Biographies CLXII: Foreign Peoples, Part IV: Baekje, First Half

¶Baekje (Kudara), first half.

¶The ancestors of Baekje came from the Buyeo people, and the founder's name was Onjo. In former times Gi Jun of Joseon was driven out by Wi Man, a man of Yan, and fled south across the sea. He settled at Geummajeo in the land of the Han, styled himself King of Han, and ruled over more than fifty states. This was Mahan. The large states had over ten thousand households and the small ones several thousand, and each had its own chief. The chief of a large state was called Sinji, and the rank below him was called Eupcha. The people settled on the land and farmed, understood sericulture, and wove silk and cloth. They lived scattered among the mountains and seas, without walled cities; they built houses of earth and opened the doorway at the top. Their customs were little bound by rules. They did not prize gold, silver or brocade rugs, but valued beads and pendants of jade, which they used as hair ornaments and earrings. The men wore silk robes and straw sandals, were fierce in temperament, and were skilled in the use of bows, shields, spears and watchtowers. There were also Jinhan and Byeonhan, each ruling twelve states and subject to Mahan. These two Han, Jinhan and Byeonhan, were later absorbed by Silla (Shiragi). The Gi house ruled Mahan and passed it down for some two hundred years, until Onjo destroyed it and the Gi bloodline came to an end.

¶Onjo's father was Go Jumong, the founder of Goguryeo (Kōkuri). Jumong was first in North Buyeo, where he had a son, Yuri. Later he went to Jolbon Buyeo, where he married a daughter of the king of Buyeo and had two sons; the elder was Biryu and the younger was Onjo. When Yuri grew up he fled from North Buyeo to Jolbon Buyeo, and Jumong made him Crown Prince. Biryu and Onjo resented this, and, fearing they would not be tolerated by Yuri, they fled south with ten followers including Ogan and Maryeo. Biryu settled at Michu, and Onjo settled at Wiryeseong south of the river. The king of Mahan, of the Gi house, cut off land of one hundred ri to the northeast and gave it to them. Onjo took the ten followers, Ogan and the rest, as his aides, and named his state Sipje. At Michu, Biryu found the water and soil damp and salty, and could not settle in peace. When he saw that the capital at Wiryeseong was already established and its people were living in security, he died of shame and anger. His subjects and people all went over to Wiryeseong. Thereupon the name of the state was changed to Baekje, and, because the ruling house, like that of Goguryeo, came from Buyeo, the family name was made Buyeo. This year corresponds to the twelfth year of Emperor Suinin (18 BCE).

¶Onjo moved his capital to Hansan and built a city on the northwest bank of the Han River; he secretly sent out troops to attack Mahan and seized all its land. The offices he established included the Naesin, the Naedu and the Naebeop Wisa, and the military posts were all held by the Jwapyeong, an official of the first rank; there were besides the offices of Dalsol, Eunsol, Deoksol, Hansol, Nasol, Jangdeok, Sideok, Godeok, Gyedeok, Daedeok, Mundok, Mudok, Jwageo, Jinmu and Geugu. When Onjo died his son Daru succeeded him; after his death his son Giru succeeded; after his death his son Gaeru succeeded; and after his death his son Chogo succeeded. This year corresponds to the thirty-fourth year of Emperor Seimu (164). (Note: following the Samguk Sagi and the Dongguk Tonggam.)

¶In the ninth year of Emperor Chūai (200), Empress Jingū set out on her expedition to the west. Chogo heard that Silla had already surrendered, handing over its registers of households and its maps. He secretly sent men to observe the strength of her army, and, seeing that he could not possibly oppose it, he came out himself beyond his camp, bowed his head to the ground, and said, "I pray that we may be a western vassal state for all time, and bring tribute every year." Accordingly his surrender was accepted, and the Uchi-no-Miyake, the inner royal estate, was established as an official domain (miyake).

¶In the Kinoe-ne year (244), Gudi, Mijuryu and Makgo were sent to present tribute, and they passed through the state of Takjun. Malgeum Hangi, the king of Takjun, said to Gudi and the others, "We have heard for a long time that there is a country of Japan to the east. But the sea is distant and the waves are rough; without a large ship, how could one reach it?" Gudi and the others therefore returned and prepared a ship.

¶In the Hinoe-tora year (246), Shima-no-Sukune was sent (Note: the Nihon Shoki's note says it is not known what kind of person he was) and heard the words of Malgeum Hangi at the state of Takjun. He therefore sent his attendant Nihaya and Gwago, a man of Takjun, to console the king of Baekje. King Chogo of Baekje was greatly pleased, opened his treasury and showed it to Nihaya, saying, "In our country there are precious treasures such as these, and I had wished to present them to your honored country, but I did not know the way. Now the envoy has fortunately come, and before long I will send an envoy to make offerings." He gave Nihaya generous gifts and sent him back. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki. The names of the Baekje kings given in this book often differ from those in the Samguk Sagi and the Dongguk Tonggam. Here the text of the book is followed and the names are not arbitrarily altered. The successive genealogy of Baekje recorded in the Samguk Sagi and the Dongguk Tonggam is annotated in detail below. First: in the fourteenth year of Jingū's regency Chogo died and Gusu succeeded; in the thirty-third year of the regency he died and Goji succeeded; in the seventeenth year of Ōjin he died and Chaekgye succeeded; in the twenty-ninth year he died and his son Bunseo succeeded; in the thirty-fifth year Bunseo was killed and Biryu succeeded; in the twenty-second year of Nintoku he died and Gye succeeded; in the thirty-fourth year of Nintoku he died and Geunchogo succeeded; in the sixty-third year of Nintoku he died and Geungusu succeeded; in the seventy-second year of Nintoku he died and Chimnyu succeeded; in the seventy-third year he died and Jinsa succeeded; in the seventy-ninth year he died and Asin succeeded; in the eighty-fifth year Jeonji entered Japan as a hostage; in the sixth year of Richū Asin died and Jeonji succeeded; in the ninth year of Ingyō he died and Guisin succeeded; in the sixteenth year of Ingyō he died and Biyu succeeded; in the second year of Ankō Biyu died and Gaero succeeded. The lines of Baekje recorded in the two books are thus; they differ considerably from the Nihon Shoki, but from King Gaero onward they all agree with the Nihon Shoki.)

