Empress Jingu神功皇后

Okinagatarashihime no Mikoto (氣長足姬尊) was the great-grandchild of Emperor Wakayamatonekohikoohihi and the daughter of Okinaga no Sukune no Miko. Her mother was called Kazuraki no Takanukahime. In the second year of Emperor Tarashinakatsuhiko she was set up as empress. From childhood she was clear-minded and wise, and her face and form were strong and fair, so that her father the king marveled at her.

In the ninth year, in spring, the second month, Emperor Tarashinakatsuhiko died at Kashihinomiya in Tsukushi. At that time the empress grieved that the emperor had died early because he had not followed the god's teaching, and she wished to know which god was to be revered and to seek the land of treasure. For this reason she commanded the ministers and all the officials to loose their offences and mend their faults, and she built a palace of worship anew in the village of Oyamada.

In the third month, the first day being an imsin day, the empress chose a good day, entered the palace of worship and became the god's priest herself. Then she commanded Takeuchi no Sukune to play the koto, and called Nakatomi no Ikatsu no Omi to be the saniwa (審神者). Then she laid a thousand bolts and high bolts of silk at the head and the tail of the koto and asked.

"Which god was it that taught the emperor in days past? I wish to know his name."

After seven days and seven nights the answer came. "It is the god who dwells in Sakusuzu Isuzunomiya, in the district of Watarai of the hundred passings, in the land of Ise of the divine wind. The name is Tsukisakaki Itsu no Mitama Amasakaru Mukatsuhime no Mikoto."

She asked again. "Besides this god, is there yet another god?"

The answer came. "I am the one who comes forth as the ear of the banner reed comes forth. There is a god who dwells in the district of Awa of Agatafushi in Oda."

She asked. "Is there another?"

The answer came. "There is Tamakushi Iribiko Itsu no Kotoshironushi no Kami, who stands for the affairs of heaven and stands for the affairs of the void."

She asked. "Is there another?"

The answer came. "Whether there is or is not, I do not know."

Then the saniwa said. "Is there something you do not answer now but will say later?"

The answer came. "There are gods who dwell at the bottom of the water of the small gate of Tachibana in the land of Himuka, and who come forth as the young water plants come forth. Their names are Uwatsutsunoo, Nakatsutsunoo and Sokotsutsunoo."

She asked. "Is there another?"

The answer came. "Whether there is or is not, I do not know." In the end it did not say that there were any gods besides.

At that time she received the god's words and made sacrifice as she was taught. After that she sent Kamowake, the ancestor of the Kibi no Omi, to strike the land of Kumaso. Before twelve days had passed it submitted of itself.

There was also a man called Hashirokumawashi in the village of Notorita. He was hard and strong in his making, and he had wings on his body and could fly and soar high. For this reason he did not follow the royal command, and he always plundered and stole from the people.

On the muja day the empress wished to strike Kumawashi, and she moved from Kashihinomiya to Matsuonomiya. At that time a whirlwind rose of a sudden and the hat she wore fell in the wind. Therefore the people of that time named that place Mikasa (御笠).

On the sinmyo day she came to Sosokino, and she raised troops, struck Hashirokumawashi and destroyed him. She said to those about her. "Kumawashi is taken. My heart is at peace." Therefore that place was named Yasu (安).

On the byeongsin day she moved on and came to the district of Yamato, and she put the Tsuchigumo Taburatsuhime to death. At that time Natsuha, the elder brother of Taburatsuhime, raised troops and came to meet her. But he heard that his sister had been put to death, and he fled.

In summer, the fourth month, the first day being an imin day, on the gapjin day, she went north to the district of Matsura in the land of Hizen, and she took food beside a small stream in the village of Tamashima.

Then the empress bent a needle to make a hook, took a grain of rice for bait, and drew a thread from her skirt for a line. She climbed on a stone in the middle of the stream, cast the hook and prayed. "I wish to seek the land of treasure in the west. If the thing is to be accomplished, let the fish of the stream take the hook."

Then she raised the rod, and she took a sweetfish. At that time the empress said. "This is a rarely seen thing." Therefore the people of that time named that place the land of Mezura. It is called Matsura now, and that is a corruption.

For this reason, whenever the first part of the fourth month comes, the women of that land cast hooks into the stream and catch sweetfish, and it has not ceased to this day. But though men fish, they cannot take them.

