Emperor Ojin應神天皇

Emperor Homuta (譽田天皇) was the fourth son of Emperor Tarashinakatsuhiko. His mother was called Okinagatarashihime no Mikoto.

The emperor was born at Kata in Tsukushi, in the winter of the gyeongjin year, in the twelfth month, the year the empress struck Silla. In his youth he was clear and quick of mind, and his discernment was deep and far-reaching. In his bearing and in his going and staying there was a holy look unlike other men. In the third year of the empress dowager's regency he was set up as crown prince.

In the beginning, while the emperor was in the womb, the gods of heaven and the gods of earth gave him the Three Han. When he was born, flesh grew upon his arm, and its shape was like an arm guard (鞆). This was like the arm guard the empress dowager wore when she put on a man's dress. Therefore his name was called Emperor Homuta.

In the sixty-ninth year of the regency, in summer, the fourth month, the empress dowager died.

In the first year, in spring, the first month, on the first day, a jeonghae day, the crown prince ascended the throne. In this year the year sign was gyeongin.

In the second year, in spring, the third month, the first day being a gyeongsul day, on the imja day, he set up Nakatsuhime as empress. The empress bore Princess Arata, Emperor Osazaki, and Prince Netori.

Before this the emperor took Takakiiribime, the empress's elder sister, as a consort, and she bore Prince Nukata no Onakatsuhiko, Prince Oyamamori, Prince Izanomawaka, Princess Ohara, and Princess Komukuta.

Again the consort Otohime, the empress's younger sister, bore Princess Abe, Princess Awaji no Mihara, and Princess Ki no Uno.

The next consort, Miyanushiyakahime, the daughter of Hifure no Omi, the ancestor of the Wani no Omi, bore Prince Uji no Wakiiratsuko, Princess Yata, and Princess Metori.

The next consort, Onabehime, the younger sister of Yakahime, bore Princess Uji no Wakiiratsume.

The next consort, Otohime, the daughter of Kawamata no Nakatsuhiko, bore Prince Wakanuke Futamata.

The next consort, Itohime, the sister of Osabi of the Sakurai no Tabe no Muraji, bore Prince Hayabusawake.

The next consort, Izumi no Nagahime of Himuka, bore Prince Ohae and Prince Obae.

In all, the sons and daughters of this emperor were twenty royal children.

Prince Netori is the first ancestor of the Ota no Kimi. Prince Oyamamori is the first ancestor of two clans, the Hijikata no Kimi and the Haribara no Kimi. Prince Izanomawaka is the first ancestor of the Fukawawake.

In the third year, in winter, the tenth month, the first day being a sinmi day, on the gyeyu day, the Emishi of the east all brought tribute. Then the Emishi were set to work and made the road of Umayasaka.

In the eleventh month the fishermen in place after place made an uproar and did not obey the command. Then Ohama no Sukune, the ancestor of the Azumi no Muraji, was sent, and he put down that uproar. For this he was made head over the fishermen. Therefore the common people have a saying, "sabaama," and this is the cause of it.

In this year King Jinsa (辰斯王) of Baekje ascended the throne and failed in courtesy toward the emperor of the honored country (貴國). Therefore Ki no Tsuno no Sukune, Hata no Yashiro no Sukune, Ishikawa no Sukune, and Tsuku no Sukune were sent to rebuke him for his discourtesy. Because of this the land of Baekje killed King Jinsa and made apology. Ki no Tsuno no Sukune and the others then set up Ahwa (阿菟) as king and returned.

In the fifth year, in autumn, the eighth month, the first day being a gyeongin day, on the imin day, the several lands were commanded to appoint fishermen and the Yamamoribe.

In winter, the tenth month, the land of Izu was commanded to build a ship, and it was ten fathoms long. When the ship was finished it was floated on the sea for a trial, and it went lightly and swiftly, as if it were running. Therefore that ship was named Karano (枯野).

In the sixth year, in spring, the second month, the emperor went to the land of Omi. He came up to Ujino and sang.

