Emperor Sujin崇神天皇

The emperor Mimakiiribiko Inie (御間城入彦五十瓊殖天皇) was the second son of the emperor Wakayamatoneko Hikoohihi. His mother was called Ikagashikome no Mikoto. She was the daughter of Ohesoki (大綜麻杵), the distant ancestor of the Mononobe.

The emperor was made crown prince at the age of nineteen. He was clear and quick in mind and nature, and as a boy he loved bold plans. When he was grown he was broad and generous, careful and watchful. He held the gods in high honor, and he always had a mind to order the work of heaven.

In the sixtieth year, in summer, the fourth month, the emperor Wakayamatoneko Hikoohihi died.

In the first year, in spring, the first month, whose first day was imo, on the day gabo, the crown prince ascended the throne. He raised the empress to be empress dowager.

In the second month, whose first day was sinhae, on the day byeongin, he raised Mimakihime to be empress. Before this the empress had borne the emperor Ikumeiribiko Isachi, and Hikoisachi no Mikoto, and Kunikatahime no Mikoto, and Chichitsukuyamatohime no Mikoto, and Yamatohiko no Mikoto, and Ikatsuruhiko no Mikoto.

Also the consort Totsu Ayumemakuwashihime, the daughter of Arakawatobe of the land of Kii, bore Toyokiiribiko no Mikoto and Toyosukiiribime no Mikoto. The next consort, Oshiamahime of Owari, bore Yasakairibiko no Mikoto and Nunakiiribime no Mikoto and Tochi no Niiribime no Mikoto.

In this year the year sign was gapsin.

In the third year, in autumn, the ninth month, the capital was moved to Shiki. This is called Mizukaki no Miya (瑞籬宮).

In the fourth year, in winter, the tenth month, whose first day was gyeongsin, on the day imo, he issued a decree. "I think upon our imperial ancestor and the many emperors, who came in brightness to the seat of heaven. Was it for one body alone? Surely it was to shepherd men and gods and to order all under heaven. So they were able, age after age, to open a hidden merit, and from time to time to send down the highest virtue.

Now I have received the great course, and I love and rear the people. How should I not follow the tracks of the imperial ancestor and keep the blessing that has no end? Let all the ministers and all the officials give their whole loyalty, and make all under heaven at peace together. Is that not right?"

In the fifth year there was much plague within the land, and those of the people who died were more than half.

In the sixth year the people scattered and wandered, and some of them rebelled. Their force was hard to rule by virtue. For this reason he rose at dawn and □ at evening, and begged the gods to forgive his fault.

Before this, Amaterasu Omikami and Yamato no Okunitama, the two gods, were worshipped together inside the great hall of the emperor. But the power of those gods was feared, and it was uneasy to dwell with them. So he entrusted Amaterasu Omikami to Toyosukiiribime no Mikoto and had her worshipped in the village of Kasanui in Yamato, and then he set up the himorogi (神籬) of Shikataki.

He also entrusted Yamato no Okunitama no Kami to Nunakiiribime no Mikoto, to be worshipped by her. But the hair of Nunakiiribime no Mikoto fell out and her body grew thin, and she could not worship him.

In the seventh year, in spring, the second month, whose first day was jeongchuk, on the day sinmyo, he issued a decree. "In old days our imperial ancestor opened wide the great foundation. After him the holy work rose ever higher, and the king's teaching grew ever stronger. Beyond all thought, now in my own age there are disasters again and again. I fear the court has no good government, and that blame has been taken from the gods. Surely I must command the sacred tortoise and search out the cause to the end."

Then the emperor went to Kamuasajihara (神淺茅原), gathered the eight hundred thousand gods, and asked by divination.

At this time a god came upon Yamatototohimomosohime no Mikoto and spoke. "Emperor, why do you grieve that the land is not ruled? If you can worship me with reverence, it will surely be quiet of itself."

The emperor asked, "Who is the god that teaches me this?"

He answered, "I am the god who dwells within the land of Yamato. My name is Omononushi no Kami."

Then he received the god's words and worshipped as he had been taught. Yet still there was no proof of it in the matter.

So the emperor bathed and purified himself, cleansed the inside of the hall, and prayed. "Have I not yet done all in honoring the god? Why do you refuse my offering so utterly? I beg you, teach me again in a dream, and complete the favor of the god."