Then the empress knew that the god's teaching had proof in it, and she worshipped the gods again and wished to go west herself and strike. So she fixed a god's field and tilled it. At that time she drew the water of the Na river to wet the god's field, and dug a channel. When it came to the hill of Todoroki a great rock blocked it, and the channel could not be pierced.

The empress called Takeuchi no Sukune, and he held up a sword and a mirror and prayed to the gods, asking that the channel be opened. Then at that moment thunder and lightning struck, kicked the rock apart and let the water through. Therefore the people of that time named that channel the channel of Sakuta (裂田溝).

The empress went back to the shore of Kashihi, loosed her hair, faced the sea and said. "I have received the teaching of the gods and lean upon the spirits of the imperial ancestors. I will cross the blue sea and go west myself and strike. For this reason I wash my head in the sea water. If there is proof in it, let my hair part of itself and become two."

Then she went into the sea and washed, and her hair parted of itself. The empress bound the parted hair and made it into a topknot.

Then she said to the ministers.

"To raise an army and move a host is a great matter of the state. Peace and danger, success and failure, all rest upon it. Now there is a place to be struck, and I lay the matter upon the ministers. If the matter is not accomplished, the fault will lie with the ministers, and that would grieve me greatly.

"I am a woman, and unworthy besides. Yet I will borrow the form of a man for a while and force myself to a bold plan. Above I shall receive the spirits of the gods, below I shall borrow the help of the ministers. I shall shake out arms and armor and cross the steep waves, and make the ships ready and seek the land of wealth. If the matter is accomplished, the ministers will share the merit. If it is not accomplished, the fault will be mine alone. Such is my mind. Take counsel together upon it."

The ministers all said. "The empress plans for the realm and for the peace of the ancestral shrine and the altars of the land. And she says that the fault will not reach her servants. We bow our heads and receive the command."

In autumn, the ninth month, the first day being a gyeongo day, on the gimyo day, she commanded the lands to gather ships and to train arms and armor. At that time the soldiers were hard to gather. The empress said. "This is surely the mind of a god." Then she set up the shrine of Omiwa and offered a sword and a spear. The soldiers gathered of themselves.

Then she sent Omaro, a fisherman of Ahe, out into the western sea to see whether there was a land there. He came back and said. "No land is to be seen." She sent Nagusa, a fisherman of Shika, to look again. He came back after some days and said. "To the north-west there is a mountain, and cloud lies across it like a sash. Perhaps there is a land there."

Then a good day was divined, and the day of setting out drew near. At that time the empress took the axe herself and charged the three armies.

"If the gong and the drum have no measure, and the banners are in confusion, the soldiers will not be ordered. If a man is greedy for goods and full of desire, if he holds his own concerns and looks back to his home, he will surely be taken by the enemy. Though the enemy be few, do not make light of them. Though the enemy be strong, do not yield. Do not listen to cunning and violence. Do not kill those who submit of themselves. In the end, he who fights and wins will surely have a reward, and he who turns his back and runs will have his own fault."

Then a god taught her. "The Nigimitama (和魂) will cling to the body of the king and guard her life. The Aramitama (荒魂) will be the vanguard and lead the ships of the army."

Then she received the god's teaching and bowed before it. For this reason Yosami no Abiko Otarumi was made the priest of the sacrifice.

At this time the empress was near her delivery. The empress took a stone, thrust it in her waistband and prayed. "When the matter is ended and the day of return comes, let me bear the child in this land." That stone is now beside the road in the district of Ito.

Then she set the Aramitama to lead the army as its vanguard, and asked the Nigimitama to guard the king's ship.

In winter, the tenth month, the first day being a gihae day, on the sinchuk day, they set out from the ford of Wani. At that time the spirit of the wind raised the wind and the spirit of the waves raised the waves, and the great fish in the sea all rose up and bore the ships. Then a great wind blew from behind and the sails went with the waves, and without the labor of oars they came to Silla. At that time the tide and the waves that followed the ships reached far into the land. Then it was known that the gods of heaven and the gods of earth had all given help.

The king of Silla trembled and shook and had no place to put himself. He gathered the people and said. "Since Silla was founded it has never been heard that the sea water passed over the land. Has the fortune of heaven run out, and is the land to become sea?"

Before these words were ended, the ships and the soldiers filled the sea and the banners shone in the sun. The drums and the pipes raised their sound, and the hills and the streams all shook.

The king of Silla looked out afar and thought that an army beyond the common was coming to destroy his land, and he was afraid and lost his wits. Then he came to himself and said. "I have heard that to the east there is a land of gods, called Japan, and that there is a holy king there, called the emperor. This must be the divine army of that land. How should I raise troops and hold them off?"