¶In the Hinoto-u year (247), Gudi, Mijuryu and Makgo were sent to present tribute. On this occasion the envoys bringing Silla's tribute were also present. When the tribute of the two countries was ordered to be examined, Silla's tribute contained many rare and excellent things, while Baekje's was very poor. When the envoys were questioned, Gudi and the others answered, "We lost our way and arrived in Silla, where the people of Silla seized us and held us for three months, and we were nearly put to death. When Gudi and the others looked up to Heaven and cursed them, Silla grew afraid and lost its appetite; they took our tribute and exchanged it for their own shoddy goods, and then threatened us, saying, 'If you reveal this, on the day you return we will surely kill you.' That we were not killed and are here today is truly thanks to the majesty of the great country." The Silla envoys were therefore summoned and rebuked, and Chikuma-no-Nagahiko was further commanded by edict to go to Silla and reprimand its king.

¶In the Tsuchinoto-mi year (249), Arata-wake and Kaga-wake were made generals and sent to attack Silla. Gudi and the others followed them and arrived at the state of Takjun. Since his troops were few, Arata-wake sent Sabaek and Gaero to Baekje to ask for reinforcements. Baekje had Mongna Geunja and Sasanugwe lead picked troops to join them, and together they attacked Silla. They took the seven states of Bijabal, Nam Gaya, Rok, Ara, Dara, Takjun and Gaya; advancing further west as far as Gohyejin, they destroyed the two cities of Chimmi and Dache of the barbarians bordering on the south, and gave the land to Baekje. Then King Chogo of Baekje and his son Gwisu led troops and joined them. Arata-wake and the others met at the village of Uiryu, and Chikuma-no-Nagahiko, having himself been sent from Silla, also came there and joined them. Arata-wake and the others then led their army home.

¶Chikuma-no-Nagahiko went with the king of Baekje to his country, climbed Mount Byeokji and swore a covenant, and then climbed Mount Gosa, where they sat side by side on a great rock. The king of Baekje swore, "If we sat on a bed of grass we would fear being burned by fire, and if we sat on a bed of wood we would fear being swept away by water. Therefore we now sit upon a great rock. From now on, for a thousand autumns and ten thousand years, we shall always call ourselves a western vassal state and bring tribute in spring and autumn, never neglecting or failing in it." He then had Gudi and the others accompany Chikuma-no-Nagahiko to appear at the court. The Empress Dowager asked Gudi and the others, "The lands of the various Han across the western sea have already been given to your country; why do you now come so often?" Gudi and the others answered, "The great favor of the Heavenly Court reaches far, and our king cannot contain his gratitude. Therefore, as the court's envoy returns, he has sent your servant Gudi to thank you for your sacred grace." The Empress Dowager was pleased and further granted them the city of Dasa.

¶The following year Gudi was again sent to present tribute. The Empress Dowager sent Chikuma-no-Nagahiko to Baekje to proclaim and console as follows: "Respectfully obeying the teachings of the gods, We have pacified the various Han west of the sea. Now the king has duly performed his service of tribute and has repeatedly shown his loyalty, his sincerity being most deep, and We greatly rejoice and praise it. Therefore We send Chikuma-no-Nagahiko to convey Our thoughts. May the king preserve his domain well and long cultivate good relations." The king of Baekje and his son prostrated themselves with their foreheads to the ground, and said, "The great favor of the Great Court is heavier than Heaven and Earth; on whatever day or at whatever hour could we forget it? The sacred sovereign is above us, bright like the sun and moon, and now your servant below you serves as firmly as the mountains. We shall remain a western vassal state forever, unchanging through the generations."

¶In the autumn of the Mizunoe-saru year (252), Gudi escorted Chikuma-no-Nagahiko to court and presented a Seven-Branched Sword (Shichishitō), a Seven-Child Mirror (Nanatsuko-no-kagami), and several treasures. Gudi reported, "Seven days' journey from the western border of our country is the iron mountain of Gongna, which produces iron; we shall presently offer it as tribute." He further reported, "Our king always admonishes his descendants, saying, 'The sovereign of the east across the sea whom we now serve is vast in his sacred grace. He cut off land west of the sea and gave it to us; thanks to this our country is secure and our altars of state are firm. You must honor these words of mine and never let the tribute lapse. Even if we die, what regret could we have?'" From this time on they brought tribute every year.

¶In the Kinoto-i year (255), Chogo died. The following year Gwisu took the throne. In the Kinoe-saru year (264), Gwisu died and his son Chimnyu succeeded him, but died after two years. His son Ahwa was still young, and his uncle Jinsa took the throne himself and did not perform the service of tribute. Emperor Ōjin was angered and sent Ki-no-Tsuno, Hata-no-Yashiro and Ishikawa-no-Kiei to rebuke him for his discourtesy. Baekje killed Jinsa and offered apology. Ki-no-Tsuno and the others set Ahwa on the throne as king and returned. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki. The Samguk Sagi also writes the name as Abang, and the Dongguk Tonggam writes it Asin.)

