Emperor Tenmu, Part One天武天皇上

Emperor Amenonunahara Okinomahito (天渟中原瀛真人天皇) was the younger brother of Emperor Amemikoto Hirakasuwake by the same mother. In his childhood he was called Prince Ōama.

From his birth he had a lofty bearing. When he grew up he was valiant and outstanding, godlike in strength, and skilled in the reading of the heavens and in the arts of concealment. He took Princess Uno, the daughter of Emperor Amemikoto Hirakasuwake, as his chief consort. In the first year of Emperor Amemikoto Hirakasuwake he was set up as crown prince.

In winter, the tenth month, on the gyeongjin day, the emperor lay ill, and his pain was very great.

Then Soga no Omi Yasumaro was sent to summon the crown prince, and he led him into the great hall. Yasumaro had long been favored by the crown prince, and he looked back at him secretly and said, "Speak with your purpose in mind."

The crown prince suspected that there was a hidden plot, and was on his guard.

The emperor commanded the crown prince, and would have given him the great work. He declined it, saying, "Your servant is unfortunate, and has been sick from the first. How could he guard the altars of the land? I ask that Your Majesty give the realm to the empress, and set up Prince Ōtomo to be the heir. Your servant will this day leave the world, and cultivate merit for Your Majesty."

The emperor consented. That same day he left the world and put on the robes of the law. Thereupon he gathered up his private weapons and gave them all in to the officials.

On the imo day he entered the palace of Yoshino. At that time Soga no Akae no Omi, the minister of the left, Nakatomi no Kane no Muraji, the minister of the right, and Soga no Hatayasu no Omi, the great counselor, escorted him, and turned back from Uji.

Someone said, "A tiger has been given wings and let loose."

That evening he came to the palace of Shima. On the gyemi day he reached Yoshino and dwelt there.

At this time he gathered the toneri together and said to them, "I now enter the Way and follow its practice. Let those who wish to follow the Way remain. If any wish to serve and make a name, let them go back and serve in the offices."

But no one withdrew. Again he gathered the toneri and gave the same command as before. So half of the toneri stayed and half withdrew.

In the twelfth month Emperor Amemikoto Hirakasuwake died.

In spring, the third month, the first day being an imjin day, on the giyu day, Azumi no Muraji Inashiki, of the rank of naishō shichii, was sent to Tsukushi to announce the emperor's mourning to Guo Wucong and his company.

Then Guo Wucong and his company all put on mourning garments, raised the wail three times, and bowed their heads toward the east.

On the imja day Guo Wucong and his company bowed twice and presented a letter case and gifts of good faith.

In summer, the fifth month, the first day being a sinmyo day, on the imin day, armor and helmets and bows and arrows were given to Guo Wucong and his company.

On this day goods were given to Guo Wucong and his company: in all one thousand six hundred and seventy-three bolts of coarse silk, two thousand eight hundred and fifty-two ends of cloth, and six hundred and sixty-six geun of floss silk.

On the muo day Goryeo sent Bugabyeon (富加抃) of the front division and his company to offer tribute. On the gyeongsin day Guo Wucong and his company went home.

In this month Enoi no Muraji Okimi reported to the emperor.

"Your servant had private business, and went alone to Mino. At that time the court told the Kuni no Tsukasa of the two lands of Mino and Owari, 'For the building of the imperial tomb, choose and appoint laborers beforehand.' Then they made every man take up arms. Your servant thought, 'This is not for a tomb. Surely something is afoot.' If we do not get away early, there will be danger."

Another man reported, "From the capital of Ōmi to the capital of Yamato watchmen have been set here and there. They have also ordered the keeper of the bridge of Uji to stop the toneri of the palace of the emperor's younger brother from carrying private provisions."

The emperor hated this. He had inquiry made, and learned that the matter was already true.

Then he made a decree. "The reason I gave over the throne and fled the world was to heal my sickness alone, to keep my body whole, and to end my hundred years in peace. But now I cannot help it, and I must meet this calamity. How can I keep silent and lose my life?"

