Page:Nihongi by Aston volume 2.djvu/351

344 the character of their suites of men and horses when passing along the streets.

17th day. Silla sent Kim Hang-ha, of Ason rank, and Sal Nyu-seng, of Sason rank, with tribute. The tribute consisted of such things as gold, silver, iron, sacrificial cauldrons with three feet, brocade, cloth, hides, horses, dogs, mules, and camels—more than ten kinds in all. There were also, distinct from these, presents for the Emperor, the Empress-consort, and the Prince Imperial, of gold, silver, swords, flags and the like—a certain number of each.

In the course of this month, the Emperor made a decree, saying:—"Ordinarily priests and nuns reside within their temples, and observe the Three Precious Things. In the case of aged persons, however, or those who by disease are permanently confined to bed in a narrow chamber, of those in short whose old age or ill-health allows them no facility of movement, places which should be pure are made impure. For this reason, let all such persons in future apply each to relations or friends to build for them in vacant spaces one or two dwellings where the aged can be nourished and the sick take medicine."

11th month, 14th day. There was an earthquake.

23rd day. Tsura, Yamato no Umakahibe no Miyakko, of Lower Dai-otsu rank, was sent to Tanegashima as Chief Envoy, and Kō-kan, Kami no Sukuri, of Lower Shō-otsu rank, as Junior Envoy. Accordingly one grade of rank was bestowed on them.

In this month barriers were constructed for the first time on Mount Tatsuta and Mount Ohosaka. Moreover Naniha built an outer line of fortifications.

12th month, 2nd day. In consequence of the auspicious stalks of grain, presents were made to the Princes of the Blood, the Princes, the Ministers, and the public functionaries, each according to his rank. There was an amnesty for all offences from capital crimes downwards.

In this year the district of Ito, in the province of Kiï, sent tribute of the herb of long life. It resembled a mushroom in appearance. Its stem was one foot long, and its crown two