"Chibano Kazunuomireba Momochidaru Yaniwamomiyu Kuninohomomiyu (知麼能伽豆怒塢彌例麼、茂々智儾蘆夜珥波母彌喻、區珥能朋母彌喻)"

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

In the seventh year, in autumn, the ninth month, men of Goryeo, men of Baekje, men of Imna, and men of Silla all came to court. Then Takeuchi no Sukune was commanded to lead the several Han men (韓人) and make a pond. For this reason the pond was named the Karahito pond (韓人池).

In the eighth year, in spring, the third month, men of Baekje came to court.

In the ninth year, in summer, the fourth month, Takeuchi no Sukune was sent to Tsukushi to look into the people.

Then Umashiuchi no Sukune, the younger brother of Takeuchi no Sukune, wished to do away with his elder brother, and he slandered him to the emperor. "Takeuchi no Sukune has always had a mind that longs for the realm. Now I hear that while he is in Tsukushi he plots in secret and says, 'I shall cut off Tsukushi for myself alone, call in the Three Han and make them do homage to me, and at last I shall take the realm.'"

At this the emperor sent a messenger to kill Takeuchi no Sukune.

Then Takeuchi no Sukune sighed and said, "From the first I have had no double heart. I have served my lord with a loyal mind. What calamity is this now? Am I to die without guilt?"

Now there was a man called Maneko, the ancestor of the Iki no Atai, and in his person he was much like Takeuchi no Sukune in form. He alone grudged that Takeuchi no Sukune should die without guilt and to no purpose, and he said to Takeuchi no Sukune,

"Now the great minister serves his lord with a loyal mind, and all the realm knows that he has no black heart. I beg you to slip away in secret, go to the court, and make your innocence clear yourself. To die after that will not be too late. And men have always said that my form is like the great minister's. So let me now die in the great minister's place, and make the great minister's red heart clear."

Then he fell upon his sword and died by his own hand.

Then Takeuchi no Sukune alone grieved greatly. He slipped away from Tsukushi in secret, put out to sea, went round by the southern sea, and came to the harbor of Kii. He was barely able to reach the court, and there he made his innocence clear.

The emperor then examined Takeuchi no Sukune and Umashiuchi no Sukune. The two men each held fast to his own word and contended, and right and wrong were hard to decide.

The emperor gave command that the gods of heaven and earth be entreated and the kugatachi (探湯) be held. Therefore Takeuchi no Sukune and Umashiuchi no Sukune went out together to the bank of the Shiki river and held the kugatachi. Takeuchi no Sukune won. He took a long sword and struck Umashiuchi no Sukune down, and would have killed him at last. The emperor gave command that he be let go, and then made him the ancestor of the Kii no Atai.

In the eleventh year, in winter, the tenth month, the ponds of Tsurugi, Karu, Shishigaki, and Umayasaka were made.

In this year a man made report and said, "In the land of Himuka there is a young woman. Her name is Kaminagahime, and she is the daughter of Ushimoroi of the Morogata no Kimi. She is the finest among the beauties of the land."

The emperor was glad, and in his heart he wished to seek her.

In the thirteenth year, in spring, the third month, the emperor sent a messenger charged with this alone, to call Kaminagahime.

In autumn, in the ninth month, Kaminagahime came from Himuka, and she was lodged in the village of Kuwatsu.

Now the prince Osazaki no Mikoto saw Kaminagahime, and he was taken with the beauty of her form and always had a longing heart. Then the emperor knew that Osazaki no Mikoto was taken with Kaminagahime, and he wished to give her to him.

So on a day when the emperor held a feast in the inner palace, he called Kaminagahime for the first time and seated her high at the feast. Then he turned toward Osazaki no Mikoto, pointed to Kaminagahime, and sang.

"Izaagino Nihirutsumini Hirutsumini Wagayukumichini Kaguhashi Hanatachibana Shizuerawa Hitominatori Hotsuewa Toriwigarashi Mitsugurino Nakatsueno Fuhogomori Akareruotome Izasakabaena (伊奘阿藝怒、珥比蘆菟湄珥、比蘆菟濔珥、和餓喻區濔智珥、伽遇破志、波那多智麼那。辭豆曳羅波、比等未那等利、保菟曳波、等利委餓羅辭、濔菟遇利能、那伽菟曳能、府保語茂利、阿伽例蘆塢等咩、伊奘佐伽麼曳那)"

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

Then Osazaki no Mikoto received the emperor's song, and he knew at once that Kaminagahime was given to him. He was greatly glad, and he sang in answer.

