Page:Nihongi by Aston.djvu/149

118 Imperial army. The Emperor distributed this flesh and sake to the common soldiers, upon which they sang the following verses:—

This is called a Kume song. At the present time, when the Department of Music performs this song, there is still the measurement of great and small by the hand, as well as a distinction of coarse and fine in the notes of the voice. This is by a rule handed down from antiquity.

After this the Emperor wished to inspect the Land of Yoshino, so taking personal command of the light troops, he made a progress round by way of Ukechi mura in Uda.

When he came to Yoshino, there was a man who came out of a well. He shone, and had a tail. The Emperor inquired of him, saying:—"What man art thou?" He answered and said:—"Thy servant is a local Deity, and his name is Wi-hikari." He it is who was the first ancestor of the Yoshino no Obito. Proceeding a little further, there was another man with a tail, who burst open a rock and came forth from it. The Emperor inquired of him, saying:—"What man art thou?" He answered and said:—"Thy servant is the child of