whom Ancus is said to have led to the Aventine were the population of
the Latin towns which became subject to Rome, and they were far more
numerous than the two ancient tribes, even after the latter had been
increased by their union with the third tribe. In these country
districts lay the power of Rome, and from them she raised the armies
with which she carried on her wars. It would have been natural to admit
this population as a fourth tribe, but such a measure was not agreeable
to the Romans: the constitution of the state was completed and was
looked upon as a sacred trust in which no change ought to be introduced.
It was with the Greeks and Romans as it was with our own ancestors,
whose separate tribes clung to their hereditary laws, and differed from
one another in this respect as much as they did from the Gauls in the
color of their eyes and hair. They knew well enough that it was in their
power to alter the laws, but they considered them as something which
ought not to be altered. Thus when the emperor Otho was doubtful on a
point of the law of inheritance, he caused the case to be decided by an
ordeal or judgment of God. In Sicily, one city had Chalcidian, another
Doric laws, although their populations, as well as their dialects, were
greatly mixed; but the leaders of those colonies had been Chalcidians in
the one case and Dorians in the others. The Chalcidians, moreover, were
divided into four, the Dorians into three tribes, and their differences
in these respects were manifested even in their weights and measures.
The division into three tribes was a genuine Latin institution; and
there are reasons which render it probable that the Sabines had a
division of their states into four tribes. The transportation of the
Latins to Rome must be regarded as the origin of the _plebs_.
PRINCE JIMMU FOUNDS JAPAN'S CAPITAL
B.C. 660
SIR EDWARD REED THE "NEHONGI"
Prince Jimmu is the founder of the Empire of Japan, according to
Japanese tradition. The whole of his history is overlaid with myth
and legend. But it points to the immigration of western Asiatics by
way of Corea into the Japanese islands of Izumo and Kyushu.
The historical records of the Japanese relate that Jimmu,
accompanied by an elder brother, Prince Itsuse, started from their
grandfather's palace on Mount Takaclicho. They marched with a large
number of followers, a horde of men, women, and children, as well
as a band of armed men. On landing in Japan, after many years
wandering by sea and land, they had serious conflicts with the
native tribes. They eventually succeeded in overcoming all
opposition and in conquering the country, so that Prince Jimmu was
enabled to build a palace and set up a capital, Kashiha-bara, in
Yamato. This prince is regarded by Japanese historians as the
founder of the Japanese Empire. He is said to have reigned
seventy-five years after his accession, and to have died at the age
of one hundred and twenty-seven years, and his burial place is
pointed out on the northern side of Mount Unebi, in the province of
Yamato.
Prince Jimmu, or whoever was the foreign ruler who conquered and
founded an empire in Japan, must have been a bold, enterprising,
and sagacious man. The islands he subdued were barbarous, and he
civilized them; the inhabitants were warlike and cruel, and he kept
them in peace. He founded a dynasty which extended its dominion
over Nagato, Izumo, and Owari, and still has representatives in
rulers whose people are by far the most progressive dwellers in the
East.
That part of the following historical matter, which is translated
from the old Japanese chronicle, the _Nehongi_, is marked by local
color and by Oriental characteristics, whereby it curiously
contrasts with the plain recitals of modern and Western history.
SIR EDWARD REED
There are endless varying legends about this god-period of Japan. All
that we need now say in the way of reciting the legends of the gods has
relation to the descent of the mikados of Japan from the deities.
It was the misconduct of Susanoo that drove the sun-goddess into the
cave and for this misconduct he was banished. Some say that, instead of
proceeding to his place of banishment, he descended, with his son
Idakiso no Mikoto, upon Shiraga (in Corea), but not liking the place
went back by a vessel to the bank of the Hinokawa River, in Idzumo,
Japan.
At the time of their descent, Idakiso had many plants or seeds of trees
with him, but he planted none in Shiraga, but took them across with him,
and scattered them from Kuishiu all over Japan, so that the whole
country became green with trees. It is said that Idakiso is respected as
the god of merit, and is worshipped in Kinokuni. His two sisters also
took care of the plantation. One of the gods who reigned over the
country in the prehistoric period was Ohonamuchi, who is said by some to
be the son of Susanoo, and by others to be one of his later descendants;
"And which is right, it is more than we can say," remarked one of my
scholarly friends.
However, during his reign he was anxious about the people, and,
consulting with Sukuna no Mikoto, applied "his whole heart," we are
told, to their good government, and they all became loyal to him. One
time he said to his friend just named, "Do you think we are governing
the people well?" And his friend answered: "In some respects well, and
in some not," so that they were frank and honest with each other in
those days.