"Mizutamaru Yosaminoikeni Nunawakuri Hahekekushirani Wiguhitsuku Kawamataeno Hishigarano Sashikekushirani Agakokoroshi Iyaukonishite (濔豆多摩蘆、豫佐濔能伊戒珥、奴那波區利、破陪鷄區辭羅珥、委愚比菟區、伽破摩多曳能、比辭餓羅能、佐辭鶏區辭羅珥、阿餓許居呂辭、伊夜于古珥辭氐)"

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

Osazaki no Mikoto and Kaminagahime had already come together in love, and alone before Kaminagahime he sang.

"Michinoshiri Kohadaotome Okaminogoto Kikoeshikado Ahimakuramaku (彌知能之利、古破儾塢等綿、塢伽未能語等、枳虚曳之介逎、阿比摩區羅摩區)"

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

He sang again.

"Michinoshiri Kohadaotome Arasohazu Neshikuoshizo Uruhashimimofu (濔知能之利、古波儾塢等綿、阿羅素破儒、泥辭區塢之叙、于蘆波辭彌茂布)"

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

In the fourteenth year, in spring, the second month, the king of Baekje sent up a woman skilled in sewing, called Maketsu. She is the first ancestor of the Kinunui of Kume of today.

In this year Yuzuki no Kimi (弓月君) came over from Baekje. Then he made report and said, "Your servant led the men of a hundred and twenty districts of his own land and would have come over to submit. But men of Silla barred the way, and they are all held in the land of Gara."

Then Kazuraki no Sotsuhiko was sent to call the men of Yuzuki from Gara. But three years passed and Sotsuhiko did not come.

In the fifteenth year, in autumn, the eighth month, the first day being an imsul day, on the jeongmyo day, the king of Baekje sent Ajikgi (阿直岐) and offered two good horses. They were kept in the stable above Karusaka, and Ajikgi was set to have charge of feeding them. Therefore the place where the horses were kept was named Umayasaka.

Ajikgi also read the classics well. So he became the teacher of the crown prince Uji no Wakiiratsuko.

Then the emperor asked Ajikgi, "Is there another learned man better than you?"

He answered, "There is one called Wangin (王仁). He is the best."

Then Aratawake, the ancestor of the Kamitsukeno no Kimi, and Kamunagi were sent to Baekje, and Wangin was called.

That Ajikgi is the first ancestor of the Achiki no Fubito.

In the sixteenth year, in spring, the second month, Wangin came. Then the crown prince Uji no Wakiiratsuko made him his teacher and learned the several writings from Wangin, and there was nothing he did not master. The Wangin so called is the first ancestor of the Fumi no Obito.

In this year King Ahwa of Baekje died. The emperor called King Jikji (直支王) and said to him, "Go back to your land and succeed to the throne." Then he also gave him the land of Donghan (東韓) and sent him off.

In the eighth month Heguri no Tsuku no Sukune and Ikuha no Toda no Sukune were sent to Gara. Then picked soldiers were given them, and this command was made. "That Sotsuhiko has not come back for so long is surely because men of Silla have barred the way and held him. Go quickly, strike Silla, and open the road."

Then Tsuku no Sukune and the others led the picked soldiers and came to the border of Silla. The king of Silla was startled and owned his fault. Then he led the men of Yuzuki, and they came together with Sotsuhiko.

In the nineteenth year, in winter, the tenth month, on the first day, a musul day, he went to the palace of Yoshino. Then the men of Kuzu (國樔) came to court. For this they offered sweet wine to the emperor, and they sang.

"Kashinofuni Yokusuotsukuri Yokusuni Kameruohomiki Umarani Kikoshimochiose Marogachi (伽辭能輔珥、豫區周塢菟區利、豫區周珥、伽綿蘆淤朋濔枳、宇摩羅珥、枳虚之茂知塢勢、磨呂俄智)"

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

When the song was done, they struck their mouths and looked up and laughed. That the Kuzu today, on the day they offer the fruits of their land, strike their mouths and look up and laugh when the song is done is, it seems, a custom left from old times.

Now the Kuzu are very simple and honest in their nature. They always take fruit in the hills and eat it, and they also boil frogs and hold them a fine dish. They call it momi.

