muraji accordingly reported to the Emperor, who gave command to the Ohomuraji, saying:—"The Commander-in-chief, Ki no Woyumi no Sukune, tossing his head like a dragon, and glaring like a tiger, surveying with extensive view the eight cords,[1] overwhelmed the rebellious, and dashed against the (XIV. 30.) four seas.[2] So his body was worn out by ten thousand ri,[3] and his life succumbed in the three Han. To show Our compassion, let there be appointed officials to conduct his funeral. Thou, my Lord Ohotomo, art of the same province and a near neighbour of the Lords of Ki, so that thy connection with him is of old standing." Hereupon the Ohomuraji, having received the Emperor's commands, sent Wotori Hanishi[4] no Muraji to construct a tumulus at the village of Tamuwa, and bury him there. Upon this Ohomi, unable to contain herself for pleasure, sent to the Ohomuraji six Corean slaves named Muro, Te-maro, Oto-maro, Mi-kura, Wogura and Hari.[5] They are the Yake-bito[6] Be of the village of Kashimada in hither Kibi. Wokahi no Sukune came specially in attendance on Ki no Woyumi no Sukune's corpse. He remained, however, himself in the Land of Tsuno[7] and sent Yamato-ko no Muraji [it is not clear what was the surname of this Muraji[8]] with a present of an eight-hand mirror to Ohotomo no Ohomuraji to make a petition, saying:—"Thy servant cannot bear to serve the Celestial Court along with my Lord of Ki.[9] Therefore I beg permission to remain and reside in the Land of Tsuno." Upon this the Ohomuraji laid the matter before the Emperor on his behalf, and he was
- ↑ The eight cords, or measuring tapes, i.e. the eight quarters of the universe.
- ↑ The four seas are not put for Japan, but for the universe. All this bombast is copied from a Chinese book.
- ↑ i.e. by distant campaigning.
- ↑ The Hanishi were the clay-workers whose office it was to make the clay images which were set up round the tombs of the Emperors. His appointment was therefore an appropriate one. But although the office and the title sometimes coincided as in this case, they had often nothing to do with each other. A few pages back we had a Katari no Muraji (Chief of the Reciters) and a Kashihade no Omi (Lord Steward) in command of troops in Corea.
- ↑ These names are Japanese.
- ↑ Domestics.
- ↑ In Suwō.
- ↑ This is a stupid note which the "Shukai" very properly rejects. In "Nihongi" language Yamato-ko no Muraji is the surname.
- ↑ i.e. Ki no Ohiha no Sukune.