In the sixth month, the first day being a sinyu day, on the imo day, a decree was given to Murakuni no Muraji Oyori, Wanibe no Omi Kimite and Muge no Kimi Hiro.

"I now hear that the vassals of the court of Ōmi are plotting to harm me. Therefore you three go in haste to the land of Mino, tell Ō no Omi Honji, the yu no unagashi of the district of Ahachima, make known to him what is needed, and first raise the troops of that district. Then through the Kuni no Tsukasa raise the several armies and block the road of Fuwa in haste. I now set out."

On the gapsin day he was about to enter the east. Then one vassal reported, "The vassals of Ōmi have had a plotting heart from the first, and will surely bring the realm to ruin. The roads will be hard to pass. How can you enter the east empty-handed, without a single soldier? Your servant fears the thing will not succeed."

The emperor followed this, and thought to call Oyori and the others back. He sent Ōkida no Kimi Esaka, Kibumi no Miyatsuko Ōtomo and Ōfu no Omi Shima to Takasaka no Ōkimi, who was left in charge, to ask for the post bells.

So he said to Esaka and the others, "If you do not get the bells, let Shima come back and report again. Let Esaka gallop to Ōmi, call Prince Takechi and Prince Ōtsu, and meet me in Ise."

Presently Esaka and the others came to the office of those left in charge, raised the command of the crown prince, and asked Takasaka no Ōkimi for the post bells. But he would not hear them.

Then Esaka went on to Ōmi. Shima went back and reported again, "We did not get the bells."

On this day he set out on the road and entered the eastern lands. The matter was urgent, and he went without waiting for a carriage. Suddenly he met Agata no Inukai no Muraji Ōtomo with a saddled horse, and so he rode. The empress followed him in a palanquin.

When they reached the river Tsuburi the carriage came at last, and he rode in it.

Those who followed him from the first were Prince Kusakabe, Prince Osakabe, and the toneri Enoi no Muraji Okimi, Agata no Inukai no Muraji Ōtomo, Saeki no Muraji Ōme, Ōtomo no Muraji Tomokuni, Wakasakurabe no Omi Iose, Fumi no Obito Nemaro, Fumi no Atai Chitoko, Yamashiro no Atai Obayashi, Yamashirobe no Oda, Ato no Muraji Chitoko, Tsuki no Obito Ōmi and their like, more than twenty men, and more than ten waiting women.

That same day they reached Aki in Uda. Ōtomo no Muraji Makuta and Kibumi no Miyatsuko Ōtomo came after them from the palace of Yoshino.

At this time Haji no Muraji Umate, the toneri in charge of the garrison fields, gave food to those who followed the carriage.

As they passed the village of Kanra there were more than twenty hunters. Ōtomo no Enomoto no Muraji Ōkuni was the head of the hunters. They were all called and made to follow the carriage.

Mino no Ōkimi was also summoned, and he came and followed.

They met fifty pack horses of the land of Ise, which were carrying the rice of the yu no unagashi, before the district office of Uda. So the rice was all thrown away and those on foot were mounted.

They reached Ōno as the sun went down. The mountain was dark and they could not go on, so they pulled down the fence of a house in that village and made torches of it.

At midnight they reached the district of Nabari and burned the post house of Nabari. Then they called out in the village, "The emperor is entering the eastern lands. Let the laborers all come forth." But not one man was willing to come.

As they drew near the river Yoko there was a black cloud, more than ten fathoms broad, that crossed the sky.

The emperor thought it strange. He raised a torch, took the divining board himself, and divined, saying, "This is a sign that the realm will be split in two. Yet shall I in the end gain the realm?"

Then he went in haste to the district of Iga and burned the post house of Iga.

When they reached Nakayama in Iga, the Kōri no Tsukasa of that land led several hundred men and came over to him.

At daybreak they reached Tarano, halted the carriage for a while and took food.