Then he raised a white flag and submitted of himself. He bound his face with a white cord, sealed the maps and the registers, and surrendered before the king's ship. Then he knocked his head on the ground and said.

"From this time on, as long as heaven and earth endure, I will bow down and be a keeper of horses. I will not let the rudders of the ships dry, and in spring and autumn I will offer horse combs and horse whips. Nor will I count the sea far and troublesome, but every year I will offer the jo (調) of men and women."

Then he swore again. "Unless the sun that rises in the east should rise in the west instead, and unless the river Arinare (阿利那禮河) should turn and flow backward and the stones of the river should rise and become stars, if I should fail of the spring and autumn court, or grow slack and stop the tribute of combs and whips, let the gods of heaven and the gods of earth strike me together."

At that time someone said. "Let us put the king of Silla to death."

Then the empress said. "When I first received the god's teaching, it was said that the land of gold and silver would be given. And I charged the three armies, 'Do not kill those who submit of themselves.' Now the land of wealth is already taken, and the man has surrendered of himself. To kill him would not be auspicious."

Then she loosed his bonds and made him a keeper of horses. At last she entered that land, sealed the storehouses of heavy treasure, and gathered up the maps, the registers and the documents. Then she set the spear on which the empress had leaned at the gate of the king of Silla, as a mark for the later ages. Therefore that spear still stands at the gate of the king of Silla.

Then Pasa Maegeum (波沙寐錦), the king of Silla, gave Mijilgiji Pajin Gangi (微叱己知波珍干岐) as a hostage, and loaded gold and silver, fine colors, damask, gauze and silk on eighty ships and sent them to follow the royal army. This is the reason why the king of Silla always offers the jo of eighty ships to the land of Japan.

Then the kings of the two lands, Goryeo and Baekje, heard that Silla had gathered up its maps and registers and surrendered to the land of Japan, and they secretly had the strength of that army spied out. Knowing that they could not win, they came of themselves outside the camp, knocked their heads on the ground and said in earnest. "From this time on we will call ourselves the western vassal (西蕃) for ever and will not break off our tribute."

Therefore the miyake of the inner official house (內官家) was fixed. This is what is called the Three Han (三韓). The empress came back from Silla.

In the twelfth month, the first day being a musul day, on the sinhae day, she bore Emperor Homuta in Tsukushi. Therefore the people of that time named the place of the birth Umi (宇瀰).

One account says this. Emperor Tarashinakatsuhiko was at Kashihinomiya in Tsukushi. Then there was a god who came upon Utsuhikokunihikomatsuyatane, the ancestor of the district lord of Saba, and taught the emperor.

"Sovereign grandchild, do you wish to seek the land of treasure? I will show it and give it." Then it said again. "Bring the koto and offer it to the empress."

Then, as the god said, the empress played the koto. Then the god came upon the empress and taught her.

"The land that the sovereign grandchild desires now is like the horn of a deer. It is a land without substance. Now, if the ship that the sovereign grandchild rides and the paddy field offered by Anato no Atai Fumitachi, the field called Ota, are made an offering, and I am well worshipped, then a land like the glance of a fair woman, a land with much gold and silver, a land that dazzles the eye, will be given to the sovereign grandchild."

Then the emperor answered the god. "Though you are a god, why these lying words? Where should such a land be? And the ship I ride I have already offered to the god, so what ship shall I ride? Yet I do not know what god you are. I wish to know your name."

Then the god named its name and said. "Uwatsutsunoo, Nakatsutsunoo and Sokotsutsunoo." So it named the three gods, and said again. "My name is Mukahitsuo Kikiso Okogori Itsu no Mitama Hayasanobori no Mikoto."

Then the emperor said to the empress. "It is a woman that these ill words sit upon. And why does it call itself Hayasanobori?"

Then the god said to the emperor. "You, king, do not believe in this way, and you will surely not get that land. Only the child that the empress now carries may perhaps obtain it."

That night the emperor suddenly fell ill and died.

After that the empress worshipped according to the god's teaching. Then the empress dressed herself as a man and struck Silla. At that time the god stayed with her and led her. Because of this the waves that followed the ships reached far into the land of Silla.

Then Uryujoburijigan (宇流助富利智干), the king of Silla, came out to meet her and knelt, took hold of the king's ship, knocked his head on the ground and said. "From this time on your servant will be an inner official house to the child of the god who dwells in the land of Japan, and will not break off tribute."

