Page:Nihongi by Aston volume 2.djvu/322

Rh but he was unable to check the rout. Accordingly, he was himself slain near the bridge, while the Imperial Prince Ohotomo and the Oho-omi of the Right and Left narrowly escaped with their lives.

Woyori and his troops forthwith marched to the foot of the Hill of Ahadzu. On this day Yakuni, Hata no Kimi, and Koma, Idzumo no Omi, besieged the Castle of Miwo in concert, and took it.

23rd day. Woyori and his men slew the Afumi generals Isokimi, Inukahi no Muraji, and Shihote, Hasama no Atahe, at the market-place of Ahadzu. Upon this the Imperial Prince Ohotomo fled, and not having anywhere to go to, turned and concealed himself at Yamazaki. There he strangled himself. At this time the Oho-omi of the Right and Left and all the other Ministers dispersed and were lost. There were left only Maro, Mononobe no Muraji, and one or two toneri who followed him.

Before this time General Wofukehi marched towards Nara. On the day that he reached Hiyeda, he was told by a man that a numerous force was coming from Kahachi. He accordingly sent Takara, Sakamoto no Omi, Masumi, Nagawo no Atahe, Maro, Kuragaki no Atahe, Woshibi, Tami no Atahe, and Nemaro, Hasama no Atahe, at the head of 300 soldiers, to take up a defensive position at Tatsuta. Moreover, he sent Sukunamaro, Sami no Kimi, in command of several hundred men, to encamp at Ohosaka. Yemishi, Kamo no Kimi, was despatched with several hundred men to guard the Ihate road.

On this day, Takara, Sakamoto no Omi, and his colleagues halted on the plain of Hiraishi. Hearing that the Afumi troops were occupying the Castle of Takayasu, they ascended thither. But the Afumi army, when they found that Takara and his colleagues were coming, burnt all the granaries of tax-rice, and then all dispersed and ran away. So they (Takara and his men) spent the night within the Castle. At daybreak they looked down towards the West, and saw a large army coming from the two directions of Ohotsu and Tajihi. Their flags were clearly visible. Somebody said:—"These are the troops of Karakuni, Iki no Fubito, the Afumi general. Takara