At the mouth of Mount Tsuge, Prince Takechi came over from Kafuka and met him. Tami no Atai Ōhi, Akasome no Miyatsuko Tokotari, Ōkura no Atai Hirosumi, Sakanoue no Atai Kunimaro, Furuichi no Kuromaro, Takeda no Daitoku and Ikago no Omi Abe followed him.

They crossed the great mountain and reached Suzuka in Ise. Then Miyake no Muraji Iwatoko, the governor, Miwa no Kimi Kobito, the assistant governor, Tanaka no Omi Tarimaro, the yu no unagashi, and Takata no Obito Ninomi came to meet him in the district of Suzuka. Five hundred soldiers were sent out at once to block the road of Mount Suzuka.

They reached Kawawa no Sakashita as the sun set. The empress was weary, so the palanquin was halted for a while and she rested. But the night grew dark and it was about to rain, and they could not rest long, and went on.

Then the cold and the thunder and the rain grew very great. The clothes of those who followed were wet, and they could not bear the cold. So when they came to the district office of Mie, one room of a house was burned to warm those who were cold.

That midnight the keeper of the barrier of Suzuka sent a messenger who reported, "Yamabe no Ōkimi and Ishikawa no Ōkimi have both come over to you. Therefore we have set up the barrier."

The emperor at once sent Michi no Atai Masuhito to summon them.

On the morning of the byeongsul day he looked toward Amaterasu Ōmikami from the bank of the river Tō in the district of Asake, and bowed.

Then Masuhito came and reported, "Those for whom the barrier was set up were not Yamabe no Ōkimi and Ishikawa no Ōkimi. It is Prince Ōtsu."

He came at once, following Masuhito. Ōkida no Kimi Esaka, Naniwa no Kishi Mitsuna, Komada no Suguri Oshihito, Yamabe no Kimi Yasumaro, Oharida no Inote, Hashibe no Hiki, Ōkida no Kimi Wakaomi, Ne no Muraji Kanemi, Nuribe no Tomose and their like followed him.

The emperor was greatly pleased. As he drew near the district office, Oyori came riding a post horse and reported, "Three thousand soldiers of Mino have been raised, and we have been able to block the road of Fuwa."

The emperor praised the effort of Oyori. When he had come to the district office, he first sent Prince Takechi to Fuwa to oversee the affairs of the army.

Yamashirobe no Oda and Ato no Muraji Akafu were sent to raise the troops of Tōkai. Wakasakurabe no Omi Iose and Haji no Muraji Umate were sent to raise the troops of Tōsan.

On this day the emperor lodged at the district office of Kuwana, and stopped there and went no further.

At this time the court of Ōmi heard that the emperor's younger brother had entered the eastern lands, and all its vassals were startled, and the capital was shaken. Some fled and would enter the eastern lands. Some withdrew and would hide in the mountains and the marshes.

Then Prince Ōtomo said to his vassals, "What plan shall we take?"

One vassal came forward and said, "Late planning falls behind. It would be better to gather swift horsemen quickly, follow his track and pursue him."

The prince did not follow this. He sent Ina no Kimi Iwasuki, Fumi no Atai Kusuri and Osaka no Atai Ōmaro to the eastern lands, and sent Hozumi no Omi Momotari, his younger brother Ioe, and Mononobe no Obito Himuka to the capital of Yamato. He sent Saeki no Muraji Otoko to Tsukushi and Kusu no Omi Iwate to the land of Kibi, and had them all raise troops.

Then he said to Otoko and Iwate, "Kurikuma no Ōkimi, the ōmikotomochi of Tsukushi, and Tagima no Kimi Hiroshima, the governor of the land of Kibi, these two men belonged from the first to the emperor's younger brother. I suspect they may turn against us. If there is any look of disobedience, kill them at once."

So Iwate came to the land of Kibi, and on the day he gave over the tally he tricked Hiroshima into loosing his sword. Then Iwate drew his sword and killed him.

Otoko reached Tsukushi. Then Kurikuma no Ōkimi received the tally and answered.

