A.D. 465. (XIV. 26.) 9th year, Spring, 2nd month, 1st day. Katabu,[1] Ofushi Kahachi no Atahe, and an Uneme were sent to sacrifice to the Deity of Munagata.[2] Katabu and the Uneme, having arrived at the altar-place,[3] were about to perform the rites, when Katabu debauched the Uneme. When the Emperor heard this, he said:—"When we sacrifice to the Gods and invoke from them blessings, should we not be watchful over our conduct?" So he sent Naniha no Hidaka no Kishi to put him to death. But Katabu straightway took to flight, and was not to be found. The Emperor again sent Toyoho, Yuge[4] no Muraji, who searched the districts of that province far and wide, and at length caught and slew him at Awi[5] no hara, in the district of Mishima.
3rd month. The Emperor desired to chastise Silla in person, but a God warned him, saying:—"Go not." For this reason the Emperor did not carry out his intention of going, but gave orders to Ki no Woyumi no Sukune, Soga no Karako no Sukune, Ohotomo no Katari[6] no Muraji, and Wokahi no Sukune, saying:—"Silla occupies the Western Land: age after age he has done us homage: he did not neglect visits of ceremony: his payment (XIV. 27.) of tribute was duly discharged. But since We have come to rule the Empire, he has betaken himself beyond Tsushima, and concealed his traces outside of Chamna. He prevents Koryö from sending tribute, he devours the walled cities of Pèkché. Nay, more—his missions of ceremony to this court have been neglected and his tribute remains unpaid. With the savage
- ↑ This curious name means "fragrance-giver."
- ↑ In Yamato.
- ↑ The Kana rendering is Kamu-niha (divine courtyard), which is not exactly an altar, but a plot of ground set apart for the worship of the Gods. See above, p. 81, note 9.
- ↑ Bow-makers.
- ↑ Awi is indigo, the Polygonum tinctorium.
- ↑ The Katari were reciters attached to the Court. Unfortunately we know very little about them, or what the subjects of their recitations were.
"Tongkam." Nor does this narrative square very well with what is related below, XIV. 26, 27. I am inclined, nevertheless, to believe that it has a solid foundation of fact, only that the dates must be wrong.
From "having pierced" to "great rout" is copied mutatis mutandis from a Chinese history of the Wei period, reign of Wu Ti, and Kashihade no Omi's speech to the King of Silla is extracted from the same source.
