an example of this, his having had the sacred trees of the Ikukunitama Shrine cut down). He was by nature gentle and deeply benevolent, was fond of Confucian learning, made no distinction between high and low, and often issued decrees of clemency. He was posthumously given the title Emperor Kōtoku.

Empress Saimei

¶Empress Saimei was Empress Kōgyoku come again to the throne. The empress had earlier yielded the throne to Emperor Kōtoku, who in turn honored her with an exalted title and called her Sumemioya-no-Mikoto.

¶In the tenth month of the fifth year of Hakuchi, Emperor Kōtoku took to his sickbed. The empress went from the temporary palace of Asuka-Kawabe to the Naniwa palace. Before long Emperor Kōtoku died, and on the eighth day of the twelfth month, the day Tsuchinoto-tori, he was buried. On this day, the empress returned from Naniwa to the temporary palace. In this year, the three Han sent envoys to offer condolence.

¶In the first year, the year Kinoto-u, in spring, on the third day of the first month, the day Kinoe-inu, the empress ascended the throne at the Asuka-no-Itabuki Palace. Prince Naka-no-Ōe remained crown prince as before, and the Minister of the Left, Kose-no-Tokuta, and the Uchi-tsu-omi, Nakatomi-no-Kamatari, both remained in office as before (Note: the account from "the Minister of the Left" onward follows the Kugyō Bunin). In summer, on the first day of the fifth month, the day Kanoe-uma, a figure riding a dragon was seen to soar up into the sky from the peak of Katsuragi and pass into Mount Ikoma; and about noon it was seen again, departing westward from Matsu-dake at Sumiyoshi. In autumn, on the eleventh day of the seventh month, the day Tsuchinoto-u, food was bestowed on the Emishi of the northeast, and the Emishi of the stockades and of Tsugaru were each granted an advance of two cap ranks. On the first day of the eighth month, the day Tsuchinoe-inu, Kawabe-no-Maro, of the Shōkinge rank, and his party returned from Tang. In winter, the Itabuki Palace caught fire, and the empress moved to the Asuka-Kawara Palace. In this year, the three Han paid tribute. Silla sent Mimu, of the Kyūasan rank, as a hostage, and the Emishi and the hayato together submitted and paid tribute.

¶In the second year, the year Hinoe-tatsu, in autumn, on the eighth day of the eighth month, the day Kanoe-ne, Koma paid tribute. In the ninth month, envoys were sent to Koma, Kashiwade-no-Hazumi as chief envoy and Sakaibe-no-Iwasuki as deputy (Note: a later passage in the original text gives him as Iwashiki). In this year, the site of the palace was divined anew and fixed at Asuka-Okamoto. Koma, Kudara, and Silla sent envoys to present tribute, and tents were accordingly set up on the site to entertain them. A palace hall was then built and called the Later Okamoto Palace of Asuka. A high pavilion was also built atop Mount Tamu, beneath a pair of zelkova trees, and enclosed by a fence; it was called the Futatsuki Palace, or the Heavenly Palace. The Yoshino Palace was also built. Saeki-no-Takunawa, the envoy to the Western Sea (Note: the note in the original text omits his cap rank), and Naniwa-no-Kunikatsu, of the Shōsenge rank, returned from Kudara and presented a parrot. The Okamoto Palace caught fire.

¶In the third year, the year Hinoto-mi, in autumn, in the seventh month, six people of the land of Tokhara drifted ashore at Tsukushi. They were summoned to the capital by post-horse relay. On the fifteenth day, the day Kanoto-ushi, a model of Mount Sumeru was temporarily built to the west of Asuka-dera, and the Urabon'e, the Feast of the Dead, was held there to entertain the people of Tokhara. In this year, Hashihito-no-Miumaya, Yosami-no-Wakugo, and the monk Chitatsu were sent to Tang, with orders that they be escorted home by way of Silla; but Silla did not comply with the decree, and Miumaya and the others returned home on their own. Agata-no-Tsurataru, of the Shōkage rank, envoy to the Western Sea, and Tsu-no-Kugutsu, of the Shōsenge rank, returned from Kudara and presented a camel and two donkeys. Iwami reported that a white fox had appeared.

¶In the fourth year, the year Tsuchinoe-uma, in spring, on the thirteenth day of the first month, the day Hinoe-saru, the Minister of the Left, Kose-no-Tokuta, died. In summer, in the fourth month, Abe-no-Hirafu (Note: the given name is missing in the original text, but it is here fixed as Hirafu; the matter is treated in detail in his own biography) led a fleet of one hundred and eighty ships against the Emishi and brought them to submission. He granted the Shōotsujō rank to Oga, an Emishi of Akita, established district chieftains over the two districts of Nushiro and Tsugaru, and returned. In autumn, on the fourth day of the seventh month, the day Kinoe-saru, more than two hundred Emishi came to the court and paid tribute, and were rewarded generously. Two Emishi of the stockades were each granted an advance of one rank. Cap ranks were bestowed on the other district chieftains of Nushiro, and flags, drums, bows and arrows, and armor were given as gifts. The emperor decreed that Sani-no-Kuna, the senior district chieftain of Nushiro, examine the number of households, and of the captives, under his charge. In winter, on the fifteenth day of the tenth month, the day Kinoe-ne, the empress made a progress to the hot spring of Ki. In the eleventh month, Prince Arima plotted rebellion. Soga-no-Akae, who had been left in charge of the capital, sent word of the affair by post-horse. On the ninth day, the day Tsuchinoe-ne, Prince Arima was seized and sent under escort to the empress's temporary lodging. On the eleventh day, the day Kanoe-tora, Prince Arima was strangled at Fujishiro Hill. His followers were without exception banished or beheaded. In this year, Abe-no-Hirafu, governor of the land of Koshi, attacked the Mishihase and presented two bears and seventy bearskins. The monk Chiyu constructed a south-pointing chariot. Izumo reported: "Fish gathered in great numbers along the shore and died, piling up to a height of about three feet; they had beaks like sparrows and scales like needles, and were about the size of a globefish." Azumi-no-Tsurataru, of the Shōkage rank, envoy to the Western Sea, returned from Kudara.

