Page:Nihongi by Aston volume 2.djvu/105

informed him, saying:—"I have received private information that the King of the Land of Pèkché is suspicious of the Celestial Court, fearing that if I were sent, I might afterwards be detained and not allowed to return. He is therefore reluctant, and will not consent to offer me. It would be well, when the Imperial commands are delivered, to make a show of severity, and to insist peremptorily on summoning me." Hashima accordingly followed this plan, and required Illa from the King of the Land of Pèkché. He stood in awe of the Celestial Court, and, not daring to disobey the Imperial message, sent Illa to the Emperor. The Eun-sol,^[1] Tök-ni, Yö-no, and Kanochi, the Associate Official the Tök-sol,^[2] Chhă-kan-tök, with a good number of steersmen and sailors, together with Illa and his companions, arrived at the Miyake of Kojima in Kibi. The Court sent Ohotomo no Nukadeko no Muraji to express sympathy for their fatigues. Afterwards Daibu^[3] were sent to the official residence at Naniha to wait upon Illa. At this time Illa, clad in armour, and riding on horseback, came up to the gate.^[4] Then advancing in front of the Hall of Audience, he did his obeisances when advancing and retiring in a kneeling posture, and sighing bitterly, said:—"In the reign of the Emperor who ruled the world from the Palace of Hinokuma,^[5] my Lord Ohotomo no Kanamura no Ohomuraji sent Arisăteung, Hi no Ashigita no Miyakko, and Yugehi^[6] of the Osaka Be,^[7] beyond the sea, on the service of the State. Thy servant, the son of the Arisăteung, the Talsol Illa, having heard the Imperial summons, with fear and awe presents himself at thy Court." He accordingly took off his armour and delivered it to the Emperor. An official lodging was built for him at Kuha no ichi in Ato, where he was made to dwell, and provided with everything which he desired. Afterwards Abe no Me no Omi, (XX. 11.) Mononobe no Niheko no Muraji, and Ohotomo no Nukadeko no Muraji were sent to inquire of Illa respecting the government of the country. Illa answered and said:—"The Emperor's aim in governing the Empire is to ensure the

1. 3rd rank.
2. 4th rank.
3. A general term for high officials.
4. Leading to the Hall of Audience.
5. Senkwa Tennō.
6. Archer.
7. The executioners.