Emperor Suinin垂仁天皇

Emperor Ikumeiribikoisachi (活目入彦五十狹茅天皇) was the third son of Emperor Mimakiiribikoinie. His mother the empress was called Mimakihime. She was the daughter of Ohiko no Mikoto.

The emperor was born at Mizukakinomiya in the twenty-ninth year of Emperor Mimaki, the year imja, in spring, the first month, the first day being a gihae day. At his birth he had a lofty □ bearing, and when he grew up he was □ and large in measure. He followed his nature and trusted to what was true, and there was nothing feigned in him. The emperor loved him and kept him at his side. At twenty-four, because of an auspicious dream, he was set up as crown prince.

In the sixty-eighth year, in winter, the twelfth month, Emperor Mimakiiribikoinie died.

In the first year, in spring, the first month, the first day being a jeongchuk day, on the muin day, the crown prince ascended the throne.

In winter, the tenth month, the first day being a gyemyo day, on the gyechuk day, Emperor Mimaki was buried in the tomb of Michinoe at Yamanobe.

In the eleventh month, the first day being an imsin day, on the gyeyu day, he honored the empress and called her the empress dowager. In this year the year sign was imjin.

In the second year, in spring, the second month, the first day being a sinmi day, on the gimyo day, Sahohime was set up as empress. The empress bore Homutsuwake no Mikoto. From his birth the emperor loved him and kept him always at his side, but he did not speak even when he was grown.

In winter, the tenth month, he moved the capital again, to Makimuku. This is called Tamakinomiya (珠城宮).

In this year Sonagaljilji, a man of Imna, asked to return to his own land. Perhaps he had come to court in the time of the former sovereign and had not yet gone back. So Sonagaljilji was richly rewarded, and a hundred bolts of red silk were given him to carry and present to the king of Imna. But the men of Silla barred the road and took them. The enmity of those two lands began at this time.

In the third year, in spring, the third month, Cheonilchang (天日槍), a prince of Silla, came and gave his allegiance. The things he brought were one jewel of Hafuto, one jewel of Ashitaka, one red-stone jewel of Ukaka, one small sword of Izushi, one spear of Izushi, one sun-mirror and one set of the himorogi of Kuma, seven things in all. They were stored in the land of Tajima and were always held to be divine things.

In the fourth year, in autumn, the ninth month, the first day being a byeongsul day, on the musin day, Sahohiko no Miko, the empress's elder brother by the same mother, plotted rebellion and sought to endanger the realm. He watched for a time when the empress was at her ease and said to her, "Which do you love, your brother or your husband?"

The empress did not understand the meaning of the question and answered at once, "I love my brother."

Then he tempted the empress and said, "When a woman serves a man by her beauty, his love slackens as her beauty fades. Now there are many fair women in the realm, and each comes forward in turn to seek his love. How can she trust in beauty forever? Therefore I hope that I may ascend the great seat, and I will surely look down upon the realm together with you. Then we shall lie with our pillows high and end a hundred years. Would that not be a delight? I beg you, kill the emperor for me."

Then he took a dagger and gave it to the empress and said, "Wear this dagger inside your □, and when the emperor is asleep, stab him in the neck and kill him."

At this the empress trembled in her heart and did not know what to do. But she saw her brother's mind and knew she could not remonstrate with him. So she took the dagger, and having nowhere to hide it alone, she put it inside her robe. Perhaps in the end she meant to remonstrate with her brother.

In the fifth year, in winter, the tenth month, the first day being a gimyo day, the emperor went to Kume and stayed at Takamiya. There the emperor laid his head on the empress's knee and slept in the daytime.

The empress had not yet done the deed, and she thought of it in vain. Her brother's plot came to her at just this time. Then tears flowed from her eyes and fell on the sovereign's face.

The emperor awoke and said to the empress, "I had a dream today. A small snake of brocade color wound about my neck, and a great rain rose from Saho and came and wet my face. What omen is this?"

The empress knew that the plot could not be hidden. In fear she bowed to the ground and told in full how her brother had rebelled. Then she said:

"I cannot go against my brother's will, and I cannot turn my back on the emperor's kindness. If I speak, my brother dies. If I do not speak, the realm is overthrown. So I was afraid on the one hand and grieved on the other. Looking down and looking up my throat closed, and coming and going I wept blood. Day and night I held this trouble in my breast and had no one to tell it to.

