Page:Nihongi by Aston volume 2.djvu/369

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
362
Nihongi.

with Hangwan, clerks, and artizans, to make a tour through the Empire and determine the boundaries of the provinces. They were unable, however, to determine them all this year.

17th day. The Emperor made a decree, saying:—"Let all civil and military officials, and all persons of rank[1] in the Home provinces, not fail to present themselves at Court in the four first months.[2] If owing to mortal disease they cannot attend, let the officials whose duty it is to do so prepare a full report and forward it to the judicial authorities."

He further made a decree, saying:—"The Capital and Palace should not be in one place only. They must be constructed in several places. We therefore wish first of all to make the Capital at Naniha. Let the public functionaries therefore each proceed thither, and apply for sites for houses."

A.D. 684. 13th year, Spring, 1st month, 17th day. The title of Muraji was granted to the two Houses of Mino no Agatanushi and Kurando no Kinunuhi no Miyakko.

23rd day. The Emperor, taking his place in the Eastern Court with the Ministers in attendance, sent for men skilled in archery, with dwarfs and palace attendants, and made them shoot.

2nd month, 24th day. Kim Chu-san was entertained in Tsukushi.

28th day. The Emperor sent Prince Hirose of Jō-kwō-shi rank,[3] and Yasumaro, Ohotomo no Muraji, of Middle Shōkin rank, with Hangwan, clerks, professors of the In and Yō, and artizans to the Home provinces, to determine by divination a site suitable for the capital.

On this day Prince Mino, Tsukura, Uneme no Omi, of Lower Shōkin rank, and others were sent to Shinano to inspect the conformation of the ground, perhaps with the object of having a capital there.

3rd month, 8th day. Yumi, Ube no Atahe, a man of Yoshino, sent tribute of a white camellia.

(XXIX. 46.) 9th day. The Emperor made a visit to the capital, and decided on the site for a palace.

23rd day. Kim Chu-san returned to his own country.

  1. Possessed of one of the grades of rank mentioned above, p. 281.
  2. Of each quarter.
  3. This rank was not instituted until later. See below, XXIX. 53.