¶In the eighth year (277), Ahwa took the throne, but he too failed for a long time to bring tribute. The court therefore cut away Chimmi Dalye and the lands of Hyeonnam, Jichim, Gongna and Donghan. Ahwa thereupon sent his prince Jikji (Note: the note in the Nihon Shoki cites the Baekje Annals. The Dongguk Tonggam gives Jeonji, which agrees with this book) to apologize, and he was kept at the court to serve.

¶In the fourteenth year (283), two women skilled in sewing were presented. In the fifteenth year (284), Ajikgi was sent to present two horses. Ajikgi remained at the court in service. The following year Wang In was invited and came. In this year Ahwa died. The emperor issued an edict making Jikji king of Baekje, granted him the lands of Donghan, Gamra, Gonan, the city of Irim and others, and sent him home. Jikji sent his younger sister Lady Sinjedo to serve in the inner palace. Jikji died. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki. This book records that Jikji died in the twenty-fifth year and that in the thirty-ninth year Jikji presented his younger sister Lady Sinjedo, but there is probably an error in one or the other, so the years are not fixed.)

¶His son Guisin succeeded, but being still young, Mok Manchi of Daiwa (Yamato) had illicit relations with the king's mother and behaved with great arrogance. Mok Manchi was a son of Mongna Geunja. (Note: the Samguk Sagi writes Mongnyeop Manchi.) Mongna Geunja had formerly followed the general Arata-wake and others and won merit in the attack on Silla, and Mok Manchi, relying on his father's merit, claimed to be acting on the court's intent and took Mimana and Baekje under his sole control. The emperor heard of this, was greatly angered, and summoned Mok Manchi back. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki and the Baekje Chronicle cited in the note of this book.)

¶In the forty-first year of Emperor Nintoku (353), Ki-no-Tsuno was sent to Baekje to fix the boundaries of its provinces and districts and to record in detail the products of the local lands. At this time Sake-no-kimi, a grandson of the king of Baekje, behaved discourteously, and Ki-no-Tsuno was angered and rebuked him. The king of Baekje was afraid and bound Sake-no-kimi with iron chains, sent him with Katsuragi-no-Sotsuhiko to make apology. Sotsuhiko and the others brought Sake-no-kimi back with them. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki.)

¶In the sixteenth year of Emperor Ingyō (427), Guisin died and Biyu took the throne. In the second year of Emperor Ankō (455), Biyu died (Note: following the Dongguk Tonggam), and Kasuri-no-kimi took the throne (Note: following the Nihon Shoki. The note of this book says this is King Gaero. In the Samguk Sagi and the Dongguk Tonggam, King Gaero's name is given as Yeogyeong. From this point on, the successive genealogy of Baekje recorded in the Samguk Sagi and the Dongguk Tonggam agrees entirely with the Nihon Shoki).

¶On the accession of Emperor Yūryaku (457), Kasuri-no-kimi offered Ikezu, a daughter of Lady Moni, to serve in the inner palace (Note: following the Nihon Shoki and the Baekje Shinsen cited in the note of this book. Ikezu is written Jeokgye in the Baekje Shinsen). Ikezu had illicit relations with Ishikawa-no-Tate. The emperor was angered and commanded the Ōmuraji Ōtomo-no-Muroya to have the two bound by their limbs to a tree and burned to death. Kasuri-no-kimi heard of this and said, "By presenting a woman earlier we have already shamed the name of our country. From now on no palace women are to be offered." He then said to his younger brother Konikishi (Note: the note of this book also gives Konji-no-kimi), "You are to go to the court of Japan and serve there." Konikishi begged, "Before I set out, I wish to be given one of my lord's concubines." Kasuri-no-kimi gave Konikishi a favored concubine, saying, "This woman is with child. When the child is born, send it back to me quickly," and so took his leave. When Konikishi reached Kakara Island in Tsukushi, the woman gave birth to a child, who was named Shima-no-kimi. He was put on a ship and sent back. This was King Muryeong. The people of Baekje called this island Saengdo. Konikishi served as a guard at the capital and afterwards had five sons.

¶In the nineteenth year (475), Sillyeon, the king of Goguryeo (Koma), attacked Baekje for seven days and nights, captured Kasuri-no-kimi alive and killed him. The remaining troops of Baekje held out at Changha. The Goguryeo generals said to Sillyeon, "The hearts of the Baekje people are not ordinary, and they are alarmed every time they see an envoy. If we do not destroy them now, afterwards they will surely be hard to control." Sillyeon said, "Baekje is an official domain (miyake) of Japan. Its princes always go to Japan to serve as guards, as the four quarters know. If we now destroy it completely, we will incur the resentment of a great country. That cannot be done." (Note: following the Nihon Shoki. This book places the event in the twentieth year, but considering the Dongguk Tonggam and others it would be the Kinoto-u year. The Baekje Annals cited in the note of this book likewise gives the Kinoto-u year. The Kinoto-u year corresponds to the nineteenth year; this book added the passage later and attached it to the twentieth year, but it is here corrected.)

¶The emperor heard that Baekje had been defeated and granted the land of Kumanari to King Munju. King Munju was a younger brother of Kasuri. All the people said, "The vassals of Baekje have already been destroyed and only the troops at Changha remain. The present restoration is truly owed to the grace of the Emperor of Japan in rebuilding us." (Note: following the Nihon Shoki and a variant account in this book. The Dongguk Tonggam also writes the name Munju with the characters 文周 in place of 汶洲.)