Only today, when the emperor slept with his head on my knee, this one thought came to me. If there were a mad woman who would carry out my brother's will, she would meet just such a moment and could do the deed without trouble. Before the thought was finished my tears flowed of themselves. I raised my sleeve and wiped them, and they overflowed from the sleeve and wet the sovereign's face.

So today's dream surely answers to this matter. The small snake of brocade color is the dagger that was given to me, and the great rain that rose suddenly is my tears."

The emperor said to the empress, "This is not your fault." Then he raised soldiers from the near districts and commanded Yatsunada, the distant ancestor of the Kamitsukeno no Kimi, to strike Sahohiko.

Then Sahohiko led his troops and withstood him. He piled up rice sheaves at once and made a castle,

Its strength could not be broken. This is called Inaki (稻城). A month passed and he did not surrender.

The empress grieved and said, "Though I am empress, I have lost my brother. With what face can I stand over the realm?" Then she took the prince Homutsuwake no Mikoto in her arms and entered her brother's Inaki.

The emperor added more soldiers and surrounded the castle on every side. He gave a command into the castle: "Send out the empress and the prince at once." But they did not come out.

Then the general Yatsunada set fire to the castle and burned it. At this the empress had the prince carried over the top of the castle wall and sent out. Then she said:

"The reason I fled into my brother's castle at first was that my child might take away my brother's guilt. Now it is not taken away, and I know the guilt is mine. How could I let my face be bound and be led away? I shall only hang myself and die. Yet though I die, I will not dare to forget the emperor's kindness. I beg that the affairs of the inner palace, which were in my charge, be given to a good mate. In the land of Taniwa there are five women whose hearts are alike upright and pure. They are the daughters of Taniwa no Michinushi no Miko. Take them into the palace and fill the number of the inner palace."

The emperor granted it. Then the fire rose, the castle fell, and the soldiers all fled. Sahohiko died in the castle together with his sister.

The emperor praised the merit of the general Yatsunada and named him Yamatohimukatakehimukahikoyatsunada.

In the seventh year, in autumn, the seventh month, the first day being a gisa day, on the eulhae day, those about the emperor said, "In the village of Taima there is a brave and fierce man called Taima no Kehaya. He is so strong that he can break horns and straighten hooks. He always says among the people, 'Search in the four quarters. How could there be anyone to match my strength? How may I meet a strong man and contend with him in strength at once, caring nothing for life or death?'"

The emperor heard this and gave a command to the great ministers: "I hear that Taima no Kehaya is the strongest man in the realm. Is there anyone to match this man?"

One subject came forward and said, "I have heard that in the land of Izumo there is a brave man called Nomi no Sukune. Let this man be called and set against Kehaya."

That same day Nagaochi, the ancestor of the Yamato no Atai, was sent to summon Nomi no Sukune. So Nomi no Sukune came from Izumo, and Taima no Kehaya and Nomi no Sukune were made to try their strength.

The two men stood facing each other, and each raised his foot and kicked at the other. Then Nomi no Sukune kicked and broke the ribs of Taima no Kehaya, and he trod on his loins and broke them, and killed him.

So the land of Taima no Kehaya was taken and given entire to Nomi no Sukune. This is why there is a field called Koshioreda (腰折田) in that village. Nomi no Sukune stayed and served the court.

In the fifteenth year, in spring, the second month, the first day being an eulmyo day, on the gapja day, the five women of Taniwa were summoned and taken into the palace. The first was Hibasuhime, the second Nubataniirihime, the third Matonohime, the fourth Azaminiirihime, and the fifth Takenohime.

In autumn, the eighth month, the first day being an imo day, Hibasuhime no Mikoto was set up as empress. Three younger sisters of the empress were made consorts. Only Takenohime was sent back to her own country because her form was ugly. She was ashamed to be sent back, and when she came to Kadono she threw herself from her litter and died. Therefore that place was named Ochikuni (堕國). It is now called Otokuni, and this is a corruption.

The empress Hibasuhime no Mikoto bore three sons and two daughters. The first was called Inishikiirihiko no Mikoto, the second Otarashihiko no Mikoto, the third Onakatsuhime no Mikoto, the fourth Yamatohime no Mikoto, and the fifth Wakakiniirihiko no Mikoto.

The consort Nubataniirihime bore Nudeshiwake no Mikoto and Ikatarashihime no Mikoto. The next consort Azaminiirihime bore Ikehayawake no Mikoto and Wakaasatsuhime no Mikoto.

