three months in hopes of hearing the Emperor's will. But you still refuse to communicate it, and harass the envoys who have been sent to listen to the Imperial message. Hence, we see that your object is to befool and put to death the Chief Minister." So they reported to the Chief Minister all that they had seen, and he thereupon seized four villages, Keum-kwan,[1] Hè-mu, A-ta, and Wi-tha [one book says Tatara, Sunara, A-ta, and Pi-chi were the four villages], took possession of all the people and their goods, and withdrew to his own country. Some said that it was the fault of Kena no Omi that these four villages, Tatara and the rest, were plundered.
Autumn, 9th month. The Oho-omi, Kose no Obito, died.
A.D. 530. 24th year, Spring, 2nd month, 1st day. The Emperor made an edict, saying:—"From the Emperor Ihare-hiko[2] until King Mimaki,[3] all (the sovereigns) put their trust in learned Ministers and enlightened assistants. Therefore Michi[4] no Omi propounded the policy, and divine Japan[5] flourished. Ohohiko enounced plans, and Inihe[6] was exalted. Among those (XVII. 26.) Princes of succeeding generations who were successful in re-establishing what had fallen into decay, what one has there ever been who did not rely upon wise counsels? Now, coming down to the time when the Emperor Wohatsuse ruled the Empire, auspiciously receiving it over from the previous sages, there was long peace and prosperity, during which morals became gradually deteriorated, and there was no awakening, while the Government became gradually steeped in decay, and there was no reform. But he looked out for (proper) men, and each had advancement after his kind. If a man had great capacity, his shortcomings were not inquired into; if he had high abilities, his failures were not found fault with. It was for this reason that this Emperor was enabled to serve the ancestral shrines, and not to endanger the Temples of the Land and of Grain. Judging from this, could he have been wanting in enlightened assistants?
