Appendix 1

(Records of Ancient Matters)
Translated by Basil Hall Chamberlain
　
Onisaburo dressed asToyo-kumo-nu-no-kami
(Luxuriant-Integrating-Master-Deity)


Introduction
Of all the mass of Japanese literature, which lies before us as the result of nearly twelve centuries of book-making, the most important monument is the work entitled Kojiki or "Records of Ancient Matters," which was completed in A.D. 712. It is the most important because it has preserved for us more faithfully than any other book the mythology, the manners, the language, and the traditional history of Ancient Japan. Indeed it is the earliest authentic connected literary product of that large division of the human race which has been variously denominated Turanian, Scythian and Altaic, and it even precedes by at least a century the most ancient extant literary compositions of non-Aryan India. Soon after the date of its compilation, most of the salient features of distinctive Japanese nationality were buried under a superincumbent mass of Chinese culture, and it is to these "Records" and to a very small number of other ancient works, such as the poems of the "Collection of a Myriad Leaves" and the Shinto Rituals, that the investigator must look, if he would not at every step be misled in attributing originality to modern customs and ideas, which have simply been borrowed wholesale from the neighboring continent.

It is of course not pretended that even these "Records" are untouched by Chinese influence: that influence is patent in the very characters with which the text is written. But the influence is less, and of another kind. If in the traditions preserved and in the customs alluded to we detect the Early Japanese in the act of borrowing from China and perhaps even from India, there is at least on our author's part no ostentatious decking out in Chinese trappings of what he believed to be original matter, after the fashion of the writers who immediately succeeded him. It is true that this abstinence on his part makes his compilation less pleasant to the ordinary native taste than that of subsequent historians, who put fine Chinese phrases into the mouths of emperors and heroes supposed to have lived before the time when intercourse with China began. But the European student, who reads all such books, not as a pastime but in order to search for facts, will prefer the more genuine composition. It is also accorded the first place by the most learned of the native literati.

Of late years this paramount importance of the "Records of Ancient Matters" to investigators of Japanese subjects generally has become well-known to European scholars; and even versions of a few passages are to be found scattered through the pages of their writings. Thus Mr. Aston has given us, in the Chrestomathy appeared to his "Grammar of the Japanese Written Language," a couple of interesting extracts; Mr. Satow has illustrated by occasional extracts his elaborate papers on the Shinto Rituals printed in these "Transactions," and a remarkable essay by Mr. Kempermann published in the Fourth Number of the "Mittheilungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft fur Natur und Volkerkunde Ostasiens," though containing no actual translations, bases on the account given in the "Records" some conjectures regarding the origines of Japanese civilization which are fully substantiated by more minute research. All that has yet appeared in any European language does not, however, amount to one-twentieth part of the whole, and the most erroneous views of the style and scope of the book and its contents have found their way into popular works on Japan. It is hoped that the true nature of the book, and also the true nature of the traditions, customs, and ideas of the Early Japanese, will be made clearer by the present translation the object of which is to give the entire work in a continuous English version, and thus to furnish the European student with a text to quote from, or at least to use as a guide in consulting the original. The only object aimed at has been a rigid and literal conformity with the Japanese text. Fortunately for this endeavour (though less fortunately for the student), one of the difficulties which often beset the translator of an Oriental classic is absent in the present case. There is no beauty of style, to preserve some trace of which he may be tempted to sacrifice a certain amount of accuracy. The "Records" sound queer and bald in Japanese, as will be noticed further on; and it is therefore right, even from a stylistic point of view, that they should sound bald and queer in English. The only portions of the text which, from obvious reasons, refuse to lend themselves to translation into English after this fashion are the indecent portions. But it has been thought that there could be no objection to rendering them into Latin,--Latin as rigidly literal as is the English of the greater part.

VOL. I.


Preface

I Yasumaro say:

Now when chaos had begun to condense, but force and form were not yet manifest, and there was nought named, nought done, who could know its shape? Nevertheless Heaven and Earth first parted, and the Three Deities performed the commencement of creation; the Passive and Active Essences then developed, and the Two Spirits became the ancestors of all things. Therefore did he enter obscurity and emerge into light, and the Sun and Moon were revealed by the washing of his eyes; he floated on and plunged into the sea-water, and Heavenly and Earthly Deities appeared through the ablutions of his person? so in the dimness of the great commencement, we, by relying on the original teaching, learn the time of the conception of the earth and of the birth of islands; in the remoteness of the original beginning, we, by trusting the former sages, perceive the era of the genesis of Deities and of the establishment of men. Truly do we know that a mirror was hung up, that jewels were spat out, and that then an Hundred Kings succeeded each other; that a blade was bitten, and a serpent cut in pieces, so that a Myriad Deities did flourish." By deliberations in the Tranquil River the Empire was pacified; by discussions on the Little Shore the land was purified. Wherefore His Augustness Ho-no-ni-ni-gi first descended to the Peak of Takachi, and the Heavenly Sovereign Kamu-Yamato did traverse the Island of the Dragon-Fly. A weird bear put forth its claws, and a heavenly sabre was obtained at Takakura. They with tails obstructed the path, and a great crow guided him to Yeshinu. Dancing in rows they destroyed the brigands, and listening to a song they vanquished the foemen. Being instructed in a dream, he was reverent to the Heavenly and Earthly Deities, and was therefore styled the Wise Monarch, having gazed on the smoke, he was benevolent to the black-haired people, and is therefore remembered as the Emperor-Sage. Determining the frontiers and civilising the country, he issued laws from the Nearer Afumi; reforming the surnames and selecting the gentile names, he held sway at the Further Asuka. Though each differed in caution and in ardour, though all were unlike in accomplishments and in intrinsic worth, yet was there none who did not by contemplating antiquity correct manners that had fallen to ruin, and by illumining modern times repair laws that were approaching dissolution.

In the august reign of the Heavenly Sovereign who governed the Eight Great Islands from the Great Palace of Kiyomihara at Asuka, the Hidden Dragon put on perfection, the Reiterated Thunder came at the appointed moment. Having heard a song in a dream, he felt that he should continue the succession; having reached the water at night, he knew that he should receive the inheritance. Nevertheless Heaven's time was not yet, and he escaped like the cicada to the Southern Mountains; both men and matters were favourable, and he marched like the tiger to the Eastern Land. Suddenly riding in the Imperial Palanquin, he forced his way across mountains and rivers: the Six Divisions rolled like thunder, the Three Hosts sped like lightning. The erect spears lifted up their might, and the bold warriors arose like smoke: the crimson flags glistened among the weapons, and the ill-omened crew were shattered like tiles. Or ere a day had elapsed, the evil influences were purified: forthwith were the cattle let loose and the horses given repose, as with shouts of victory they returned to the Flowery Summer; the flags were rolled up and the javelins put away, as with dances and chants they came to rest in the capital city. The year was that of the Cock, and it was in the Second Moon. At the Great Palace of Kiyomihara did he ascend to the Heavenly seat: in morality he outstripped Ken-Ko, in virtue he surpassed Shiu-O. Having grasped the celestial seals, he was paramount over the Six Cardinal Points; having obtained the heavenly supremacy, he annexed the Eight Wildernesses. He held the mean between the Two Essences, and regulated the order of the Five Elements. He established divine reason wherewith to advance good customs; he disseminated brilliant usages wherewith to make the land great. Moreover the ocean of his wisdom, in its vastness, profoundly investigated the highest antiquity; the mirror of his heart, in its fervour, clearly observed former ages.

Hereupon the Heavenly Sovereign commanded, saying: "I hear that the chronicles of the emperors and likewise the original words in the possession of the various families deviate from exact truth, and are mostly amplified by empty falsehoods. If at the present time these imperfections be not amended, ere many years shall have elapsed, the purport of this, the great basis of the country, the grand foundation of the monarchy, will be destroyed. So now I desire to have the chronicles of the emperors selected and recorded, and the old words examined and ascertained, falsehoods being erased and the truth determined, in order to transmit [the latter] to after ages." At that time there was a retainer whose surname was Hiyeda and his personal name Are. He was twenty-eight years old, and of so intelligent a disposition that he could repeat with his mouth whatever met his eyes, and record in his heart whatever struck his ears. Forthwith Are was commanded to learn by heart the genealogies of the emperors, and likewise the words of former ages. Neverthelss time elapsed and the age changed, and the thing was not yet carried out.

Prostrate I consider how Her Majesty the Empress, having obtained Unity, illumines the empire,--being versed in the Triad, nourished the people. Ruling from the Purple Palace, Her virtue reaches to the utmost limits of the horse's hoof-marks: dwelling amid the Sombre Retinue, Her influence illumines the furthest distance attained to by vessels' prows. The sun rises, and the brightness is increased; the clouds disperse, neither is there smoke. Never cease the historiographers from recording the good omens of connected stalks and double rice-ears; never for a single moon is the treasury without the tribute of continuous beacon-fires and repeated interpretations. In fame She must be pronounced superior to Bum-Mei, in virtue more eminent than Ten-Itsu. Hereupon, regretting the errors in the old words, and wishing to correct the misstatements in the former chronicles, She, on the eighteenth day of the ninth month of the fourth year of Wa-do (the name of a Japanese "year-period" which lasted from A.D. 708 to 714), commanded me Yasumaro to select and record the old words learnt by heart by Hiyeda no Are according to the Imperial Decree, and dutifully to lift them up to Her.

In reverent obedience to the contents of the Decree, I have made a careful choice. But in high antiquity both speech and thought were so simple, that it would be difficult to arrange phrases and compose periods in the characters. To relate everything in an ideographic transcription would entail an inadequate expression of the meaning; to write altogether according to the phonetic method would make the story of events unduly lengthy. For this reason have I sometimes in the same sentence used the phonetic and ideographic systems conjointly, and have sometimes in one matter used the ideographic record exclusively. Moreover where the drift of the words was obscure, I have by comments elucidated their signification; but need it be said that I have nowhere commented on what was easy? Again, in such cases as calling the surname 日下 Kusaka, and the personal name written with the character 帯 Tarashi, I have followed usage without alteration. Altogether the things recorded commence with the separation of Heaven and Earth, and conclude with the august reign at Woharida. So from the Deity Master-of-the-August-Center-of-Heaven down to His Augustness Prince-Wave-Limit-Brave-Cormorant-Thatch-Meeting-Incompletely makes the First Volume; from the Heavenly Sovereign Kamu-Yamato-Ihare-Biko down to the august reign of Homuda makes the Second Volume; from the Emperor Oho-Sazaki down to the great palce of Woharida makes the Third Volume. Altogether I have written Three Volumes, which I reverently and respectfully present. I Yasumaro, with true trembling and true fear, bow my head, bow my head.

Reverently presented by the Court Noble Futo no Yasumaro, an Officer of the Upper Division of the Fifth Rank and of the Fifth Order of Merit, on the 28th day of the first moon of the fifth year of Wa-do (i.e., 10th March, A.D. 712).

[SECT. I.--THE BEGINNING OF HEAVEN AND EARTH.]
The names of the Deities that were born in the Takama-no-hara (Plain of High Heaven) when the Heaven and Earth began were Ame-no-mi-naka-nushi-no-kami (Deity Master-of-the-August-Center-of-Heaven), next Taka-mi-musu-bi-no-kami (High-August-Producing-Wondrous-Deity), next Kami-musu-bi-no-kami (Divine-Producing-Wondrous-Deity). These three Deities were all Deities born alone, and hid their persons (i.e., they all came into existence without being procreated in the manner usual with both gods and men, and afterwards disappeared, i.e., died.). The names of the Deities that were born next from a thing that sprouted up like unto a reed-shoot when the earth, young and like unto floating oil, drifted about medusa-like, were Umashi-ashi-kabi-hiko-ji-no-kami (Pleasant-Reed-Shoot-Prince-Elder Deity), next Ame-no-toko-tachi-no-kami (Heavenly-Eternally-Standing-Deity). These two Deities were likewise born alone, and hid their persons.

The five Deities in the above list are separate Heavenly Deities.

[SECT. II.--THE SEVEN DIVINE GENERATIONS.]
The names of the Deities that were born next were Kuni-no-toko-tachi-no-kami (Earthly-Eternally-Standing-Deity), next Toyo-kumo-nu-no-kami (Luxuriant-Integrating-Master-Deity). These two Deities are likewise Deities born alone, and hid their persons. The names of the Deities that were born next were U-hiji-ni-no-kami (Deity Mud-Earth-Lord), next his wife Su-hiji-ni-no-kami (Deity Mud-Earth-Lady); next Tsunu-guhi-no-kami (Germ-Integrating-Deity), next his wife Iku-guhi-no-kami (Life-Integrating-Deity); next Oho-to-no-ji-no-kami (Deity Elder-of-the-Great-Place"), next his wife Oho-to-no-be-no-kami (Deity Elder-Lady-of-the-Great-Place); next Omo-daru-no-kami (Deity Perfect-Exterior), next his wife Aya-kashiko-ne-no-kami (Deity Oh-Awful-Lady); next Izana-gi-no-kami (Deity the Male-Who-Invites), next his wife Izana-mi-no-kami (Deity the Female-Who-Invites).

From Kuni-no-toko-tachi-no-kami (Earthly-Eternally-Standing-Deity) down to Izana-mi-no-kami (Deity the Female-Who-Invites) in the previous list are what are termed the Seven Divine Generations. (The two solitary Deities above [-mentioned] are each called one generation. Of the succeeding ten Deities each pair of deities is called a generation.)

[SECT. III.--THE ISLAND OF ONOGORO]
Hereupon all the Heavenly Deities commanded the two Deities His Augustness the Male-Who-Invites and Her Augustness the Female-Who-Invites, ordering them to "make, consolidate, and give birth to this drifting land." Granting to them an heavenly jewelled spear, they [thus] deigned to charge them. So the two Deities, standing upon the Ama-no-uki-hashi (Floating Bridge of Heaven), pushed down the jewelled spear and stirred with it, whereupon, when they had stirred the brine till it went curdlecurdle (i.e., till it became thick and glutinous), and drew [the spear] up, the brine that dripped down from the end of the spear was piled up and became an island. This is the Island of Onogoro (Self-Curdling, Self-Condensed. It is supposed to have been one of the islets off the coast the larger island of Awaji).

[SECT. IV.--COURTSHIP OF THE DEITIES THE MALE-WHO-INVITES AND THE FEMALE-WHO-INVITES.]
Having descended from Heaven onto this island, they saw to the erection of an heavenly august pillar, they saw to the erection of a hall of eight fathoms. Tunc quaesivit [Augustus Mas-Qui-Invitat] a minore sorore Augusta Femina-Qui-Invitat: "Tuum corpus quo in modo factum est?" Respondit dicens: "Meum corpus crescens crevit, sed est una pars quae non crevit continua." Tunc dixit Augustus Mas-Qui-Invitat: "Meum corpus crescens crevit, sed est una pars quae crevit superflua. Ergo an bonum erit ut hanc corporis mei partem quae crevit superflua in tui corporis partem quae non crevit continua inseram, et regiones procreem?" Augusta Femina-Quae-Invitat respondit dicens: "Bonum erit." Tunc dixit Augustus　 Mas-Qui-Invitat: "Quod quum ita sit, ego et tu' hanc coelestem augustam colomnam circumeuntes mutuoque occurrentes, augustarum [i.e. privatarum] partium augustam coitionem faciemus." Hac pactione facta, dixit [Augustus Mas-Qui-Invitat]: "Tu a dextera circumeuns occurre; ego a sinistra occurram." Absoluta pactione ubi circumierunt, Augusta Femina-Qui-Invitat primum inquit: "O venuste et amabilis adolescens!" Deinde Augustus Mas-Qui-Invitat inquit: "O venusta et amabilis virgo!" Postquam singuli orationi finem fecerunt, [Augustus Mas-Qui-Invitat] locutus est sorori, dicens: "Non decet feminam primum verba facere." Nihilominus in thalamo [opus procreationis] inceperunt, et filium [nomine] Hirudinem [vel Hirudini similem] pepererunt. This child (= Hiru-go) they placed in a boat of reeds, and let it float away. Next they gave birth to the Island of Awa (Literally "foam." It is supposed to have been an islet near the island of Awaji in the province of Sanuki). This likewise is not reckoned among their children. (Hiru-go [Leech-child] was not so reckoned because he was a failure.)

