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Nihongi.

were deposited in the foundation-stone of the pillar of the pagoda[1] of the Temple of Hōkōji.

16th day. The Pagoda-pillar was erected.

Summer, 4th month, 10th day. The Imperial Prince Mŭmayado (XXII. 2.) no Toyotomimi was appointed Prince Imperial. He had general control of the Government, and was entrusted with all the details of administration. He was the second child of the Emperor Tachibana no Toyo-hi. The Empress-consort his mother's name was the Imperial Princess Anahobe no Hashibito. The Empress-consort, on the day of the dissolution of her pregnancy, went round the forbidden precinct, inspecting the different offices. When she came to the Horse Department, and had just reached the door of the stables,[2] she was suddenly delivered of him without effort. He was able to speak as soon as he was born, and was so wise when he grew up that he could attend to the suits of ten men at once and decide them all without error. He knew beforehand what was going to happen. Moreover he learnt the Inner Doctrine[3] from a Koryö Priest named Hyé-cha, and studied the Outer Classics[4] with a doctor called Hak-ka.[5] In both of these branches of study he became thoroughly proficient. The Emperor his father loved him, and made him occupy the Upper Hall South of the

  1. The Chinese character here translated "pagoda" is , pronounced setsu in Japanese. This words means (with the pronunciation chöl) in Corean Buddhist temples generally, and it is the same word which we have in the Japanese tera, temple. But in the present passage it would seem that one of the subsidiary buildings of a Buddhist temple is intended, no doubt something in the form of a pagoda, corresponding to either 6 or 14 in the drawing in "Murray's Handbook of Japan" (Introduction, p. 26). A pagoda in Japan is built round a solid central pillar (referred to in the text) which runs up to the topmost story. Shari, relics, is the Japanese form of the Sanskrit śarîra, body. The shari at Ikegami near Tokio is said to be part of the shoulder-blade of Saint Nichiren.

    The Pagoda is the Chinese and Japanese counterpart of the Indian stupa and an essentially sepulchral monument. The stories, of which there is always an odd number, represent umbrellas of honour. Vide an instructive article by Miss Gordon Cumming in the "English Illustrated Magazine."

  2. Hence his name, Mŭma-ya-do, which means stable door.
  3. i.e. Buddhism.
  4. i.e. the Chinese Classics. Inner and Outer have here something of the force of our words sacred and secular.
  5. The Corean pronunciation.