— 37 —
It was in the present age that bows, arrows and swords were first offered as votive gifts to the Gods, and land and houses again appointed to the divine service.
It was in the same Emperor’s reign that Ame-no-Hihoko, (80) the Prince of Shiragi (Silla), arrived in Japan, and the Grand Shrine sacred to that Korean Prince is the Shrine in Izushi-Kori, Tajima Province.
During the Emperor (Keiko)’s reign at the Hishiro Palace in Makimuku, (81) he ordered the Imperial Prince Yamatotake to subdue the eastern barbarians. That dauntless prince, making a detour, first proceeded to Ise to worship at the Shrine of the Sun-Goddess, and there the guardian-priestess Yamatohime, bestowed on him the Kusanagi Sword or Divine Herb-quelling Sword and thus admonished him: “Be prudent and careful of yourself, and be never remiss in your duties.”
Prince Yamatotake, returning in triumph from his eastern expedition, spent a month and more in Owari Province with Miyasuhime as his consort. Then, leaving the Divine Sword (82) in her charge, he went alone on foot up Mt. Ibuki and, poisoned by the noxious vapour there, he died. From that time forward the Kusanagi Sword was enshrined at Atsuta, in Owari. And to my regret the Atsuta Shrine has not enjoyed any of the special privileges due to its divine honour (83).
In the days of the Empress (Jingo) who was reigning at the Wakasakura (84) Palace in Iware, the Gods of Suminoe (85) revealed themselves. An expedition went to Shiragi (Silla), led by the Empress herself, and all the three Kara (the whole land