One account says this. They took the king of Silla, went to the sea shore, drew out the sinews of his knees and made him crawl upon the stones. Soon they cut him down and buried him in the sand. Then they left one man to be the governor (宰) of Silla and went back.

After that the wife of the king of Silla did not know the place where her husband's body was buried, and alone she had a mind to lure the governor. So she tempted the governor and said. "If you will let me know the place where the king's body is buried, I will surely repay you richly. And I will be your wife."

Then the governor believed her luring words and secretly told her the place of the burial. Then the king's wife took counsel with the people of the land and killed the governor. They took out the king's body again and buried it in another place. Then they took the governor's body, buried it under the earth of the king's tomb, raised the king's coffin and laid it above him, saying. "The order of high and low ought of right to be like this."

Then the emperor heard of it, and again he broke out in great anger and raised a great host, wishing to destroy Silla at a stroke. For this reason the warships filled the sea and went there. At this time the people of the land of Silla were all afraid and did not know what to do. Then they gathered together, took counsel, and killed the king's wife to beg pardon for the offence.

Then the gods who had followed the army, the three gods Uwatsutsunoo, Nakatsutsunoo and Sokotsutsunoo, taught the empress. "Let my Aramitama be worshipped in the village of Yamada in Anato."

At that time Fumitachi, the ancestor of the Anato no Atai, and Tamomi no Sukune, the ancestor of the Tsumori no Muraji, said to the empress. "The land where the god wishes to dwell must surely be fixed and served." Then Fumitachi was made the priest of the sacrifice to the Aramitama, and a shrine was set up in the village of Yamada in Anato.

In spring, the second month of the year after Silla was struck, the empress led the ministers and all the officials and moved to Toyuranomiya in Anato. Then she took up the emperor's coffin and went toward the capital by the sea road.

At that time Kagosaka no Miko and Oshikuma no Miko heard that the emperor had died, that the empress had gone west to strike, and that a prince had newly been born, and they plotted secretly. "Now the empress has a son, and the ministers will all follow him. They will surely take counsel together and set up a child as sovereign. How should we, being elder brothers, follow a younger brother?"

Then, pretending to build a tomb for the emperor, they went to Harima and raised a mound at Akashi. They joined ships and stretched them to the island of Awaji, carried the stones of that island and built with them. Then they made every man take up arms and waited for the empress.

Then Kuramiwake, the ancestor of the Inukami no Kimi, and Isachi no Sukune, the ancestor of the Kishi, both attached themselves to Kagosaka no Miko. For this reason they were made generals and raised the troops of the eastern lands.

At that time Kagosaka no Miko and Oshikuma no Miko went out together to Togano and made a hunt of divination (祈狩) and prayed. "If the matter is to be accomplished, we shall surely take a good beast."

The two princes were each in a temporary hunting stand. A red boar came out of a sudden, climbed the stand and bit Kagosaka no Miko and killed him. The soldiers all trembled.

Oshikuma no Miko said to Kuramiwake. "This matter is greatly strange. The enemy must not be waited for here." Then he drew off his troops, turned back, and camped at Suminoe.

At that time the empress heard that Oshikuma no Miko had raised troops and was waiting, and she commanded Takeuchi no Sukune to take the prince in his arms, to go out sideways into the southern sea and to put in at the harbor of Kii. The empress's ship made straight for Naniwa. At this time the empress's ship turned round in the sea and could not go forward.

She went back again to the harbor of Muko and divined. Then Amaterasu Omikami taught her. "My Aramitama must not be near the imperial dwelling. It shall dwell in the land of Hirota of Mikokoro." Then Hayamahime, the daughter of Yamashironeko, was made to worship there.

Wakahirume no Mikoto also taught her. "I wish to dwell in the land of Nagao of Ikuta." For this reason Unakami no Isachi was made to worship there.

Kotoshironushi no Mikoto also taught her. "Worship me in the land of Nagata of Mikokoro." Then Nagahime, the younger sister of Hayamahime, was made to worship there.

The three gods Uwatsutsunoo, Nakatsutsunoo and Sokotsutsunoo also taught her. "My Nigimitama shall dwell in Nagao of Nunakura in Otsu. There I shall watch the ships that come and go."

Then they were settled and served according to the gods' teaching. So the sea could be crossed in peace.

