Page:Nihongi by Aston.djvu/397

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366
Nihongi.

is a match for the hand of Asahi no Iratsuko? The arrow which he lets fly will pierce two thicknesses of armour." The Government troops were all afraid, and Ushiro no Sukune did not dare to advance to the combat. They awaited each other for two days and one night. Hereupon the Mononobe Me no Muraji armed himself with his sword, and making Oho-wono-te,[1] of the Mononobe of Kiku in Tsukushi, take his shield and call out in the midst of the army, advanced along with him. Asahi no Iratsuko saw them from afar off, and shot an arrow through Oho-wono-te's shield and two-fold armour which at the same time entered the flesh of his body to the depth of (XIV. 43.) an inch. Oho-wono-te screened with his shield the Mononobe, Me no Muraji, and Me no Muraji caught Asahi no Iratsuko and slew him. Accordingly Ushiro no Sukune, beside himself with shame, for seven days did not make his report to the Emperor. But the Emperor inquired of his Ministers in attendance, saying:—"Why does not Ushiro no Sukune make his report?" Now there was a man named Sanuki no Tamushi Wake who came forward and addressed the Emperor, saying:—"Ushiro no Sukune is a coward. For the space of two days and one night he was unable to seize Asahi no Iratsuko. Then the Mononobe, Me no Muraji, taking with him Oho-wono-te, a Mononobe of Kiku in Tsukushi, caught and slew Asahi no Iratsuko." When the Emperor heard this he was angry, and promptly taking away from Ushiro no Sukune his Be of Wina,[2] gave it to the Mononobe Me no Muraji.

A.D. 475. 19th year, Spring, 3rd month, 13th day. By Imperial command, the Anaho Be was established.[3]

A.D. 476. 20th year,[4] Winter. The "King of Koryö raised a great army and utterly smote Pèkché. There was but a small remnant left, which assembled and occupied Chhang-ha.[5] Their victuals became exhausted, and deep was hereupon the

  1. Great-axe-hand.
  2. The village of Wina-Be, in Ise, with its inhabitants.
  3. In memory of the Emperor Anaho.
  4. The "Tongkam" date is 475. We have now arrived at pretty exact chronology.
  5. 倉下. The traditional Kana renders this Hesu-oto—perhaps an attempt to reproduce the native Corean name.