When Sukunahikona went away, Ohonamuchi said: "It is I who should govern
this country. Is there any who will assist me?" Then there appeared over
the sea a divine light, and there came a god floating and floating, and
said: "You cannot govern the country without me." And this proved to be
the god Ohomiwa no Kami, who built a palace at Mimuro, in Yamato, and
dwelt therein. He affords a direct link with the Mikado family, for his
daughter became the empress of the first historic emperor Jimmu. Her
name was Humetatara Izudsuhime.
All the descendants of her father are named, like him, Ohomiwa no Kami,
and it is said that the present empress of Japan is probably a
descendant of this god. As regards the descent of the Emperor Jimmu
himself we already know that Ninigi no Mikoto, "the sovran grandchild"
of the sun-goddess, was sent down with the sacred symbols of empire
given to him in the sun by the sun-goddess herself before he started for
the earth. Now Ninigi married (reader, forgive me for quoting the lady's
name and her father's) Konohaneno-sakuyahime, the daughter of
Ohoyamazumino-Kami, and the pair had three sons, of whom the last named
Howori no Mikoto succeeded to the throne. He is sometimes called by the
following simple--and possibly endearing--name: Amatsuhitakahi
Kohoho-demi no Mikoto.
He married Toyatama-hime, the daughter of the sea-god, and they had a
son, Ugaya-fuki-ayedsu no Mikoto, born, it is said, under an unfinished
roof of cormorants' wings, who succeeded the father, and who married
Tamayori-hime, also a daughter of the sea-god. This illustrious couple
had four sons, of whom the last succeeded to the throne in the year B.C.
660. He was named Kamuyamatoi warehiko no Mikoto, but posterity has
fortunately simplified his designation to the now familiar Jimmu-Tenno,
the first historic Emperor of Japan, and the ancestor of the present
emperor.
The histories of Japan, prepared under the sanction of the present
Japanese government, date the commencement of the historic period from
the first year of the reign of the first emperor, Jimmu-Tenno, who
is said to have ruled for seventy-six years, viz., from B.C. 660
to 585. Some persons consider that this reign, and a few reigns that
succeeded it, probably or possibly belong to the legendary period,
because while, on the one hand, the Emperor Jimmu is described as the
founder of the present empire and the ancestor of the present emperor,
on the other, he is described as the fourth son of Ukay Fukiaezu no
Mikoto, who was fifth in direct descent from the beautiful sun-goddess,
Tensho-Daijin. But as no such thing as writing existed in Japan in those
days, or for many centuries afterward, it would not be surprising if a
real monarch should have a mythical origin assigned to him; and as I
have quite lately heard the guns firing at Nagasaki an imperial salute
in honor of his coronation, and have seen the flags waving over the
capital city, Tokio, in honor of the birthday, the Emperor Jimmu is
quite historical enough for my present purpose.
The commencement of his reign shall fix for us, as it does for others,
the Japanese year 1, which was 660 years prior to our year 1, so that
any date of the Christian era can be converted into one of the Japanese
era by the addition of 660 years, and _vice-versa._ Some of the emperors
will be found to have lived very long lives, no doubt; but as I have
said elsewhere, none of them lived nearly so long as our Adam,
Methuselah, and others, in whose longevity so many of us profess to
believe; and besides, it is impossible for me to attempt to correct a
chronology which Japanese scholars, and Englishmen versed in the
Japanese language, have thus far left without specific correction.
Deferring for after consideration the incidents of the successive
imperial reigns, except in so far as they bear directly upon the descent
of the crown, let us, then, first glance at the succession of emperors
and empresses who have ruled in the Morning Land.
After the death of the Emperor Jimmu there appears to have been an
interregnum for three years--although it is seldom taken account of--the
second Emperor Suisei, who was the fifth son of the first emperor,
having ascended the throne B.C. 581 and reigned till 549. The cause of
the interregnum appears to have been the extreme grief which Suisei felt
at the death of his father, in consequence of which he committed the
administration of the empire, for a time, to one of his relatives--an
unworthy fellow, as he proved, named Tagishi Mimi no Mikoto, who tried
to assassinate his master and seize the throne for himself, and who was
put to death by Suisei for his pains. The fifth son of the Emperor Jimmu
was nominated by him as the successor, and it is probable that older
sons were living and passed over, and that the throne was inherited in
part by nomination even in this its first transfer.
