of Yosami, caught a strange bird and presented it to the Emperor, saying:—"I am constantly spreading nets and catching birds in them, but never before have I caught a bird of this kind. I therefore thought it curious, and offer it to His Majesty." The Emperor sent for Lord Chyu and, pointing to the bird, said:—"What bird is this?" Lord Chyu answered and said:—"Birds of this kind are numerous in Pèkché. They can be tamed so as to be quite obedient to man. Moreover they are swift of flight and prey upon all kinds of birds. The common people in Pèkché call them Kuchi." So it was given to Lord Chyu to be fed and tamed. In no long time he succeeded in taming it. Lord Chyu accordingly fastened to its leg a soft leather strap, and attached to its tail a small bell.[1] Then, placing it on his forearm, he presented it to the Emperor. On this day he went to the moor of Mozu and hunted. At this (XI. 28.) time a large number of hen pheasants got up, and the falcon[2] was let loose and made to catch them. It speedily caught several tens of pheasants. In this month the Be of Taka-ama (falcon-sweet) was first established. Therefore the men of that time called the place where the falcon was brought up the village of Taka-ama.
A.D. 362. 50th year, Spring, 3rd month, 5th day. A man of Kahachi informed the Emperor, saying:—"A wild goose has laid an egg on the Mamuta embankment." That same day a messenger was sent to see. He said:—"It is true." The Emperor hereupon made a song, in which he inquired of Takechi no Sukune, saying:—
- ↑ Fr. grêlot.
- ↑ The taka or goshawk. The hayabusa mentioned above is a smaller bird, probably the peregrine falcon. The best hawks for hunting were formerly imported to Japan from Corea.
- ↑ An untranslatable makura-kotoba comes in here.
- ↑ Takechi no Sukune's death is not mentioned in the "Nihongi." A later authority says that he died in this year, having held office for 240 years, and lived 295 (or 299) years. Another authority states that he died in the 55th year of Nintoku Tennō, at the age of 280. Still another says that he died in