"The land of Tsukushi has from the first guarded against the trouble of the enemy on the border. Its high walls and deep moats face the sea. How should the guard there be against an enemy within? If I now fear the command and raise troops, the land will be left empty. If something sudden should come from outside, beyond all thought, the altars of the land would fall at once. After that, though you killed your servant a hundred times, what good would it be? How should I dare to turn my back on virtue? That I do not lightly move troops is for this reason."

At that time the two sons of Kurikuma no Ōkimi, Mino no Ōkimi and Takeihe no Ōkimi, stood at his side with swords girded, and did not withdraw.

Then Otoko laid his hand on his sword and would have gone forward, but he feared that he himself would be killed. So he could not accomplish his errand, and went back empty.

As Iwasuki and the post messengers of the eastern road drew near Fuwa, Iwasuki alone suspected that there were soldiers in the mountains, and fell behind and went slowly. Then soldiers in ambush came out of the mountains and cut off Kusuri and the others from behind. Iwasuki saw this, and knowing that Kusuri and the others had been taken, he turned and fled, and barely escaped.

At this time Ōtomo no Muraji Makuta and his younger brother Fukei both saw that the time was not right, and pleaded illness and withdrew to their house in Yamato. But they knew that the one who would take the throne was surely the emperor's younger brother, who was in Yoshino.

For this reason Makuta went first and followed the emperor. Only Fukei stayed behind and said, "I would make a name in this hour, and set these troubles at rest." So he called one or two of his kin and several bold men, and got barely a few tens of men.

On the jeonghae day Prince Takechi sent a messenger to the district office of Kuwana and reported, "The place where the sovereign stays is far off, and it is not convenient for the conduct of affairs. You should be in a nearer place."

That same day the emperor left the empress behind and entered Fuwa. As he drew near the district office, Chiisakobe no Muraji Sahichi, the governor of Owari, led twenty thousand men and came over to him.

The emperor praised him, and divided those troops and blocked the roads here and there.

When he reached Nogami, Prince Takechi came from Wazami to meet him, and reported at once.

"Last night a post messenger came galloping from the court of Ōmi. Soldiers in ambush took him, and he was Fumi no Atai Kusuri, with Osaka no Atai Ōmaro. When they were asked where they were going, they answered, 'We are of the company of Ina no Kimi Iwasuki, who goes to raise the troops of the eastern lands for the emperor's younger brother, who is in Yoshino. But Iwasuki saw the troops rising, and fled back.'"

Presently the emperor said to Prince Takechi, "In that court of Ōmi the ministers of the left and the right and the vassals of wisdom and counsel settle their plans together. Now I have no one to take counsel with, but only young children. What shall be done?"

The prince bared his arm, laid his hand on his sword and reported, "The vassals of Ōmi are many, but how should they dare to go against the spirit of the emperor? Though the emperor stands alone, your servant Takechi will lean on the spirits of the gods of heaven and earth, ask the emperor's command, lead the generals, and go out to punish them. What could stand in our way?"

The emperor praised him, took his hand and stroked his back, and said, "Be careful. Do not be slack."

So he gave him a saddle and a horse, and gave over to him all the affairs of the army. The prince went back to Wazami.

The emperor then raised a temporary palace at Nogami and dwelt there. That night the thunder and the lightning and the rain were great. The emperor prayed, saying, "If the gods of heaven and earth help me, let the thunder and the rain cease." When he had finished speaking, the thunder and the rain stopped.

On the muja day the emperor went to Wazami, looked into the affairs of the army, and came back.

On the gichuk day the emperor went to Wazami and commanded Prince Takechi to give the orders to the troops. The emperor went back again to Nogami and dwelt there.

On this day Ōtomo no Muraji Fukei took counsel in secret with Sakanoue no Atai Kumake of the office of those left in charge, and said to one or two of the Aya no Atai.

"I will falsely call myself Prince Takechi, lead several tens of horsemen, come out by the road north of Asukadera, and fall upon their camp.