Some writers on Japanese history profess to see in the pantheon of
Japan, pictured in the Kojiki and Nihonki, nothing more than a
collection of distinguished personages who lived and labored and
contended in the country before the historic period, thus bringing
deified men and women down to earth again. Such persons accept the
records of Jimmu-Tenno's origin as essentially accurate in so far as
they state what is human and reasonable, rejecting them only when they
set forth what is supernatural, and, to them, unbelievable.
Others, on the contrary, consider, or profess to consider, the
supernatural portions of those narratives as perfectly trustworthy, and
discredit only those statements concerning the first of the sacred
emperors which would seem in any way to detract from his divinity. I
should be sorry to have to argue the case with either of these parties,
but I must take the liberty of accepting as sufficiently accurate as
much of the recorded lives of Jimmu and his successors as the modern
prosaic histories in Japan are content to put forth, and no more.
Proceeding upon this basis, there is not much to be said of the reigns
of the mikados who ruled before the Christian era, beyond what has been
already stated. As regards the first emperor, his ancestor Ninigi no
Mikoto--whether a god or not, or whether he came down from the sun by
means of "the bridge of heaven" or not--appears to have established his
residence at the ancient Himuka, now Hiuga; there it was that
Jimmu-Tenno first resided, and thence it was that he started on his
historic and memorable career. The central parts of Japan were
militarily occupied by rebels (whose names are preserved), and it was to
subdue them that he proceeded eastward. He stopped for three years at
Taka Shima, constructing the necessary vessels for crossing the waters,
and then, in the course of years, making his way victoriously as far as
Nanieva, the modern Osaka, encountered his foes at Kawachi, and defeated
them, the chief general being left dead on the battle-field.
Jimmu was now sole master of Japan, as then known, and in the following
year he mounted the throne. The eastern and northern parts of the
country were, however, still, and long afterwards, peopled by the Aino
race, who were at a later period treated as troublesome savages, and
conquered by a famous prince, Yamato-Dake, by help of the sacred sword.
The spot selected by the Emperor Jimmu for his capital was Kashiwabara,
in the province of Yamato, not far from the present western capital of
Kioto. He there did honor to the gods, married, built himself a palace,
and deposited in the throne-room the sacred mirror, sword, and ball, the
insignia of the imperial power handed down from the sun-goddess. He
organized two imperial guards, one as a body-guard to protect the
interior of the palace, and the other to act as sentinels around the
palace.
THE "NEHONGI"
The Emperor Kami Yamato Iharebiko's personal name was Hikohoho-demi. He
was the fourth child of Hiko-nagisa-take-ugaya-fuki-ahezu no Mikoto. His
mother's name was Tama-yori-hime, daughter of the sea-god. From his
birth this emperor was of clear intelligence and resolute will. At the
age of fifteen he was made heir to the throne. When he grew up he
married Ahira-tsu-hime, of the district of Ata in the province of Hiuga,
and made her his consort. By her he had Tagishi-mimi no Mikoto and
Kisu-mimi no Mikoto.
When he reached the age of forty-five, he addressed his elder brothers
and his children, saying: "Of old, our heavenly deities Taka-mi-Musubi
no Mikoto, and Oho-hiru-me no Mikoto, pointing to this land of fair
rice-ears of the fertile reed-plain, gave it to our heavenly ancestor,
Hiko-ho no Ninigi no Mikoto. Thereupon Hiko-ho no Ninigi no Mikoto,
throwing open the barrier of heaven and clearing a cloud-path, urged on
his superhuman course until he came to rest. At this time the world was
given over to widespread desolation. It was an age of darkness and
disorder. In this gloom, therefore, he fostered justice, and so governed
this western border.
"Our imperial ancestors and imperial parent, like gods, like sages,
accumulated happiness and amassed glory. Many years elapsed from the
date when our heavenly ancestor descended until now it is over 1,792,470
years. But the remote regions do not yet enjoy the blessings of imperial
rule. Every town has always been allowed to have its lord, and every
village its chief, who, each one for himself, makes division of
territory and practises mutual aggression and conflict.
"Now I have heard from the Ancient of the Sea, that in the East there is
a fair land encircled on all sides by blue mountains. Moreover, there is
there one who flew down riding in a heavenly rock-boat. I think that
this land will undoubtedly be suitable for the extension of the heavenly
task, so that its glory should fill the universe. It is doubtless the
centre of the world. The person who flew clown was, I believe,
Nigihaya-hi. Why should we not proceed thither, and make it the
capital?"
All the imperial princes answered, and said: "The truth of this is
manifest. This thought is constantly present to our minds also. Let us
go thither quickly." This was the year Kinoye Tora (51st) of the Great
Year.