That night in a dream there was one noble man, standing face to face with him at the door of the hall. He called himself Omononushi no Kami and said, "Emperor, grieve no more that the land is not ruled. This is my own will. If you have my son Otataneko worship me, it will be quiet at once. The lands beyond the sea too will come of themselves and bow down."

In autumn, the eighth month, whose first day was gyemyo, on the day giyu, Yamatotohaya Kamuasajihara Makuwashihime, and Omikuchi no Sukune, the distant ancestor of the Hozumi no Omi, and Ise no Omi no Kimi, the three of them dreamed the same dream and reported it.

"Last night in a dream there was one noble man, and he taught us this. 'Make Otataneko no Mikoto the master of the worship of Omononushi no Okami, and make Ichishi no Nagaochi (市磯長尾市) the master of the worship of Yamato no Okunitama no Kami, and all under heaven will surely be at peace.'"

The emperor received the words of the dream, and his heart was the more glad. He proclaimed it through all under heaven and sought Otataneko. Then in the village of Sue in the district of Chinu they found Otataneko and presented him.

The emperor then came himself to Kamuasajihara, gathered the princes and the ministers and the eighty groups, and asked Otataneko, "Whose son are you?"

He answered, "My father is called Omononushi no Okami, and my mother is called Ikutamayorihime, the daughter of Suetsumimi." It is also said that she was the daughter of Kushihikata Amatsuhikata and Takechinutsumi.

The emperor said, "I shall surely prosper and be glad." Then he divined about making Ikagashikoo, the ancestor of the Mononobe no Muraji, the one to share out the offerings to the gods, and it was lucky. He also divined about worshipping other gods, and it was not lucky.

In the eleventh month, whose first day was jeongmyo, on the day gimyo, he commanded Ikagashikoo to use the things of worship made by the eighty hands of the Mononobe. Then he made Otataneko the master of the worship of Omononushi no Okami, and Nagaochi the master of the worship of Yamato no Okunitama no Kami.

After that he divined about worshipping the other gods, and it was lucky. So he worshipped the eight hundred thousand gods apart, and then he fixed the heavenly shrines and the shrines of the land, and the lands of the gods and the households of the gods (神戸).

At this the plague first ceased, the land grew quiet little by little, the five grains ripened, and the people had plenty.

In the eighth year, in summer, the fourth month, whose first day was gyeongja, on the day eulmyo, he made Ikuhi, a man of the village of Takahashi, the sakabito (掌酒) of the great god.

In winter, the twelfth month, whose first day was byeongsin, on the day eulmyo, the emperor had Otataneko worship the great god. On this day Ikuhi himself lifted the sacred wine (神酒) and offered it to the emperor. Then he sang.

"Konomikiwa Wagamikinarazu □matonasu Omononushino Kamishimiki Ikuhisa Ikuhisa (許能瀰枳破 和餓瀰枳那羅孺 ■磨等那殊 於朋望能農之能 介瀰之瀰枳 伊句臂佐 伊久臂佐)"

He sang in this way, and they feasted at the shrine. When the feast was ended the great officers sang.

"Umasake Miwanotonono Asatonimo Idete□yukana Miwanotonodo□ (宇磨佐開 瀰和能等能能 阿佐妬珥毛 伊弟■由介那 瀰和能等能渡■)"

Then the emperor sang.

"Umasake Miwanotonono Asatonimo Oshibirakane Miwanotonodoo (宇磨佐階 瀰和能等能能 阿佐妬珥毛 於辭寐羅箇禰 瀰和能等能渡烏)"

— The songs set down sounds only, and are not turned into meaning.

Then the gate of the shrine was opened and he went out. This Otataneko is the first ancestor of the Miwa no Kimi of today.

In the ninth year, in spring, the third month, whose first day was gapja, on the day muin, a divine man appeared in the emperor's dream and taught him. "Worship the god of Sumisaka with eight red shields and eight red spears, and worship the god of Osaka with eight black shields and eight black spears."

In summer, the fourth month, whose first day was gabo, on the day giyu, they worshipped the god of Sumisaka and the god of Osaka as the dream had taught.

