way to the East Country. Therefore let all the people flock to join him." However, not a single man would come. When they were just arriving at the River Yokogaha, a dark cloud overspread the sky to the breadth of more than ten rods. Now the Emperor wondering at this, forthwith kindled a light, and holding in his own hand the Rule,[1] divined, saying:—"This is (XXVIII. 7.) an omen of the division of the Empire into two parts. However, in the end We shall probably acquire the Empire. So they hastened onwards and arrived at the district of Iga, where they set fire to the posting-station. Going round to Nakayama in Iga, they were joined by the district governors of that province in command of a body of several hundred men. At dawn they reached the plain of Tara, where a short halt was made and food partaken of. On arriving at Yamaguchi[2] in Tsumuye they were joined by the Imperial Prince Takechi, who came across by way of Kafuka. He was followed by Ohohi, Tami no Atahe, Tokotari, Akazome no Miyakko, Hiro-sumi, Ohokura no Atahe, Kunimaro, Sakanohe no Atahe, Furuichi no Kuromaro, Takeda no Ohotoko, and Abe, Ikago no Omi. They crossed Mount Miyama and arrived at Suzuka in Ise. Here Ihatoko, Miyake no Muraji, Governor of the province, with the Vice-Governor, Kobuto, Miwa no Kimi, Tarumaro, (XXVIII. 8.) Tanaka no Omi, magistrate of the hot-baths,[3] Nihinomi, Takata no Obito, and others joined the Emperor at the district of Suzuka. So in the morning a body of 500 troops were despatched to block the road over the mountain of Suzuka. When they arrived at the foot of the Hill of Kahawa the sun went down, and as the Empress-consort was fatigued, her palanquin was stayed for a while until she rested. But the night closed in gloomily, and it threatened rain, so that a prolonged halt was impossible, and they proceeded on their way. Hereupon it became cold, and there was a violent thunder-storm, with rain, so that the clothing of those in the Emperor's train was drenched and they could not bear the cold. When they arrived at the Town Hall of the district of Mihe, they set
- ↑ An instrument used in divination. It is described as round above to represent Heaven and square below to represent the Earth.
- ↑ Or, "the foot of the hill of Tsumuye."
- ↑ A village for the supply of things needful for the Emperor's hot baths is probably meant. The hot baths above, pp. 304 and 305, are no doubt similar.