Their land lies to the southeast of the capital, beyond a mountain, and they live on the bank of the Yoshino river. The peaks are steep and the valleys deep, and the roads are narrow and sheer. Therefore, though they are not far from the capital, they seldom came to court in former days. But after this they came often and offered the fruits of their land. Those fruits are chestnuts, mushrooms, sweetfish, and the like.

In the twentieth year, in autumn, the ninth month, Achi no Omi (阿知使主), the ancestor of the Yamato no Aya no Atai, and his son Tsuka no Omi (都加使主) came over together, leading their own people of seventeen districts.

In the twenty-second year, in spring, the third month, the first day being a gapsin day, on the muja day, the emperor went to Naniwa and stayed at the Osumi palace.

On the jeongyu day he climbed a high terrace and looked far off. Then the consort Ehime was in attendance, and she looked to the west and sighed deeply.

Then the emperor asked Ehime, "Why is your sighing so deep?"

She answered, "Of late I have had a longing for my father and mother in my heart. So as I looked to the west I sighed of myself. I beg that I may go back for a while and see my parents."

Then the emperor felt tenderly toward the warm and dutiful heart Ehime had for her parents, and he said to her, "Many years have passed since you saw your parents. It is plainly right that you should go back and see them."

So he granted it, and then called eighty fishermen of Mihara in Awaji to be the boatmen, and sent her to Kibi.

In summer, the fourth month, Ehime set out by ship from Otsu and went. The emperor was on the high terrace, and he looked at Ehime's ship and sang.

"Awajishima Iyafutanarabi Azukishima Iyafutanarabi Yoroshikishimashima Dakatasarearachishi Kibinaruimoo Ahimitsurumono (阿波旎辭摩、異椰敷多那羅珥、阿豆枳辭摩、異椰敷多那羅珥、豫呂辭枳辭摩之魔、儾伽多佐例阿羅智之、吉備那流伊慕塢、阿比瀰菟流慕能)"

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

In autumn, the ninth month, the first day being a sinsa day, on the byeongsul day, the emperor hunted on the island of Awaji. This island lies across the sea, to the west of Naniwa. Its peaks and crags are tumbled together, its hills and valleys run one into another, sweet grasses grow thick, and long waves flow softly. Deer and ducks and wild geese too are many on that island. Therefore the imperial carriage often went there for sport.

The emperor then went over from Awaji to Kibi, and took his sport on the island of Shodo.

On the gyeongin day he moved again and stayed at the Ashimori palace of Hada. Then Mitomowake came before him, and he made his brothers and his children and grandchildren the cooks and served the feast.

The emperor then saw how reverently and fearfully Mitomowake attended him, and there was gladness in his heart. For this he divided the land of Kibi and gave it in fief to his sons.

So he divided off the district of Kawashima and gave it in fief to the eldest son Inahayawake. He is the first ancestor of the Shimotsumichi no Omi. Next he gave the district of Kamitsumichi in fief to the middle son Nakatsuhiko. He is the first ancestor of the Kamitsumichi no Omi and the Kaya no Omi. Next he gave the district of Mino in fief to the younger brother Otohiko. He is the first ancestor of the Mino no Omi. Again he gave the district of Hakugi in fief to Kamowake, the younger brother of Mitomowake. He is the ancestor of the Kasa no Omi. Then he gave the district of Sono in fief to the elder brother Urakoriwake. He is the first ancestor of the Sono no Omi. Then he gave the district of Oribe to Ehime.

For this reason their children and grandchildren are in the land of Kibi to this day, and this is the cause of it.

In the twenty-fifth year King Jikji of Baekje died, and his son Guisin (久爾辛) then ascended the throne as king. The king was young in years, and Mokmanchi (木滿致) took the government of the land. He was lewd with the king's mother and did many discourteous things. The emperor heard of it and called him.

In the twenty-eighth year, in autumn, the ninth month, the king of Goryeo sent an envoy and brought tribute. With it he sent up a letter, and in that letter it was written, "The king of Goryeo instructs the land of Japan (高麗王教日本國也)."

Then the crown prince Uji no Wakiiratsuko read that letter and was angry. He rebuked the envoy of Goryeo, saying that the words of the letter were discourteous, and he tore that letter.