(Translation)

Descending from the heavens to this island, they erected a heavenly pillar and a spacious palace. At this time [Izanagi-no-mikoto] asked his spouse Izanami-no-mikoto, saying: "How is your body formed?" She replied, saying: "My body, formed though it be formed, has one place which is formed insufficiently." Then Izanagi-no-mikoto said: "My body, formed though it be formed, has one place which is formed to excess. Therefore, I would like to take that place in my body which is formed to excess and insert it into that place in your body which is formed insufficiently, and [thus] give birth to the land. How would this be? Izanami-no-mikoto replied, saying: "That will be good." Then Izanagi-no-mikoto said: "Then let us, you and me, walk in a circle around this heavenly pillar and meet and have conjugal intercourse." After thus agreeing, [Izanagi-no-mikoto] then said: "You walk around from the right, and I will walk around from the left and meet you." After having agreed to this, they circled around; then Izanami-no-mikoto said first: "Ana-ni-yasi, how good a lad!" After each had finished speaking, [Izanagi-no-mikoto] said to his spouse: "It is not proper that the woman speak first." Nevertheless, they commenced procreation and gave birth to a leech-child. They placed this child into a boat made of reeds and floated it away. Next, they gave birth to the island of Awa. This also is not reckoned as one of their children.

[SECT. V.--BIRTH OF THE EIGHT ISLANDS]
Hereupon the two Deities took counsel, saying: "The children to whom we have now given birth are not good. It will be best to announce this in the august place of the Heavenly Deities." They ascended forthwith to Heaven and enquired of Their Augustnesses the Heavenly Deities. Then the Heavenly Deities commanded and found out by grand divination, and ordered them, saying: "They were not good because the woman spoke first. Descend back again and amend your words." So thereupon descending back, they again went round the heavenly august pillar as before. Thereupon his Augustness the Male-Who-Invites spoke first: "Ah! What a fair and lovely maiden!" Afterwards his younger sister Her Augustness the Female-Who-Invites spoke: "Ah! What a fair and lovely youth!" Tali modo quun orationi finem fecerant, auguste coierunt et pepererunt a child the Island of Awaji (Foam-way, i.e., the way to Foam (Awa)-Island), Ho-no-sa-wake (Rice-Ear-True-Youth). Next they gave birth to the Island of Futa-na (Two Names) in Iyo. This island has one body and four faces, and each face has a name. So the Land of Iyo is called E-hime (Lovely-Princess); the Land of Sanuki is called Ihi-yori-hiko (Prince-Good-Boiled-Rice); the Land of Aha is called Oho-ge-tsu-hime (Princess-of-Great-Food); the Land of Tosa is called Take-yori-wake (Brave-Good-Youth). Next they gave birth to the Islands of Mitsu-go (Triplets, Three Children; the three islets intended are Ama-na-shima, Mukafu-no-shima and Chiburi-no-shima) near Oki (Offing), another name for which [islands] is Ame-no-oshi-koro-wake (Heavenly-Great-Heart-Youth). This island likewise has one body and four faces and each face has a name. So the Land of Tsukushi is called Shira-hi-wake (White-Sun-Youth); the Land of Toyo is called Toyo-bi-wake (Luxuriant-Sun-Youth); the Land of Hi is called Take-hi-mukahi-toyo-kuji-hine-wake (Brave-Sun-Cpmfrpmtomg-Luxuriant-Wondrous-Lord-Youth); the Land of Kumaso is called Take-bi-wake (Brave-Sun-Youth). Next they gave birth to the Islands of Iki, another name for which is Ame-hito-tsu-bashira (Heaven's One-Pillar). Next they gave birth to the Island of Tsu, another name for which is Ame-no-sade-yori-hime (Heavenly-Hand-net-Good-Princess). Next they gave birth to the Island of Sado. Next they gave birth to Oho-yamato-toyo-aki-tsu-shima (Great-Yamato-the-Luxuriant-Island-of-the-Dragon-fly), another name for which is Ame-no-mi-sora-toyo-aki-tsu-ne-wake (Heavenly-August-Sky-Luxuriant-Dragon-fly-Lord-Youth). The name of Oho-ya-shima-kuni (Land-of-the-Eight-Great-Islands) therefore originated in these eight islands having been born first. After that, when they had returned, they gave birth to the Islands of Ko (Infant, Small) [-shima] in Kibi, another name for which [island] is Take-hi-gata-wake (Brave-Sun-Direction-Youth). Next they gave birth to the Island of Azuki (Azuki Red Beans), another name for which is Oho-Nu-De-Hime. Next they gave birth to the Island of Oho (Great) [-shima], another name for which is Oho-Tamaru-Wake. Next they gave birth to the Island of Hime (Princess, Maiden), another name for which is Ame-hito-tsu-ne (Heaven's-One-Root). Next they gave birth to the Island of Chika, another name for which is Ame-no-oshi-wo (Heavenly-Great-Male). Next they gave birth to the Island[s] of Futa-go (Twins), another name for which is Ame-futa-ya (Heaven's-Two-Houses). (Six islands in all from the Island of Ko in Kibi to the Island of Heaven's-Two-Houses.)

[SECT.VI.--BIRTH OF THE VARIOUS DEITIES.]
Whey they had finished giving birth to countries, they began afresh giving birth to Deities. So the name of the Deity they gave birth to was Oho-koto-oshi-wo-no-kami (Deity Great-Male-of-the-Great-Thing); next they gave birth to Ika-tsuchi-biko-no-kami (Deity Rock-Earth-Prince); next they gave birth to Iha-zu-bime-no-kami (Deity Rock-Nest-Princess); next they gave birth to Oho-to-bi-wake-no-kami (Deity Great-Door-Sun-Youth); next they gave birth to Ame-no-fuki-wo-no-kami (Deity Heavenly-Blowing-Male); next they gave birth to Oho-ya-biko-no-kami (Deity Great-House-Prince); next they gave birth to Kaza-ge-tsu-wake-no-oshi-wo-no-kami (Deity Youth-of-the-Wind-Breath-the-Great-Male); next they gave birth to the Sea-Deity, whose name is Oho-wata-tsu-mi-no-kami (Deity Great-Ocean-Possessor); next they gave birth to the Deity of the Water-Gates, whose name is Haya-aki-dsu-hiko (Deity Prince-of-Swift-Autumn); next they gave birth to his wife Haya-aki-dsu-hime-no-kami (Deity of Princess-of-Swift-Autumn). (Ten Deities in all from the Deity Great-Male-of-the-Great-Thing to the Deity Princess-of-Swift-Autumn.) The names of the Deities given birth to by these two Deities Prince-of-Swift-Autumn and Princess-of-Swift Autumn from their separate dominions of river and sea were: Awa-nagi-no-kami (Deity Foam-Calm); next Awa-nami-no-kami (Deity Foam-Waves); next Tsura-nagi-no-kami (Deity Bubble-Calm); next Tsura-nami-no-kami (Deity Bubble-Waves); next Ame-no-mi-kumari-no-kami (Deity Heavenly-Water-Divider); next Kuni-no-mi-kumari-no-kami (Deity Earthly-Water-Divider); next Ame-no-ku-hiza-mochi-no-kami (Deity Heavenly-Water-Drawing-Gourd-Possessor); next Kuni-no-ku-hiza-mochi-no-kami (Deity Earthly-Water-Drawing-Gourd-Possessor). (Eight Deities in all from the Deity Foam-Prince to the Deity Earthly-Water-Drawing-Gourd-Possessor.) Next they gave birth to the Deity of Wind, whose name is Shina-tsu-hiko-no-kami (Deity Prince-of-Long-Wind). Next they gave birth to the Deity of Trees, whose name is Kuku-no-chi-no-kami (Deity Stem-Elder). Next they gave birth to the Deity of Mountains, whose name is Oho-yama-tsu-no-kami (Deity Great-Mountain-Possessor). Next they gave birth to the Deity of Moors, whose name is Kaya-nu-hime-no-kami (Deity Thatch-Moor-Princess), another name for whom is Nu-dzu-chi-no-kami (Deity Moor-Elder). (Four Deities in all from the Deity Prince-of-Long-Wind to the Deity Moor-Elder.) The names of the Deities given birth to by these two Deities, the Deity Great-Mountain-Possessor and the Deity Moor-Elder from their separate dominions of mountain and moor were: Ame-no-sa-dzu-chi-no-kami (Deity Heavenly-Elder-of-the-Passes); next Kuni-no-sa-dzu-chi-no-kami (Deity Earthly-Elder-of-the-Passes); next Ame-no-sa-giri-no-kami (Deity Heavenly-Pass-Boundary), next Kuni-no-sa-giri-no-kami (Deity Earthly-Pass-Boundary); next Ame-no-kura-do-no-kami (Deity Heavenly-Dark-Door); next Kuni-no-kura-do-no-kami (Deity Earthly-Dark-Door); next Oho-tomato-hiko-no-kami (Deity Great-Vale-Prince); next Oho-tomato-hime-no-kami (Deity Great-Vale-Princess). (Eight Deities in all from the Deity Heavenly-Elder-of-the-Passes to the Deity Great-Vale-Princess.) The name of the Deity they next gave birth to was Tori-no-iha-kusa-bune-no-kami (Deity Bird's-Rock-Camphor-tree-Boat), another name for whom is Ame-no-tori-bune (Heavenly-Bird-Boat). Next they gave birth to Oho-getsu-hime-no-kami (Deity Princess-of-the-Great-Food; homonymous with the alternative personal name of the Island of Aha). Next they gave birth to Hi-no-haya-yagi-wo-no-kami (Fire-Burning-Swift-Male-Deity), another name for whom is Hi-no-kaga-biko-no-kami (Deity Fire-Shining-Prince), another name for whom is Hi-no-kagu-tsuchi-no-kami (Deity Fire-Shining-Elder).

[SECT.VII.--RETIREMENT OF HER AUGUSTNESS THE PRINCESS-WHO-INVITES.]
Through giving birth to this child her august private parts were burnt, and she sickened and lay down. The names of the Deities born from her vomit were Kana-yama-biko-no-kami (Deity Metal-Mountain-Prince) and next Kana-yama-bime-no-kami (Deity Metal-Mountain-Princess). The names of the Deities that were born from her feces were Hani-yasu-biko-no-kami (Deity Clay-Viscid-Prince) and next Hani-yasu-bime-no-kami (Deity Clay-Viscid-Princess). The names of the Deities that were next born from her urine were the Deity Mitsuhanome and next Waku-musu-bi-no-kami (Young-Wondrous-Producing-Deity). The child of this Deity was called Toyo-uke-bime-no-kami (Deity Luxuriant-Food-Princess). So the Deity the Female-Who-Invites, through giving birth to the Deity-of-Fire, at length divinely retired (i.e. died). (Eight Deities in all from the Heavenly-Bird Boat to the Deity Luxuriant-Food-Princess.) The total number of islands given birth to jointly by the two Deities the Male-Who-Invites and the Female-Who-Invites was fourteen, and of Deities thirty-five. (These are such as were given birth to before the Deity Princess-Who-Invites divinely retired. Only the Island of Onogoro was not given birth to--this island was not born, but arose, spontaneously from drops of brine--and moreover the Leech-Child (Hiru-ko) and the Island of Awa are not reckoned among the children.) So then His Augustness the Male-Who-Invites said: "Oh! Thine Augustness my lovely wife! Oh! That I should have exchanged thee for this single child!" And as he crept round her august pillow, and as he crept round her august feet and wept, there was born from his august tears the Deity that dwells at Konomoto near Unewo on Mount Kagu, and whose name is Naki-saha-me-no-kami (Crying-Weeping-Female-Deity). So he buried the divinely retired (i.e. died) Deity the Female-Who-Invites on Mount Hiba at the boundary of the Land of Idzumo and the Land of Hahaki.

[SECT.VIII.--THE SLAYING OF THE FIRE-DEITY.]
Then His Augustness the Male-Who-Invites, drawing the ten-grasp sabre that was augustly girded on him, cut off the head of his child the Deity Shining-Elder. Hereupon the names of the Deities that were born from the blood that stuck to the point of the august sword and bespattered the multitudinous rock-masses were: Iha-saku-no-kami (Deity Rock-Splitter), next Ne-saku-no-kami (Deity Root-Splitter), next Iha-tsutsu-no-wo-no-kami (Rock-Possessing-Male-Deity). The names of the Deities that were next born from the blood that stuck to the upper part of the august sword and again bespattered the multitudinous rock-masses were: Mika-haya-bi-no-kami (Awfully-Swift-Deity), next Hi-haya-bi-no-kami (Fire-Swift-Deity), next Take-mika-dzu-chi-no-wo-no-kami (Brave-Awful-Possessing-Male-Deity), another name for whom is Take-futsu-no-kami (Brave-Snapping-Deity), and another name is Toyo-futsu-no-kami (Luxuriant-Snapping Deity). The names of the Deities that were next born from the blood of that collected on the hilt of the august sword and leaked out between his fingers were: the Deity Kura-okami and next the Deity Kura-mitsuha.

All the eight Deities in the above list, from the Deity Rock-Splitter to the Deity Kura-mitsuha, are Deities that were born from the august sword.

The name of the Deity that was born from the head of the Deity Shining-Elder, who had been slain was Ma-saka-yama-tsu-mi-no-kami (Deity Possessor-of-the-True-Pass-Mountains). The name of the Deity that was next born from his chest and was Odo-yama-tsu-mi-no-kami (Deity Possessor-of-Descent-Mountains). The name of the Deity that was next born from his belly was Oku-yama-tsu-mi-no-kami (Deity Possessor-of-the-Innermost Mountains). The name of the Deity that was next born from his private parts was Kura-yama-tsu-mi-no-kami (Deity Possessor-of-the-Dark-Mountains). The name of the Deity that was next born from his left hand was Shigi-yama-tsumi-no-kami (Deity Possessor-of-the-Dense[ly-Wooded]-Mountains). The name of the Deity that was next born from his right hand (or arm) was Ha-yama-tsu-mi-no-kami (Deity Possessor-of-the-Outlying-Mountains). The name of the Deity that was next born from his left foot (or leg) was Hara-yama-tsu-mi-no-kami (Deity Possessor-of-the-Moorland-Mountains). The name of the Deity that was next born from his right foot was To-yama-tsu-mi-no-kami (Deity Possessor-of-the-Outer-Mountains). (Eight Deities in all from the Deity Possessor-of-the-True-Pass-Mountains to the Deity Possessor-of-the-Outer-Mountains.) So the name of the sword with which [the Male-Who-Invites] cut off [his son's head] was Ame-no-wo-ha-bori (Heavenly-Point-Blade-Extended) and another name was Itsu-no-wo-ha-bori (Majestic Point-Blade-Extended).