Oshikuma no Miko drew off his troops again and withdrew, and he came to Uji and camped there. The empress went south to the land of Kii and met the crown prince at Hidaka. She took counsel with the ministers, and wishing at last to attack Oshikuma no Miko she moved again to Shinonomiya.

Just at this time the day was dark as night, and many days had already passed so. The people of that time said. "The long night is going by."

The empress asked Toyomimi, the ancestor of the Ki no Atai. "What is the cause of this strange thing?"

Then there was an old man who said. "I have heard it told that such a strange thing is called the offence of azunahi (阿豆那比之罪)."

She asked. "What does that mean?"

He answered. "It is that the priests of two shrines have been buried together."

For this reason inquiry was made through the streets and villages, and there was one man who said. "The priest of Shino and the priest of Amano were good friends together. The priest of Shino met with sickness and died. The priest of Amano wept tears of blood and said, 'He was my friend while I lived. How should I not enter the same grave with him in death?' and he lay down beside the body and died of himself. So they were buried together. Perhaps this is the thing."

Then the tomb was opened and looked into, and it was so. Therefore the coffins were changed again and buried each in a different place. Then the sunlight shone, and day and night were divided.

In the third month, the first day being a byeongsin day, on the gyeongja day, she commanded Takeuchi no Sukune and Takefurukuma, the ancestor of the Wani no Omi, to lead a host of some tens of thousands and to strike Oshikuma no Miko.

Then Takeuchi no Sukune and the rest chose picked soldiers and went out from Yamashiro. They came to Uji and camped on the north of the river. Oshikuma no Miko came out of his camp and would give battle.

At that time there was a man called Kumanokori, and he was the vanguard of the army of Oshikuma no Miko. Wishing to urge on his own host, he raised his voice and sang.

"Ochikatano araramatsubara matsubarani watariyukite tsukuyumini mariyaotaguhe umahitowa umahitodochiya itokowamo itokonochi izaahana warewa tamakiharu uchinoasoga haranuchiwa isagoareya izaahana warewa (烏智箇多能、阿邏々麻菟麼邏、摩菟麼邏珥、和多利喩祇氐、菟區喩彌珥、末利椰塢多具陪、宇摩譬等破、于摩譬苔奴知野、伊徒姑播茂、伊徒姑奴池、伊裝阿波那、和例波、多摩岐波屢、于池能阿層餓、波邏濃知波、異佐誤阿例椰、伊裝阿波那、和例波)"

— This sets down sounds only, and is not turned into meaning.

At that time Takeuchi no Sukune made the three armies all bind their hair in mallet knots. Then he gave the command. "Let each man hide a spare bowstring in his hair, and wear a wooden sword."

Then he took up the empress's command and lured Oshikuma no Miko. "I do not covet the realm. I am only one who holds a young king in his arms and follows his lord. How should there be any cause to stand and fight? I ask that we cut our bowstrings together and cast away our arms, and be joined in peace. Then my lord will rise to the work of heaven, will sit at ease and lay his head high, and will govern all affairs alone."

Then openly he commanded the host to cut all their bowstrings, loose their swords and throw them into the river.

Oshikuma no Miko believed the luring words, and he made his soldiers all loose their arms and throw them into the river and cut their bowstrings.

Then Takeuchi no Sukune made the three armies take out the spare bowstrings, string their bows again and wear their true swords. They crossed the river and went forward.

Oshikuma no Miko knew that he had been deceived, and he said to Kuramiwake and Isachi no Sukune. "I have been deceived. Now there are no arms in reserve. How can I fight?" He drew off his arms and withdrew little by little.

Takeuchi no Sukune sent out picked soldiers and pursued them. He met them at Osaka and broke them. Therefore that place was named Osaka (逢坂).

The host fled. They came to the chestnut grove of Sasanami, and many were cut down there. Then the blood flowed and filled the chestnut grove. Therefore this thing was held ill, and to this day the fruit of that chestnut grove is not offered at the place where the sovereign dwells.

Oshikuma no Miko fled and had no place to enter. Then he called Isachi no Sukune and sang.

"Izaagi isachisukune tamakiharu uchinoasoga kubutsuchino itateohazuwa nihodorino kazukisena (伊裝阿藝、伊佐智須區禰、多摩枳波屢、于知能阿曾餓、勾夫菟智能、伊多氐於破孺破、珥倍廼利能、介豆岐齊奈)"

— This sets down sounds only, and is not turned into meaning.

Then they sank together at the ford of Seta and died. At this time Takeuchi no Sukune sang.