In the twenty-third year, in autumn, the ninth month, the first day being a byeongin day, on the jeongmyo day, a command was given to the great ministers: "Homutsuwake no Miko is now thirty years old and his beard is eight hands long, yet he still cries like a child and never speaks. What is the reason? Let the officers take it up and consider it."

In winter, the tenth month, the first day being an eulchuk day, on the imsin day, the emperor stood before the great hall, and the prince Homutsuwake was in attendance. Then a swan cried and passed across the wide sky. The prince looked up at the swan and said, "What is that?"

The emperor knew that the prince had gained speech at the sight of the swan and rejoiced. He gave a command to those about him: "Who can catch that bird and present it?"

Then Amenoyukawatana, the ancestor of the Tottori no Miyatsuko, said, "I will surely catch it and present it."

The emperor gave this command to Yukawatana: "If you present this bird I will surely reward you richly."

Then Yukawatana looked far off in the direction the swan had flown, followed it, came to Izumo and caught it. Some say it was taken in the land of Tajima.

In the eleventh month, the first day being a gabo day, on the eulmi day, Yukawatana presented the swan. Homutsuwake no Mikoto played with this swan and at last gained speech. For this Yukawatana was richly rewarded and was given the surname Tottori no Miyatsuko. The Tottoribe, the Torikaibe and the Homutsube were also established.

In the twenty-fifth year, in spring, the second month, the first day being a jeongsa day, on the gapja day, a command was given to five great ministers, Takenunakawawake, the distant ancestor of the Abe no Omi, Hikokunibuku, the distant ancestor of the Wani no Omi, Okashima, the distant ancestor of the Nakatomi no Muraji, Tochine, the distant ancestor of the Mononobe no Muraji, and Takehi, the distant ancestor of the Otomo no Muraji:

"Our former sovereign, Emperor Mimakiiribikoinie, was wise and attained to holiness. He was bright and quick of understanding. He held fast to humility and self-denial, and in his heart he kept emptiness and withdrawal. He bound together the framework of the state and worshipped the gods with due rite. He mastered himself and labored in his own person, and he was more careful with each day that passed. Therefore the people were rich and the realm was at peace. Now that it has come to my own reign, how could there be any slackness in the worship of the gods?"

In the third month, the first day being a jeonghae day, on the byeongsin day, Amaterasu Omikami was taken from Toyosukiirihime no Mikoto and entrusted to Yamatohime no Mikoto.

Yamatohime no Mikoto sought a place where the great god might rest, and came to Sasahata in Uda. She turned back again, entered the land of Omi, went round to Mino in the east, and reached the land of Ise.

Then Amaterasu Omikami taught Yamatohime no Mikoto, saying, "This land of Ise, where the divine wind blows, is the land where the waves of Tokoyo come, wave upon wave. It is a lovely land among the lands beside it. I wish to dwell in this land."

So, following the great god's teaching, her shrine was built in the land of Ise, and a palace of worship (齋宮) was raised on the upper reaches of the Isuzu river. This is called Isonomiya (磯宮). It is the place where Amaterasu Omikami first came down from heaven.

In the twenty-sixth year, in autumn, the eighth month, the first day being a muin day, on the gyeongjin day, the emperor gave a command to Mononobe no Tochine no Omuraji: "Messengers have been sent again and again to the land of Izumo to examine the divine treasures of that land, but no one has reported clearly. Go yourself to Izumo and examine them and settle the matter."

Then Tochine no Omuraji examined and settled the divine treasures and reported clearly. He was then put in charge of the divine treasures.

In the twenty-seventh year, in autumn, the eighth month, the first day being a gyeyu day, on the gimyo day, the officers of worship were made to divine whether weapons should be offered to the gods, and the answer was favorable. So bows and arrows and great swords were placed in the shrines of the several gods. Then the lands of the gods and the households of the gods were fixed anew, and worship was made at the proper seasons. It seems that the worship of the gods with weapons began at this time.

In this year a granary (屯倉) was set up in the village of Kume.

In the twenty-eighth year, in winter, the tenth month, the first day being a byeongin day, on the gyeongo day, Yamatohiko no Mikoto, the emperor's younger brother by the same mother, died.

In the eleventh month, the first day being a byeongsin day, on the jeongyu day, Yamatohiko no Mikoto was buried at Tsukisaka in Musa. Then those who had served him closely were gathered and all set in the ground alive within the bounds of the tomb. For several days they did not die, but cried and moaned day and night. At last they died and rotted, and dogs and crows gathered there.

