In the course of this month, Woyori, Murakuni no Muraji, died. In consideration of the services rendered by him in the campaign of the year Midzunoye Saru, he received the posthumous rank of Outer Shōshi.
A star appeared in the East, seven or eight feet in length. In the 9th month it at length disappeared from the sky.
8th month, 2nd day. Sustenance fiefs, varying in each case, were granted to all from the rank of Prince of the Blood down to Daibu of Shōkin rank, and also to Imperial Princesses, Princesses and lady officials of the Palace.
16th day. The Emperor commanded, saying:—"Let a Great Purification be held in all quarters. The articles needed for this purpose are to be forwarded to the shrines of purification by the Kuni no Miyakko of each province, to wit, one horse and one piece of cloth. The other things are to be supplied by the governors of districts, viz., each one sword, one deerskin, one mattock, one smaller sword, one sickle, one set of arrows, and one sheaf of rice in the ear. Further, let each house provide a bundle of hemp."[1]
17th day. The Emperor issued a decree, saying:—"Let all sentences of death, confiscation, or the three classes of banishment be mitigated one degree.[2] As for crimes punishable by removal to another part of the same province or lesser offences, (XXIX. 15.) let them all be pardoned whether they have been detected or not.
This pardon, however, does not apply to persons who have already proceeded to their place of banishment."
- ↑ "The Oho-barahi or Great Purification was the most solemn ceremony of the Shintō religion. It was performed twice a year, on the 30th day of the 6th and 12th months, by the Princes of the Blood and the Ministers, who assembled for the purpose at the Gate of the Scarlet Bird. The urabe or diviners read the norito or formula, which had the effect of dissipating (harai) demoniac influences."—Yamada's Dictionary.
The litany used on this occasion is commonly called the Nakatomi no Oho-barahi. It has been preserved, but is unfortunately not one of those translated by Satow. Dr. Florenz promises us a translation of all the norito.
- ↑ The three classes of banishment are:—1st, to near provinces, as Echizen or Aki; 2nd, to provinces of medium distance, as Suwo or Iyo; 3rd, to distant provinces, as Idzu, Aha, Hitachi, Sado, Iki, or Tosa. The confiscation is of the persons of the criminals and their families into slavery in public offices. This practice is still followed in Corea.