"Afuminomi setanowatarini kazukutori menishimieneba ikidohoroshimo (阿布彌能彌、齊多能和多利珥、伽豆區苔利、梅珥志彌曳泥麼、異枳廼倍呂之茂)"

— This sets down sounds only, and is not turned into meaning.

Then they searched for the body and did not find it. After that, some days later, it came out in the river of Uji. Takeuchi no Sukune sang again.

"Afuminomi setanowatarini kazukutori tanakamisugite ujinitorahetsu (阿布瀰能瀰、齊多能和多利珥、介豆區苔利、多那伽瀰須疑氐、于泥珥等邏倍菟)"

— This sets down sounds only, and is not turned into meaning.

In winter, the tenth month, the first day being a gyehae day, on the gapja day, the ministers honored the empress and called her empress dowager. This year the year sign was sinsa. It was made the first year of the regency.

In the second year, in winter, the eleventh month, the first day being a jeonghae day, on the gabo day, the emperor was buried at the Nagano tomb in the land of Kawachi.

In the third year, in spring, the first month, the first day being a byeongsul day, on the muja day, the prince Homutawake was set up as crown prince. For this reason the capital was made at Iware.

In the fifth year, in spring, the third month, the first day being a gyemyo day, on the giyu day, the king of Silla sent Oryesabeol (汙禮斯伐), Momarijilji (毛麻利叱智), Buramoji (富羅母智) and others to bring tribute. They had it in mind to send back Mijilheoji Beolhan (微叱許智伐旱), who had come before as a hostage.

For this reason they tempted Heojibeolhan and deceived him, and he said. "The envoys Oryesabeol and Momarijilji and the rest have told your servant, 'Our king, because you have long not returned, has taken your wife and children and made them all slaves.' I beg to return to my own land for a while and to learn whether this is false or true."

The empress dowager granted it. For this reason she sent Kazuraki no Sotsuhiko with him.

They came together to Tsushima and lodged at the harbor of Seohae (鉏海). At that time the Silla envoys Momarijilji and the rest secretly divided off a ship and sailors, put Mijil Hangi aboard and let him flee to Silla.

Then they made a straw figure, laid it in the bed of Mijilheoji, pretended that he was sick, and told Sotsuhiko. "Mijilheoji has suddenly fallen sick and is near death."

Sotsuhiko sent a man to look at the sick one. He knew that he had been deceived, and he seized three of the Silla envoys, put them in a cage and burned them with fire and killed them. Then he went to Silla, stayed at the ford of Dapbi (蹈鞴津), took the fortress of Chora (草羅城) and came back.

The people taken captive at this time are the first ancestors of the Ayahito of the four villages of Kuwahara, Sabi, Takamiya and Oshinumi.

In the thirteenth year, in spring, the second month, the first day being a jeongsa day, on the gapja day, she commanded Takeuchi no Sukune to follow the crown prince and to worship the great god of Kehi at Tsunuga.

On the gyeyu day the crown prince came from Tsunuga. On this day the empress dowager feasted the crown prince in the great hall. The empress dowager raised the cup and wished the crown prince long life. For this reason she sang.

"Konomikiwa wagamikinarazu kushinokami tokoyoniimasu ihatatasu sukunamikamino toyohoki hokimotohoshi kamuhoki hokikuruhoshi matsurikoshimikizo asazuose sasa (虛能彌企破、和餓彌企那羅儒、區之能伽彌、等虛豫珥伊麻輸、伊破多々須、周玖那彌伽未能、等豫保枳、保枳茂苔陪之、訶武保枳、保枳玖流保之、摩菟利虛辭彌企層、阿佐孺塢齊、佐佐)"

— This sets down sounds only, and is not turned into meaning.

Takeuchi no Sukune sang in answer for the crown prince.

"Konomikio kamikemuhitowa sonotsuzumi usunitatete utahitsutsu kamikemekamo konomikino ayani utadanoshi sasa (許能彌企塢、伽彌鶏武比等破、曾能菟豆彌、于輸珥多氐々、于多比菟々、伽彌鶏梅伽墓、許能彌企能、阿椰珥、于多娜濃芝作、沙)"

— This sets down sounds only, and is not turned into meaning.

The thirty-ninth year. This year the year sign was gimi.

The fortieth year.

The forty-third year.

In the forty-sixth year, in spring, the third month, the first day being an eulhae day, Shima no Sukune was sent to the land of Taksun.

Then Malgeum Hangi (末錦旱岐), the king of Taksun, told Shima no Sukune.