In the tenth year, in autumn, the seventh month, whose first day was byeongsul, on the day giyu, he issued a decree to the ministers. "The root of guiding the people lies in teaching and changing them. Now the gods have been honored with rites, and the disasters have all worn away. Yet those who live far off in the wild places still do not receive the calendar (正朔). This is because they have not yet learned the king's teaching. Choose out the ministers and send them to the four quarters, and let them make my will known."

In the ninth month, whose first day was byeongsul, on the day gabo, he sent Ohiko no Mikoto to the northern land road, and Takenunakawawake to the eastern sea, and Kibitsuhiko to the western road, and Taniwa no Michinushi no Mikoto to Taniwa. Then he issued a decree. "If there are any who do not receive the teaching, raise troops and strike them." After that he gave them all the seals of office and made them generals.

On the day imja, Ohiko no Mikoto came to the top of the Wani slope. There was a young girl there, and she sang.

"Mimakiiribikowaya Onogaoo□ Shisemuto Nusumakushirani Himenasobisumo (瀰磨紀異利寐胡播揶 飫逎餓鳥■ 志齊務苔 農殊末句志羅珥 比賣那素寐殊望)"

At this Ohiko no Mikoto thought it strange, and asked the girl, "What are the words you spoke?"

She answered, "I did not speak. It was only a song." Then she sang the first song again, and suddenly she was not to be seen.

Ohiko went back and reported the matter in full. Then the emperor's aunt Yamatototohimomosohime no Mikoto, who was clear and wise and knew well what had not yet come to pass, saw at once that the song was strange, and she said to the emperor.

"This is a sign that Takehaniyasuhiko is about to plot a revolt. I have heard that Atahime, the wife of Takehaniyasuhiko, came in secret and took earth from Kaguyama in Yamato. She wrapped it in the end of her scarf and prayed, 'This is the substance (物實) of the land of Yamato,' and then she went back. By this we know there is something afoot. If we do not plan early, we shall surely be too late."

So he kept the generals with him again and took counsel. Before long Takehaniyasuhiko and his wife Atahime plotted a revolt, raised troops and came at once. They divided the roads between them. The husband came by Yamashiro, the wife by Osaka, and together they entered to strike at the capital.

Then the emperor sent Isaserihiko no Mikoto to strike the troops of Atahime. He barred the way at Osaka and broke them all utterly.

He killed Atahime and cut down all her soldiers. Again he sent Ohiko and Hikokunibuku, the distant ancestor of the Wani no Omi, toward Yamashiro to strike Haniyasuhiko.

Then they set the iwaibe (忌瓮) in place on the top of Takesaka in Wani, and led picked troops up onto Narayama and made camp. At that time the king's army gathered there and trod the grass and the trees flat. For this reason they named that mountain Narayama (那羅山).

They left Narayama again and came to the Wakara river, and they camped facing Haniyasuhiko across the river. Each side challenged the other. So the people of that time changed the name of that river and called it the Idomi river (挑河). It is called the Izumi river now, and that is a corruption.

Haniyasuhiko looked across and asked Hikokunibuku, "For what reason have you raised troops and come?"

He answered, "You go against heaven and have no way in you, and you wish to overturn the royal house. So we have raised a righteous army to strike down your rebellion. This is the emperor's command."

Then each of them struggled to shoot first. Takehaniyasuhiko shot at Hikokunibuku first and did not hit him. Afterward Hikokuni shot Haniyasuhiko, struck him in the breast, and killed him.

His troops took fright and fell back, and they were pursued and broken north of the river. More than half of them were beheaded, and the corpses and the bones overflowed. So they named that place Hafurisono (羽振苑).

His soldiers fled in fear, and their dung ran into their trousers. They took off their armor and ran, but they knew they could not escape, and they knocked their heads on the ground and said, "Our lord." So the people of that time named the place where they took off their armor Kawara (伽和羅), and the place where they fouled their trousers Kusobakama (屎褌). It is called Kuzuha now, and that is a corruption. They also named the place where they knocked their heads Wagakimi (我君).

After this Yamatototohimomosohime no Mikoto became the wife of Omononushi no Kami. But that god was never to be seen by day, and came only by night.

Yamatototohime no Mikoto said to her husband, "My lord, you are never to be seen by day, and so I cannot clearly see your honored face. I beg you, stay a while. In the morning I wish to look upon your beautiful form."