[SECT.IX.--THE LAND OF HADES]
Thereupon [His Augustness the Male-Who-Invites], wishing to meet and see his wife Her Augustness the Female-Who-Invites, followed after her to the Yomo-tsu-kuni (Land of Hades). So when from the palace she raised the door and came out to meet him, His Augustness the Male-Who-Invites spoke, saying: "Thine Augustness my lovely wife! the lands that I and thou made are not yet finished making; so come back!" Then Her Augustness the Female-Who-Invites answered, saying: "Lamentable indeed that thou camest not sooner! I have eaten of the furnace of Hades (i.e., the food of Hades). Nevertheless, as I reverence the entry here of Thine Augustness my lovely husband, I wish to return (q.d., with thee to the land of the living). Moreover, I will discuss it particularly with Yomo-tsu-kami (Deities of Hades). Look not at me!" Having thus spoken, she went back inside the palace; and as she tarried there very long, he could not wait. So having taken and broken off one of the end-teeth of the multitudinous and close-toothed comb stuck in the august left bunch [of his hair], he lit one light and went in and looked. Maggots were swarming, and [she was] rotting, and in her head dwelt Oho-ikadzuchi (Great-Thunder), in her breast dwelt Ho-no-ikadzuchi(Fire-Thunder), in her left hand (or arm) dwelt Waki-ikadzuchi (Young-Thunder), in her right hand (or arm) dwelt Tsuchi-ikadzuchi (Earth-Thunder), in her left foot (or leg) dwelt Naru-ikadzuchi (Rumbling-Thunder), in her right foot (or leg) dwelt Fushi-ikadzuchi (Couchant-Thunder):--altogether eight Thunder-Deities had been born and dwelt there. Hereupon His Augustness the Male-Who-Invites, overawed at the sight, fled back, whereupon his wife Her Augustness the Female-Who-Invites said: "Thou hast put me to shame," and at once sent Yomo-tsu-shiko-me (Ugly-Female-of-Hades) to pursue him. So His Augustness the Male-Who-Invites took his black august head-dress and cast it down, and it instantly turned into grapes. While she picked them up and ate them, he fled on; but as she still pursued him, he took and broke the multitudinous and close-toothed comb in the right bunch [of his hair] and cast it down, and it instantly turned into bamboo-sprouts. While she pulled them up and ate them, he fled on. Again later [his wife] sent the eight Thunder-Deities with a thousand and five hundred warriors of Hades to pursue him. So he, drawing the ten-grasp sabre that was augustly girded on him, fled forward brandishing it in his back hand; and as they still pursued, he took, on reaching the base of theYomo-tsu-hira-saka (Even Pass of Hades), three pearches that were growing at its base, and waited and smote [his pursuers therewith], so that they all fled back. Then His Augustness the Male-Who-Invites announced to the peaches: "Like as ye have helped me, so must ye help all living people in the Ashihara-no-Nakatsu-kuni (Central Land of Reed-Plains) when they shall fall into troublous circumstances and be harassed!"--and he gave [to the peaches] the designation of Oho-kamu-dzumi-no-mikoto (Their Augustnesses Great-Divine-Fruit). Last of all his wife Her Augustness the Princess-Who-Invites came out herself in pursuit. So he drew a thousand-draught rock, and [with it] blocked up the Even Pass of Hades, and placed the rock in the middle; and they stood opposite to one another and exchanged leave-takings; and Her Augustness the Female-Who-Invites said: "My lovely husband, Thine Augustness! If thou do like this, I will in one day strangle to death a thousand of the folks of thy land." Then His Augustness the Male-Who-Invites replied: "My lovely wife, Thine Augustness! If thou do this, I will in one day set up a thousand and five hundred parturition-houses. In this manner each day a thousand people would surely be born." So Her Augustness the Female-Who-Invites is called Yomo-tsu-oho-kami (Great-Deity-of-Hades). Again it is said that, owing to her having pursued and reached [her elder brother], she is called Chi-shiki-no-oho-kami (Road-Reaching-Great-Deity). Again the rock with which he blocked up the Pass of Hades is called Chi-gaheshi-no-oho-kami (Great-Deity-of-the-Road-Turning-back), and again it is called Sayari-masu-yomi-do-no-oho-kami (Blocking-Great-Deity-of-the-Door-of-Hades). So what was called the Even-Pass-of-Hades is now called the Ifuya-Pass in the Land of Idzumo.

[SECT.X.--THE PURIFICATION OF THE AUGUST PERSON.]
Therefore the Great Deity the Male-Who-Invites said: "Nay! hideous! I have come to a hideous and polluted land,--I have! So I will perform the purification of my august person." So he went out to a plain [covered with] ahagi at a small river-mouth near Tachibana in Himuka in [the island of] Tsukushi, and purified and cleansed himself. So the name of the Deity that was born from the august staff which he threw down was Tsuki-tatsu-funa-do-no-kami (Deity Thrust-Erect-Come-Not-Place). The name of the Deity that was born from the august girdle which he next threw down was Michi-no-naga-chiha-no-kami (Deity Road-Long-Space). The name of the Deity that was born from the august skirt which he next threw down wasToki-okashi-no-kami (Deity Loosen-Put). The name of the Deity that was born from the august upper garment which he next threw down was Wadzurahi-no-ushi-no-kami (Deity Master-of-Trouble). The name of the Deity that was born from the august trousers which he next threw down was Chi-mata-no-kami (Road-Fork-Deity). The name of the Deity that was born from the august hat which he next threw down was Aki-guhi-no-ushi-no-kami (Deity Master-of-the-Open-Mouth). The names of the Deities that were born from the bracelet of his august left hand (or arm) which he next threw down were Oki-zakaru-no-kami (Deities Offing-Distant), next Oki-tsu-nagisa-biko-no-kami (Deity Wash-Prince-of-the-Offing), next Oki-tsu-kahi-bera-no-kami (Deity Intermediate-Direction-of-the-Offing). The names of the Deities that were born from the bracelet of his august right hand which he next threw down were: He-zakaru-no-kami (Deity Shore-Distant), next He-tsu-nagisa-biko-no-kami (Deity Wash-Prince-of-the-Shore), next He-tsu-kahi-bera-no-kami (Deity Intermediate-Direction-of-the-Shore).

The twelve Deities mentioned in the foregoing list from the Deity Come-Not-Place down to the Deity Intermediate-Direction-of-the-Shore are Deities that were born from his taking off the things that were on his person.

Thereupon saying: "The water in the upper reach is [too] rapid; the water in the lower reach is [too] sluggish," he went down and plunged in the middle reach; and, as he washed, there was first born Ya-so-maga-tsu-bi-no-kami (Wondrous-Deity-of-Eighty-Evils), and next Oho-maga-tsu-bi-no-kami (Wondrous-Deity-of-Great-Evils). These two Deities are the Deities that were born from the filth [he contracted] when he went to that polluted, hideous land. The names of the Deities that were next born to rectify those evils were: Kamu-naho-bi-no-kami (Divine-Rectifying-Wondrous-Deity), next Oho-naho-bi-no-kami (Great-Rectifying-Wondrous-Deity), next Idzu-no-me-no-kami (Female-Deity-Idzu). The names of the Deities that were next born, as he bathed at the bottom of the water, were: Soko-tsu-wata-tsu-mi-no-kami (Deity Possessor-of-the-Ocean-Bottom), and next Soko-dzutsu-no-wo-no-mikoto (His Augustness Elder-Male-of-the-Bottom). The names of the Deities that were born as he bathed in the middle [of the water] were: Naka-tsu-wata-tsu-mi-no-kami (Deity Possessor-of-the-Ocean-Middle), and next Naka-dzutsu-no-wo-no-mikoto (His Augustness Elder-Male-of-the-Middle). The names of the Deities that were born as he bathed at the top of the water were Uha-tsu-wata-tsu-mi-no-kami (Deity Possessor-of-the-Ocean-Surface), and next Uha-dzutsu-no-wo-no-mikoto (His Augustness Elder-Male-of-the-Surface). These three Ocean-Possessing Deities are the Deities held in reverence as their ancestral Deities by the Chiefs of Adzumi. So the Chiefs of Adzumi are the descendants of His Augustness Utsushi-hi-gana-saku, a child of these Ocean-Possessing Deities. These three Deities His Augustness Elder-Male-of-the-Bottom, His Augustness Elder-Male-of-the-Middle, and His Augustness Elder-Male-of-the-Surface are the three Great Deities of the Inlet of Sumi. The name of the Deity that was born as he thereupon washed his left august eye was Ama-terasu-oho-mi-kami (Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity). The name of the Deity that was next born as he washed his right august eye wasTsuki-yomi-no-kami (His Augustness Moon-Night Possessor). The name of the Deity that was next born as he washed his august nose was Take-haya-susa-no-wo-no-mikoto (His Brave-Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness).

The fourteen Deities in the foregoing list from the Wondrous-Deity-of-Eighty-Evils down to His Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness are Deities born from the bathing of his august person.

[SECT.XI.--INVESTITURE OF THE THREE DEITIES THE ILLUSTRIOUS AUGUST CHILDREN]
At this time His Augustness the Male-Who-Invites greatly rejoiced, saying: "I, begetting child after child, have at my final begetting gotten three illustrious children," [with which words,] at once jinglingly taking off and shaking the jewel-string forming his august necklace, he bestowed it on the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity, saying: "Do Thine Augustness rule the Plain-of-High-Heaven." With this charge he bestowed it on her. Now the name of this august necklace was Mi-kura-tana-no-kami (August-Store-house-Shelf-Deity). Next he said of His Augustness Moon-Night-Possessor: "Do Thine Augustness rule the Dominion of the 'Night.'" Thus he charged him. Next he said to His-Brave-Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness: "Do Thine Augustness rule the Sea-Plain."

[SECT.XII.--THE CRYING AND WEEPING OF HIS IMPETUOUS-MALE-AUGUSTNESS.]
So while [the other two Deities] each [assumed his and her] rule according to the command with which [their father] had deigned to charge them, His-Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness did not [assume the] rule [of] the dominion with which he had been charged, but cried and wept till his eight-grasp beard reached to the pit of his stomach. The fashion of his weeping was such as by his weeping to wither the green mountains into withered mountains, and by his weeping to dry up all the rivers and seas. For this reason the sound of bad Deities was like unto the flies in the fifth moon as they all swarmed, and in all things every portent of woe arose. So the Great August Deity the Male-Who-Invites said to His Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness: "How is it that, instead of ruling the land with which I charged thee, thou dost wail and weep?" He replied, saying: "I wail because I wish to depart to my deceased mother's land, to the Ne-no-kata-su-kuni (Nether Distant Land; i.e., Hades)." Then the Great August Deity the Male-Who-Invites was very angry and said: "If that be so, thou shall not dwell in this land," and forthwith expelled him with a divine expulsion. So the Great Deity the Male-Who-Invites dwells at Taga in Afumi.

[SECT.XIII.--THE AUGUST OATH.]
So thereupon His-Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness said: "If that be so, I will take leave of the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity, and depart." [With these words] he forthwith went up to Heaven, whereupon all the mountains and rivers shook, and every land and country quaked. So the Heaven-Shining-Great-August Deity, alarmed at the noise, said: "The reason of the ascent hither of His Augustness my brother is surely no good intent." It is only that he wishes to wrest my land from me." And she forthwith, unbinding her august hair, twisted it into august bunches; and both into the left and into the right august bunch, as likewise into her august head-dress and likewise on to her left and her right august arm, she twisted an augustly complete [string] of curved jewels eight feet [long],--of five hundred jewels, and slinging on her back a quiver holding five hundred [arrows], she likewise took and slung at her side a mighty and high[-sounding] elbow-pad, and brandished and stuck her bow upright so that the top shook, and she stamped her feet into the hard ground up to her opposing thighs, kicking away [the earth] like rotten snow, and stood valiantly like unto a mighty man, and waiting, asked: "Wherefore ascendest thou hither?" Then His-Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness replied, saying: "I have no evil intent. It is only that when the Great-August-Deity [our father] spoke, deigning to enquire the cause of my wailing and weeping, I said 'I wail because I wish to go to my deceased mother's land,'--whereupon the Great-August-Deity said: "Thou shalt not dwell in this land,' and deigned to expel me with a divine expulsion. It is therefore solely with the thought of taking leave of thee and departing, that I have ascended hither. I have no strange intentions." Then the Heaven-Shining-Great-Deity said: "If that be so, whereby shall I know the sincerity of thine intentions?" Thereupon His Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness replied, saying: "Let each of us swear and produce children." So as they then swore to each other from the opposite banks of the Ame-no-yasu-kaha (Tranquil River of Heaven), the august names of the Deities that were born from the mist [of her breath] when, having first begged His-Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness to hand her the ten-grasp sabre which was girded on him and broken it into three fragments, and with the jewels making a jingling sound having brandished and washed them in the Ame-no-ma-na-wi (True-Pool-Well of Heaven), and having crunchingly crunched them, the Heaven-Shining-Great-Deity blew them away, were Ta-kiri-bime-no-mikoto (Her Augustness Torrent-Mist-Princess), another august name for whom is Oki-tsu-shima-no-mikoto (Her Augustness Princess-of-the-Island-of-the-Offing); next Ichiki-shima-hime-no-mikoto (Her Augustness Lovely-Island-Princess), another august name for whom is Sa-yori-bime-no-mikoto (Her Augustness Good-Princess); next Tagi-tsu-hime-no-mikoto (Her Augustness Princess-of-the-Torrent). The august name of the Deity that was born from the mist [of his breath] when, having begged the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity to hand him the augustly complete [string] of curved jewels eight feet [long],--of five hundred jewels,--that was twisted in the left august bunch [of her hair], and with the jewels making a jingling sound having brandished and washed them in the True-Pool-Well of Heaven, and having crunchingly crunched them, His Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness blew them away, was Masa-ka-a-katsu-kachi-hayabi-ame-no-oshi-ho-mimi-no-mikoto (His Augustness Truly-Conquer-I-Conqueror-Conquering-Swift-Heavenly-Great-Great-Ears). The august name of the Deity that was born from the mist [of his breath] when again, having begged her to hand him the jewels that were twisted in the right august bunch [of her hair], and having crunchingly crunched them, he blew them away, was His Augustness Ame-no-hohi. The august name of the Deity that was born from the mist [of his breath] when again, having begged her to hand him the jewels that were twisted in her august head-dress, and having crunchingly crunched them, he blew them away, was Amatsu-hiko-ne-no-mikoto (His Augustness Prince-Lord-of-Heaven). The august name of the Deity that was born from the mist [of his breath] when again, having begged her to hand him the jewels that were twisted on her left august arm (or hand), and having crunchingly crunched them, he blew them away, was Iku-tsu-hiko-ne-no-mikoto (His Augustness Prince-Lord-of-Life). The august name of the Deity that was born from the mist [of his breath] when again, having begged her to hand him the jewels that were twisted on her right august arm, and having crunchingly crunched them, he blew them away, was His-Wondrous-Augustness-of-Kumanu. (Five Deities in all.)