"In the seventh month of the year gapja, three men of Baekje, Guje (久氐), Mijuryu (彌州流) and Makgo (莫古), came to this land and said, 'The king of Baekje heard that there is a noble land called Japan in the east, and he sent your servants to pay court to that noble land. Therefore we sought the road and came to this land. If you can teach your servants and open the road to us, our king will surely think deeply of your lordship's virtue.'

"At that time I said to Guje and the rest, 'I have heard from of old that there is a noble land in the east, but there has been no traffic with it and I do not know the road. The sea is far and the waves are steep. Only by riding a great ship can it barely be crossed. Though there were a road and a ford, how could you reach it?'

"Then Guje and the rest said, 'Then it cannot be crossed now. It would be better to go back again, make the ships ready, and cross after that.' And they said, 'If an envoy of the noble land should come, be sure to tell our land of it.' So they spoke and went back."

Then Shima no Sukune sent two men, his attendant Nihaya and Gwago (過古), a man of Taksun, to the land of Baekje to give comfort to its king.

At that time King Chogo (肖古王) of Baekje was deeply glad of it and received them richly. Then he gave Nihaya one bolt each of fine silk of five colors, a horn bow and arrows, and forty bars of iron as a gift.

Then he opened his treasure house again, showed them many rare things and said. "There are many such rare treasures in our land. I wished to offer them to the noble land, but I did not know the road. I had the will but no way to follow it. Yet now I send them by the envoys and offer them."

Then Nihaya carried out his charge and came back and told Shima no Sukune. Then he returned from Taksun.

In the forty-seventh year, in summer, the fourth month, the king of Baekje sent Guje, Mijuryu and Makgo to bring tribute. At that time the envoy of the land of Silla who bore the jo came together with Guje.

Then the empress dowager and the crown prince Homutawake no Mikoto rejoiced greatly and said. "The people of the land that the former sovereign longed for have come now to court. How grievous, that it did not reach the emperor." Not one of the ministers but shed tears.

Then the tribute goods of the two lands were examined. The tribute of Silla was very rich in rare things, and the tribute of Baekje was little and mean and not good.

Then Guje and the rest were asked. "The tribute of Baekje does not come up to that of Silla. How is this?"

They answered. "Your servants lost the road and came to Sabi Silla (沙比新羅). Then the men of Silla seized your servants and shut them in prison, and after three months they would have killed them. At that time Guje and the rest turned toward heaven and laid a curse. The men of Silla feared the curse and did not kill them. Then they took away our tribute and made it the tribute of their own land, and exchanged mean goods of Silla for it and made that the tribute of your servants' land. They said to your servants, 'If you mistake these words, on the day you return we shall surely kill you.' So Guje and the rest were afraid and obeyed them. For this reason they have barely been able to reach the heavenly court."

Then the empress dowager and Homutawake no Mikoto rebuked the envoy of Silla. For this reason they prayed to the gods of heaven. "Whom should we send to Baekje to examine whether the matter is false or true? Whom should we send to Silla to inquire into its offence?"

Then the gods of heaven taught them. "Let Takeuchi no Sukune take counsel upon it. If Chikuma Nagahiko is made the envoy, it will be as you wish."

Then Chikuma Nagahiko was sent to Silla to rebuke them for having made free with the offerings of Baekje.

In the forty-ninth year, in spring, the third month, Aratawake and Kagawake were made generals. Then with Guje and the rest they mustered troops and crossed over, came to the land of Taksun, and would fall upon Silla.

At that time someone said. "The soldiers are few, and Silla cannot be broken. Send up Sabaek (沙白) and Gaero (蓋盧) again and ask that the soldiers be increased."

Then Mongna Geunja (木羅斤資) and Sasanogwe (沙々奴跪) were commanded to lead picked soldiers, and they were sent together with Sabaek and Gaero. All gathered at Taksun, struck Silla and broke it.

For this reason they subdued the seven lands of Bijabeol (比自㶱), Namgara (南加羅), Takguk (㖨國), Anra (安羅), Dara (多羅), Taksun (卓淳) and Gara (加羅).

Then they moved the troops, turned west, came to Gohaejin (古爰津), and cut down the southern barbarians (南蠻) of Chimmidarye (忱彌多禮) and gave it to Baekje.

Then its king Chogo and the prince Gwisu (貴須) also led troops and came to meet them. At that time the four villages of Biri (比利), Byeokjung (辟中), Pomiji (布彌支) and Bango (半古) submitted of themselves.

