Page:Nihongi by Aston volume 2.djvu/277

270 It was reported from the province of Shinano:—"A swarm of flies has flown in a westerly direction, crossing the Ohosaka hill. It was ten fathoms in thickness, and in height reached the azure sky." Some people gathered that this portended the defeat of the army of relief. There was a popular song which said:—

7th year, Spring, 1st month, 6th day. The Imperial ship first put to sea for the expedition against the West.

8th day. The Imperial ship arrived at the sea of Ohoku. At this time the Imperial Princess Ohota-hime gave birth to a daughter, to whom accordingly the name was given of the Imperial Princess Ohoku.

14th day. The Imperial ship came to an anchor at the temporary Palace of Nigitatsu no Ishiyu in the province of Iyo.

3rd month, 25th day. The Imperial ship returned to Una no Ohotsu, where the Empress occupied the temporary Palace of Ihase, the name of which the Empress altered to Nagatsu.