was charged to erect a great pillar[1] on the top of the hill of earth. Now the pillar set up by Yamato no Aya no Saka no Uhe no Atahe was very much higher than the others, and the men of that time gave him the name of Ohohashira (great-pillar) no Atahe.
12th month, 1st day. There was a red appearance in the sky, over a rod in length, and resembling the tail of a fowl in shape.
(XXII. 32.) This year, the Prince Imperial, in concert with Shima no Oho-omi, drew up a history of the Emperors, a history of the country, and the original record of the Omi, the Muraji, the Tomo no Miyakko, the Kuni no Miyakko, the 180 Be, and the free subjects.[2]
A.D. 621. 29th year, Spring, 2nd month, 5th day. In the middle of the night the Imperial Prince Mŭmayado no Toyotomimi no Mikoto died in the Palace of Ikaruga. At this time all the Princes and Omi, as well as the people of the Empire, the old, as if they had lost a dear child, had no taste for salt and vinegar[3] in their mouths, the young, as if they had lost a beloved parent, filled the ways with the sound of their lamenting. The farmer ceased from his plough, and the pounding woman laid down her pestle. They all said:—"The sun and moon have lost their brightness; heaven and earth (XXII. 33.) have crumbled to ruin: henceforward, in whom shall we put our trust?"
In this month the Prince Imperial Kamitsumiya[4] was buried in the Shinaga Misasagi.
At this time Hyé-chă, the Buddhist priest of Koryö, heard of the death of the Prince Imperial Kamitsumiya, and was greatly grieved thereat. He invited the priests, and in honour of the Prince Imperial gave them a meal,[5] and explained the sacred books in person. On this day he prayed, saying:—"In the land of Nippon there is a sage, by name the Imperial
- ↑ These pillars were probably of wood. No trace of them now remains. Dr. Florenz says the custom of erecting pillars was introduced by the Buddhists. This is the first mention of it.
- ↑ This is the work afterwards known as the "Kiujihonki," "Kiujiki," or "Kujiki." See below, XXIV. 26.
- ↑ To be understood generally of well-flavoured food.
- ↑ Prince Mŭmayado.
- ↑ Of vegetarian food only.