¶Munju was killed in the third year of his reign by his vassal Hae Gu. Munju's son Mungeun killed Hae Gu and took the throne, but died after three years. (Note: following the Samguk Sagi and the Dongguk Tonggam. Both books write Mungeun as Samgeun.) The emperor, hearing that Mungeun had died, made Malda, the second son of Konikishi, king of Baekje, as he was clever though young. The emperor himself stroked his head, consoled and instructed him earnestly, and had five hundred soldiers of Tsukushi escort him. This was King Dongseong. (Note: in the Samguk Sagi and the Dongguk Tonggam, Malda is also written Modae or Mamo.) Separately, he commanded Anchi-no-omi, Umakai-no-omi and others to lead a naval force to attack Goguryeo. In this year Baekje's tribute was double the usual amount. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki.)

¶In the third year of Emperor Seinei (482), an envoy was sent to present tribute. In the third year of Emperor Kenzō (487), Ki-no-Ōiwa, holding Mimana, communicated with Goguryeo, intending to become king of the Three Han; he set up an official government and called himself divine and sacred. Using the plans of Jwaro and Nagita Gapbae and others of Mimana, he killed Jeokmak Ihae of Baekje at Irim. He built the city of Daesan and blocked the road to the east. Malda was angered and sent his general Goihae and the Naedu Makgohae and others to attack Daesan. Ōiwa fled in defeat, and Jwaro, Nagita Gapbae and more than three hundred others were captured and killed. Malda gradually strayed from the proper course, and the common people suffered and could not bear his commands (Note: following the Nihon Shoki), and he was killed by his vassal Guga. (Note: following the Samguk Sagi and the Dongguk Tonggam.)

¶The people of the country set up Shima-no-kimi, a son of Kasuri-no-kimi (Note: following the Nihon Shoki. The Samguk Sagi and the Dongguk Tonggam make him a son of Malda, which is an error. The Baekje Shinsen cited in the Nihon Shoki says, "Malda was without principle, so the people of the country removed him and set up King Muryeong, whose personal name was Sama. He was a son of Prince Konji and a half-brother of Malda by a different mother," but this account is also mistaken. The note of this book says, "When Konji went to Japan, he had Sama born at Kakara Island in Tsukushi and therefore called him Shima-no-kimi; shima and Sama have the same sound in the native language," and the circumstances were described in detail above. It is therefore clear that Sama was a son of King Gaero, and this account in this book is correct.). His name was changed to Yeoryung. (Note: following the Dongguk Tonggam.) This year corresponds to the third year of Emperor Buretsu (501). (Note: the Nihon Shoki attaches it to the fourth year in this book, but here the Dongguk Tonggam is followed. This book says that in this year Uidarang of Baekje died; it is not known what kind of person he was, probably a son of Konji.) When Yeoryung took the throne he had Guga put to death. (Note: following the Dongguk Tonggam.)

¶In the sixth year (504), Lord Mana was sent to present tribute. The court, holding that Baekje had for many years failed to perform the service of tribute, kept him and did not send him back. The following year Lord Saa was sent to present tribute, and he also submitted a memorial saying, "Mana, whom we earlier sent as envoy with the tribute, is not of my blood. We therefore respectfully offer Saa to serve as attendant guard."

¶In the third year of Emperor Keitai (509), an edict was issued to the Japanese Office of Mimana (Mimana Nihonfu), ordering it to search out the vagrants who had fled from Baekje and were in Mimana and to return them to Baekje. In the sixth year (512), Hozumi-no-Oshiyama went to Mimana as governor and gave the king of Baekje forty horses. In winter an envoy was sent to present tribute. Sama, through Hozumi-no-Oshiyama, asked to be granted four districts of the state of Mimana: Upper Tari (Okoshitari), Lower Tari (Aroshitari), Sada and Muro. Oshiyama reported to the throne the advantages of giving these four districts. The Ōmuraji Ōtomo-no-Kanamura approved the report, and the request was finally granted. Prince Magari-no-Ōe heard of this later and greatly regretted it; he sent Hitaka-no-Kishi to proclaim anew: "The official domains (miyake) of Mimana were established by the Emperor in the Womb (Emperor Ōjin) and are not to be rashly changed today. Yet those who advanced the proposal mistook its purport, and wrongly granted the envoy's request." Thereupon Prince Magari-no-Ōe sent someone to ask that the earlier edict be withdrawn. The Baekje envoy said, "Having reverently received the imperial edict, we have already been granted the request of our humble district. As an envoy I cannot hear and obey two commands." People of the time said, "Oshiyama and Kanamura took bribes from Baekje."

¶The following year the generals Jeonae Mungwi and Juri Jeugi accompanied Hozumi-no-Oshiyama to court and presented Dan Yang-i, an Erudite of the Five Classics. Jeonae Mungwi and the others reported, "The state of Banpa has invaded and seized Gimun, a land of our own homeland. We humbly beg the sacred judgment of the Emperor and ask that it be returned to our country." In autumn, the Crown Prince Sunta died (Note: this book lacks the year and month of the arrival at court). In winter, Jeonae Mungwi of Baekje, Mundeukji of Sira (Silla), Sin Gihae and Bunpa Wija of Ara, and Gijeonhae and Jungmunji of Banpa and others were summoned and told that the lands of Gimun and Daesa were decreed and granted to Baekje. Banpa further sent Jipji to court, presented rare treasures and begged for the land of Gimun, but was refused. Banpa then built fortresses at Jatan and Daesa, kept strict watch with beacon fires against our country, and also built fortresses at Iryeol, Bimasubi and elsewhere to press upon Silla.