In the thirty-first year, in the eighth month, this command was given to the ministers. "Among the government ships, the one named Karano is the ship the land of Izu offered up. It is rotted and cannot be used. But it was long in the service of the government, and its merit cannot be forgotten. How may the name of that ship be kept unbroken and handed down to later ages?"

The ministers then received the command and ordered the officers in charge to take the timbers of that ship for firewood and burn salt. So five hundred baskets of salt were got, and these were given out to all the lands, and for this ships were built.

For this reason all the lands at one time sent up five hundred ships, and they were all gathered at the harbor of Muko.

At this time the envoys of Silla who brought tribute were lodging together at Muko. Then a fire broke out suddenly where the men of Silla lodged, and it spread and reached the gathered ships, and many ships were burnt. For this the men of Silla were rebuked. The king of Silla heard of it and was greatly afraid and startled, and he sent up a skilled craftsman. He is the first ancestor of the Inabe.

In the beginning, on the day the ship Karano was burnt for salt firewood, there was something left unburnt. They thought it strange that it did not burn, and they offered it up. The emperor thought it uncommon and had a koto made of it. Its sound rang clear and was heard far off. At this time the emperor sang.

"Karanoo Shihoniyaki Shigaamari Kotonitsukuri Kakihikuya Yuranotono Donakanoikurini Furetatsu Nazunokinosayasaya (訶羅怒烏、之褒珥椰枳、之餓阿摩離、虚等珥菟句離、訶枳譬句椰、由羅能斗能、斗那訶能異句離珥、敷例多菟、那豆能紀能佐々椰々)"

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

In the thirty-seventh year, in spring, the second month, on the first day, a muo day, Achi no Omi and Tsuka no Omi were sent to Wu (呉) to seek women skilled in sewing.

Then Achi no Omi and the others crossed to the land of Goryeo, wishing to reach Wu. They came to Goryeo, but there they did not know the road any further, and they asked Goryeo for one who knew the road. The king of Goryeo then sent with them two men, Guryepa (久禮波) and Guryeji (久禮志), to be their guides. By this they were able to reach Wu.

The king of Wu then gave them four women skilled in sewing: Ehime, Otohime, Kurehatori, and Anahatori.

In the thirty-ninth year, in spring, the second month, King Jikji of Baekje sent his younger sister Sinjedowon (新齊都媛) to serve. Then Sinjedowon came over, leading seven women.

In the fortieth year, in spring, the first month, the first day being a sinchuk day, on the musin day, the emperor called Oyamamori no Mikoto and Osazaki no Mikoto and asked them, "Do you love your children?"

They answered, "We love them dearly."

He asked again, "Which is the more, the elder or the younger?"

Oyamamori no Mikoto answered, "The younger does not come up to the eldest son."

At this there was a look of displeasure on the emperor's face.

Then Osazaki no Mikoto read the emperor's face beforehand and answered, "The elder has passed through many colds and heats and is already grown. There is no more care for him. Only of the younger child we do not know whether he will grow or not. For this reason I pity the younger child dearly."

The emperor was greatly glad and said, "Your words truly meet my heart."

At this time the emperor had always had a mind to set up Uji no Wakiiratsuko as crown prince. But he wished to know the minds of the two princes, and so he put this question. For this reason he was not glad at the answer of Oyamamori no Mikoto.

On the gapja day Uji no Wakiiratsuko was set up as heir. On that same day Oyamamori no Mikoto was given charge of the mountains and rivers and woods and moors, and Osazaki no Mikoto was made the helper of the crown prince and given to know the affairs of the land.

In the forty-first year, in spring, the second month, the first day being a gabo day, on the musin day, the emperor died at the Akira palace. He was then a hundred and ten years old.

In this month Achi no Omi and the others came from Wu to Tsukushi. Then Munakata no Okami asked for the women skilled in sewing. Therefore Ehime was offered to Munakata no Okami. She is the ancestor of the Mitsukai no Kimi who are now in the land of Tsukushi.

Then they led the other three women and came to the land of Tsuno, and reached Muko. But the emperor had died, and they did not come in time. So they were offered to Osazaki no Mikoto. The descendants of these women are the Kure no Kinunui and the Kaya no Kinunui of today.