[SECT.XIV.--THE AUGUST DECLARATION OF THE DIVISION OF THE AUGUST MALE CHILDREN AND THE AUGUST FEMALE CHILDREN.]
Hereupon the Heavenly Shining-Great-August-Deity said to His Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness: "As for the seed (i.e., origin) of the five male Deities born last, their birth was from things of mine; so undoubtedly they are my children. As for the seed of the three female Deities born first, their birth was from a thing of thine; so doubtless they are thy children." Thud did she declare the division. So Her Augustness Torrent-Mist-Princess, the Deity born first, dwells in the inner shrine of Munakata (Breast Shape, Body Shape; it is a place in the province of Chikuzen). The next, Her Augustness Lovely-Island-Princess, dwells in the middle shrine of Munakata. The next, Her Augustness Princess-of-the-Torrent, dwells in the outer (or sea-shore) shrine of Munakata. These three Deities are the three Great Deities held in reverence by the Dukes of Munakata. So His Augustness Brave-Rustic-Illuminator, child of His Augustness Ame-no-hohi, one of the five children born afterwards (this is the ancestor of Idzumo-no-kuni-no-miyatsuko [Rulers of the Land of Izumo], of Musashi-no-kuni-no-miyatsuko [Rulers of the Land of Musashi], of Kami-tsu-Unakami-no-kuni-no-miyatsuko [Rulers of the Upper Land of Unakami], of Shimo-tsu-Unakami-no-kuni-no-miyatsuko [Rulers of the Lower Land of Unakami], of Izhimu-no-kuni-no-miyatsuko [Rulers of the Land of Izhimu], of Tsushima-no-agata-no-atahe [Departmental Suzerains of the Island of Tsu] and of Toho-tsu-afumi-no-kuni-no-miyatsuko [Rulers of the Land of Tohotsu-Afumi]). The next, His Augustness Prince-Lord-of-Heaven (is the Ancestor of Ohoshi-kafuchi-no-kuni-no-miyatsuko [Rulers of the Land of Ohoshi-kafuchi], of Nukatabe-no-yuwe-no-murazhi [Chiefs of Nukatabe-no-yuwe], of Kino-kuni-no-miyatsuko [Rulers of the Land of Ki], of Tanaka-no-atahe [Suzerains of Tanaka in Yamato], of Yamashiro-no-kuni-no-miyatsuko [Rulers of the Land of Yamashiro], of Umaguta-no-kuni-no-miyatsuko [Rulers of the Land of Umaguta], of Kine-no-kuni-no-miyatsuko [Rulers of the Land of Kine] in Michi-no-Shiri, of Suhau-no-kuni-no-miyatsuko [Rulers of the Land of Suhau], of Amuchi-no-miyatsuko [Rulers of Amuchi] in Yamato, of Takechi-no-agata-nushi [Departmental Suzerains of Takechi], of Kamafu-no-inaki [Territorial Lords of Kamafu], and of Sakikusabe-no-miyatsuko [Rulers of Sakikusabe]).

[SECT.XV.--THE AUGUST RAVAGES OF HIS IMPETUOUS-MALE-AUGUSTNESS.]
Then His-Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness said to the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity: "Owing to the sincerity of my intentions I have, in begetting children, gotten delicate females. Judging from this, I have undoubtedly gained the victory." With these words, and impetuous with victory, he broke down the divisions of the ricefields laid out by the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity, filled up the ditches, and moreover strewed excrements in the palace where she partook of the great food. So, though he did thus, the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity upbraided him not, but said: "What looks like excrements must be something that His Augustness mine younger brother has vomited through drunkenness. Again, as to his breaking down the divisions of the ricefields and filling up the ditches, it must be because he grudges the land [they occupy] that His Augustness mine younger brother acts thus." But notwithstanding these apologetic words, he still continued his evil acts, and was more and more [violent]. As the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity sat in her awful weaving-hall seeing to the weaving of the august garments of the Deities, he broke a hole in the top of the weaving-hall, and through it let fall a heavenly piebald horse which he had flayed with a backward flaying, at whose sight the women weaving the heavenly garments were so much alarmed that impegerunt privatas partes adversis radiis et obierunt.

[SECT.XVI.--THE DOOR OF THE HEAVENLY ROCK-DWELLING.]
So thereupon the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity, terrified at the sight, closed [behind her] the door of the Heavenly Rock-Dwelling, made it fast, and retired. Then the whole Plain of High Heaven was obscured and all the Central Land of Reed-Plains darkened. Owing to this, eternal night prevailed. Hereupon the voices of the myriad Deities were like unto the flies in the fifth moon as they swarmed, and a myriad portents of woe all arose. Therefore did the eight hundred myriad Deities assemble in a divine asembly in the bed of the Tranquil River of Heaven, and bid Omohi-kane-no-kami (Deity Thought-Includer), child of the High-August-Producing-Wondrous-Deity think of a plan, assembling the long-singing birds of eternal night and making them sing, taking the hard rocks of Heaven from the river-bed of the Tranquil River of Heaven, and taking the iron from the Heavenly Metal-Mountains, calling in the smith Ama-tsu-ma-ra, charging Her Augustness I-shi-ko-ri-do-me to make a mirror, and charging Tama-noya-no-mi-koto (His Augustness Jewel-Ancestor) to make an augustly complete [string] of curved jewels eight feet [long],--of five hundred jewels,--and summoning Ame-no-ko-ya-ne-no-mi-koto (His Augustness Heavenly-Beckoning-Ancestor-Lord) and Futo-tama-no-mi-koto (His Augustness Great-Jewel), and causing them to pull out with a complete pulling the shoulder [-blade] of a true stag from the Heavenly Mount Kagu, and take cherrybark from the Heavenly Mount Kagu, and perform divination, and pulling up by pulling its roots a true sakaki (Japanese cypress; cleyera japonica) with five hundred [branches] from the Heavenly Mount Kagu, and taking and putting upon its upper branches the augustly complete [string] of curved jewels eight feet [long],--of five hundred jewels,--and taking and tying to the middle branches the mirror eight feet [long], and taking and hanging upon its lower branches the white pacificatory offerings and the blue pacificatory offerings, His Augustness Grand-Jewel taking these divers things and holding them together with the grand august offerings, and His Augustness Heavenly-Beckoning-Ancestor-Lord prayerfully reciting grand liturgies, and Ame-no-ta-jikara-wo-no-kami (Heavenly Hand-Strength-Male-Deity) standing hidden beside the door, and Ame-no-uzume-no-mi-koto (Her Augustness Heavenly-Alarming-Female) hanging [round her] the heavenly clubmoss of the Heavenly Mount Kagu as a sash, and making the heavenly spindle-tree her head-dress, and binding the leaves of the bamboo-grass of the Heavenly Mount Kagu in a posy for her hands, and laying a soundingboard before the door of the Heavenly Rock-Dwelling, and stamping till she made it resound and doing as if possessed by a Deity, and pulling out the nipples of her breasts, pushing down her skirt-string usque ad privates partes. Then the Plain of High Heaven shook, and the eight hundred myriad Deities laughed together. Hereupon the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity was amazed, and, slightly opening the door of the Heavenly Rock-Dwelling, spoke thus from the inside: "Methought that owing to my retirement the Plain of Heaven would be dark, and likewise the Central Land of Reed-Plains would all be dark: how then is it that the Heavenly-Alarming-Female makes merry, and that likewise the eight hundred myriad Deities all laugh?" Then the Heavenly-Alarming-Female spoke saying: "We rejoice and are glad because there is a Deity more illustrious than Thine Augustness." While she was thus speaking, His Augustness Heavenly-Beckoning-Ancestor-Lord and His Augustness Grand-Jewel pushed forward the mirror and respectfully showed it to the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity, whereupon the Heavenly-Shining-Great-August-Deity, more and more astonished, gradually came forth from the door and gazed upon it, whereupon the Heavenly-Hand-Strength-Male-Deity, who was standing hidden, took her august back, and spoke, saying: "Thou must not go back further in than this!" So when the Heavenly-Shining-Great-August-Deity had come forth, both the Plain of High Heaven and the Central-Land-of-Reed-Plains of course again became light.

[SECT.XVII.--THE AUGUST EXPULSION OF HIS-IMPETUOUS-MALE-AUGUSTNESS.]
Thereupon the eight hundred myriad Deities took counsel together, and imposed on High-Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness a fine of a thousand tables (i.e., an immense fine), and likewise cut his beard, and even caused the nails of his fingers and toes to be pulled out, and expelled him with a divine expulsion. Again he begged food of Oho-ge-tsu-hime-no-kami (Deity Princess-of-Great-Food). Then the Princess-of-Great-Food took out all sorts of dainty things from her nose, her mouth, and her fundament, and made them up into all sorts [of dishes], which she offered to him. But His-Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness watched her proceedings, considered that she was offering up to him filth, and at once killed the Deity Princess-of-Great-Food. So the things that were born in the body of the Deity who had been killed were [as follows]: in her head were born silkworms, in her two eyes were born rice-seeds, in her two cars was born millet (Panicum Italicum), in her nose were born small beans (Phaseolus Radiatus), in her private parts was born barley (or less probably wheat), in her fundament were born large beans (Soja Glycine). So Kami-musu-bi-mi-oya-no-mikoto (His Augustness the Deity-Producing-Wondrous-Ancestor) caused them to be taken and used as seeds.

[SECT.XVIII.--THE EIGHT-FORKED SERPENT.]
So, having been expelled, [His-Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness] descended to a place [called] Tori-kami at the head-waters of the River Hi in the Land of Idzumo. At this time some chopsticks came floating down the stream. So His-Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness, thinking that there must be people at the head-waters of the river, went up it in quest of them, when he came upon an old man and an old woman--two of them,--who had a young girl between them, and were weeping. Then he deigned to ask: "Who are ye?" So the old man replied, saying: "I am an Earthly Deity, child of Oho-yama-tsu-mi-no-kami (Deity Great-Mountain-Possessor). I am called by the name of Ashi-nadzu-chi (Foot-Stroking-Elder), my wife is called by the name of Te-nadzu-chi (Hand-Stroking-Elder), and my daughter is called by the name of Kushi-[I]nada-hime (Wondrous-Inada-Princess). Again he asked: "What is the cause of your crying?" [The old man answered,] saying: "I had originally eight young girls as daughters. But the eight-forked serpent of Koshi has come every year and devoured [one], and it is now its time to come, wherefore we weep." Then he asked him: "What is its form like?" [The old man] answered, saying: "Its eyes are like akahagachi, its has one body with eight heads and eight tails. Moreover on its body grows moss, and also chamaecyparis and cryptomerias. Its length extends over eight valleys and eight hills, and if one look at its belly, it is all constantly bloody and inflamed." (What is called here akahagachi is the modern hohozuki [Physalis Alkekengi].) Then His-Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness said to the old man: "If this be thy daughter, wilt thou offer her to me?" He replied, saying: "With reverence, but I know not thine august name." Then he replied, saying: "I am younger brother to the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity. So I have now descended from Heaven." Then the Deities Foot-Stroking-Elder and Hand-Stroking-Elder said: "If that be so, with reverence will we offer [her to thee]." So His-Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness, at once taking and changing the young girl into a multitudinous and close-toothed comb which he stuck into his august hair-bunch, said to the Deities Foot-Stroking-Elder and Hand-Stroking-Elder: "Do you distill some eight-fold refined liquor? Also make a fence round about, in that fence make eight gates, at each gate tie [together] eight platforms, on each platform put a liquor-vat, and into each vat pour the eight-fold refined liquor, and wait." So as they waited after having thus prepared everything in accordance with his bidding, the eight-forked serpent came truly as [the old man] had said, and immediately dipped a head into each vat, and drank the liquor. Thereupon it was intoxicated with drinking, and all [the heads] lay down and slept. Then His-Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness drew the ten-grasp sabre, that was augustly girded on him, and cut the serpent in pieces, so that the River Hi flowed on changed into a river of blood. So when he cut the middle tail, the edge of his august sword broke. Then, thinking it strange, he thrust into and split [the flesh] with the point of his august sword and looked, and there was a great sword [within]. So he took this great sword, and, thinking it a strange thing, he respectfully informed the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity. This is the Kusa-nagi no tachi (Herb-Quelling Great Sword).

[SECT.XIX.--THE PALACE OF SUGA.]
So thereupon His Swift-Impetuous-Male-Augustness sought in the land of Idzumo for a place where he might build a palace. Then he arrived at a place [called] Suga, and said: "On coming to this place my august heart is pure," and in that place he built a palace to dwell in. So that place is now called Suga. When this Great Deity first built the palace of Suga, clouds rose up thence. Then he made an august song. That song said:

Ya-kumo tatsu
Idzu-mo ya-he-gaki:
Tsuma-gome ni
Ya-he-gaki tsukuru--
Sono ya-he-gaki wo!
("Eight clouds arise.
The eight-fold fence of Idzumo
makes an eight-fold fence
for the spouses to retire [within].
Oh! That eight-fold fence.")
Then he called the Deity Foot-Stroking-Elder and said: "Thee do I appoint Headman of my palace;" and moreover bestowed on him the name of Inada-no-miya-nushi　Suga-no-ya-tsu-mimi-no-kami (Master-of-the-Temple-of-Inada-Eight-Eared-Deity-of-Suga).

[SECT.XX.--THE AUGUST ANCESTORS OF THE DEITY-MASTER-OF-THE-GREAT-LAND.]
Quare, quum incepit in thalamo [opus procreationis] cum Mira-Hera-Inada, procreavit Deum nomine Ya-shima-zhi-nu-mi (Eight-Island Ruler). And again, having wedded Kamu-oho-ichi-hime (Divine-Princess-of-Great-Majesty), daughter of the Deity Great-Mountain-Possessor, he begot children: Oho-toshi-no-kami (Great-Harvest Deity) and Uka-no-mi-tama (August-Spirit-of-Food). The elder brother the Deity Eight-Island-Ruler wedded Ko-no-hana-chiru-hime (Princess-Falling-Like-the-Flowers-of-the-Trees), daughter of the Deity Great-Mountain-Possessor, and begot a child: Fuha-no-moji-ku-nu-su-no-kami (Deity Fuha-no-moji-Ku-nu-su-nu). This Deity wedded Hi-kaha-mime (Princess Hikaha), daughter of the Deity Okami, and begot a child: Fuka-buchi-no-midzu-yare-hana (Water-Spoilt-Blossom-of-Fuka-buchi). This Deity wedded Ame-no-tsudohe-chi-ne-no-kami (Deity Ame-no-tsudohe-chi-ne), and begot a child: O-midzu-nu-no-kami (Deity Great-Water-Master). This Deity wedded Fute-mimi-no-kami (Deity Grand-Ears), daughter of Funu-dzu-nu-no-kami (Deity Funu-dzu-nu), and begot a child: Ame-no-fuyu-kinu-no-kami (Deity Heavenly-Brandishing-Prince-Lord). This Deity wedded Sasu-kuni-wake-hime (Young-Princess-of-the-Small-Country), daughter of Sasu-kuni-oho-[no-] kami (Great-Deity-of-the-Small-Country), and begot a child: Oho-kuni-nushi-no-kami (Deity Master-of-the-Great-Land), another name for whom is Oho-na-muji-no-kami (Deity Great-Name-Possessor), and another name is Ashi-hara-shiko-wo-no-kami (Deity-of-the-Reed-Plains), and another name is Yachi-hoko-no-kami (Deity of Eight-Thousand-Spears), and another name is Utsushi-kuni-tama-no-kami (Deity-Spirit-of-the-Living-Land). In all there were five names.