The emperor heard the sound of this moaning and was grieved in his heart. He gave a command to the great ministers: "It is a bitter thing to make those whom the dead loved in life follow them in death. Though it is an old custom, it is not good. Why should it be followed? From now on take counsel and put an end to burial with the dead."

In the thirtieth year, in spring, the first month, the first day being a gimi day, on the gapja day, the emperor gave a command to Inishiki no Mikoto and Otarashihiko no Mikoto: "Let each of you say what his heart desires."

The elder prince said, "I wish to have a bow and arrows."

The younger prince said, "I wish to have the sovereign's seat."

Then the emperor gave this command: "Let each have what he wishes." So the bow and arrows were given to Inishiki no Mikoto. Then he gave this command to Otarashihiko no Mikoto: "You shall surely succeed to my seat."

In the thirty-second year, in autumn, the seventh month, the first day being a gapsul day, on the gimyo day, the empress Hibasuhime no Mikoto died. The day of burial was near, and the emperor gave a command to the great ministers: "I have already learned that the way of following the dead is not good. What shall be done for this burial?"

Then Nomi no Sukune came forward and said, "It is not good to bury living people standing in the tomb of a sovereign. How could such a thing be handed down to later ages? I beg leave to take counsel on an easier way and report it."

Then messengers were sent, and a hundred of the Hajibe (土部) of the land of Izumo were called up. He led the Hajibe himself, took clay and made the shapes of men and horses and all manner of things, and presented them to the emperor, saying, "From now on let these clay things take the place of living people. Set them up at the tomb and make this the rule for later ages."

The emperor rejoiced greatly at this and gave a command to Nomi no Sukune: "Your easier counsel truly meets my heart." So those clay things were first set up at the grave of Hibasuhime no Mikoto. These clay things were named haniwa (埴輪), and they were also called tatemono (立物).

Then this order was given: "From now on let these clay things always be set up at tombs, and let no one be harmed."

The emperor richly rewarded the merit of Nomi no Sukune and gave him besides a place for working metal. He appointed him to the office of the Hajibe and changed his former surname to Haji no Omi (土部臣). This is why the Haji no Muraji have charge of the burial of emperors. This Nomi no Sukune is the first ancestor of the Haji no Muraji.

In the thirty-fourth year, in spring, the third month, the first day being an eulchuk day, on the byeongin day, the emperor went to Yamashiro. Then those about him said, "In this land there is a fair woman called Kanihatatobe. Her form is beautiful. She is the daughter of Okuninofuchi of Yamashiro."

At this the emperor took his spear and prayed, "If I am surely to meet that fair woman, let me see a sign on the road."

As he came near the travelling palace, a great turtle came out of the middle of the river. The emperor raised his spear and stabbed the turtle, and it turned at once into a white stone. He said to those about him, "Judging by this thing, there will surely be a proof."

Then Kanihatatobe was summoned and taken into the inner palace, and she bore Iwatsukuwake no Mikoto. He is the first ancestor of the Mio no Kimi.

Before this the emperor had married Karihatatobe of Yamashiro, and she bore three sons. The first was called Ojiwake no Mikoto, the second Ikatarashihiko no Mikoto, and the third Itakeruwake no Mikoto. The son of Ikatarashihiko no Mikoto is the first ancestor of the Ishida no Kimi.

In the thirty-fifth year, in autumn, the ninth month, Inishiki no Mikoto was sent to the land of Kawachi, and the pond of Takashi and the pond of Chinu were made.

In winter, the tenth month, the pond of Saki in Yamato and the pond of Tomi were made.

In this year the several lands were ordered to open many ponds and channels, and their number was eight hundred. Farming was made the business of the people. By this the people were rich and at ease, and the realm was greatly at peace.

In the thirty-seventh year, in spring, the first month, the first day being a muin day, Otarashihiko no Mikoto was set up as crown prince.

In the thirty-ninth year, in winter, the tenth month, Inishiki no Mikoto stayed at the palace on the upper reaches of the Uto river at Chinu and made a thousand swords. For this reason those swords were named Kawakamibe, and they were also called Akahadakatomo (裸伴). They were stored in the shrine of Isonokami. After this Inishiki no Mikoto was commanded to take charge of the divine treasures of the shrine of Isonokami.

In the eighty-seventh year, in spring, the second month, the first day being a jeonghae day, on the sinmyo day, Inishiki no Mikoto said to his younger sister Onakatsuhime, "I am old. I cannot take charge of the divine treasures. From now on you must take charge of them."

