Page:Nihongi by Aston volume 2.djvu/259

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252
Nihongi.

sage:—"We wish to send to Great Thang under the charge of your country's envoys the Buddhist priest Chitatsu, Mimŭmaya, Hashibito no Muraji, and Wakugo, Yozami no Muraji." Silla refused to grant such escort, and therefore the Buddhist priest Chitatsu and his colleagues returned.

The Ambassadors to the Western Sea, Tsuratari, Adzumi no Muraji, of Lower Shō-kwa rank, and Kutsuma, Tsu no Omi, of Lower Shōsen rank, returned from Pèkché. They brought presents for the Empress of one camel and two asses.

The people of Ihami said that a white fox[1] had been seen.

A.D. 658. 4th year, Spring, 1st month, 13th day. Kose no Tokuda no Omi, Oho-omi of the Left, died.

Summer, 4th month. Abe no Omi went on an expedition against the Yemishi in command of a fleet of 180 ships. The Yemishi of the two districts of Aita[2] and Nushiro[2] were struck with fear, and tendered their submission. Hereupon the ships were drawn up in order of battle in the bay of Aita. A Yemishi of Aita named Omuka came forward and made an oath, saying:—"It is not by reason of the arrival of the Imperial forces that we slaves carry bows and arrows, but because it is our nature to live upon animal food. If we have provided bows and arrows against the Imperial forces, may the Gods of the bay of Aita take note of it! We will serve the Government with pure hearts."

Omuka was accordingly granted the rank of Upper Shō-otsu, and local governors were established in the two districts of Nushiro and Tsugaru. Ultimately the Yemishi of Watari no Shima[3] were summoned together at the shore of Arima and a (XXVI. 6.) great feast provided them, after which they were dismissed home.

5th month. A grandson of the Empress named Prince Takeru died. He was eight years of age. His remains were deposited in a temporary tomb which was raised for him over

  1. A good omen. Perhaps they expected a remission of their taxes, as was the case when a white pheasant was reported from the adjoining province of Anato.
  2. 2.0 2.1 District of Akita, province of Deha. The former place is also read Agida. It is probably identical with the present Akita.
  3. By Watari no Shima, "the island of the crossing, or ferry," is no doubt meant the island of Yezo. Arima cannot be identified.