might present them to the Imperial Court. On the 23rd day of the 5th month, we presented them to the Imperial Court at Asakura. This was the first time that Tamna was received at Court. Moreover, the Envoys, who had been slandered by Tarushima, Yamato no Aya no Atahe, a follower of Chihung, received no gracious command.[1] These Envoys were wroth, and their anger penetrated to the Gods of High Heaven, who with a thunderbolt killed Tarushima." The men of that day said of this:—"The divine vengeance of Yamato is near."
6th month. Prince Ise died.
Autumn, 7th month, 24th day. The Empress died in the Palace of Asakura.
8th month, 1st day. The Prince Imperial, in attendance on the Empress's remains, returned as far as the Palace of Ihase. That evening, on the top of Mount Asakura, there was a demon[2] wearing a great hat, who looked down on the funeral proceedings. All the people uttered exclamations of wonder.
Winter, 10th month, 7th day. The Empress's funeral train returning, put to sea. Hereupon the Prince Imperial, having come to an anchor in the same place, was filled with grief and longing for the Empress. So he sung to himself, saying:—
Longing as I do
(XXVI. 26.) For a sight of thee,
Now that I have arrived here,
Even thus do I long
Desirous of a sight of thee!
23rd day. The funeral of the Empress, returning, anchored at Naniha.
11th month, 7th day. The Empress's remains were temporarily interred at Asuka-gahara.
Mourning began on this day, and lasted for nine days.
- ↑ It is not clear whether the "gracious command" was that of the Emperor of China or the Empress of Japan. It appears to me that the writer is here going back to the slander of the Envoys, while in China, by another follower of Chihung (XXVI. 14), and that the gracious command, the want of which enraged them, was a courteous message from the Chinese Emperor to the Empress of Japan.
- ↑ Or spirit.