[SECT.XXI.--THE HARE OF INABA.]
So this Deity Master-of-the-Great-Land had eighty Deities his brethren; but they all left the land to the Deity Master-of-the-Great-Land. The reason for their leaving it was this: Each of these eighty Deities had in his heart the wish to marry Yakami-hime (Princess of Yakami) in Inaba, and they went together to Inaba, putting their bag on [the back of] the Deity Great-Name-Possessor, whom they took with them as an attendant. Hereupon, when they arrived at Cape Keta, [they found] a naked hare lying down. Then the eighty Deities spoke to the hare, saying: "What thou shouldest do is to bathe in the sea-water here, and lie on the slope of a high mountain exposed to the blowing of the wind." So the hare followed the instructions of the eighty Deities, and lay down. Then, as the sea-water dried, the skin of its body all split with the blowing of the wind, so that it lay weeping with pain. But the Deity Great-Name-Possessor, who came last of all, saw the hare, and said: "Why liest thou weeping?" The hare replied, saying: "I was in the Island of Oki, and wished to cross over to this land, but had no means of crossing over. For this reason I deceived the crocodiles of the sea, saying: 'Let you and me compete, and compute the numbers of our [respective] tribes. So do you go and fetch every member of your tribe, and make them all lie in a row across from this island to Cape Keta. Then I will tread on them, and count them as I run across. Hereby shall we know whether it or my tribe is the larger.' Upon my speaking thus, they were deceived and lay down in a row, and I trod on them and counted them as I came across, and was just about to get on land, when I said: 'You have been deceived by me.' As soon as I had finished speaking, the crocodile who lay the last of all seized me and stripped off all my clothing. As I was weeping and lamenting for this reason, the eighty Deities who went by before [thee] commanded and exhorted me, saying: 'Bathe in the salt water, and lie down exposed to the wind.' So, on my doing as they had instructed me, my whole body was hurt." Thereupon the Deity Great-Name-Possessor instructed the hare, saying: "Go quickly now to the river-mouth, wash thy body with the fresh water, then take the pollen of the sedges [growing] at the river-mouth, spread it about, and roll about upon it, whereupon thy body will certainly be restored to its original state." So [the hare] did as it was instructed, and its body became as it had been originally. This was the White Hare of Inaba. It is now called the Hare Deity. So the hare said to the Deity Great-Name-Possessor: "These eighty Deities shall certainly not get the Princess of Yakami. Though thou bearest the bag, Thine Augustness shall obtain her."

[SECT.XXII.--MOUNT TEMA.]
Thereupon the Princess of Yakami answered the eighty Deities, saying: "I will not listen to your words. I mean to marry the Deity Great-Name-Possessor." So the eighty Deities, being enraged, and wishing to slay the Deity Great-Name-Possessor, took counsel together, on arriving at the foot of Tema in the land of Hahaki, and said [to him]: "On this mountain there is a red boar. So when we drive it down, do thou wait and catch it. If thou do not wait and catch it, we will certainly slay thee." Having [thus] spoken, they took fire, and burnt a large stone like unto a boar, and rolled it down. Then, as [they] drove it down and [he] caught it, he got stuck to and burnt by the stone, and died. Thereupon Her Augustness his august parent cried and lamented, and went up to Heaven, and entered Kami-musu-bi-no-mikoto (His Divine-Producing-Wondrous-Augustness), who at once sent Kisa-gahi-hime (Princess Cockle-Shell) and Umugi-hime (Princess Clam") to bring him to life. Then Princess Cockle-Shell triturated and scorched [her shell], and Princess Clam carried water and smeared [him] as with mother's (or nurse's) milk, whereupon he became a beautiful young man, and wandered off. Hereupon the eighty Deities, seeing [this], again deceived him, taking him with them into the mountains, where they cut down a large tree, inserted a wedge in the tree, and made him stand in the middle, whereupon they took away the wedge and tortured him to death. Then on Her Augustness his august parent again seeking him with cries, she perceived him, and at once cleaving the tree, took him out and brought him to life, and said to him: "If thou remain here, thou wilt at last be destroyed by the eighty Deities." Then she sent him swiftly off to the august place of Oha-ya-biko-no-kami (Deity Great-House-Prince) in the land of Ki. Then when the eighty Deities searched and pursued till they came up to him, and fixed their arrows [in their bows], he escaped by dipping under the fork of a tree, and disappeared.

[SECT.XXIII.--THE NETHER-DISTANT-LAND.]
[The Deity Great-House-Prince spoke to him] saying: "Thou must set off to the Nether-Distant-Land where dwells His Impetuous-Male-Augustness. That Great Deity will certainly counsel thee." So on his obeying her command and arriving at the august place of His Impetuous-Male-Augustness, the latter's daughter Suseri-bime (Forward-Princess) came out and saw him, and they exchanged glances and were married, and [she] went in again, and told her father, saying: "A very beautiful Deity has come." Then the Great Deity went out and looked, and said: "This is the Ugly-Male-Deity-of-the-Reed-Plain," and at once calling him in, made him sleep in the snake-house. Hereupon his wife, Her Augustness the Forward-Princess, gave her husband a snake-scarf (i.e., a scarf by waving which he might keep off the snakes), saying: "When the snakes are about to bite thee, drive them away by waving this scarf thrice." So, on his doing as she had instructed, the snakes became quiet, so that he came forth after calm slumbers. Again on the night of the next day [the Impetuous-Male-Deity] put him into the centipede- and wasp-house; but as she again gave him a centipede- and wasp-scarf, and instructed him as before, he came forth calmly. Again [the Impetuous-Male-Deity] shot a whizzing barb into the middle of a large moor, and sent him to fetch the arrow, and, when he had entered the moor, at once set fire to the moor all round. Thereupon, while he [stood] knowing no place of exit, a mouse came and said: "The inside is hollow-hollow; the outside is narrow-narrow." Owing to its speaking thus, he trod on the place, whereupon he fell in and hid himself, during which time the fire burnt past. Then the mouse brought out in its mouth and presented to him the whizzing barb. The feathers of the arrow were brought in their mouths by all the mouse's children. Hereupon his wife the Forward-Princess came bearing mourning-implements, and crying. Her father the Great Deity, thinking that [the Deity-Great-Name-Possessor] was already dead and done for, went out and stood on the moor, whereupon [the Deity Great-Name-Possessor] brought the arrow and presented it to him, upon which [the Great Deity], taking him into the house and calling him into an eight-foot spaced large room, made him take the lice off his head. So, on looking at the head [he saw that] there were many centipedes [there]. Thereupon, as his wife gave to her husband berries of the muku tree (Aphananthe Aspera) and red earth, he chewed the berries to pieces, and spat them out with the red earth which he held in his mouth, so that the Great Deity believed him to be chewing up and spitting out the centipedes, and, feeling fond [of him] in his heart, fell asleep. Then [the Deity Great-Name-Possessor], grasping the Great Deity's hair, tied it fast to the various rafters of the house, and, blocking up the floor of the house with a five hundred draught rock, and taking his wife the Forward-Princess on his back, then carried off the Great Deity's great life-sword and life-bow-and-arrows, as also his heavenly speaking-lute, and ran out. But the heavenly speaking-lute brushed against a tree, and the earth resounded. So the Great Deity, who was sleeping, started at the sound, and pulled down the house. But while he was disentangling his hair which was tied to the rafters, [the Deity Great-Name-Possessor] fled a long way. So then, pursuing after him to the Even Pass of Hades, and gazing on him from afar, he called out to the Deity Great-Name-Possessor, saying: "With the great life-sword and the life-bow-and-arrows which thou carriest, pursue thy half-brethen till they crouch on the august slopes of the passes, and pursue them till they are swept into the reaches of the rivers, and do thou, wretch! became Oho-kuni-nushi (Deity Master-of-the-Great-Land); and moreover, becoming the Deity Spirit-of-the-Living-Land, and making my daughter the Forward-Princess thy consort, do thou make stout the temple-pillars at the foot of Mount Uka in the nethermost rock-bottom, and make high the cross-beams to the Plain-of-High-Heaven, and dwell [thee], thou villian!" So when, bearing the great sword and bow, he pursued and scattered the eighty Deities, he did pursue them till they crouched on the august slope of every pass, he did pursue them till they were swept into every river, and then he began to make the land. Quamobrem Hera Yamaki, secundum anterius pactum, [cum eo] in thalamo coivit. So he brought her with him; but, fearing his consort the Forward-Princess, she stuck into the fork of a tree the child that she had borne, and went back. So the child was called by the name of Ki-no-mata-no-kami (Tree-Fork-Deity), and another name was Mi-wi-no-kami (Deity-of-August-Wells).

[SECT.XXIV.--THE WOOING OF THE DEITY-OF-EIGHT-THOUSAND-SPEARS.]
This Yachi-hoko-no-kami (Deity-of-Eight-Thousand-Spears), when he went forth to woo Nuna-kawa-hime (Princess of Lagoon-River), in the land of Koshi, on arriving at the house of the Princess of Lagoon-River sang, saying:

"[I] His Augustness the Deity-of-Eight
Thousand-Spears, having been unable to
find a spouse in the Land of the Eight
Islands, and having heard that in the far-
off Land of Koshi there is a wise maiden,
having heard that there is a beauteous
maiden, I am standing [here] to truly woo
her, I am going backwards and forwards
to woo her. Without having yet untied
even the cord of my sword, without hav-
ing yet untied even my veil, I push back the
plank-door shut by the maiden; while I am
standing [here], I put it forward. While I
am standing [here], the nuye sings upon the
green mountain, and [the voice of] the true
bird of the moor, the pheasant, resounds;
the bird of the yard, the cock, crows. Oh!
the pity that [the] birds should sing! Oh!
these birds! Would that I could beat them
till they were sick!  Oh! swiftly-flying
heaven-racing messenger, the tradition
of the thing, too, this!"
Then the Princess of Lagoon-River, without yet opening the door, sang from the inside saying:--

"Thine Augustness the Deity-of-Eight-
Thousand-Spears! Being a maiden like a
drooping plant, my heart is just a bird on a
sand-bank by the shore; it will now indeed
be a dotterel. Afterwards it will be a gentle
bird; so as for thy life, do not deign to die.
Oh! swiftly-flying heaven-racing messen-
ger! the tradition of the thing, too, this!"


[Second Song of the Princess]

"When the sun shall hide behind the green
mountains, in the night [black as] the
true jewels of the moor will I come forth.
Coming radiant with smiles like the
morning sun, [thine] arms white as rope
of paper-mulberry-bark shall softly pat
[my] breast soft as the melting snow; and
patting [each other] interlaced, stretching
out and pillowing [ourselves] on [each
other's] jewel-arms,--true jewel-arms,--and
with outstretched legs, will we sleep. So
speak not too lovingly. Thine Augustness
the Deity-of-Eight-Thousand-Spears!
The tradition of the thing, too, this!"
Quamobrem ea nocte non coierunt, sed sequentis diei nocte auguste coierunt.

[SECT.XXV.--THE CUP PLEDGE.]
Again this Deity's Chief Empress, Her Augustness the Forward-Princess, was very jealous. So the Deity her husband, being distressed, was about to go up from Idzumo to the Land of Yamato; and as he stood attired, with one august hand on the saddle of his august horse and one august foot in the august stirrup, he sang, saying:

"When I take and attire myself so carefully
in my august garments black as the true
jewels of the moor, and, like the birds of
the offing, look at my breast,--though I
raise my fins, [I say that] these are not
good, and cast them off on the waves on
the beach. When I take and attire myself
so carefully in my august garments green
as the kingfisher, and, like the birds of the
offing, look at my breast,--though I raise
my fins, [I say that] these, too, are not
good, and cast them off on the waves on
the beach. When I take and attire myself
so carefully in my raiment dyed in the sap
of the dye-tree, the pounded madder
sought in the mountain fields, and, like the
birds of the offing, look at my breast,--
though I raise my fins, [I say that] they are
good. My dear young sister, Thine Augustness!
Though thou say that thou will not weep,--
if like the flocking birds, I flock and depart,
if, like the led birds, I am led away and
depart, thou wilt hang down thy head like
a single eulalia upon the mountain and thy
weeping shall indeed rise as the mist of
the morning shower. Thine Augustness
[my] spouse like the young herbs! The
tradition of the thing, too, this!"
Then his Empress, taking a great august liquor-cup, and drawing near and offering it to him, sang, saying:--

"Oh! Thine Augustness the Deity-of-Eight-
Thousand-Spears! [Thou], my [dear] Mas-
ter-of-the-Great-Land indeed, being a man,
probably hast on the various island-head-
lands that thou seest, and on every beach-
headland that thou lookest on, a wife like
the young herbs. But as for me alas! being
a woman, I have no man except thee; I
have no spouse except thee. Beneath the
fluttering of the ornamented fence, beneath
the softness of the warm coverlet, beneath
the rustling of the cloth coverlet, [thine]
arms white as rope of paper-mulberry bark
softly patting [my] breast soft as the melt-
ing snow, and patting [each other] inter-
laced, stretching out and pillowing [our-
selves] on [each other's arms],--true
jewel-arms, and with outstretched legs, will
we sleep. Lift up the luxuriant august liquor!"
She having thus sung, they at once pledged [each other] by the cup with [their hands] on [each other's] necks, and are at rest till the present time. These are called divine words.

