no Mŭmako no Sukune, having heard from an outside source of this conspiracy, went to the place where the Imperial Prince was. He accordingly arrived before the gate [the gate of the Imperial Prince's house is meant], and finding him on the point of going to the place where the Ohomuraji was, remonstrated with him, saying:—"A ruler does not approach a criminal. Thou shouldst not go thyself." The Imperial Prince would not listen to him, but went. Mŭmako no Sukune forthwith departed in his train, and arrived at Ihare. There he urgently remonstrated with him, and the Prince yielded to his remonstrances and stopped. In this place, accordingly, he remained seated on a chair and waited for the Ohomuraji. A good while later the latter arrived with his troops and reported the result of his commission, saying:—"I have executed Sakahe and the others." [One books says:—"The Imperial Prince went in person and shot them dead."] Hereupon Mŭmako no Sukune broke into bitter lamentations, saying:—"Civil disorder in the Empire is not far off." The Ohomuraji hearing this, answered and said:—"Thy position is that of a small minister;[1] thou dost not know."
This Sakahe, Miwa no Kimi, was a favourite of the Emperor Wosada,[2] and he was charged with all matters both internal and external. In consequence of this the Empress-consort Kashikiya hime and Mŭmako no Sukune both conceived enmity against the Imperial Prince Anahobe.
This year was the year Hinoye Mŭma (43rd) of the Cycle.
A.D. 587. 2nd year, Spring, 4th month, 2nd day. The Emperor performed the ceremony of tasting the new rice[3] on the river-bank of Ihare. On this day the Emperor took ill and returned to the Palace. All the Ministers were in attendance. The Emperor addressed them, saying:—"It is Our desire to give our adherence to the three precious things. Do ye Our Ministers advise upon this." All the Ministers entered the Court and consulted together. Mononobe no Moriya no Ohomuraji (XXI. 5.) and Nakatomi no Katsumi no Muraji opposed the
