Ke-hime, was the daughter of Tamado no Sukune, son of Katsuraki no Sotsuhiko. The Emperor, hearing of the serene beauty of her form, slew her husband, and wedded her himself."
After Tasa had arrived at his post, he learnt that the Emperor had married his wife, and with the object of obtaining succour, he went to Silla, which at that time did not do service to the Central Land.[1] The Emperor gave orders to Tasa no Omi's son Otokimi, and also to Akawo Kibi no Ama[2] no Atahe, saying:—"Do ye go and chastise Silla." At this time (XIV. 21.) a skilled artisan of Western Aya named Kwan-in Chiri,[3] who was near the Emperor, came forward and represented to him, saying:—"There are in the Land of Han[4] many who are more skillful than thy slave. Let them be sent for and made to serve thee." The Emperor commanded his Ministers, saying:—"Then let Kwan-in Chiri be joined to Otokimi and the others, and let him get instructions from Pèkché; at the same time let an Imperial rescript be delivered directing Pèkché to offer skilled men."
Hereupon Otokimi, in execution of these commands, took with him a body of men and proceeded as far as Pèkché. When he entered that land, a God of the country,[5] assuming the form of an old woman, suddenly met him on the road. Otokimi inquired of her whether the country was far or near. The old woman answered and said:—"If thou goest on for one day more, thou wilt then arrive there." Otokimi thought to himself that the way was too far, and returned without having chastised it. He got together the Imaki[6] skilled artisans who had been given as tribute by Pèkché on a large island, and under the pretence of awaiting a fair wind, tarried there for several months. Tasa no Omi, the Governor of Imna, pleased that Otokimi had gone away without chas-
- ↑ The "Central Land" is evidently Japan. The Kana has "Mikado."
- ↑ Fishermen.
- ↑ Possibly these are the names of two men. The Western Aya were the Aya of Kahachi.
- ↑ Corea.
- ↑ This must refer to Silla.
- ↑ Imaki is the name of a place in Yoshino in Yamato. It means "newcomer," and the term may have been applied in the first place to this batch of emigrants to distinguish them from previous ones.
