Page:Nihongi by Aston volume 2.djvu/267

260 In this month, Abe no Omi was sent in command of 180 ships on an expedition against the Yemishi country. Abe no Omi assembled a selection of the Yemishi of the two districts of Akita and Nushiro to the number of 241 persons with 31 of their captives, 112 Yemishi of the district of Tsugaru with 4 captives, and 20 Yemishi of Ifurisahe, in one place, feasted them and gave them presents.

Accordingly he made an offering to the Gods of that Land of a boat and silk stuffs of various colours, and proceeded to Shishiriko. Then two Yemishi of Tohiu, named Ikashima and Uhona, came forward and said:—"You ought to make Shiribeshi your seat of Government." In accordance with the advice of Ikashima and his companion, a district-governor was ultimately established there, after which he (Abe no Omi) returned. The provincial governors of Michinoku and Koshi were each granted two grades of rank, while the district-governors and administrators received each one degree.

One book says:—"Hirafu, Abe no Hikida no Omi, fought with the Su-shēn, and on his return presented to the Empress forty-nine captives."

Autumn, 7th month, 3rd day. Ihashiki, Sakahibe no Muraji, of Lower Shōkin rank, and Kiza, Tsumori no Muraji, of Lower Daisen rank, were sent on a mission to the Land of Thang. They took with them a Yemishi man and woman of Michinoku to show to the Thang Emperor.

In the writing of Hakatoko, Yuki no Muraji, it is stated:—"In the reign of this Empress, Sakahibe no Ihashiki no Muraji, of Lower Shōkin rank, Tsumori no Kiza no Muraji, of Lower Daisen rank, and others, in two ships, received orders to go on a mission to Thang of Wu. In the year Tsuchinoto Hitsuji (659), the 7th month, and the 3rd day of the month, they started from the Bay of Mitsu in Naniha. On the 11th day of the 8th month, they left the Bay of Ohotsu in Tsukushi. On the 13th day of the 9th month, they arrived at an island on the southern border of Pèkché. The name of the island is not known. At four a.m. on the 14th, the two ships put out to sea in company. On the 15th day, at sunset, the ship