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Seimu.
215

Oho-tarashi-hiko was buried in the misasagi over the road at Yamanobe in the province of Yamato.

(VII. 38.) The Empress was honoured with the title of Grand Empress.

A.D. 133. 3rd year, Spring, 1st month, 7th day. Takechi no Sukune was made Prime Minister. In the beginning the Emperor was born on the same day with Takechi no Sukune, and he therefore had an extraordinary affection for him.

A.D. 134. 4th year, Spring, 2nd month, 1st day. The Emperor commanded, saying:—"Our predecessor on the throne, the Emperor Oho-tarashi-hiko, was clear-sighted and of divine valour. When he became subject to the scheme[1] and received over the plan he ruled Heaven and was in accordance with Man. He swept away the banditti, and restored right. His virtue was like a canopy, his path harmonized with development. Therefore in all the land under Universal Heaven (VII. 39.) there was none who did not recognize him as Sovereign. Of all things endowed with life and possessed of soul were there any which did not find their place?

We have now succeeded him in the occupation of the precious felicity. Morning and night we tremble and fear. But the people are like wriggling worms, and will not reform the savagery of their hearts. In the provinces and districts there are no Lords, in the villages there are no Chiefs.[2] Henceforward let there be established Lords in the provinces, and let there be Chiefs placed in the villages. Accordingly let men of ability of the provinces be taken and appointed Chiefs over provinces and districts, so as to form a defence for the Inner Country."[3]

A.D. 135. 5th year, Autumn, 9th month. A decree was issued to all the provinces establishing Miyakko (governors) in the provinces and districts, and Inaki[4] in the villages. All were granted

  1. The scheme of the permutations of the five elements. "Thus water is said to overcome fire and so forth. Each dynasty is believed to be subject to the influence of the element which overcomes that prevailing with the previous dynasty, and all human affairs are referable to the same occult influence." Mayers' Manual, p. 317. This whole speech is intensely Chinese.
  2. This cannot be correct.
  3. i.e. the Gokinai.
  4. Inaki is literally rice-castle, i.e. granary. The office seems to be something like mayor. It subsequently became a mere title, and eventually a surname.