Then you will answer me from within."

Presently he made his troops ready at the house of Baekje and came out by the south gate. First he had Hata no Miyatsuko Kuma put on nothing but a loincloth and gallop on a horse, and cry out within the camp west of the temple, "Prince Takechi has come from Fuwa. Many troops follow him."

At this Takasaka no Ōkimi, who was left in charge, and Hozumi no Omi Momotari, the messenger for the raising of troops, held the ground under the zelkova west of Asukadera and made it their camp. Only Momotari was at the armory of Oharida, carrying arms to Ōmi.

Then the troops in the camp heard the cry of Kuma, and all scattered and fled.

Then Ōtomo no Muraji Fukei came on fiercely with several tens of horsemen. Kumake and the Atai joined with him, and the soldiers followed too.

Then, raising the command of Prince Takechi, he called Hozumi no Omi Momotari from the armory of Oharida. Momotari came slowly on horseback and reached the ground under the zelkova west of Asukadera.

Someone said, "Get down from your horse." Momotari was slow to get down. They took him by the collar and pulled him to the ground, and shot one arrow into him. Then they drew a sword and cut him down and killed him.

Then Hozumi no Omi Ioe and Mononobe no Obito Himuka were shut up, and presently let go and placed among the troops. Takasaka no Ōkimi and Wakasa no Ōkimi were also called and made to follow the army.

Presently Ōtomo no Muraji Yasumaro, Sakanoue no Atai Okina and Sami no Kimi Sukunamaro were sent to the palace of Fuwa to report how the matter stood. The emperor was greatly pleased, and appointed Fukei general.

At this time Miwa no Kimi Takechimaro, Kamo no Kimi Emishi and many bold men gathered like an echo under the general's banner. So they planned to fall upon Ōmi. The best men among them were chosen and made lesser generals and inspectors of the army.

On the gyeongin day they set out for the first time toward Nara.

In autumn, the seventh month, the first day being a gyeongin day, on the sinmyo day, the emperor sent Ki no Omi Ahemaro, Ō no Omi Honji, Miwa no Kimi Kobito and Okisome no Muraji Usagi to lead several tens of thousands of men across the great mountain of Ise toward Yamato.

He also sent Murakuni no Muraji Oyori, Fumi no Obito Nemaro, Wanibe no Omi Kimite and Ikago no Omi Abe to lead several tens of thousands of men out from Fuwa and enter Ōmi straightway. Fearing that his men would be hard to tell from the troops of Ōmi, he had them fasten red upon their clothes.

After that he gave a separate command to Ō no Omi Honji to lead three thousand men and camp at Tarano, and sent Tanaka no Omi Tarimaro to guard the road of Kurafu.

Then Ōmi commanded Yamabe no Ōkimi, Soga no Omi Hatayasu and Kose no Omi Hito to lead several tens of thousands of men and fall upon Fuwa, and they camped on the shore of the river Inukami. Yamabe no Ōkimi was killed by Soga no Omi Hatayasu and Kose no Omi Hito. By this there was confusion, and the troops did not go forward. Then Soga no Omi Hatayasu went back from Inukami and stabbed himself in the neck and died.

At this time Hata no Kimi Yakuni, a general of Ōmi, and his son Ushi and the rest led their kin and came and surrendered. So he was given the axe and appointed general, and went north into Koshi.

Before this Ōmi had let loose picked troops and suddenly struck the village of Tamakurabe. Izumo no Omi Koma was sent to beat them and drive them off.

On the imjin day the general Fukei camped on Mount Nara. Then Aratao no Atai Akamaro reported to the general, "The old capital is the proper place to camp. It should be firmly held."

The general followed this. He sent Akamaro and Kibe no Obito Kohito to guard the old capital. So Akamaro and the others went to the old capital, took up the planks of the bridges on the roads and made shields of them, and set them up in the streets at the edge of the capital and held it.

