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BOOK XX.

THE EMPEROR NUNAKURA FUTO-TAMA-SHIKI.[1]

(BI-DATSU[2] TENNŌ

or

BIN-DATSU TENNŌ.)

The Emperor Nunakura Futo-tama-shiki was the second child of the Emperor Ame-kuni-oshi-hiraki-hiro-niha. His mother was called the Empress Consort Iha no hime [the Empress Consort Iha no hime was a daughter of the Emperor Take-o-hiro-kuni-oshi-tate]. The Emperor was not a believer in Buddhism, but was fond of literature.[3] At the age of twenty-nine he was raised to the position of Prince Imperial. In the fourth month of the thirty-second year of his reign the Emperor Ame-kuni-oshi-hiraki-hiro-niha died.

A.D. 572. 1st year, Summer, 4th month, 3rd day. The Prince Imperial assumed the Imperial Dignity. The Empress was honoured with the title of Grand Empress.

In this month the Emperor made his palace at Oho-wi in Kudara.[4] Mononobe no Yuge no Moriya no Ohomuraji was continued in his office of Ohomuraji, and Soga no Mumako no Sukune was made Oho-omi.

5th month, 1st day. The Emperor inquired of the Imperial Prince and the Oho-omi, saying:—"Where are the Koryö Envoys now?" The Oho-omi answered His Majesty, saying:—"They are in the official residence of Sagaraka."

  1. Nunakura is the name of a place; the rest is literally big-jewel-spread.
  2. Clever.
  3. i.e. Chinese.
  4. Written with the Chinese characters for Pèkché, viz. 百濟. It is here the name of a place in Kahachi.