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Temmu.
343

11th day. The Emperor went to Hatsuse and held a banquet by the Todoroki[1] pool.

Before this, the Emperor had addressed an edict to the Princes and Ministers, saying:—"In addition to the usual riding-horses let there be got ready other good horses which can be furnished whenever called for." Accordingly on the day on which he returned to the Palace from Hatsuse, he inspected the spare good horses of the Ministers at the roadside by the post-station of Tomi, and made them all try their speed.

22nd day. Oshikatsu, Katsura no Miyakko, presented to the Emperor auspicious stalks of grain. Though from various plots, they had similar ears.[2]

25th day. Prince Ohoyake died.

9th month, 6th day. The Envoys sent to Silla returned and paid their respects at Court.

23rd day. The Envoys sent to Koryö and the Envoys sent to Tamna returned, and paid their respects at Court together.

Winter, 10th month, 2nd day. The Emperor made a decree, saying:—"We are informed that of late there have been in the town[3] many persons guilty of crimes of violence. Now this is the fault of the Princes and Ministers. Sometimes, when they hear of such criminals, they find it too much trouble, so they put up with them, and do not suppress them; sometimes when they see such wicked men, out of negligence they conceal the fact, and do not correct them. Now if they chastised them when seen or heard of, is it likely that there would be crimes of violence? This being so, if there be in future no shirking of trouble or negligence, if those in higher stations punish the offences of those beneath them, and if those in lower stations remonstrate with their superiors when they are guilty of violence, then the country will be well governed."

11th day. There was an earthquake.

13th day. The Emperor made regulations for the style of priests and nuns and for the colours of the priestly garb, also for

  1. Todoroki means to make a rumbling noise—evidently an onomatopoetic word.
  2. Supposed to be emblematic of the concord between the six imperial Princes.
  3. i.e. in the capital.