(VII. 13.) From the quarter of my home,
Clouds arising come hither!
Yamato
Is the most secluded of lands.
Yamato
Retired behind Mount Awo-gaki,
Which encompasses it in its folds,
Is beautiful.
Let those whose lives are sound
Stick (in their hair) by way of headdress
Branches of the white evergreen oak
Of Mount Heguri—
(Fold within fold).
This child![1]
This is called a song of longing for one's country.
A.D. 88. 18th year, Spring, 3rd month. The Emperor, when about to turn his way towards the capital, made a tour of inspection to the Land of Tsukushi.[2] He first arrived at Hina-mori. There was at this time on the bank of the River Ihase a crowd of men assembled. The Emperor, looking down on them from afar, addressed his courtiers, saying:—"Who are these men who are assembled? Are they an enemy?" So he sent two men, Hinamori the Elder and Hinamori the Younger, to see. Now Hinamori the Younger returned and reported, (VII. 14.) saying:—"Idzumi-hime, the Kimi of Muro-kata, is about to offer your Majesty a banquet, and therefore have people gathered together."
Summer, 4th month, 3rd day. The Emperor arrived at the district of Kuma. In this place there were two brothers called Kuma-tsu-hiko.[3] The Emperor first sent to summon Kuma the Elder to him. Accordingly he came along with the messenger. Then he summoned Kuma the Younger, but he would not come. Therefore he sent soldiers and put him to death.
- ↑ The text and interpretation of this poem present considerable difficulty, and the above rendering is in parts only tentative. The "Kojiki" makes three distinct poems of it, and attributes them to Yamato-dake no Mikoto. Cf. Ch. K., p. 219. Awo-gaki means green-fence. "Fold within fold" is a mere epithet, or makura-kotoba, of Mount Heguri.
- ↑ Tsukushi is here evidently the northern part of the island.
- ↑ Prince of Kuma.