[SECT.XXVI.--THE DEITIES THE AUGUST DESCENDANTS OF THE DEITY MASTER-OF-THE-GREAT-LAND.]
So this Deity Master-of-the-Great-Land wedded Her Augustness Torrent-Mist-Princess, the Deity dwelling in the inner temple of Munakata, and begot children: Aji-shiki-taka-hiko-ne-no-kami (Deity Aji-shiki-taka-hiko-ne), next his younger sister Taka-hime-no-mikoto (Her Augustness High-Princess), another name for whom is Shita-teru-hime-no-mikoto (Her Augustness Princess Under-Shining). This Deity Aji-shiki-taka-hiko-ne is he who is now called the Great August Deity of Kamo. Again the Deity Master-of-the-Great-Land wedded Kamu-ya-tate-hime-no-mikoto (Her Augustness Princess Divine-House-Shield) and begot a child: Koto-shiro-nushi-no-kami (Deity Thing-Sign-Master). Again he wedded Tori-mimi-no-kami (Deity Bird-Ears), daughter of Ya-shima-muji-no-kami (Deity Eight-Island-Possessor), and begot a child: Tori-naru-mi-no-kami (Deity Bird-Growing-Ears). This Deity wedded Hina-teri-nukata-bichi-wo-no-kami-no-musume-Iko-chi-ni-no-kami (Hina-teri-nakata-bichi-wo-ikochini), and begot a child: Kuni-oshi-tomi-no-kami (Deity Land-Great-Wealth). This Deity wedded Ashi-nadaka-no-kami (Deity Ashi-nadaka), another name for whom is Ya-kaha-ye-hime (Princess-Eight-Rivers-and-Inlets), and begot a child: Haya-mika-no-take-sahaya-ji-nu-mi-no-kami (Deity Swift-Awful-Brave-Sahaya-Land-Ruler). This Deity wedded Saki-tama-bime (Princess Luck-Spirit), daughter of Ame-no-mika-nushi-no-kami (Deity Heavenly-Awful-Master), and begot a child: Wika-nushi-hiko-no-kami (Deity Awful-Master-Prince). This Deity wedded Hina-rashi-bime (Princess Hina-rashi), daughter of Okami-no-kami (Deity Okami), and begot a child: Tahiri-kishi-marumi-no-kami (Deity Tahiri-kishi-marumi). This Deity wedded Iku-tama-saki-tama-hime (Deity Princess-Life-Spirit-Luck-Spirit), daughter of Hihiragi-no-sono-hana-madzu-mi-no-kami (Deity Waiting-to-See-the-Flowers-of-the-Holly), and begot a child: Miro-nami-no-kami (Deity Miro-na-mi). This Deity wedded Awo-numa-nu-oshi-hime (Princess Awo-numa-oshi), daughter of Shiki-yama-nushi-no-kami (Master-of-Shiki-yama), and begot a child: Nunoshi-tomi-tori-naru-mi-no-kami (Deity Nunoshi-tomi-tori-naru-mi). This Deity wedded Waka-hiru-me-no-kami (Young-Day-Female-Deity), and begot a child: Ame-no-hibara-oho-shi-na-domi-no-kami (Deity Heavenly-Hibara-Great-Long-Wind-Wealth). This Deity wedded Toho-tsu-ma-chi-ne-no-kami (Deity Toho-tsu-ma-chi-ne), daughter of the Deity Heavenly-Pass-Boundary, and begot a child: Toho-tsu-yama-zaki-tarashi-no-kami (Deity Toho-tsu-yama-zaki-tarashi). From the above-mentioned Deity Eight-Island-Ruler down to the Deity Toho-tsu-yama-zaki-tarashi are called the Deities of seventeen generations.

[SECT.XXVII.--THE LITTLE-PRINCE-THE-RENOWNED-DEITY.]
So when the Deity Master-of-the-Great-Land dwelt at the august cape of Miho in Idzumo, there came riding on the crest of the waves in a boat of heavenly Kagami (Ampelopsis serinaefolia?) a Deity dressed in skins of geese flayed with a complete flaying, who, when asked his name, replied not; moreover the Deities who accompanied him, though asked, all said that they knew not. Then the toad (tani-guku) spoke, saying: "As for this, Kuye-biko (Crumbling-Prince) will surely know it." Thereupon [the Deity Master-of-the-Great-Land] summoned and asked the Crumbling-Prince, who replied, saying: "This is Sukuna-biko-na-no-kami (Little-Prince-the-Renowned-Deity), the august child of Kami-musu-bi-no-kami (Deity-Producing-Wondrous-Deity)." So on their then respectfully informing His Augustness the Deity-Producing-Wondrous-August-Ancestor, he replied, saying: "This is truly my child. He among my children is the child who dipped between the fork of my hand (i.e. slipped away between my fingers)." So do he and thou become brethren, and make and consolidate this land." So from that time forward the two Deities the Great-Name-Possessor and the Little-Prince-the-Renowned-Deity made and consolidated this land conjointly. But afterwards the Little-Prince-the-Renowned-Deity crossed over to the Toko-yo-no-kuni (Eternal Land). So [the Deity here] called the Crumbling-Prince, who revealed the Little-Prince-the-Renowned-Deity, is what is now [called] the scarecrow in the mountain fields. This Deity, though his legs do not walk, is a Deity who knows everything in the Empire.

[SECT.XXVIII.--THE AUGUST-LUCK-SPIRIT-THE-AUGUST-WONDROUS-SPIRIT.]
Thereupon the Deity Master-of-the-Great-Land lamented himself, and said: "How shall I alone be able to make this land? Together with what Deity can I make this land?" At this time there came a Deity illuminating the sea. This Deity said: "If thou wilt lay me to rest well, I can make it together with thee. If not, the land cannot be made." Then the Deity Master-of-the-Great-Land said: "If that be so, what is the manner of reverently laying thee to rest?" He replied, saying: "Reverently worship me on Yamato's green fence, the eastern mountain's top." This is the Deity who dwells on the top of Mount Mimoro.

[SECT.XXIX.--THE AUGUST CHILDREN OF THE GREAT-HARVEST-DEITY AND OF THE SWIFT-MOUNTAIN-DEITY.]
So the Great-Harvest-Deity wedded Inu-hime (Princess [of?] Inu), daughter of Kamu-iku-musu-bi-no-kami (Divine-Life-Producing-Wondrous-Deity), and begot children: Oho-kuni-mi-tama-no-kami (Deity August-Spirit-of-the-Great-Land); next Kara-no-kami (Deity of Kara); next Sohori-no-kami (Deity Sohori); next Shira-hi-no-kami (Deity White-Sun); next Hizhiri-no-kami (Sage-Deity). (Five Deities.) Again he wedded Kagaya-hime (Refulgent-Princess), and begot children: Oho-kaga-yama-to-omi-no-kami (Deity Great-Refulgent-Mountain-Dwelling-Grandee), next Mi-toshi-no-kami (August-Harvest-Deity). Again he wedded Ame-shiru-karu-midzu-hime (Princess Ame-shiru-karu-midzu), and begot children: Oki-tsu-hiko-no-kami (Deity Oki-tsu-hiko), next Oki-tsu-hime-no-mikoto (Her Augustness Oki-tsu-hime), another name for whom is Oho-be-hime-no-kami (Deity Great Furnace-Princess)--this is Kama-no-kami (Deity of the Furnace) held in reverence by all people--next Oho-yama-kuni-no-kami (Deity Great-Mountain-Integrator), another name for whom is Yama-suwe-no-oko-mushi-no-kami (Deity-Great-Master-of-the-Mountain-End): this Deity dwells on Mount Hiye in the land of Chika-tsu-Afumi, and is likewise the Deity dwelling at Matsu-no-wo in Kadzunu, who uses the whizzing barb. Next Niha-tsu-hi-no-kami (Deity-of-the-Fire-in-the-Yard); next Asahi-no-kami (Deity Asahi); next Hahigi-no-kami (Deity Hahigi); next Kaga-yama-to-omi-no-kami (Deity Refulgent-Mountain-Dwelling-Grandee); next Ha-yama-to-no-kami (Deity Swift-Mountain-Dwelling); next Niha-taka-tsu-hi-no-kami (High Deity-of-the-Fire-in-the-Yard); next Oho-tsuchi-no-kami (Great-Earth-Deity), another name for whom is Tsuchi-no-mi-oya-kami (Deity August-Ancestor-of-the-Earth). (Nine Deities.)

In the above paragraph the children of the Great-Harvest-Deity, from the Deity August-Spirit-of-the-Great-Land down to the Great-Earth-Deity, are altogether sixteen Deities.

The Deity Swift-Mountain-Dwelling wedded the Deity Princess-of-Great-Food, and begot children: Waka-yama-kuhi-no-kami (Deity Young-Mountain-Integrator); next Waka-toshi-no-kami (Young-Harvest-Deity); next his younger sister Waka-sa-name-no-kami (Young-Rice-Transplanting-Female-Deity); next Midzu-maki-no-kami (Water-Sprinkling-Deity); next Natsu-taka-tsu-hi-no-kami (Deity-of-the-High-Sun-of-Summer), another name for whom is Natsu-no-me-no-kami (Female-Deity-of-Summer); next Aki-bime-no-kami (Autumn-Princess); next Kuku-toshi-no-kami (Deity Stem-Harvest); next Kuku-ki-waka-muro-tsunane-no-kami (Deity Lord-Stem-Tree-Young-House-Rope).

In the above paragraph the children of the Deity Swift-Mountain-Dwelling, from the Deity Young-Mountain-Integrator down to the Deity Lord-Young-House-Rope, are altogether eight Deities.

[SECT.XXX.--THE AUGUST DELIBERATION FOR PACIFYING THE LAND.]
The Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity commanded, saying: "The Toyo-ashi-hara-no-chi-aki-no-naga-i-ho-aki-no-midzu-ho-no-kuni (Luxuriant-Reed-Plains-the-Land-of-Fresh-Rice-ears-of-a-Thousand-Autumns, --of Long-Five-Hundred-Autumns) is the land which my august child Masa-ka-a-katsu-kachi-hayabi-ame-no-oshi-ho-mimi-no-mi-koto (Truly-Conqueror-I-Conquer-Conquering-Swift-Heavenly-Great-Great-Ears) shall govern." Having [thus] deigned to charge him, she sent him down from Heaven. Hereupon His Augustness Heavenly-Great-Great-Ears, standing on the Floating Bridge of Heaven, said: "The Luxuriant-Reed-Plains-the-Land-of-Fresh-Rice-ears-of-a-Thousand-Autumns, --of Long-Five-Hundred-Autumns is painfully uproarious, --it is." With this announcement, he immediately re-ascended, and informed the Heavenly-Shining-Great-August-Deity. Then Taka-mi-musu-bi-no-kami (High-August-Producing-Wondrous-Deity) and the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity commanded the eight hundred myriad Deities to assemble in a divine assembly in the bed of The Ame-no-yasu-kaha (Tranquil River of Heaven), and caused Omohi-kane-no-kami (Deity Thought-Includer) to think [of a plan], and said: "This Central Land of Reed-Plains is the land with which we have deigned to charge our august child as the land which he shall govern. So as he deems that violent and savage Earthly Deities are numerous in this land, which Deity shall we send to subdue them?" Then the Deity Thought-Includer and likewise the eight hundred myriad Deities took counsel and said: "The Deity Ame-no-ho-hi is the one that should be sent." So they sent the Deity Ame-no-ho-hi; but he at once curried favor with the Deity Master-of-the-Great-Land, and for three years brought back no report.

[SECT.XXXI.--THE HEAVENLY-YOUNG-PRINCE.]
Therefore the High-August-Producing-Wondrous-Deity and the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity again asked all the Deities, saying: "The Deity Ame-no-ho-hi, whom we sent down to the Central Land of Reed-Plains, is long of bringing back a report. Which Deity were it best to send on a fresh mission?" Then the Deity Thought-Includer replied, saying: "Ame-waka-hiko (Heavenly-Young-Prince), son of Ama-tsu-kuni-tama-no-kami (Deity Heaven's-Earth-Spirit) should be sent." So they bestowed on him the Heavenly feathered arrows, and sent him. Thereupon the Heavenly-Young-Prince, descending to that land, at once wedded Shita-teru-hime (Princess Under-Shining), daughter of Oho-kuni-nushi-no-kami (Deity Master-of-the-Great-Land), and moreover, planning how he might gain [possession of] the land, for eight years brought back no report. So then the High-August-Producing-Wondrous-Deity and the Heavenly-Shining-Great-August-Deity again asked all Deities, [saying]: "The Heavenly-Young-Prince is long of bringing back a report. Which Deity shall we send on a fresh mission to enquire the cause of the Heavenly-Young-Prince's long tarrying?" Thereupon all the Deities and likewise the Deity Thought-Includer replied, saying: "The pheasant Na-naki-me (Name-Crying-Female) should be sent," upon which [the High-August-Producing-Wondrous-Deity and the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity] charged [the pheasant], saying: "What thou shalt go and ask the Heavenly-Young-Prince is this: 'The reason for which thou wast sent to the Central Land of Reed-Plains was to subdue and pacify the savage Deities of that land. Why for eight years bringest thou back no report?'" So then the Crying-Female, descending from Heaven, and perching on the multitudinous [-ly-branching] Katsura-no-ki (cassia-tree) at the Heavenly-Young-Prince's gate, told him everything according to the mandate of the Heavenly Deities. Then Ama-no-sagu-me (Heavenly-Spying-Woman), having heard the bird's words, spoke to the Heavenly-Young-Prince, saying: "The sound of this bird's cry is very bad. So thou shouldest shoot it to earth." On her [thus] urging him, the Heavenly-Young-Prince at once took the heavenly vegetable wax-tree bow and the heavenly deer-arrows bestowed on him by the Heavenly Deities, and shot the pheasant to death. Then the arrow, being shot up upside down through the pheasant's breast, reached the august place where the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity and Taka-gi-no-kami (High-Integrating-Deity) were sitting in the bed of the Tranquil River of Heaven. This "High-Integrating-Deity" is another name for the High-August-Producing-Wondrous-Deity. So, on the High-Integrating-Deity taking up the arrow and looking at it [he saw that] there was blood adhering to the feathers of the arrow. Thereupon the High-Integrating-Deity, saying: "This arrow is the arrow that was bestowed on the Heavenly-Young-Prince," showed it to all the Deities, and said: "If this be an arrow shot at the evil Deities by the Heavenly-Young-Prince in obedience to our command, let it not hit him. If he has a foul heart, let the Heavenly-Young-Prince perish by this arrow." With these words, he took the arrow and thust it back down through the arrow's hole, so that it hit the Heavenly-Young-Prince on the top of his breast as he was sleeping on his couch, so that he died. (This is the origin of [the saying] Beware of a returning arrow.) Moreover the pheasant returned not. So this is the origin of the modern proverb which speaks of 'the pheasant as sole messenger.' So the sound of the wailings of the Heavenly-Young-Prince's wife Princess Under-Shining, re-echoing in the wind, reached Heaven. So the Heavenly-Young-Prince's father, the Deity Heaven's-Earth-Spirit, and his wife and children who were in heaven, hearing it, came down with cries and lamentations, and at once built a mourning-house there, and made the wild goose of the river the head-hanging bearer, the heron the broom-bearer, the kingfisher the person of the august food, the sparrow the pounding-woman, the pheasant the weeping woman; and, having thus arranged matters, they disported themselves for eight days and eight nights. At this time the Deity Ajishiki-taka-hiko-ne came and condoled on the mourning for the Heavenly-Young-Prince, whereupon the Heavenly-Young-Prince's father and wife who had come down from Heaven bewailed themselves, saying: "My child is not dead, no! My lord is not dead, no!" and with these words clung to his hands and feet, and bewailed themselves and lamented. The cause of their mistake was that the two Deities closely resembled each other in countenance: so therefore they made the mistake. Thereupon the Deity Ajishi-ki-taka-hiko-ne was very angry, and said: "It was only because he was my dear friend that I came to condole. Why should I be likened to an unclean dead person?"--and with these words he drew the ten-grasp sabre that was augustly girded on him, and cut down the mourning-house, and kicked away [the pieces] with his feet. This was on what is called Mo-yama (Mount Mourning) at the source of the River Awimi in the land of Minu (later called Mino). The great sword with which he cut [the mourning-house to pieces] was called by the name of Oho-ha-kari (Great-Blade-Mower), another name by which it was called being Kamudo-tsurugi (Divine-Keen-Sabre). So when the Deity Aji-shiki-toba-hiko-ne flew away in his anger, his younger sister Her Augustness the High-Princess in order to reveal his august name, sang, saying:

"Oh! 'tis the Deity Aji-shiki-Taka-Hiko-
Ne traversing two august valleys with the
refulgence of august assembled hole-jewels,
of the august assembled jewels worn round
her neck by the Weaving Maiden in Heaven!"
This song is of a Rustic Style.