¶In the fifth year, the year Tsuchinoto-hitsuji, in spring, on the third day of the first month, the day Kanoto-mi, the empress's procession returned from the hot spring of Ki. On the first day of the third month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, she made a progress to Yoshino and held a banquet there. On the third day, the day Kanoe-tatsu, she made a progress to Hira Bay in Ōmi. On the tenth day, the day Hinoto-i, people of Tokhara and Śrāvastī came to court. In this month, Abe-no-Hirafu led a fleet of one hundred and eighty ships against the Emishi and brought them to submission; he placed district chieftains at Shiribeshi and returned (Note: one account in a note to the original text states that Abe-no-Hikita-no-Omi Hirafu attacked the Mishihase, and on his return presented forty-nine captives). By imperial command, the provincial governors of Mutsu and Koshi were each granted an advance of two ranks, and the district chieftains and chief administrators an advance of one rank each. In autumn, on the third day of the seventh month, the day Tsuchinoe-tora, Sakaibe-no-Iwashiki, of the Shōkinge rank, and Tsumori-no-Kisa, of the Daisenge rank, were sent as envoys to Tang, taking with them two Emishi, a man and a woman, from Mutsu, to show to the Tang emperor. In this year, the kuni-no-miyatsuko of Izumo was ordered to repair the Grand Shrine.

¶In the sixth year, the year Kanoe-saru, in spring, in the third month, Abe-no-Hirafu was sent leading a fleet of two hundred ships to attack the Mishihase. In summer, on the eighth day of the fifth month, the day Tsuchinoe-saru, Koma came to court. In this month, by imperial command, a hundred preaching platforms and a hundred patched kesa robes were made, and the Ninnō-e, a ceremony of reading the Benevolent Kings Sutra, was held. The crown prince for the first time constructed a water-clock. Abe-no-Hirafu presented more than fifty captives. In autumn, on the fifth day of the ninth month, the day Mizunoto-u, Kudara sent an envoy who reported: "Silla has borrowed Tang troops and destroyed our country. The Sapyeong Kishitsu Fukushin is fighting Silla and seeking to restore the kingdom" (Note: one account in a note to the original text states that this man was a person of Kudara who had himself come to avoid the disaster). In winter, in the tenth month, Kishitsu Fukushin sent an envoy presenting more than a hundred Tang captives, and begged for aid, asking at the same time that his prince, Yoho (Note: the original text gives this as Yohoshō, "Pung," but it has here been corrected; the matter is treated in detail in the Kudara biography), be welcomed back and made ruler of the country. An imperial decree granted this. On the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth month, the day Kanoe-tora, intending to send troops to the relief of Kudara, the empress made a progress to the Naniwa palace and reviewed the arms and equipment. By imperial command, ships were built in Suruga. Shinano reported: "Flies gathered and flew together in a mass some ten spans across; above they covered the blue sky, and they passed west over Mount Ōsaka."

¶In the seventh year, the year Kanoto-tori, in spring, on the sixth day of the first month, the day Mizunoe-tora, the empress herself led a fleet west on campaign. On the eighth day, the day Kinoe-tatsu, she reached the sea off Oku. On the fourteenth day, the day Kanoe-inu, she stayed at the temporary palace of Iwayu at Nikitatsu in Iyo. On the twenty-fifth day of the third month, the day Kanoe-saru, she moved to Na-no-Ōtsu and stayed at the temporary palace of Iwase, renaming the place Nagatsu. In summer, in the fourth month, the Sapyeong of Kudara, Kishitsu Fukushin, submitted a memorial asking that his prince Kyūkai be welcomed back. On the ninth day of the fifth month, the day Mizunoto-u, the empress had the trees of the Asakura shrine cut down to build the Tachibana-no-Hironiwa Palace, and took up residence there. The wrath of the god fell upon it: the palace buildings were damaged, and ghostly fires were seen. Many of the chamberlains and attendants in close service died of illness. On the twenty-third day, the day Hinoto-mi, Tamna for the first time sent its prince Awaki and others as envoys, and paid tribute at court. In autumn, on the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month, the day Hinoto-mi, the empress died at the Asakura Palace (Note: this work does not record her age at death. The Mizukagami, the Jinnō Shōtōki, the Ichidai Yōki, the Kōin Shōunroku, and the Kōnendai Ryakki all give it as sixty-eight). In the eighth month, the crown prince, bearing the empress's coffin, moved to the Nagatsu Palace. That evening, it was said that a demon appeared atop Mount Asakura, wearing a great hat, and watched the funeral rites. A mourning vigil was held at Asuka-Kawara, and she was buried at the Ochi-no-Oka-no-e Misasagi. She was posthumously given a title, her earlier reign being called Empress Kōgyoku and her later reign Empress Saimei.

¶Earlier, when the empress resided at the Okamoto Palace of Asuka, she often undertook works of construction. She once ordered irrigation engineers to dig a channel linking the west of Mount Kagu to Mount Isonokami, and used two hundred boats to carry stone from Mount Isonokami to the hill east of the palace, piling it up there into a wall. The timber used for this rotted and decayed, left heaped on the hilltop. The craftsmen and laborers numbered more than a hundred thousand, and the expense was beyond reckoning. The officials and the people resented and suffered under this, and called it "the Channel of the Frenzied Heart." They also mocked it, saying, "Even if a hill of stone is built, it will collapse of itself as soon as it is made."