On the gyesa day the general Fukei fought Ōno no Kimi Hatayasu, a general of Ōmi, on Mount Nara, and was beaten by Hatayasu. His soldiers all ran away, and the general Fukei barely escaped with his life.

Then Hatayasu pursued him as far as Yaguchi, climbed the hill and looked at the capital, and saw shields set up in every street. He suspected that there were soldiers in ambush, and little by little he drew off and went back.

On the gapo day Tanabe no Osumi, another general of Ōmi, crossed Mount Kafuka, furled his banners and held his drums, and came to Kurafu. At midnight they put gags in their mouths, broke through the wall, and rushed fiercely into the camp. He feared that his own soldiers would be hard to tell from the men of Tarimaro, so he made every man say, "Gold (金)." Then they drew their swords and struck, and cut down any who did not say "Gold."

Then the men of Tarimaro were all thrown into confusion. The thing came suddenly and they did not know what to do. Only Tarimaro was quick and understood, and said "Gold" by himself, and so barely escaped.

On the eulmi day Osumi went forward again, meaning to fall upon the camp at Tarano, and came suddenly. Then the general Ō no Omi Honji stopped him, and pursued and struck him with picked troops. Osumi alone escaped and fled. After that he came no more.

On the byeongsin day Oyori and the others fought the troops of Ōmi at the river Yoko in Okinaga, broke them, and cut down their general Sakaibe no Muraji Kusuri.

On the musul day Oyori and the others struck Hata no Tomotari, a general of Ōmi, at Mount Toko, and cut him down.

On this day Ki no Omi Ahemaro and the generals of the eastern road heard that Ōtomo no Muraji Fukei, the general of the capital of Yamato, had been beaten by Ōmi. So they divided their army and sent Okisome no Muraji Usagi to gallop in haste to the capital of Yamato with more than a thousand horsemen.

On the imin day Oyori and the others fought on the shore of the river Yasu and broke them utterly. They took Kosobe no Omi Ōkuchi and Haji no Muraji Chishima.

On the byeongo day they struck the troops of Kurita and drove them off.

On the sinhae day Oyori and the others reached Seta. Then Prince Ōtomo and his vassals were camped west of the bridge, and their line was so great that its rear could not be seen. Their banners covered the fields, the dust reached the sky, and the sound of their gongs and drums was heard for several tens of ri. Their crossbows were ranged and shot wildly, and the arrows fell like rain.

Their general Chison (智尊) led picked troops and held the front against them. He had cut away about three fathoms in the middle of the bridge and laid one long plank there, so that if anyone trod on the plank to cross, the plank would be pulled away and he would fall. For this reason they could not go forward and attack.

Then there was a brave soldier called Ōkida no Kimi Wakaomi. He threw away his long spear, put on a double coat of armor, drew his sword, and quickly trod on the plank and crossed. He cut the rope that was fastened to the plank, and entered their line under the arrows.

Their men were all thrown into confusion, and scattered and fled, and could not be held. Then the general Chison drew his sword and cut down those who fell back, but he could not stop them. So Chison was cut down at the edge of the bridge.

Then Prince Ōtomo and the ministers of the left and the right barely escaped with their lives and fled. Oyori and the others camped at the foot of the hill of Awazu.

On this day Hata no Kimi Yakuni and Izumo no Omi Koma together attacked the castle of Mio and made it surrender.

On the imja day Oyori and the others cut down Inukai no Muraji Ikimi, a general of Ōmi, and Tani no Atai Shiote, in the market of Awazu.

Then Prince Ōtomo fled, and had nowhere to go. He came back and hid at Yamasaki, and hanged himself. At that time the ministers of the left and the right and the vassals had all scattered and fled. Only Mononobe no Muraji Maro and one or two toneri followed him.

At the first, on the day when the general Fukei went toward Nara and reached Hieda, someone said, "Many troops are coming from Kawachi.

