nushi[1] of Takeda. He was the ancestor of the Mohi-tori[2] of Uda. Shiki the younger, whose personal name was Kuro-haya, was made Agata-nushi of Shiki. Moreover, he appointed a man called Tsune to be Miyakko of the Land of Katsuraki. The Yata-garasu was also included in the ranks of those who received rewards. His descendants are the Agata-nushi of Katsurano and the Tonomori[3] Be.
B.C. 657. 4th year, Spring, 2nd month, 23rd day. The Emperor issued the following decree:—"The spirits of our Imperial ancestors reflecting their radiance down from Heaven, illuminate and (III. 34.) assist us. All our enemies have now been subdued, and there is peace within the seas. We ought to take advantage of this to perform sacrifice to the Heavenly Deities, and therewith develop filial duty."
He accordingly established spirit-terraces amongst the Tomi hills, which were called Kami-tsu-wono no Kaki-hara and Shimo-tsu-wono no Kaki-hara.[4] There he worshipped his Imperial ancestors, the Heavenly Deities.[5]
B.C. 630. 31st year, Summer, 4th month, 1st day. The Imperial palanquin[6] made a circuit, in the course of which the Emperor ascended the Hill Waki Kamu no Hotsuma. Here, having viewed the shape of the land on all sides, he said:—"Oh! what a beautiful country we have become possessed of! Though a blessed land of inner-tree-fibre,[7] yet it resembles a dragon-fly licking its hinder parts." From this it first received the name of Akitsu-shima.[8]
- ↑ Ruler of district.
- ↑ The Mohi-tori, afterwards mondori or mondo, were originally the officials charged with the water supply of the Palace. The designation Mondo no Kami remained until quite recent times.
- ↑ Tonomori, guardian of a palace or shrine.
- ↑ These names mean respectively the Persimmon plain of Upper Little-moor and the Persimmon plain of Lower Little-moor. The "spirit terraces" (a Chinese phrase) seems meant for the plots of ground consecrated for Shintō worship. See above, p. 81.
- ↑ The union of the offices of priest and king is to be noted all through this narrative.
- ↑ It is considered respectful to speak of the Imperial car or palanquin when the Emperor himself is meant.
- ↑ The inner-tree-fibre is the inner bark of the paper mulberry, used for weaving into cloth. It is here an ornamental epithet.
- ↑ The real meaning of Aki-tsu-shima is the "region of harvests." See
