rejoiced, and having rewarded the physician liberally, sent him back to his own country.
(XIII. 6.) A.D. 415. 4th year, Autumn, 9th month, 9th day. The Emperor made a decree, saying:—"In the most ancient times, good government consisted in the subjects having each one his proper place, and in names[1] being correct. It is now four years since We entered on the auspicious office. Superiors and inferiors dispute with one another: the hundred surnames[2] are not at peace. Some by mischance lose their proper surnames; others purposely lay claim to high family. This is perhaps the reason why good government is not attained to. Deficient in wisdom although We are, how can We omit to rectify these irregularities? Let the Ministers take counsel, and inform me of their determination." All the Ministers said:—"If Your Majesty, restoring that which is lost and correcting that which is perverted, will thus determine Houses and surnames, your servants will stake their lives in recommending the adoption of such a measure."
28th day. The Emperor made a decree, saying:—"The ministers, functionaries, and the Miyakko of the various provinces each and all describe themselves, some as descendants of Emperors, others attributing to their race a miraculous origin, and saying that their ancestors came down from Heaven.[3] However, since the three Powers of Nature[4] assumed distinct forms,[5] many tens of thousands of years have elapsed, so that single Houses[6] have multiplied and have formed anew ten thousand surnames of doubtful authenticity. Therefore let the people of the various Houses and surnames wash themselves and practise abstinence, and let them, each one calling the (XIII. 7.) Gods to witness, plunge their hands in boiling water." The caldrons of the ordeal by boiling water were therefore placed on the "Evil Door of Words" spur of the Amagashi Hill. Every-
- ↑ Literally surnames and personal names. What is really meant is titles. There were no proper surnames at this time. See above, p. 27.
- ↑ The word for "hundred surnames" is 百姓, which is also used for the nation generally, and in later times in Japan for the peasantry. Here its original meaning must be kept in view.
- ↑ The "Sei-shi-roku" contains numerous instances of this.
- ↑ Heaven, Earth, and Man. Vide Mayers, p. 302.
- ↑ Since the creation, as we would say.
- ↑ Uji.