In that year, in winter, on the Kanoto Tori day (the 5th) of the 10th
month, the new moon of which was on the day Hinoto Mi, the emperor in
person led the imperial princes and a naval force on an expedition
against the East. When he arrived at the Haya-suhi gate, there was there
a fisherman who came riding in a boat. The emperor summoned him and then
inquired of him, saying: "Who art thou?" He answered and said: "Thy
servant is a country-god, and his name is Utsuhiko. I angle for fish in
the bays of ocean. Hearing that the son of the heavenly deity was
coming, therefore I forthwith came to receive him." Again he inquired of
him, saying: "Canst thou act as my guide?" He answered and said: "I will
do so." The emperor ordered the end of a pole of Shihi wood to be given
to the fisher, and caused him to be taken and pulled into the imperial
vessel, of which he was made pilot.
A name was especially granted him, and he was called Shihi-ne-tsu-hiko.
He was the first ancestor of the Yamato no Atahe.
Proceeding on their voyage, they arrived at Usa in the land of Tsukushi.
At this time there appeared the ancestors of the Kuni-tsu-ko of Usa,
named Usa-tsu-hiko and Usa-tsu-hime. They built a palace raised on one
pillar on the banks of the River Usa, and offered them a banquet. Then,
by imperial command, Usa-tsu-hime was given in marriage to the emperor's
attendant minister Ama notane no Mikoto. Now, Ama notane no Mikoto was
the remote ancestor of the Nakatomi Uji.
Eleventh month, 9th day. The emperor arrived at the harbor of Oka in the
Land of Tsukushi.
Twelfth month, 27th day. He arrived at the province of Aki, where he
dwelt in the palace of Ye.
The year Kinoto U, Spring, 3rd month, 6th day. Going onward, he entered
the land of Kibi, and built a temporary palace in which he dwelt. It was
called the palace of Takashima. Three years passed, during which time he
set in order the helms of his ships, and prepared a store of provisions.
It was his desire by a single effort to subdue the empire.
The year Tsuchinoye Muma, Spring, 2d month, 11th day. The imperial
forces at length proceeded eastward, the prow of one ship touching the
stern of another. Just when they reached Cape Naniho they encountered a
current of great swiftness. Whereupon that place was called Nami-haya
(wave-swift) or Nami-hana (wave-flower). It is now called Naniha, which
is a corruption of this.
Third month, 10th day. Proceeding upwards against the stream, they went
straight on, and arrived at the port of Awo-Kumo no Shira-date, in the
township of Kusaka, in the province of Kafuchi.
Summer, 4th month, 9th day. The imperial forces in martial array marched
on to Tatsuta. The road was narrow and precipitous, and the men were
unable to march abreast, so they returned and again endeavored to go
eastward, crossing over Mount Ikoma. In this way they entered the inner
country.
Now when Naga-sune-hiko heard this, he said: "The object of the children
of the heavenly deity in coming hither is assuredly to rob me of my
country." So he straightway levied all the forces under his dominion,
and intercepted them at the Hill of Kusaka. A battle was engaged, and
Itsuse no Mikoto was hit by a random arrow on the elbow. The imperial
forces were unable to advance against the enemy. The emperor was vexed,
and revolved in his inmost heart a divine plan, saying: "I am the
descendant of the sun-goddess, and if I proceed against the sun to
attack the enemy, I shall act contrary to the way of heaven. Better to
retreat and make a show of weakness. Then, sacrificing to the gods of
heaven and earth, and bringing on our backs the might of the sun
goddess, let us follow her rays and trample them down. If we do so, the
enemy will assuredly be routed of themselves, and we shall not stain our
swords with blood."
They all said: "It is good." Thereupon he gave orders to the army,
saying: "Wait a while and advance no further." So he withdrew his
forces, and the enemy also did not dare to attack him. He then retired
to the port of Kusaka, where he set up shields, and made a warlike show.
Therefore the name of this port was changed to Tatetsu, which is now
corrupted into Tadetsu.
Before this, at the battle of Kusaka, there was a man who hid in a great
tree, and by so doing escaped danger. So pointing to this tree, he said:
"I am grateful to it, as to my mother." Therefore the people of the day
called that place Omo no ki no Mura.
Fifth month, 8th day. The army arrived at the port of Yamaki in Chinu
(also called Port Yama no wi). Now Itsuse no Mikoto's arrow wound was
extremely painful. He grasped his sword, and striking a martial
attitude, said: "How exasperating it is that a man should die of a wound
received at the hands of slaves, and should not avenge it!" The people
of that day therefore called the place Wo no Minoto.