Onakatsuhime no Mikoto declined and said, "I am a woman with weak hands. How could I climb to the treasure house of the gods in heaven?"

Inishiki no Mikoto said, "Though the treasure house of the gods is high, I can make a ladder for it. Why should climbing the house be a trouble?"

So the saying, "Even the treasure house of the gods is as the ladder set up to it," comes from this.

But in the end Onakatsuhime no Mikoto gave them to Mononobe no Tochine no Omuraji to govern. Therefore the Mononobe no Muraji govern the divine treasures of Isonokami to this day, and this is the reason.

Long ago there was a man in the village of Kuwata in the land of Taniwa whose name was Mikaso. In the house of Mikaso there was a dog named Ayuki. This dog bit and killed a wild beast called a mujina, and in the belly of the beast there was a curved jewel eight feet long. It was presented to the court. This jewel is now in the shrine of Isonokami.

In the eighty-eighth year, in autumn, the seventh month, the first day being a giyu day, on the muo day, a command was given to the great ministers: "I hear that the treasures which Cheonilchang, the prince of Silla, brought when he first came are now in Tajima. They were prized from the beginning by the people of that land and so became divine treasures. I wish to see those treasures."

That same day a messenger was sent with a command to Kiyohiko, the great-grandson of Cheonilchang, that he should present them.

Kiyohiko received the command and brought the divine treasures himself and presented them: one jewel of Hafuto, one jewel of Ashitaka, one red-stone jewel of Ukaka, one sun-mirror and one set of the himorogi of Kuma. But there was a small sword named Izushi, and Kiyohiko suddenly thought not to present the sword. He hid it inside his robe and wore it himself.

The emperor did not yet know of the hidden sword. Wishing to show Kiyohiko favor, he called him and gave him wine in the palace. Then the sword came out from inside his robe and was seen. The emperor saw it and asked Kiyohiko himself, "What sword is that inside your robe?"

Then Kiyohiko knew that he could not hide the sword and said, "It is one of the divine treasures that were presented."

Then the emperor said to Kiyohiko, "How could that divine treasure be parted from its fellows?" So he took it out and presented it. All were stored in the treasure house of the gods.

When the treasure house was opened afterwards and looked into, the small sword had vanished of itself. A man was sent to ask Kiyohiko, "The sword you presented has suddenly vanished. Has it come to you?"

Kiyohiko answered, "Last night the sword came of itself to my house, and this morning it vanished."

The emperor was afraid and did not search for it again. After this the small sword of Izushi went of itself to the island of Awaji. The people of that island thought it a god and built a shrine for the sword. It is worshipped there to this day.

Long ago there was a man who came in a small boat and put in at the land of Tajima. He was asked, "What land are you from?" He answered, "I am a prince of Silla, and my name is Cheonilchang." He stayed in Tajima and married Manoo, the daughter of Maetsumimi of that land, and she bore Tajima no Morosuku. He was the grandfather of Kiyohiko.

In the ninetieth year, in spring, the second month, the first day being a gyeongja day, the emperor commanded Tajimamori and sent him to the land of Tokoyo to seek the fragrant fruit that is out of season (非時香菓). What is now called the tachibana, the orange, is this.

In the ninety-ninth year, in autumn, the seventh month, the first day being a muo day, the emperor died at Makimukunomiya. He was then one hundred and forty years old.

In winter, the twelfth month, the first day being a gyemyo day, on the imja day, he was buried in the tomb of Fushimi at Sugawara.

In spring of the next year, the third month, the first day being a sinmi day, on the imo day, Tajimamori came back from the land of Tokoyo. The things he brought were eight branches and eight strings of the fragrant fruit out of season.

Tajimamori wept and grieved and said, "I received a command from the court and went far to a region cut off from the world. I trod the waves ten thousand miles and crossed the distant Weak Water. This land of Tokoyo is the hidden place of the immortals, and no common man can reach it. So ten years passed of themselves while I went and came. How could I have hoped to pass the steep waves alone and turn again to my own country? Yet by the divine spirit of the holy sovereign I was barely able to return. Now the emperor is dead, and I cannot report my errand. Though I live, what good is it?"

Then he turned toward the emperor's tomb, cried aloud and died by his own hand. All the ministers heard of it and shed tears. Tajimamori is the first ancestor of the Miyake no Muraji.