" Then Sakamoto no Omi Takara, Nagao no Atai Masumi, Kurakaki no Atai Maro, Tami no Atai Oshibi and Tani no Atai Nemaro were sent with three hundred soldiers to hold them off at Tatsuta. Sami no Kimi Sukunamaro was sent again with several hundred men to camp at Ōsaka. Kamo no Kimi Emishi was sent with several hundred men to guard the road of Iwate.

On this day Sakamoto no Omi Takara and the others stayed at Hiraishino. Then they heard that the troops of Ōmi were in the castle of Takayasu, and they went up. The troops of Ōmi learned that Takara and the others were coming, burned all the granaries of the tax rice, and scattered and fled. So they lodged in the castle.

At daybreak they looked out to the west, and from the two roads of Ōtsu and Tajihi many troops were coming, and their banners could be plainly seen. Someone said, "These are the troops of Iki no Fubito Karakuni, a general of Ōmi."

Takara and the others came down from the castle of Takayasu, crossed the river Ega, and fought Karakuni west of the river. Takara and the others were few, and could not hold them off.

Before this Ki no Omi Ōoto had been sent to guard the road of Osotsaka. So Takara and the others fell back to Osotsaka and stayed in the camp of Ōoto.

At this time Kume no Omi Shiokome, the governor of Kawachi, had a mind to go over to the palace of Fuwa, and gathered troops. Then Karakuni came and heard of his plan in secret, and would have killed Shiokome. Shiokome knew that the matter had leaked out, and killed himself.

After a day had passed, the troops of Ōmi came in numbers along the several roads. They could not fight them at all, and fell back.

On this day the general Fukei was beaten by Ōmi, and fled alone with one or two horsemen. As he drew near Sumisaka he met the troops of Usagi coming, and turned back and camped at Kanatsunai, and called the scattered soldiers together.

Then he heard that the troops of Ōmi were coming to the road of Ōsaka, and the general led his troops to the west.

They came to the street of Taima and fought the troops of Iki no Fubito Karakuni beside the pond of Ashi.

Then there was a brave soldier called Kume. He drew his sword, galloped in haste, and went straight into the midst of their troops. The horsemen followed at his heels and went forward. Then the troops of Ōmi all fled, and very many were pursued and cut down.

Then the general gave an order to his troops, "The first purpose in raising these troops was not to kill the people. It was for the sake of the chief evildoer. Therefore do not kill without cause."

Then Karakuni left his troops and fled alone. The general saw him far off and had Kume shoot at him. But the arrow did not hit, and in the end he fled and got away.

The general went back again to his former camp. At that time the troops of the east came often and in numbers. So he divided his army, and each part held the upper, the middle and the lower road and camped there. Only the general Fukei himself held the middle road.

Then Inukai no Muraji Ikimi, a general of Ōmi, came by the middle road and stayed at Muraya, and sent another general, Ioi no Miyatsuko Kujira, with two hundred picked troops to strike the general's camp.

At that time the troops under the banner were few, and could not hold them off. Now there were five men, slaves of Ōidera, one of whom was named Tokumaro, who were following the army. Tokumaro and the others were set in front and made to go forward and shoot, and the troops of Kujira could not advance.

On this day Miwa no Kimi Takechimaro and Okisome no Muraji Usagi held the upper road and fought at Hashihaka. They broke the troops of Ōmi utterly, and riding on their victory they also cut off the rear of the troops of Kujira. The troops of Kujira all scattered and fled, and many soldiers were killed.

Kujira fled on a white horse. The horse sank in a muddy field and could not go forward.

Then the general Fukei said to a brave man of Kai, "That man on the white horse is Ioi no Kujira. Pursue him quickly and shoot him."

So the brave man of Kai galloped in pursuit. As he came up with Kujira, Kujira whipped his horse hard, and the horse was able to pull free of the mud, and he galloped off and escaped.

The general went back again to his former place and camped. After this the troops of Ōmi came no more.

