Page:Nihongi by Aston volume 2.djvu/100

Rh Koryö Envoys' ship, while two Koryö men were made to embark in the escort Envoy's ship. Having in this manner exchanged ships, as a precaution against treachery, they both set sail together. They had only gone a few ri, when the escort Envoy, Naniha, fearing the waves, took the two Koryö men and flung them into the sea.

8th month, 14th day. The escort Envoy, Naniha, returned and reported the result of his mission, saying:—"The whale-fish of the sea assemble in great numbers and intercept and devour the ships with their sculls and oars. Naniha and his companions fearing to be swallowed up by these fishes were unable to go upon the sea." The Emperor hearing this saw that his language was untruthful, and employed him in one of the public offices, not allowing him to return to his own province.

3rd year, Summer, 5th month, 5th day. The Koryö Envoys anchored on the sea-coast of Koshi.

Autumn, 7th month, 20th day. The Koryö Envoys entered the capital and addressed the Emperor, saying:—"Last year thy servants departed, in company with the escort Envoy, in order to return to their own country. Formerly when thy servants arrived at their frontier State, thy servants' frontier State entertained Ihahi, Ohoshima no Obito, and his companions in accordance with the ceremony due to Envoys, and the King of Koryö treated them with specially cordial civility. Notwithstanding this, the ship of the escort Envoy had not arrived up till now, and therefore he has respectfully again sent Envoys along with Ihahi and his companions to request information as to why our Envoys have not come." When the Emperor heard this he enumerated Naniha's offences, saying:—"Thou art doubly guilty, first for having deceived the Court, and secondly, for having drowned the Envoys of a neighbouring State. These are heinous crimes, and thou canst not be released." He was therefore sentenced to punishment.

Winter, 10th month, 9th day. The Oho-omi, Soga no Mŭmako, was sent to the province of Kibi to extend the Shirawi