be suitable for the extension of the Heavenly task,[1] so that its glory should fill the universe. It is, doubtless, the centre of the world.[2] The person who flew down was, I believe, Nigi-haya-hi.[3] Why should we not proceed thither, and make it the capital?"
All the Imperial Princes answered, and said:—"The truth of this is manifest. This thought is constantly present to our (III. 4.) minds also. Let us go thither quickly." This was the year Kinoye Tora (51st) of the Great Year.[4]
B.C. 667. In that year, in winter, on the Kanoto Tori day (the 5th) of the 10th month, the new moon of which was on the day Hinoto Mi,[5] the Emperor in person led the Imperial Princes and a naval force on an expedition against the East. When he arrived at the Haya-suhi gate,[6] there was there a fisherman who came riding in a boat. The Emperor summoned him, and then inquired of him, saying:—"Who art thou?" He answered and said:—"Thy servant is a Country-God, and his name is Utsu-hiko.[7] I angle for fish in the bays of ocean. Hearing that the son of the Heavenly Deity was coming, therefore I forthwith came to receive him." Again he inquired of him, saying:—"Canst thou act as my guide?" He answered and said:—"I will do so." The Emperor ordered the end of a pole of shihi wood[8] to be given to the fisher, and caused him to be taken and pulled into the Imperial vessel, of which he was made pilot.
- ↑ i.e. for the further development of the Imperial power.
- ↑ The world is here the six quarters, N., S., E., W., Zenith, Nadir. This is, of course, Chinese, as indeed is this whole speech.
- ↑ Nigi-haya-hi means soft-swift-sun.
- ↑ The great year is the Chinese cycle of sixty years. This system of reckoning time is described in Legge's "Classics," Chalmers' "Essay in prolegomena to Shooking," "Japanese Chronological Tables," by E.M.S., Bramsen's "Chronological Tables," Mayers' "Chinese Manual," etc. It was not in use to record years before the Christian era even in China, and could hardly have been known in Japan before the introduction of writing in the 5th century, A.D. It is needless to add that such dates are, in this part of the "Nihongi," purely fictitious.
- ↑ The days of the month are throughout the "Nihongi" given in this clumsy fashion. I have not thought it necessary to follow the example, except in this one instance.
- ↑ The Quick-suck-gate or Bungo Channel, so called from its rapid tides.
- ↑ Rare-prince.
- ↑ Quercus cuspidata.