The great god answered, "Your words are clear and reasonable. In the morning I shall go into your comb box and stay there. I beg you, do not be startled at my shape."

At this Yamatototohime no Mikoto thought it strange in her heart in secret. She waited for the light and looked into the comb box, and at last there was a beautiful little snake, as long and as thick as a robe cord. She was startled and cried aloud.

Then the great god was ashamed, and suddenly changed into the form of a man, and said to his wife, "You could not bear it, and you have shamed me. I shall go back and shame you." Then he trod the great void and climbed Mimoroyama.

At this Yamatototohime no Mikoto looked up and repented, and she sat down hard. Then a chopstick pierced her private parts and she died. So she was buried at Oichi. The people of that time called her tomb Hashihaka (箸墓).

This tomb was made by men in the day and by gods in the night. They carried the stones of Osakayama to build it, and from the mountain to the tomb the people stood one behind another and passed the stones from hand to hand. The people of that time sang.

"Osakani Tsuginoboreru Ishimurao Tagoshinikosaba Koshikatemukamo (飫朋佐介珥 菟藝逎煩例屡 伊辭務邏■ 手誤辭珥固佐縻 固辭介■務介茂)"

In winter, the tenth month, whose first day was eulmyo, he issued a decree to his subjects. "Now the rebels have all been put to death, and within the home provinces (畿内) there is nothing amiss. Only the wild people beyond the sea stir and are not yet quiet. Let the generals of the four roads set out at once."

On the day byeongja, the generals set out together.

In the eleventh year, in summer, the fourth month, whose first day was imja, on the day gimyo, the generals of the four roads reported how they had subdued the barbarians.

In this year many of other customs came over, and within the land there was peace.

In the twelfth year, in spring, the third month, whose first day was jeongchuk, on the day jeonghae, he issued a decree. "When I first took up the seat of heaven, I was able to keep the ancestral shrine. Yet something covered my brightness, and my virtue could not bring peace. For this reason the yin and the yang went awry, cold and heat lost their order, plague rose again and again, and the people suffered disaster.

But now the fault is loosed and the wrong is mended, and the gods are honored with full rites. Teaching has been handed down and the wild customs softened, and troops have been raised to strike those who would not submit. For this reason there is no work left undone in the offices, and below there are no idle people. Teaching flows and spreads, and the many people take joy in their work. Those of other customs come through interpreter after interpreter, and the lands beyond the sea have already come over.

At this time it is right to count the people again, and to make known the order of old and young, and the order of who is called to labor first and last."

In autumn, the ninth month, whose first day was gapjin, on the day gichuk, the people were counted for the first time, and tax and labor were laid on them anew. These are called the bow-end tax of men (弭調) and the fingertip tax of women (手末調).

For this reason the gods of heaven and the gods of earth were at one and received the offerings, and wind and rain came in their season, and the hundred grains ripened. Every house had enough and every man was content, and all under heaven was greatly at peace. So he is called the emperor Hatsukunishirasu (御肇國天皇).

In the seventeenth year, in autumn, the seventh month, whose first day was byeongo, he issued a decree. "Ships are a thing of the first use under heaven. Now the people of the sea shore have no ships, and they suffer greatly in carrying things on foot. Command the many lands to build ships."

In winter, the tenth month, the building of ships began.

In the forty-eighth year, in spring, the first month, whose first day was gimyo, on the day muja, the emperor gave this command to Toyoki no Mikoto and Ikume no Mikoto. "You are my two sons, and I love you both alike. I do not know which to make my heir. Let each of you dream. I shall divine it by your dreams."

The two princes received the command, bathed themselves clean, prayed and slept. Each of them had a dream.

When the day broke the elder, Toyoki no Mikoto, reported the words of his dream to the emperor. "I climbed Mimoroyama myself and faced the east, and I brandished a spear eight times and struck with a sword eight times."

The younger, Ikume no Mikoto, reported the words of his dream. "I climbed to the ridge of Mimoroyama myself, stretched ropes to the four quarters, and drove away the sparrows that were eating the millet."

Then the emperor set the dreams side by side and said to his two sons, "The elder faced the east on one side only. You shall rule the eastern lands. The younger looked out upon all four quarters. You shall succeed to my seat."