For this reason the king of Baekje and his son, and Aratawake and Mongna Geunja and the rest, met together at the village of Euryu (意流村). They saw one another and were glad, and they sent them away with rich courtesy.

Only Chikuma Nagahiko and the king of Baekje went to the land of Baekje and climbed Mount Byeokji (辟支山) and swore there. They climbed Mount Gosa (古沙山) again and sat together on a great rock.

At that time the king of Baekje swore. "If grass were spread for a seat, it would be feared that fire might burn it. If wood were taken for a seat, it would be feared that water might carry it away. Therefore to sit on a great rock and swear is to show that it is long and far and does not rot. For this reason, from now on, for a thousand autumns and ten thousand years, without break and without end, we will always call ourselves the western vassal and will pay court in spring and autumn."

Then he took Chikuma Nagahiko to the foot of the capital and received him richly. And he sent Guje and the rest with him.

In the fiftieth year, in spring, the second month, Aratawake and the rest came back.

In summer, the fifth month, Chikuma Nagahiko and Guje and the rest arrived from Baekje.

Then the empress dowager was glad and asked Guje. "The lands of Han west of the sea have already been given to your land. Why then do you come again so often?"

Guje and the rest said. "The great favor of the heavenly court has reached far to our poor town. Our king rejoices and leaps for joy and cannot hold his heart. Therefore by the returning envoy he offers his utmost sincerity. Though ten thousand ages pass, what year should we not come to court?"

The empress dowager gave this command. "Good are your words. This is my own mind." She gave the fortress of Dasa (多沙城) besides, to be a post station on the road of coming and going.

In the fifty-first year, in spring, the third month, the king of Baekje sent Guje again to bring tribute.

Then the empress dowager said to the crown prince and Takeuchi no Sukune. "The land of Baekje, with which I keep close friendship, is brought by heaven and does not come by men. Rare things to delight in, such as were not here before, they bring without fail at every season, and they always come and offer them. I look upon this sincerity and am glad of it every time. Show them kindness richly, as while I am alive."

In that year Chikuma Nagahiko was sent with Guje and the rest to the land of Baekje. For this reason great kindness was shown, and it was said. "Following the proof I had from the god, I first opened the road. I subdued the lands west of the sea and gave them to Baekje. Now I bind the friendship richly again and will favor and reward you for ever."

At this time the king of Baekje and his son both put their foreheads to the ground and said. "The great favor of the noble land is heavier than heaven and earth. On what day and at what hour should we dare to forget it? The holy king is above, bright as the sun and the moon. Now your servants are below, firm as the hills. We will be the western vassal for ever and will never have a second heart."

In the fifty-second year, in autumn, the ninth month, the first day being a jeongmyo day, on the byeongja day, Guje and the rest came with Chikuma Nagahiko. Then they offered one seven-branched sword (七枝刀), one seven-child mirror (七子鏡) and many heavy treasures.

Then they said. "There is water west of your servants' land, and its source comes out of the iron mountain of Gongna (谷那). It is so far that seven days' journey does not reach it. We shall drink this water and take the iron of this mountain, and shall serve the holy court for ever."

Then he said to his grandson King Chimnyu (枕流王). "The noble land east of the sea with which we now have traffic is opened by heaven. For this reason it has bestowed heavenly favor, divided the lands west of the sea and given them to us. By this the foundation of the land is made firm for ever. You must keep the friendship well, gather the goods of the land, and never break off your offerings. Though I die, what regret should I have?"

From this time on they came to court year after year.

In the fifty-fifth year King Chogo of Baekje died.

In the fifty-sixth year Gwisu, the prince of Baekje, was set up and became king.

In the sixty-second year Silla did not come to court. In that year Sotsuhiko was sent to strike Silla.

In the sixty-fourth year King Gwisu of the land of Baekje died. The prince King Chimnyu was set up and became king.

In the sixty-fifth year King Chimnyu of Baekje died. The prince Ahwa (阿花) was young. His uncle Jinsa (辰斯) took the place and was set up as king.

The sixty-sixth year.

In the sixty-ninth year, in summer, the fourth month, the first day being a sinyu day, on the jeongchuk day, the empress dowager died at Wakasakuranomiya.

In winter, the tenth month, the first day being a muo day, on the imsin day, she was buried in the Tatanami tomb at Saki. On this day the empress dowager was honored with the name Okinagatarashihime no Mikoto. This year the year sign was gichuk.