The Emperor Ama no Nunahara oki no mabito was the younger brother by the same mother of the Emperor Ame mikoto hirakasu wake. In his childhood he was called the Imperial Prince Oho-ama.[2] From his birth he had a majestic and intelligent appearance: when he grew to manhood, he was virile and martial. He was skilled in astronomy and the art of becoming invisible. He took to him the Imperial Princess Uno, daughter of the Emperor Ame mikoto hirakasu wake,[3] and made her his wife. In the first year of the Emperor Ame mikoto hirakasu wake, he was made Heir Apparent.[4] In the fourth year of his reign, winter, the tenth month, and the seventeenth day, the Emperor took to his sick-bed. His sufferings were very severe. Upon this he sent Yasumaro Soga no Omi to fetch the Heir Apparent, and to introduce him to the Great Hall. Now Yasumaro had been always a favourite of the Heir Apparent, and secretly taking thought for him, said:—"Think
- ↑ Heaven-of-marsh-middle-plain (Nunahara is the name of a place), offing-of-true-man (i.e. noble). Temmu means "Heavenly valour."
This book contains the history of the civil war which resulted in establishing Temmu Tennō on the throne. It is therefore wrongly entitled the "History of Temmu." It should rather be called the "History of Kōbun," the posthumous name by which some historians designate his predecessor, Prince Ohotomo.
The Preface to the "Kojiki" gives a highly imaginative account of the events related in this book. See Ch. K., pp. 7, 8, 9.
- ↑ This is not the same ama (heaven) as the previous one, but is written with the characters for "fisherman."
- ↑ Tenchi Tennō.
- ↑ Literally "Eastern Palace."