In summer, the fourth month, whose first day was musin, on the day byeongin, he made Ikume no Mikoto crown prince, and he had Toyoki no Mikoto rule the eastern lands. He is the first ancestor of the Kamitsukeno no Kimi and the Shimotsukeno no Kimi.

In the sixtieth year, in autumn, the seventh month, whose first day was byeongsin, on the day giyu, he issued a decree to his subjects. "The sacred treasures (神寶) that Takehinateru no Mikoto brought down from heaven are stored in the great shrine of Izumo. I wish to see them."

So he sent Takemorosumi, the distant ancestor of the Yatabe no Miyatsuko, to have them presented.

At this time Izumofurune, the distant ancestor of the Izumo no Omi, had the sacred treasures in his charge, but he had gone to the land of Tsukushi and was not met with. His younger brother Iiirine received the emperor's command, and he gave the sacred treasures to his younger brother Umashikarahisa and his son Ukazukunu, who presented them.

Then Izumofurune came back from Tsukushi, and he heard that the sacred treasures had been presented to the court. He blamed his younger brother Iiirine. "You should have waited some days. What did you fear, that you gave up the sacred treasures so lightly?"

For this reason, though years and months had passed, he still held his grudge and his anger, and he had a mind to kill his younger brother. So he deceived his brother and said, "Of late many water caltrops have grown in the pool of Yamuya. I would have us go and see them together."

So the younger brother went with the elder. Before this the elder had secretly made a wooden sword, shaped like a true sword. At that time he wore it himself, and the younger wore a true sword.

They came together to the edge of the pool, and the elder said to the younger, "The water of the pool is clear and cold. I would have us swim and bathe together." The younger followed his brother's word, and each of them loosed the sword he wore and laid it at the edge of the pool, and they bathed in the water.

Then the elder went up on the bank first, took his brother's true sword and wore it himself. Afterward the younger was startled and took the elder's wooden sword, and they struck at each other. The younger could not draw the wooden sword, and the elder struck his younger brother Iiirine and killed him. So the people of that time sang.

"Yakumotatsu Izumotakeruga Hakerutachi (椰勾毛多菟 伊頭毛多鷄流餓波鷄流多知) Tsuzurasawamaki Saminashini Aware (菟頭邏佐波磨枳 佐微那辭珥 阿波禮)" — This sets down sounds only, and is not turned into meaning.

At this Umashikarahisa and Ukazukunu went to the court and reported the matter in full. Then Kibitsuhiko and Takenunakawawake were sent, and they put Izumofurune to death.

So the Izumo no Omi feared this thing, and for a time they did not worship the great god.

At that time a man of Hikami in Taniwa, named Hikatobe, spoke to the crown prince Ikume no Mikoto. "My child has a little one, and it says this of itself. 'O stone of stilling (鎭石) set with jewels, O fair mirror of the true seed that the people of Izumo worship, O bottom treasure and lord of the treasures of the fair mikami that presses down and shakes forth, O mitama that swims in the water of mountain and river, O bottom treasure and lord of the treasures of the fair mikami that hangs there in stillness.' This is not like the words of a little child. May it not be a god speaking through it?"

At this the crown prince reported it to the emperor, and he gave command that the god be worshipped.

In the sixty-second year, in autumn, the seventh month, whose first day was eulmyo, on the day byeongjin, he issued a decree. "Farming is the great root of all under heaven, and it is what the people rely on to live. Now Sayama in Kawachi is a clay field with little water. For this reason the people of that land are idle in the work of farming. Open many ponds and ditches, and make the people's living ample."

In winter, the tenth month, the Yosami pond (依網池) was made.

In the eleventh month, the Karisaka pond (苅坂池) and the Sakaori pond (反折池) were made.

In the sixty-fifth year, in autumn, the seventh month, the land of Imna (任那國) sent Sona Galjilji (蘇那曷叱知) to bring tribute. Imna is more than two thousand li from the land of Tsukushi. The sea lies to its north, and it is to the southwest of Gyerim (鷄林).

In the sixty-eighth year after the emperor ascended the throne, in winter, the twelfth month, whose first day was musin, on the day imja, he died. He was then a hundred and twenty years old. In autumn of the next year, in the eighth month, whose first day was gapjin, on the day gabin, he was buried in the tomb on the Michinoe in Yamanobe.