and the government has been reformed.[1] I, therefore, filled with joy and veneration, place it on my head,[2] and prostrating myself, address Your Majesty:—'The Emperor who now rules the Land of the Eight Islands as an Incarnate Deity inquired of thy servant, saying:—"Should the Koshiro no Iribe in the possession of Ministers, Muraji, Tomo no Miyakko, Kuni no Miyakko, and established in the days of former Emperors, the Mina no Iribe in the private possession of Imperial Princes, and the Mina no Iribe belonging to the Imperial Father[3] Ohoye [Hikobito Ohoye is meant], as well as their Miyake, be allowed to remain the same as in former generations, or not?"[4] Thy servant having received this command with reverence, replies respectfully, saying:—"In Heaven there are not two suns: in a country there are not two rulers. It is therefore the Emperor alone who is supreme over all the Empire, and who has a right to the services of the myriad people. Make a special selection of labourers from the Iribe and from the people granted in fee, and follow the former arrangement.[5] For the rest,[6] it may be feared that they will be put to forced labour on private authority. I therefore offer to the Emperor 524 men of the Iribe, and 181 Miyake."'"
(XXV. 29.) 22nd day. The Emperor made a decree, as follows:—"We are informed that a Prince of the Western Land[7] admonished his people, saying:—'Those who made interments in ancient times resorted to a high ground which they formed into a tomb. They did not pile up a mound, nor did they plant
- ↑ This is the same term (i-shin) as is used of the revolution of 1868.
- ↑ This is a figurative expression of his respect for the reformed Government. At this day a Japanese often puts a present to his head in token of thanks.
- ↑ Father of Jomei Tennō.
- ↑ Ko-shiro means literally "equivalent of children." The Koshiro no Iribe seem to have been communities of serfs (be) instituted (iri) by persons who had no children, to perpetuate their name. This practice is frequently mentioned above. Mina means august name, and the Mina no Iribe were apparently similar communities instituted to perpetuate an Emperor's (or Empress's) name. Vide also Chamberlain's "Kojiki," pp. 186, 197, 268, 269, etc.
- ↑ See above, XXV. 19.
- ↑ Others than Iribe and people granted in fee.
- ↑ i.e. China.
