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Sūjin.
151

bore to him Ya-saka-iri-hiko no Mikoto, Nunaki-iri-bime no Mikoto, and Toho-chi-ni-iri-bime no Mikoto.

This year was the year Kinoye Saru of the cycle.

B.C. 95. 3rd year, Autumn, 9th month. The capital was removed to Shiki. It was called the Palace of Midzu-gaki.

B.C. 94. 4th year, Winter, 10th month, 13th day. The Emperor issued a decree, saying:—"When our Imperial ancestors gloriously assumed the Supreme Rank, was it for the benefit of themselves alone? It was doubtless in order that they might thereby shepherd men and spirits,[1] and regulate the Empire. Therefore it was that from generation to generation they were able to extend their unfathomable merit, and in their day to spread abroad their perfect virtue.

We, having now received at their hands the mighty inheritance, lovingly nourish our good subjects. In so doing, let us follow obediently in the footsteps of our Imperial ancestors, and long preserve the unbounded felicity. And ye too, Our (V. 3.) Ministers and functionaries, should you not co-operate with all loyalty in giving peace to the Empire?"[2]

B.C. 93. 5th year. There was much pestilence throughout the country, and more than one half the people died.

B.C. 92. 6th year. The people took to vagabondage, and there was rebellion, the violence of which was such that by worth alone it could not be assuaged.[3]

Therefore, rising early in the morning and being full of awe until the evening, the Emperor requested punishment[4] of the Gods of Heaven and Earth.

Before this the two Gods Ama-terasu no Oho-kami and Yamato no Oho-kuni-dama[5] were worshipped together within the Emperor's Great Hall. He dreaded, however, the power of these Gods, and did not feel secure in their dwelling together. Therefore he entrusted Ama-terasu no Oho-kami to Toyo-suki-iri-bime no Mikoto to be worshipped at the village

  1. The Kana has simply hito, men.
  2. This decree is a mere cento of Chinese phrases.
  3. i.e., by the virtues of the Sovereign commanding the respect and obedience of the people.
  4. In accordance with the Chinese notion that national calamlties are owing to the faults of the Emperor.
  5. The numen of the great land of Yamato.