the bank of the pool. Having bathed in the water, the elder brother came first to land, and taking the younger brother's real sword, girded it on himself. Afterwards the younger brother, surprised, took up his elder brother's wooden sword, but on coming to mutual blows, the younger brother was unable to draw the wooden sword. So the elder brother smote his younger brother, Ihi-iri-ne, and killed him. Therefore the men of that day made a song, saying,—
The sword girt on
By the warrior of Idzumo
(Where many clouds arise[1])—
There is the sheath enwound with creepers,
But, alas! there is no blade.
Hereupon Umashi-Kara-hisa and Uka-tsuku-nu proceeded to Court, where they reported this affair in detail. Accordingly, Kibi-tsu-hiko and Takenu-kaha-wake were sent to put to death Idzumo Furune. Therefore the Omi of Idzumo, in dread of this, desisted for a while from the worship of the Great God.
Now a man of Higami, in Tamba, named Hika-tohe, made a representation to the Prince Imperial, Iku-me no Mikoto, (V. 19.) saying:—"One of my children is a young infant. Yet of his own accord he has said this:—'These are the Gods worshipped by the men of Idzumo—Idzumo of the gem-like water-plant[2] and the sunken stone[3]—viz. the true-kind-beautiful-august-mirror, the pinion-flapping-beautiful-august-God, the bottom-treasure-august-treasure-master; the august-spirit-plunged-in-the-water-of-the-mountain-stream, the peacefully-wearing (jewels?)-august-deity, the bottom-treasure-august-treasure-master.'[4] These do not seem like the words of a young infant. May they have been spoken by divine inspiration?"
Hereupon the Prince Imperial reported to the Emperor, who accordingly caused them to be worshipped.
B.C. 36. 62nd year, Autumn, 7th month, 2nd day. The following edict was issued:—
"Agriculture is the great foundation of the Empire. It is
