Kojiki (Chamberlain, 1882)/Section 136

by Ō no Yasumaro

[Sect. CXXXVI.—Emperor Han-zei.]

His Augustness Midzu-ha-wake dwelt in the palace of Shibakaki at Tajihi,^[1] and ruled the Empire. The length of this Heavenly Sovereign’s august person was nine feet two inches and a half.^[2] The length of his august teeth was one inch, and their breadth two lines, and the upper and lower [row] corresponded exactly, like jewels strung together]. The Heavenly Sovereign wedded the Lady of Tsunu,^[3] daughter of Kogoto, Grandee of Wani,^[4] and begot august children: the Lady of Kahi;^[5] next the Lady of Tsubura^[6] (two Deities). Again he wedded Oto-hime,^[7] daughter of the same Grandee, and begot august children: King Takara;^[8] next the Lady of Takabe,^[9]—altogether four Kings [and Queens].^[10] The Heavenly Sovereign’s august years were sixty. His august mausoleum is on the Moor of Mozu.^[11]

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1. For Tajihi see Sect. CXXXII, Note 4. Shiba-kaki (or Shiba-gaki) signifies “a fence of brushwood.”
2. As to the ancient Japanese measures we have no accurate information, and the English equivalents used in this passage correspond but approximately to the modern Japanese standards. The character rendered “line” is 分, which denotes the tenth part of a 寸 or “inch.” Motowori remarks that the dimensions of the teeth are not anything extraordinary judged by the present standard, and supposes that anciently the measures of length must have been smaller than at present.
3. Tsunu no iratsume. The signification of this name is obscure.
4. Wani no kogoto no omi. The meaning of Kogoto is obscure. Wani has already often appeared.
5. Kahi no iratsume. Kahi is the name of a province, but it cannot be said for certain that it is from it that this Princess derived her name.
6. Tsubura no iratsume. The meaning of Tsubura is obscure.
7. I.e., “the younger princess.”
8. Takara no miko. Takara signifies “treasure.”
9. Takabe no iratsume. Takabe seems to be the name of a place, unless it be considered to be connected with the word taka, “hawk.”
10. Remember that the single character 王 includes both sexes.
11. See Sect. CXXX, Note 1.