¶In the ninth year (515), Mungwi and the others returned home. The emperor sent a certain Mononobe to Baekje (Note: the Baekje Annals cited in the note of this book gives Mononobe-no-Itashi-no-muraji). When Mononobe reached Sato Island, the people of Banpa rebelled. Mononobe led five hundred naval troops straight to the Daesa River and fought the Banpa people but was defeated; Mononobe barely escaped with his life and fled to Munmora (Note: this book says it is the name of an island). The following year Baekje sent Mongna Bulma Gapbae of the Anterior Division to Gimun to meet and welcome the Mononobe and console him. In autumn, the general Juri Jeukcha of Baekje accompanied Mononobe to court and gave thanks for being granted the land of Gimun. Go An-mu, a man of Han, an Erudite of the Five Classics, came and replaced the Erudite Dan Yang-i. Makgo and others were also sent to escort the Goguryeo envoy An Jeong and his party.

¶In the seventeenth year (523), Yeoryung died and was given the posthumous name Muryeong. His son Myeong took the throne; this was King Seong(myeong). (Note: following the Nihon Shoki. The Samguk Sagi and the Dongguk Tonggam write Myeongnong.) He moved the capital to Sabi and changed the name of the state to Nam Buyeo (Southern Buyeo). (Note: following the Samguk Sagi and the Dongguk Tonggam.)

¶In the twenty-third year (529), Myeong said to Hozumi-no-Oshiyama, governor of Lower Tari: "The envoys bringing tribute always avoid the intricate coastline of the islands in their voyages, or meet wind and waves and are long delayed, and the goods they carry are all damaged and lose their color. I beg that Dasa harbor in Gaya be granted as a harbor for tribute." Oshiyama reported this to the throne and requested it. The court sent Mononobe-no-Isechine and Kishi-no-Oyu and granted that harbor to Buyeo. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki. The Samguk Sagi and the Dongguk Tonggam say that Myeong changed the name of the state to Buyeo, but after this they all still write it as Baekje. In the Nihon Shoki, too, the name Buyeo first appears here, but below it again writes Baekje. Probably the old name was restored.)

¶The king of Gaya was therefore angered and made friendly relations with Silla. Before long a rift again arose between him and Silla, and Silla attacked Gaya and took eight fortresses. The following year, Ōmi-no-Kena was sent to Ara and proclaimed an imperial command that the lands of Nam Gaya and Nokgitan, which Silla had invaded, be returned. Baekje also sent the generals Gun Yun-gwi, Mana Gapbae, Machi and others to hear the imperial intent. Kena lacked the ability to govern a distant country; he quarreled over etiquette with Silla and Baekje and did not announce the imperial edict, and stayed in Mimana for three years. Disputes grew more frequent and the people's hearts were greatly unsettled. Arisadeung of Mimana, wearied and distressed by this, secretly sent Nosugu-ri to Baekje to ask for reinforcements. Baekje immediately seized Nosugu-ri and put him in fetters, and together with Silla surrounded Mimana and pressed Arisadeung, saying, "Hand over Kena at once." Kena shut himself in the fortress and held it firmly. The troops of the two countries besieged the fortress for more than a month. The emperor heard that Kena had not fulfilled his mission and had disturbed the land of Han, and sent an envoy to recall him. The Baekje and Silla troops plundered heavily and withdrew.

¶In the first year of Emperor Ankan (534), Jeokdeoksun, a Sudeok of the Lower Division, and Gijugiru, a Dodeok of the Upper Division, were sent to present tribute. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki.)

¶In the first year of Emperor Kinmei (540), an envoy was sent to present tribute. In the second year (541), an edict was sent to Baekje ordering it to take measures to recover the lands of Mimana that had been invaded. King Myeong of Baekje met with Kibi-no-omi (Note: the note of this book says the name is missing), commander of the Japanese Office of Mimana, and with men of Ara, Gaya and Dara and others, and deliberated as follows: "In former times, in the reigns of my King Sokgo and King Gwisu, the Hangi of Ara, Gaya and Takjun constantly sent envoys back and forth and from the first formed close ties of friendship, so that enemies in neighboring countries did not dare to slight us. Now the two states of Nam Gaya and Takjun were suddenly deceived by Silla and ruined themselves, angering the Emperor and enraging the people of Mimana. This was my fault. I have been deeply chastened and repent of it myself, and I mean to make up for my fault by bestowing favors. Earlier I sent Maro, a Jung-jwapyeong of the Lower Division, and Maeno, a Gapbae of Seongbang, and others to Gaya and swore a covenant together with the Japanese Office of Mimana. Since then I have not forgotten the rebuilding of Mimana for a single day. Now again we have received an edict saying, 'Rebuild Mimana at once,' but by what plan do you, my lords, mean to answer the court's intent? Shall we now once more convey an imperial command to Silla and inquire into its situation?"

¶The Hangi of Mimana answered: "We told and admonished Silla earlier two or three times, but in the end they gave no reply. Even if we question them again now, it will probably be of no use. It would be best for the Great King to send an envoy to the Heavenly Court (the court of Japan), report the circumstances in detail, and deliberate anew on rebuilding Mimana. But the borders of Mimana adjoin Silla, and we fear that morning or evening the calamity of following the same path as the three states of Nam Gaya, Takjun and Nokgitan may befall us. Now the three states fell not because Silla swallowed them up with overwhelming strength. Nokgitan was caught between Gaya and Silla and attacked for many years; its position was isolated and its reinforcements were cut off, and because Mimana could not relieve it in its emergency, it was destroyed in this way. Nam Gaya was a very small state and from the beginning could not stand by itself. In Takjun, high and low were of divided hearts, and in the end it was lured by Silla's sweet words and brought about its own destruction. Seen from this, the defeat of the three states truly had its causes. In former times, when Silla begged reinforcements of Goguryeo and attacked Mimana and Baekje, we at once defended against them and drove them back. Even with the troops of two countries they could not win. How could Silla now destroy Mimana alone? If we and you, my lords, join our strength and are of one mind, Mimana can be revived. If some emergency should arise before the envoy we send has returned, we will come to your aid with reinforcements, so you need not worry."