[SECT.XXXII.--ABDICATION OF THE DEITY MASTER-OF-THE-GREAT-LAND.]
Hereupon the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity said: "Which Deity were it best to send on a fresh mission?" Then the Deity Thought-Includer and likewise all the Deities said: "He who is named Itsu-no-wo-ha-bari-no-kami (Deity Majestic-Point-Blade-Extended) and dwells in the Heavenly Rock-Dwelling by the source of the Tranquil River of Heaven, is the one that should be sent: or if not this Deity, then this Deity's child, Take-mika-dzu-chi-no-wo-no-kami (Brave-Awful-Possessing-Male-Deity), might be sent. Moreover, owing to this Deity Heavenly-Point-Blade-Extended having blocked up and turned back the waters of the Tranquil River of Heaven, and to his dwelling with the road blocked up, other Deities cannot go [thither]. So Ame-no-kaku-no-kami (Heavenly-Deer-Deity) should be sent specially to ask him." So then the Heavenly-Deer-Deity was sent to ask the Deity Heaven-Point-Blade-Extended, who replied, saying: "I will obey, and will respectfully serve you. Nevertheless on this errand ye should send my child, the Brave-Awful-Possessing-Male-Deity,"--[and with these words] immediately offered [his son to Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity]. So Tori-bune-no-kami (Deity Heavenly-Bird-Boat) was attached to the Brave-Awful-Possessing-Male-Deity, and they were sent off. Therefore these two Deities, descending to the little shore of Inasa in the land of Idzumo, drew their swords ten hand-breadths long, stuck them upside down on the crest of a wave, seated themselves cross-legged on the points of the swords, and asked the Deity Master-of-the-Great-Land, saying: "The Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity and the High-Integrating-Deity have charged us and sent us to ask, [saying]: 'We have deigned to charge our august child with thy dominion, the Central Land of Reed-Plains, as the land which he should govern. So how is thy heart?'" He replied, saying: "I am unable to say. My child Ye-he-koto-shiro-nu-shi-no-kami (Deity Eight-Fold-Thing-Sign-Master) will be the one to tell you; but he is gone to Cape Miho to pursue birds and catch fish, and has not yet returned." So then the Deity Bird-Boat was sent to summon the Deity Eight-Fold-Thing-Sign-Master, who, on being graciously asked, spoke to the Great Deity his father, saying: "I will obey. [Do thou] respectfully present this land to the august child of the Heavenly Deity;"--and thereupon he trod on [the edge of] his boat so as to capsize it, clapped his heavenly departing hands in the fence of green branches, and disappeared. So then they asked the Deity Master-of-the-Great-Land, saying: "Thy son the Deity Thing-Sing-Master has now spoken thus. Hast thou other sons who should speak?" Hereupon he spoke again, saying: "There is my other son, Take-mi-gata-no-kami (Deity Brave-August-Name-Firm). There is none beside him." While he was thus speaking, the Deity Brave-August-Name-Firm came up, bearing on the tips of his fingers a thousand-draught rock, and said: "Who is it that has come to our land, and thus secretly talks? If that be so, I should like to have a trial of strength. So I should like to begin by taking thine august hand." So on his letting him take his august hand, his touch at once turned it into an icicle, and again his touch turned it into an sword-blade. So then he was frightened and drew back. Then on the Brave-Awful-Possessing-Male-Deity wishing to take the hand of the Deity Brave-August-Name-Firm, and asking permission to take it in return, he grasped and crushed it as if it were taking a young reed, and cast it aside, upon which [the Deity Brave-August-Name-Firm] fled away. So when [the Brave-Awful-Possessing-Male-Deity] pursing after him, came up with him at the Sea of Suha in the land of Shinanu, and was about to slay him, the Deity Brave-August-Name-Firm said: "I will obey. Slay me not. I will go to no other place but this, neither will I go against the command of my father the Deity Master-of-the-Great-Land. I will not go against the words of the Deity Eight-Fold-Thing-Sign-Master. I will yield up this Central Land of Reed-Plains according to the command of the august child of the Heavenly Deities." So they returned again, and asked the Deity Master-of-the-Great-Land [saying]: "Thy children the two Deities the Deity Thing-Sign-Master and the Deity Brave-August-Name-Firm have said that they will follow and not go against the commands of the august child of the Heavenly Deities. So how is thy heart?" Then he replied, saying: "According as the two Deities my children have said, I too will not go against them. In accordance with the [heavenly] command, I will at once yield up this Central Land of Reed-Plains. But as to my place of residence, if ye will make stout the temple-pillars on the nethermost rock-bottom, and make high the cross-beams to the Plain of High Heaven like the rich and perfect august nest where the august child of the Heavenly Deities rules the succession of Heaven's sun, and will deign to establish me, I will hide in the eighty (less than a hundred) road-windings, and wait on him. Again, as for my children the hundred and eighty Deities, if the Deity Eight-Fold-Thing-Sign-Master will be the Deities, august rear and van and will respectfully serve them. There will be no disobedient Deities." Having thus spoken [he hid himself. So in accordance with his word,] they built a heavenly august abode on the shore of Tagishi in the land of Idzumo; and Kushi-ya-tama-no-kami (Deity Wondrous-Eight-Spirits), grandson of the Deity of Water-Gates, was made butler to offer up the heavenly august banquest, when, having said prayers, the Deity Wondrous-Eight-Spirits turned into a cormorant, went down to the bottom of the sea, took in his mouth red earth from the bottom, made eighty heavenly platters, and, cutting sea-weed stalks, made a fire-drill mortar, and made a fire-drill pestle out of stalks of komo (Halochola macrantha), and drilled out fire, saying: "This fire which I have drilled will I burn until, in the Plain of High Heaven, the soot on the heavenly new lattice of the gable of Kamu-musu-bi-mi-oya-no-kami (His Augustness the Wondrous-Divine-Producer-the-August-Ancestor) hang down eight hand-breadths; and as for what is below the earth, I will bake down to the nethermost rock-bottom, and,--the fishing sailors, who spread their thousand-fathom ropes of paper-mulberry and angle, having with many shouts drawn in and landed the large-mouthed small-finned perch,--I will offer up the heavenly true fish-food so that the split bamboos bend." So the Brave-Awful-Possessing-Male-Deity re-ascended [to Heaven], and reported how he had subdued and pacified the Central Land of Reed-Plains.

[SECT.XXXIII.--THE AUGUST DESCENT FROM HEAVEN OF HIS AUGUSTNESS THE AUGUST GRANDCHILD.]
Then the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity and the High-Integrity-Deity commanded and charged the Heir Apparent His Augustness Truly-Conqueror-I-Conquer-Swift-Heavenly-Great-Great-Ears [saying: "The Brave-Awful-Possessing-Male-Deity] says that he has now finished pacifying the Central Land of Reed-Plains. So do thou, in accordance with our gracious charge, descend to and dwell in and ruler over it." Then the Heir Apparent His Augustness Truly-Conqueror-I-Conquer-Conquering-Swift-Heavenly-Great-Eears replied, saying: "While I have been getting ready to descend, there has been born [to me] a child whose name is Ame-nigishi-kuni-nigishi-ama-tsu-hi-daka-hiko-ho-no-ni-nigi-no-mikoto (His Augustness Heaven-Plenty-Earth-Plenty-Heaven's-Sun-Height-Prince-Rice-ear-Ruddy-Plenty). This child should be sent down." [As for this august child, he was augustly joined to Yorodzu-hata-toyo-aki-dzu-shi-hime-no-mikoto (Her Augustness Myriad-Looms-Luxuriant-Dragon-fly-Island-Princess), daughter of the High-Integrating-Deity, and begot children: Ame-no-ho-akari-no-mikoto (His Augustness-Heavenly-Rice-ear-Ruddy) and next Hiko-ho-no-ni-nigi (His Augustness Prince-Rice-ear-Ruddy-Plenty).] Therefore, in accordance with these words, they laid their command on His Augustness Prince Rice-ear-Ruddy-Plenty, deigning to charge him with these words: "This Toyo-ashi-hara-no-midzu-hono-kuni (Luxuriant Reed-Plains-Land-of-Fresh-Rice-ears) is the land over which thou shalt rule." So [he replied]: "I will descend from Heaven according to your commands." So when His Augustness Prince-Rice-ear-Ruddy-Plenty was about to descend from Heaven, there was at the eight-forking road of Heaven a Deity whose refulgence reached upwards to the Plain of High Heaven and downwards to the Central Land of Reed-Plains. So then the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity and the High-Integrating Deity commanded and charged Ame-no-udzu-me-no-kami (Heavenly-Alarming-Female-Deity) [saying]: "Though thou art but a delicate female, thou art a Deity who conquers in facing Deities. So be thou the one to go and ask thus: 'This being the road by which our august child is about to descend from Heaven, who is it that is thus there?'" So to this gracious question he replied, saying "I am an Earthly Deity named Saruta-biko-no-kami (Deity Prince of Saruta). The reason for my coming here is that, having heard of the [intended] descent of the august child of the Heavenly Deities, I have come humbly to meet him and respectfully offer myself as His Augustness's vanguard." Then joining to him His Augustness Heavenly-Beckoning-Ancestor-Lord, His Augustness Grand-Jewel, Her Augustness Heavenly-Alarming-Female, Her Augustness I-shi-ko-ri-do-me, and His Augustness Jewel-Ancestor, in all five chiefs of companies, they sent him down from Heaven. Thereupon they joined to him the eight-foot [long] curved jewels and mirror that had allured [the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity from the Rock-Dwelling,] and also the Herb-Quelling-Great-Sword, and likewise the Deity Thought-Includer, the Hand-Strength-Male-Deity, and Ame-no-iha-to-wake-no-kami (Deity Heavenly-Rock-Door-Opener) of Eternal Night, and charged him thus: "Regard this mirror exactly as if it were our august spirit, and reverence it as if reverencing us." Next did they say: "Let the Deity Thought-Includer take in hand our affairs, and carry on the government." These two Deities are worshipped at the temple of Isuzu. The next, Toyo-uke-no-kami (Deity of Luxuriant-Food), is the Deity dwelling in the outer temple of Watarahi. The next, the Deity Heavenly-Rock-Door-Opener, another name for whom is Kushi-iha-ma-do-no-kami (Wondrous-Rock-True-Gate-Deity), and another name for whom is Toyo-iha-ma-do-no-kami (Luxuriant-Rock-True-Gate-Deity),--this Deity of the August Gate. The next, the Deity Hand-Strength-Male, dwells in Sanagata. Now His Augustness the Heanvely-Beckoning-Ancestor-Lord (is the ancestor of Nakatomi no murazhi [Nakatomi Chieftains]); His Augustness Grand Jewel (is the ancestor of Imibe no obito [Imibe Headmen]); Her Augustness the Heavenly-Alarming-Female (is the ancestress of Saru me no kimi [Duchesses of Saru]); Her Augustness I-shi-ko-ri-do-me (is the ancestress of Kagami-tsukuri no murazhi [Mirror-Making Chieftains]); His Augustness-Jewel-Ancestor (is the ancestor of Tama-no-ya no murazhi [Jewel-Ancestor Chieftains]).

[SECT.XXXIV.--THE AUGUST REIGN IN HIMUKA OF HIS AUGUSTNESS PRINCE RICE-EAR-RUDDY-PLENTY.]
So then [the Heaven-Shining-Great-August-Deity and the High-Integrating-Deity] commanded His Augustness Heaven's-Prince-Rice-ear-Ruddy-Plenty; and he, leaving Ama-no-ihakura (Heavenly Rock-Seat), pushing asunder the eight-fold heavenly spreading clouds, and dividing a road with a mighty road-dividing, set off floating shut up in the Floating Bridge of Heaven, and descended from Heaven onto the peak of Kuzhifuru which is Takachiho in Tsukushi. So Ame-no-oshi-hi-no-mikoto (His Heavenly Great Wondrous Augustness) and Ama-tsu-kume-no-mikoto (His Augustness Heaven's-Round-Eyes), both taking on their backs the Heavenly rock-quivers, taking at their side the large mallet-headed swords, taking in their hands the Heavenly vegetable-wax-tree bow, and clasping under their arms the Heavenly true deer-arrows, stood in his august van in respectful attendance. So Oho-tomo-no-murazhi (His Heavenly-Great-Wondrous-Augustness) (is the ancestor of Kume no atahe [Kume Lords]). Thereupon he said: "This place is opposite to the land of Kara. One comes straight across to the august Cape of Kasasa; and it is a land whereon the morning sun shines straight, a land which the evening sun's sunlight illumines. So this place is an exceedingly good place." Having thus spoken, he made stout the temple-pillars on the nethermost rock-bottom, and made high the cross-beams to the Plain of High Heaven, and dwelt there.

[SECT.XXXV.--THE DUCHESS OF SARU.]
So then he charged Her Augustness the Heavenly-Alarming-Female [saying]: "Do thou, who wast the one to make known this Great Deity Prince of Saruta who respectfully served as my august vanguard, respectfully escort him [back]; and do thou likewise bear the august name of that Deity, and respectfully serve me." Wherefore the Duchesses of Saru bear the name of the Male Deity the Prince of Saruta, and the women are Duchesses of Saru.

[SECT.XXXVI.--THE DEITY PRINCE OF SARUTA AT AZAKA.]
Now when this Deity Prince of Saruta dwelt at Azaka, he went out fishing, and had his hand caught by a hirabu shell-fish, and was drowned in the brine of the sea. So the name by which he was called when he sank to the bottom was Soko-daku-mi-tama (Bottom-Touching-August-Spirit); the name by which he was called when the sea-water gurgled up was Tsubu-tatsu-mi-tama (Gurgling-up-August-Spirit); the name by which he was called when the bubbles formed was Aha-saku-mi-tama (Bubble-Bursting-August-Spirit). Thereupon [Her Augustness the Heavenly-Alarming-Female], having escorted [back] the Deity Prince of Saruta, came back, and at once drove together all the things broad of fin and the things narrow of fin, and asked them, saying: "Will ye respectfully serve the august son of the Heavenly Deities?"--upon which all the fishes declared that they would respectfully serve him. Only the beche-de-mer said nothing. Then Her Augustness the Heavenly-Alarming-Female spoke to the beche-de-mer, saying: "Ah! this mouth is a mouth that gives no reply!"--and [with these words] slit the mouth with her stiletto. So at the present day the beche-de-mer has a slit mouth. Wherefore [from august reign to] august reign, when the offerings of the first-fruits of Shima are presented [to the Emperor], a portion of them is granted to the Duchesses of Saru.