Proceeding onward, they reached Mount Kama in the Land of Kii, where
Itsuse no Mikoto died in the army, and was therefore buried at Mount
Kama.
Sixth month, 23d day. The army arrived at the village of Nagusa, where
they put to death the Tohe of Nagusa. Finally they crossed the moor of
Sano, and arrived at the village of Kami in Kumano. Here he embarked in
the rock-boat of heaven, and leading his army, proceeded onward by slow
degrees. In the midst of the sea, they suddenly met with a violent wind,
and the imperial vessel was tossed about. Then Ina-ihi no Mikoto
exclaimed and said: "Alas! my ancestors were heavenly deities, and my
mother was a goddess of the sea. Why do they harass me by land, and why,
moreover, do they harass me by sea?" When he had said this, he drew his
sword and plunged into the sea, where he became changed into the god
Sabi-Mochi.
Miki In no no Mikoto, also indignant at this, said: "My mother and my
aunt are both sea-goddesses; why do they raise great billows to
overwhelm us?" So, treading upon the waves, he went to the Eternal Land.
The emperor was now alone with the imperial prince, Tagishi-Mimi no
Mikoto. Leading his army forward, he arrived at Port Arazaka in Kumano
(also called Nishiki Bay), where he put to death the Tohe of Nishiki.
At this time the gods belched up a poisonous vapor, from which every one
suffered. For this reason the imperial army was again unable to exert
itself. Then there was there a man by name Kumano no Takakuraji, who
unexpectedly had a dream, in which Ama-terasu no Ohokami spoke to
Take-mika-tsuchi no Kami, saying: "I still hear a sound of disturbance
from the central land of reed-plains. Do thou again go and chastise it."
Take-mika-tsuchi no Kami answered and said: "Even if I go not I can send
down my sword, with which I subdued the land, upon which the country
will of its own accord become peaceful." To this Ama-terasu no Kami
assented. Thereupon Take-mika-tsuchi no Kami addressed Taka Kuraji,
saying: "My sword, which is called Futsu no Mitama, I will now place in
the storehouse. Do thou take it and present it to the heavenly
grandchild." Taka Kuraji said, "Yes," and thereupon awoke. The next
morning, as instructed in his dream, he opened the storehouse, and on
looking in, there was indeed there a sword which had fallen down (from
heaven) and was standing upside down on the plank floor of the
storehouse. So he took it and offered it to the emperor. At this time
the emperor happened to be asleep. He awoke suddenly, and said: "What a
long time I have slept."
On inquiry he found that the troops who had been affected by the poison
had all recovered their senses and were afoot. The emperor then
endeavored to advance into the interior, but among the mountains it was
so precipitous that there was no road by which they could travel. And
they wandered about not knowing whither to direct their march.
Then Ama-terasu no Oho-Kami instructed the emperor in a dream of the
night saying: "I will now send the Yata-garasu, make it thy guide
through the land." Then there did indeed appear the Yata-garasu flying
down from the void.
The emperor said: "The coming of this crow is in due accordance with my
auspicious dream. How grand! How splendid! My imperial ancestor
Ama-terasu no Oho-Kami, desires therewith to assist me in creating the
hereditary institution."
At this time Hi no Omi no Mikoto, ancestor of the Ohotomo House, taking
with him Oho-kume as commander of the main body, guided by the direction
taken by the crow, looked up to it and followed after, until at length
they arrived at the district of Lower Uda. Therefore they named the
place which they reached the village of Ukechi in Uda. At this time by
an imperial order he commended Hi no Omi no Mikoto, saying: "Thou art
faithful and brave, and art moreover a successful guide. Therefore will
I give thee a new name, and will call thee Michi no Omi!"
Autumn, 8th month, 2d day. The emperor sent to summon Ukeshi the elder
and Ukeshi the younger. These two were chiefs of the district of Uda.
Now Ukeshi the elder did not come. But Ukeshi the younger came, and
making obeisance at the gate of the camp, declared as follows: "Thy
servant's elder brother, Ukeshi the elder, shows signs of resistance.
Hearing that the descendant of heaven was about to arrive, he forthwith
raised an army with which to make an attack. But having seen from afar
the might of the imperial army, he was afraid, and did not dare to
oppose it. Therefore he has secretly placed his troops in ambush, and
has built for the occasion a new palace, in the hall of which he has
prepared engines. It is his intention to invite the emperor to a banquet
there, and then to do him a mischief. I pray that this treachery be
noted, and that good care be taken to make preparation against it."