¶In autumn, Myeong heard that Kawachi-no-atai (Note: the Baekje Annals cited in the note of this book writes "Kafuji-no-atai", said to be a corruption of the word; the details are unknown) was at the Japanese Office of Ara and in communication with Silla, and sent Birimakgo, a Nasol of the Anterior Division, and others to Ara and summoned the officials of Silla and Mimana. He said to the officials of Mimana: "In former times my King Sokgo and King Gwisu made a pact of brotherhood with the Hangi of old. I took you as my sons and younger brothers, and you took me as your father and elder brothers; together we served the Heavenly Court and together defended against powerful enemies, keeping our states secure and our houses whole down to the present day. Therefore my wish is to cultivate the friendship of neighboring states with devotion, unchanged from beginning to end. How could you, my lords, lightly believe baseless words and suddenly betray the old friendship? I resent this. I have heard that those who succeed others value bearing well the path set by their predecessors, raising the family enterprise and completing the achievements of former generations. Now, for you, my lords, to rouse yourselves, repent of your faults, take up again the friendship of peace and amity of former generations, reverently obey the imperial commands of the Emperor, recover the lands of Nam Gaya, Nokgitan and the rest and restore Mimana to its old form, and for us to be brothers forever and serve the great country together, is what I long for waking and sleeping. Now Silla's treacherous schemes and cunning plots are known to everyone under Heaven. I have heard recently that you, my lords, have listened to their sweet words and relaxed your guard, and I have always feared for you on this account. I have also heard secretly that 'when Mimana and Silla met, there were portents of bees and snakes.' Portents and calamities are warnings that Heaven gives to men. Yet you, my lords, are not alarmed though portents appear, and do not notice that disaster is approaching. It is truly lamentable. The ancients said, 'Repentance comes too late,' and this is exactly what that means. If you, my lords, follow my words and heed the commands of the great country, you will long keep your own territory and long govern your original people. Consider carefully which is better: to believe sweet words and lose your houses and villages and become another's captives, or this."

¶Myeong further said to the officials of the Japanese Office: "Having reverently received the imperial command: 'If Mimana perishes in the evening, your country will be isolated by morning. Raise and rebuild Mimana, and make it your aid.' So earnestly were we consoled and instructed that joy and fear came together, my breast was filled, and I do not know how to answer this splendid imperial command. Retiring and observing the situation in Silla, I see that its aims do not stop here. You, my lords, have long been in Mimana, and you must know this well too. It has now been decades since the Emperor decreed to Silla that the lands of Nam Gaya and Nokgitan be returned. Silla outwardly seems to receive this respectfully, but when it retires it has no intention of returning the lands it invaded. It merely seeks to curry favor with you, my lords, through sweet words and humility, and to serve the court with flattery. Its true intent is to watch for an opening and swallow Mimana. That it still does not dare to move is because, near at hand, it is ashamed before Baekje, and, afar, it fears the Heavenly Court. If we now take advantage of its unpreparedness and strike when it is unready, Silla can be defeated and Mimana can be revived. Then the Emperor's anger will be appeased, and you, my lords, will surely receive the court's generous favor, your persons will flourish in this age, and your achievements will shine in later generations. If you, my lords, do not perceive this and lightly believe sweet words, you will not only destroy Mimana but also leave lasting reproach beyond its borders. I beg you, my lords, to consider this most carefully and not be deceived by others."

¶Myeong sharply and severely rebuked Kawachi-no-atai for being in communication with Silla. He sent Mimasa, a Nasol of the Ki-no-omi, and Girye, a Nasol of the Central Division, to present tribute and to report on the government of Byeonhan and Mimana. (Note: following the Nihon Shoki.)

¶In the autumn of the fourth year (543), Jinmu Gwimun, a Nasol of the Anterior Division, together with Hodeok and Gijugiru, came to court and presented goods from Funan and two slaves. In winter, Tsumori-no-muraji was sent to Baekje with an edict ordering that the district magistrates (gunryeong) and castle lords (seongju) whom Baekje had installed in Mimana's Byeonhan be removed and that all of them be placed under the Japanese Office. He further admonished the king in a sealed letter: "You have repeatedly submitted memorials saying that Mimana ought to be rebuilt, yet more than ten years have passed and you still do not dare to rebuild it. Mimana is the ridgepole of your country. If the ridgepole breaks, who can form the roof? We keep this matter in mind. Rebuild Mimana quickly. Once Mimana is rebuilt, Kawachi-no-atai and the others will naturally be dismissed and return."