[SECT.XXXVII.--THE CURSE OF THE DEITY GREAT-MOUNTAIN-POSSESSOR.]
Hereupon His Augustness Heaven's-Sun-Height-Prince-Rice-ear-Ruddy-Plenty met a beautiful perosn at the august cape of Kasasa, and asked her whose daughter she was. She replied, saying: "I am a daughter of the Deity-Great-Mountain-Possessor, and my name is Kamu-ata-tsu-hime (Divine-Princess-of-Ata), another name by which I am called being Ko-no-hama-saku-ya-hime (Princess-Blossoming-Brilliantly-Like-the-Flowers-of-the-Trees). Again he asked: "Hast thou any brethren?" She replied, saying: "There is my elder sister, Iha-naga-hime (Princess-Long-as-the-Rocks)." Then he charged her, [saying]: "Ego sum cupidus coiendi tecum. Tibi quomodo videtur?" She replied, saying: "I am not able to say. My father the Deity-Great-Mountain-Possessor will say." So he sent a request [for her] to her father the Deity Great-Mountain-Possessor, who, greatly delighted, respectfully sent her off, joining to her her elder sister Princess Long-as-the-Rocks, and causing merchandise to be carried on tables holding an hundred. So then, owing to the elder sister being very hideous, [His Augustness Prince-Rice-ear-Ruddy-Plenty] was alarmed at the sight of her, and sent her back, only keeping the younger sister Princess-Blossoming-Brilliantly-Like-the-Flowers-of-the-Trees, whom he wedded for one night. Then the Deity-Great-Moutain-Possessor was covered with shame at Princess Long-as-the-Rocks being sent back, and sent a message [to His Augustness Prince-Rice-ear-Ruddy-Plenty], saying: "My reason for respectfully presenting both my daughters together was that, by sending Princess-Long-as-the-Rocks, the august offspring of the Heavenly Deity, though the snow fall and the wind blow, might live eternally immovable like unto the enduring rocks, and again that by sending Princess-Blossoming-Brilliantly-Like-the-Flowers-of-the-Trees, [they] might live flourishingly like unto the flowering of the blossoms of the trees: to insure this, I offered them. But owing to thy thus sending back Princess Long-as-the-Rocks, and keeping only Princess-Blossoming-Brilliantly-Like-the-Flowers-of-the-Trees, the august offspring of the Heavenly Deity shall be but as frail as the flowers of the trees." So it is for this reason that down to the present day the august lives of Their Augustnesses the Heavenly Sovereigns are not long.

[SECT.XXXVIII.--THE AUGUST CHILD-BEARING OF PRINCESS-BLOSSOMING-BRILLIANTLY-LIKE-THE-FLOWERS-OF-THE-TREES.]
So later on Princess-Blossoming-Brilliantly-Like-the-Flowers-of-the-Trees waited on [His Augustness Prince Rice-ear-Ruddy-Plenty] and said: "I am pregnant, and now the time for my delivery approaches. It is not fit for me to be delivered of the august offspring of Heaven privately; so I tell thee." Then [His Augustness Prince Rice-ear-Ruddy-Plenty] said: "Princess-Blossoming-Brilliantly! what! pregnant after one night! It cannot be my child. It must surely be the child of an Earthly Deity." Then she replied, saying: "If the child with which I am pregant be the child of an Earthly Deity, my delivery will not be fortunate. If it be the august child of the Heavenly Deity, it will be fortunate;--and thereupon she built a hall eight fathoms [long] without doors, went inside the hall and plastered up [the entrance] with earth; and when the time came for her delivery, she set fire to the hall and was delivered. So the name of the child that was born when the fire was burning most fiercely was Ho-deri-no-mikoto (His Augustness Fire-Shine) (this is the ancestor of Hayabito-ata-no-kimi [the Hayabito, Dukes of Ata]); the name of the child born next was Ho-suseri-no-mikoto (His Augustness Fire-Climax); the august name of the child born next was Ho-wori-no-mikoto (His Augustness Fire-Subside), another name for whom is Ama-tsu-hi-daka-hiko-ho-ho-de-mi-no-mi-koto (His Augustness Heaven's-Sun-Height-Prince-Great-Rice-ears-Lord-Ears) (three Deities in all).

[SECT.XXXIX.--THE AUGUST EXCHANGE OF LUCK.]
So His Augustness Fire-Shine was a prince who got his luck on the sea, and caught things broad of fin and things narrow of fin. His Augustness Fire-Subside was a prince who got his luck on the mountains, and caught things rough of hair and things soft of hair. Then His Augustness Fire-Subside said to his elder brother His Augustness Fire-Shine: "Let us mutually exchange, and use each other's luck." [Nevertheless], though he thrice made the request, [his elder brother] would not accede [to it]; but at last with difficulty the mutual exchange was obtained. Then His Augustness Fire-Subside, undertaking the sea-luck, angled for fish, but never got a single fish; and moreover he lost the fish-hook in the sea. Thereupon his elder brother His Augustness Fire-Shine asked him for the fish-hook, saying: "A mountain-luck is a luck of its own, and a sea-luck is a luck of its own. Let each of us now restore [to the other] his luck." To which the younger brother His Augustness Fire-Subside replied, saying: "As for thy fish-hook, I did not get a single fish by angling with it; and at last I lost it in the sea." But the elder brother required it of him [the more] urgently. So the younger brother, breaking his ten-grasp sabre that was augustly girded on him, made [of the fragments] five hundred fish-hooks as compensation; but he would not take them. Again he made a thousand fish-hooks as compensation; but he would not receive them, saying: "I still want the real original fish-hook."

[SECT.XL.--THE PALACE OF THE OCEAN-POSSESSOR.]
Hereupon, as the younger brother was weeping and lamenting by the sea-shore, Shiho-tsuchi-no-kami (Deity Salt-Possessor) came and asked him, saying: "What is the cause of Sora-tsu-hi-daka (Sky's-Sun-Height)'s weeping and lamentation?" He replied, saying: "I had exchanged a fish-hook; and as he asks me for it, I have given him many fish-hooks as compensation; but he will not receive them, saying: 'I still want the original fish-hook.' so I weep and lament for this." Then the Deity Salt-Possessor said: "I will give good counsel to Thine Augustness;"--and therewith built a stout little boat without interstices, and set him in the boat, and instructed him, saying: "When I shall have pushed the boat off, go on for some time. There will be a savoury august road; and if thou goest in the boat along that road, there will appear a palace built like fishes' scales,--which is the palace of the Deity, Ocean-Possessor. When thou reachest the august gate of that deity['s palace], there will be a multitudinous[-ly branching] cassia-tree above the well at its side. So if thou sit on the top of that tree, the Sea-Deity's daughter will see thee, and counsel thee." So following [these] instructions, [His Augustness Fire-Subside] went a little [way], and everything happened as [the Deity Salt-Possessor] had said; and he forthwith climbed the cassia-tree, and sat [there]. Then when the hand-maidens of the Sea-Deity's daughter Toyo-tama-hime (Luxuriant-Jewel-Princess), bearing jewelled vessels, were about to draw water, there was a light in the well. On looking up, there was a beautiful young man. They thought it very strange. Then His Augustness Fire-Subside saw the handmaidens, and begged to be given some water. The handmaidens at once drew some water, put it into a jewelled vessel, and respectfully presented it to him. Then, without drinking the water, he loosened the jewel at his august neck, took it in his mouth, and spat it into the jewelled vessel. Thereupon the jewel adhered to the vessel, and the handmaidens could not separate the jewel adhering to it, and presented it to Her Augustness Luxuriant-Jewel-Princess. Then, seeing the jewel, she asked her handmaidens, saying: "Is there perhaps some one outside the gate?" They replied, saying: "There is some one sitting on the top of the cassia-tree above our well. It is a very beautiful young man. He is more illustrious even than our king. Lo, as he begged for water, we respectfully gave him water; but, without drinking the water, he spat this jewel into [the vessel]. As we were not able to separate this [from the other], we have brought [the vessel] with [the jewel] in it to present to thee." Then Her Augustness Luxuriant-Jewel-Princess, thinking it strange, went out to look, and was forthwith delighted at the sight. They exchanged glances, after which she spoke to her father, saying: "There is a beautiful person at our gate." Then the Sea-Deity himself went out to look, and saying: "This person is the Sky's-Sun-Height, the august child of the Heaven's-Sun-Height," led him into the interior [of the palace], and spreading eight layers of rugs of sea-asses skins, and spreading on the top other eight layers of silk rugs, and setting him on the top of them, arranged merchandise on tables holding an hundred, made an august banquest, and forthwith gave him his daughter Luxuriant-Jewel-Princess in marriage. So he dwelt in that land for three years. Hereupon His Augustness Fire-Subside thought of what had gone before, and heaved one deep sigh. So Her Augustness Luxuriant-Jewel-Princess, hearing the sigh, informed her father, saying: "Though he has dwelt three years [with us], he had never sighed; but this night he heaved one deep sigh. What may be the cause of it?" The Great Deity her father asked his son-in-law saying: "This morning I heard my daughter speak, saying: 'Though he has dwelt three years [with us], he had never sighed; but this night he heaved one deep sigh.' What may the cause be? Moreover what was the cause of thy coming here?" Then [His Augustness Fire-Subside] told the Great Deity exactly how his elder brother had pressed him for the lost fish-hook. Thereupon the Sea-Deity summoned together all the fishes of the sea, great and small, and asked them, saying: "Is there perchance any fish that has taken this fish-hook?" So all the fishes replied: "Lately the tahi has complained of something sticking in its throat preventing it from eating!; so it doubtless has taken [the hook]." On the throat of the tahi being thereupon examined, there was the fish-hook [in it]. Being forthwith taken, it was washed and respectfully repsented to His Augustness Fire-Subside, whom the Deity Great-Ocean-Possessor then instructed, saying: "What thou shalt say when thou grantest this fish-hook to thine elder brother [is as follows]: 'This fish-hook is a big hook, an eager hook, 'a poor hook, a silly hook.' Having [thus] spoken, bestow it with thy back hand. Having done thus,--if thine elder brother make high fields, do Thine Augustness make low fields; and if thine elder brother make low fields, do Thine Augustness make high fields. If thou do thus, thine elder brother will certainly be impoverished in the space of three years, owing to my ruling the water. If thine elder brother, incensed at thy doing thus, should attack thee, put forth shiho-mitsu-no-tama (tide-flowing jewel) to drown him. If he express grief, put forth shiho-hiru-no-tama (tide-ebbing jewel) to let him live. Thus shalt thou harass him." With these words, [the Sea-Deity] gave [to His Augustness Fire-Subside] the tide-flowing jewel and the tide-ebbing jewel,--two in all,--and forthwith summoned together all the crocodiles, and asked them, saying: "The Sky's-Sun-Height, august child of the Heaven's-Sun-Height, is now about to proceed out to the Upper-Land. Who will in how many days respectfully escort him, and bring back a report?" So each according to the length of his body in fathoms spoke, fixing [a certain number of] days,--one of them, a crocodile one fathom [long], saying: "I will escort him, and come back in one day." So then [the Sea-Deity] said to the crocodile one fathom [long]: "If that be so, do thou respectfully escort him. While crossing the middle of the sea, do not alarm him." Forthwith he seated him upon the crocodile's head, and saw him off. So [the crocodile] respectfully escorted him home in one day, as he had promised. When the crocodile was about to return, [His Augustness Fire-Subside] untied the stiletto which was girded on him, and, setting it on the crocodile's neck, sent [the latter] back. So the crocodile one fathom [long] is now called Sahi-mochi-no-kami (Deity Blade-Possessor).

[SECT.XLI.--SUBMISSION OF HIS AUGUSTNESS FIRE-SHINE.]
Hereupon [His Augustness Fire-Subside] gave the fish-hook [to his elder brother], exactly according to the Sea-Deity's words of instruction. So thenceforward [the elder brother] became poorer, and poorer, and, with renewed savage intentions, came to attack him. When he was about to attack [His Augustness Fire-Subside, the latter] put forth the tide-flowing jewel to drown him; on his expressing grief, he put forth the tide-ebbing jewel to save him. When he had thus been harassed, he bowed his head, saying: "I hneceforward will be Thine Augustness's guard by day and night, and respectfully serve thee." So down to the present day his various posturings when drowning are ceaselessly served up.

[SECT.XLII.--THE PARTURITION-HOUSE OF CORMORANTS' FEATHERS]
Hereupon the Sea-Deity's daughter Her Augustness Luxuriant-Jewel-Princess herself waited on [His Augustness Fire-Subside], and said: "I am already with child, and the time for my delivery now approaches. But me-thought that the august child of an Heavenly Deity ought not to be born in the Sea-Plain. So I have waited on thee here." Then forthwith on the limit of the waves upon the sea-shore she built a parturition-hall, using cormorants' feathers for thatch. Hereupon, before the thatch was completed, she was unable to restrain the urgency of her august womb. So she entered the parturition-hall. Then, when she was about to be delivered, she spoke to her husband [saying]: "Whenever a foreigner is about to be delivered, she takes the shape of her native land to be delivered. So I now will take my native shape to be delivered. Pray look not upon me!" Hereupon [His Augustness Fire-Subside], thinking these words strange, stealthily peeped at the very moment of delivery, when she turned into a crocodile eight fathoms [long], and crawled and writhed about; and he forthwith, terrified at the sight, fled away. Then Her Augustness Luxuriant-Jewel-Princess knew that he had peeped; and she felt ashamed, and, straightway leaving the august child which she had borne, she said: "I had wished always to come and go across the sea-path. But thy having peeped at my [real] shape [makes me] very shame-face,"--and she forthwith clsoed the sea-boundary, and went down again. Therefore the name by which the august child whom she had borne was called was Ama-tsu-hi-daka-hiko-nagisa-take-u-gaya-fuki-ahezu-no-mikoto (His Augustness Heaven's-Sun-Height-Prince-Wave-limit-Brave-Cormorant-Thatch-Meeting-Incompletely). Nevertheless afterwards, although angry at his having wished to peep, she could not restrain her loving heart, and she entrusted to her younger sister Tama-yori-bime (Jewel-Good-Princess), on the occasion of her nursing the august child, a Song to be presented [to His Augustness Fire-Subside]. The Song said:

"As for red jewels, though even the
string [they are strung on] shines,
the aspect of [my] lord [who is] like
unto white jewels is [more] illustrious."
Then her husband replied by a Song, which said:

"As for my younger sister, whom
I took to sleep [with me] on the
island where light the wild-duck,
the birds of the offing, I shall not
forget her till the end of my life."
So His Augustness-Prince-Great-Rice-ears-Lord-Ears dwelt in the palace of Takachiho for five hundred and eighty years. His august mausoleum is likewise on the west of Mount Takachiho.

[SECT,XLIII.--THE AUGUST CHILDREN OF HIS AUGSTNESS CORMORANT-THATCH-MEETING-IMCOMPLETELY.]
His Augustness Heaven's-Sun-Height-Prince-Wave-limit-Brave-Cormorant-Thatch-Meeting-Incompletely wedded his maternal aunt Her Augustness Jewel-Good-Princess, and begot august children named: Itsu-se-no-mikoto (His Augustness Five-Reaches); next Inu-hi-na-mikoto (His Augustness Boiled-Rice); next Mi-ke-nu-no-mikoto (His Augustness August-Food-Master); next Waka-mi-ke-nu-no-mikoto (His Augustness Young-August-Food-Master), another name for whom is Toyo-mi-ke-nu-no-mikoto (His Augustness Luxuriant-August-Food-Master), and another name is Kamu-yamato-ihare-biko-no-mikoto (His Augustness Divine-Yamato-Ihare-Prince). So His Augustness August-Food-Master, treading on the crest of the waves, crossed over to the Eternal Land. His Augustness Boiled-Rice went into the Sea-Plain, it being his deceased mother's land.

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