Before this, when they were camped at Kanatsunai, Takechi no Agatanushi Koume, the great head of the district of Takechi, suddenly closed his mouth and could not speak. After three days a god came upon him and he said, "I am the one who dwells in the shrine of Takechi, and my name is Kotoshironushi no Kami. I am also the one who dwells in the shrine of Musa, and my name is Ikutama no Kami."

Then he made this known, "Offer horses and all kinds of weapons at the tomb of Emperor Kan'yamato Iwarebiko."

He said further, "I stood before and behind the sovereign grandchild, sent him as far as Fuwa and served him, and came back. Now I will stand again among the imperial troops and keep watch over them."

He said again, "Troops will come by the western road. You must be on your guard."

When he had finished speaking, he came to himself.

Therefore Koume was sent to make offering at the tomb and to bow there, and horses and weapons were offered. Offerings of cloth were also raised, and rites were made to the gods of the two shrines of Takechi and Musa.

After that Iki no Fubito Karakuni came from Ōsaka. So the people of that time said, "The words the gods of the two shrines taught are just this."

Again the god of Muraya came upon the man who says the prayers, and said, "Now troops will come by the middle road of our shrine. Therefore you must block the middle road of the shrine."

So before many days had passed the troops of Ioi no Miyatsuko Kujira came by the middle road. The people of that time said, "This is the very thing the god taught."

When the affairs of the army were over, the generals raised the words that these three gods had taught, and reported them. It was decreed that the ranks of the three gods should be raised and rites made to them.

On the sinhae day the general Fukei, having settled the land of Yamato, crossed Ōsaka and went to Naniwa.

The other lesser generals each went forward by three roads, came to Yamasaki, and camped south of the river.

Then the general Fukei, at the lesser office of Naniwa, told the Kuni no Tsukasa of the several lands to the west to give up the keys of the offices, the post bells and the courier seal (傳印).

On the gyechuk day the generals all gathered at Sasanami, and sought out and took the ministers of the left and the right and the other guilty men.

On the eulmyo day the generals went toward the palace of Fuwa. There they raised the head of Prince Ōtomo and presented it before the camp.

In the eighth month, the first day being a gyeongsin day, on the gapsin day, Prince Takechi was commanded to set forth the crimes of the vassals of Ōmi. Eight men of the heaviest guilt were put to the extreme penalty. Nakatomi no Muraji Kane, the minister of the right, was cut down at Tane in Azai.

On this day Soga no Omi Akae, the minister of the left, Kose no Omi Hito, the great counselor, and their children and grandchildren, together with the son of Nakatomi no Muraji Kane and the son of Soga no Omi Hatayasu, were all sent into exile. The rest were all pardoned.

Before this Chiisakobe no Muraji Sahichi, the governor of Owari, had hidden in the mountains and killed himself. The emperor said, "Sahichi was a man of merit. He had no guilt. Why did he kill himself? Was there some hidden plot?"

On the byeongsul day a gracious decree was given to those who had merit, and favor and reward were made plain.

In the ninth month, the first day being a gichuk day, on the byeongsin day, the imperial carriage came back and lodged at Kuwana in Ise. On the jeongyu day he lodged at Suzuka. On the musul day he lodged at Ahe. On the gihae day he lodged at Nabari.

On the gyeongja day he came to the capital of Yamato and went to the palace of Shima. On the gyemyo day he moved from the palace of Shima to the palace of Okamoto.

In this year a palace was built south of the palace of Okamoto. In winter he moved there and dwelt in it. This is called the palace of Kiyomihara in Asuka.

In winter, the eleventh month, the first day being a muja day, on the sinhae day, the guests from Silla, Kim Apsil (金押實) and his company, were feasted at Tsukushi. On that same day gifts were given, to each after his degree.

In the twelfth month, the first day being a muo day, on the sinyu day, those who had merit were chosen and their ranks were raised. Gifts were given to those of the rank of shōsen and above, to each after his degree.

On the imsin day a ship was given to the guests from Silla. On the gyemi day Kim Apsil and his company went home.

In this month Ina no Kimi Takami, of the rank of daishi, died.