¶Myeong thereupon assembled the Samjwapyeong, the Naedu and the other ministers to deliberate on it. The Samjwapyeong and the others replied, "The district magistrates and castle lords that our country has placed in Byeonhan cannot be dismissed. As to rebuilding Mimana, it would be best to follow the imperial intent quickly." Before long he proclaimed the earlier edict again and questioned his ministers one after another. Satack Giru, the Sangjwapyeong; Mongna Mana, the Jungjwapyeong; Mok Yun-gwi, the Hajwapyeong; Birimakgo, Dongseong Docheon, Mongna Maesun and Guksuida, who were Deoksol; Yeonbi Seonna, a Nasol; and others deliberated as follows: "Your servants are stupid by nature and wholly without strategy. Yet we humbly think that, as to rebuilding Mimana, the imperial edict should be followed quickly. However, so long as Kawachi-no-atai, Inasa and Madu (Note: Inasa is also written Ahyeon Inasa, and Madu is also written Jwaro Madu. The note of this book says these are the names of two men, but the details are unknown. Here the usage of this book is followed.) remain in Ara, the restoration of Mimana will be difficult. Let us send envoys to summon the Chief Officers of Mimana and the Hangi of the various states, deliberate together with them, and submit a memorial discussing the rights and wrongs of the matter." Myeong said, "The ministers' counsel truly accords with my own mind."

¶In this month he sent Gobunok, a Sideok (Note: also written Gobun), to tell the Japanese Office and the Chief Officers of Mimana, "We wish to meet you and plan the matter." The Japanese Office and Mimana replied, "The end of the year is pressing. We shall come to see you after the new year." In the first month of the fifth year (544) he again sent an envoy to urge them. They declined on account of the seasonal rites. Baekje urged them further, but the Japanese Office and Mimana both sent men of low rank, so in the end the conference could not be held.

¶Baekje further sent Mamu, a Sideok, and Gobunok, a Sideok, and others to tell the Japanese Office and Mimana: "Our envoy has returned from the Heavenly Court, and Tsumori-no-muraji (Note: the name is missing) will arrive shortly. The edicts all say, 'Together with you, quickly devise a good plan and answer Our wish,' and also, 'Report in detail the affairs in the meantime.' Therefore we have sent envoys running three times, yet you have shown no sign of coming. On the tenth day of the third month I intend to send an envoy to the Heavenly Court and report the circumstances in detail. You, too, should each send an envoy to hear the Emperor's command."

¶He further rebuked Kawachi-no-atai: "From of old we have heard only of your evil deeds. That Mimana shrinks day by day is because of you. You are a worthless man, but you are like a firefly's spark that burns a mountain or a field: unless it is put out at once, the disaster will spread to villages and towns. If you are kept here long, not only will Mimana be broken and ruined, but in the end the official domains west of the sea will no longer be able to serve the Heavenly Court. Therefore I now report your evil deeds in detail."

¶He also said to the lords of the Japanese Office and the Hangi of Mimana: "As for rebuilding Mimana, unless it is done through the Emperor's authority, who could accomplish it? That is why we wished to confer with you. Why do you not come?" The Japanese Office answered: "That the Chief Officers of Mimana did not go to the conference is because we did not send them. We earlier sent an envoy to inquire after the court's intent, and were told: 'The court is sending Inga-no-omi (Note: a corruption of the name; the details are unknown) to Silla and Tsumori-no-muraji to Baekje. The ministers of the Japanese Office are to wait for these two to arrive and hear the imperial command; there is no need for them to go out of their way.' Soon after, we heard that Inga-no-omi had reached Silla and sent a man to ask him, and he said, 'The Japanese Office and Mimana should both go to Silla to hear the court's command, but I have not heard that they should go to your country to hear it.' Tsumori-no-muraji also arrived here shortly after and likewise said, 'The reason I have now been sent to Baekje is to dismiss the district magistrates and castle lords that Baekje has placed in Byeonhan. I have not heard that you should go to your country to hear the court's government either.' That is why we held Mimana back and did not send them, and did not go ourselves."

¶Baekje sent Amo Deukmun, a Nasol, and others to submit a memorial, which said: "We have again received an imperial letter ordering us to deliberate with the ministers of the Japanese Office and the various Hangi of Mimana and to rebuild Mimana quickly. Humbly receiving the sacred intent, we have not delayed even for a moment. We at once summoned the Chief Officer of the Japanese Office (Note: the Baekje Annals cited in the note of this book gives Ukoha-no-omi, and says it is probably Ikuha-no-omi), and the various Hangi of Mimana. But the Japanese Office and Mimana both said, 'The new year is approaching. We shall come after the first month,' and for a long time they did not come. When we again sent an envoy to urge them, they answered that it was the season of the rites. Though we sent envoys back and forth three times, the Chief Officers and the Hangi did not come themselves, but sent substitutes. These were of low rank and not fit to deliberate matters with us, so we sent them back at once.

¶"Now Mimana looks up to Ara as its elder brother, and Ara looks up to the Japanese Office as Heaven. Yet now Ikuha-no-omi, Kibi-no-omi, Kawachi-no-atai and the others all follow the direction of Ahyeon Inasa and Jwaro Madu (Note: Kibi-no-omi, Ikuha-no-omi and Kawachi-no-atai are the three who keep the Japanese Office in order, but their names are missing. Ahyeon Inasa and Jwaro Madu are annotated in detail above), and do not dare to make any decision of their own. Though these two are of low rank, they are supreme in their arrogance within the Japanese Office. That Mimana is held back and not sent is also the doing of these two. If these men are kept long in Ara and allowed to indulge their harm, Mimana will in the end be destroyed, and the various states west of the sea will likewise be unable to offer their duty of tribute. We humbly beg that these two be moved elsewhere, after which an edict may be sent anew to the Japanese Office so that the rebuilding of Mimana can be discussed afresh. We respectfully send Mimasa, a Nasol, and Girye, a Nasol, to accompany Gomanugwe (Note: it says Gomanugwe is Tsumori-no-muraji), and by this memorial we have them go to court. We humbly beg the judgment of Heaven."

¶The Emperor answered by edict: "That Ikuha-no-omi and the others (Note: it says these are the three, Ikuha-no-omi, Kibi-no-Otogimi and Kawachi-no-atai) privately exchanged visits with Silla was not Our intent. Earlier, when Injimi (Note: the details are unknown) and Aro Hangi were there, they were pressed by Silla and could not till their fields. Your country's road is roundabout, and you could not relieve them in their emergency. It was only because Ikuha-no-omi went back and forth to Silla that they were at last able to farm. This We have also heard in the past. If Mimana has now already been rebuilt, Inasa and Madu will naturally be dismissed and return. The king need not trouble himself with worry and toil."

¶Myeong again sent an envoy to submit a memorial, which said: "Humbly receiving the imperial intent, I felt joy and fear together. I now understand that the court's hearing has been misled by Silla's treacherous schemes and slanders. Earlier, when our Aryu Injimi and Kose-no-omi were there (Note: the Baekje Original Annals cited in the note of this book says that after Aryu Injimi came the time of Kishu-no-omi, but this is not clear), Silla had never yet crossed the border and invaded another country's territory, and Ara had never suffered the trouble of foreign invasion. This spring Silla took Noksun, and further drove out our garrison at Guryesan and occupied it; it divided the border with Ara and farmed there, and the two did not encroach on each other. But Inasa and Madu went beyond all bounds and violated the boundary, and so were driven off by them. I went to the rescue without delay, and so Mimana was able to farm in due season, and Silla could not invade at will. I have also heard that Silla gathers many armed men every spring and autumn. Some say, 'They mean to attack Ara and Hasan,' and others say, 'They mean to attack Gara.' I at once sent generals and soldiers to help guard Mimana and to prepare against the unforeseen. For this reason Silla's treacherous schemes have not yet been able to break out. Yet treacherous men falsely report that 'Baekje's road is roundabout and it could not relieve us in our emergency, and only because Ikuha-no-omi went back and forth to Silla were we able to farm.' All this is the work of the sycophantic, who fabricate false doctrines to deceive and mislead the Heavenly Court. I humbly think that, so long as Ikuha-no-omi and the others remain in Ara, the restoration of Mimana will be difficult. I humbly beg that the Heavenly Court deal with this quickly.

¶"Further, observing the conduct of Jwaro Madu, I find it most unusual. Madu was born of a Han woman, yet his rank is that of Ōmuraji; he stands among the Japanese officers and has entered a glorious and high position. Yet he now wears the Namarye cap of Silla and comes and goes openly, with not the slightest hesitation. The people on the roads all see it, and it is clear that his heart has gone over to Silla. When I examine in detail how the various states perished, it was all because men of two minds responded from within. The countries of Nok and Takjun should serve as a warning. Now Madu's heart has already gone over to Silla, and I fear that Mimana's destruction is not far off. If Mimana perishes, my country too will be isolated and in peril. I humbly beg that, with deep insight, you will perceive my humble remonstrance, swiftly remove the treacherous minister, and quickly rebuild Mimana. This will be a joy for the state and my own wish." (Note: following the Nihon Shoki.)

¶The Emperor gave no reply to this (Note: following the Baekje Annals cited in the note of the Nihon Shoki). Baekje again sent envoys to summon the Japanese Office and Mimana. Thereupon Kibi-no-omi of the Japanese Office; Daebulson and Guchwi Yuri, Lower Hangi of Silla; Godeongye, the Upper Chief of Gara; Solma-gun, Sinigi-gun and Sanbangye-gun; Heulgeonji, the Second Chief of Idara; and the Hangi of Jata and the Hangi of Gusa all went together to Baekje.

¶Myeong said: "The state of Mimana has from old concluded a pact of brotherhood with my country. Silla, lawless, has broken the pact and betrayed good faith, and has destroyed Takjun, a country that was like a limb to us. I have always wished to avenge Mimana, recover its lost land, and be brothers with it forever, serving the Heavenly Court together, but no good plan has yet been settled. Now I have three plans, and I would have you choose the best among them. I have heard that there is a great river between the borders of Silla and Ara. I wish to hold that stronghold, build six fortresses, request three thousand of the Emperor's soldiers, and have five hundred of them guard each fortress. I would send out troops separately, ravage the enemy's border from time to time so that they cannot till their fields, and strike them when they are exhausted. If the five fortresses of Guryesan throw down their arms and surrender, then with the fall of Guryesan, Takjun too can be recovered along with it. This is the first plan (Note: the first).

¶"As for placing district magistrates and castle lords in the southern Han, how could we ever defy the court's command and block the road of tribute? It is only that the enemy in the north is powerful while my country weakens day by day; if we did not place district magistrates and castle lords, we could neither defend against the northern enemy nor restrain Silla. Therefore I have placed them, to hold off the enemy on our border and to serve as a screen protecting Mimana. I wish to report this to the Heavenly Court. This is the second plan (Note: the second).

¶"Unless Kibi-no-omi, Kawachi-no-atai, Inasa and Madu depart, Mimana can never be rebuilt. I now wish to submit a memorial asking that these four be moved elsewhere. This is the third plan (Note: the third)."

¶Kibi-no-omi and the Hangi answered, "The Great King's three plans are truly excellent. We shall return and consult the great ministers of the Japanese Office and the Kings of Ara and Gara, and together send envoys to report to the Heavenly Court." (Note: following the Nihon Shoki. Kibi-no-omi was present at this conference, and it is not fitting that, having heard the King of Baekje's plan pressing upon himself, he should answer in this way. Moreover, the passages on the restoration of Mimana are confused in the context of this book and the names are often mistaken, so they cannot be verified. For the time being they are recorded as in the text, awaiting later investigation.)