Page:Nihongi by Aston volume 2.djvu/355

348 Accordingly he inspected the horses of the officials from the rank of Daisen downwards at Nagara no mori. He also had archery practised on horseback.

23rd day. There was an earthquake.

27th day. Prince Kuhachi died in his private residence.

Winter, 10th month, 4th day. The Emperor commiserated the needy common people and also the monks and nuns of the temples within the capital and gave them alms. Each monk and nun received four hiki of coarse silk, four bundles of floss silk, and six tan of cloth, while the Shami and those in white garments received each two hiki of coarse silk, two bundles of floss silk, and four tan of cloth.

11th month, 1st day. There was an eclipse of the sun.

3rd day. There was a brightness in the East from the hour of the Dog to the hour of the Rat.

4th day. Nineteen men of Koryö returned to their own country. These were condolence envoys who came over on the occasion of the mourning for the later Okamoto Empress. They had been detained and had not yet taken their departure.

7th day. The Emperor issued an edict to the officials, saying:—"If any one knows of any means of benefiting the state or of increasing the welfare of the people, let him appear in Court and make a statement in person. If what he says is reasonable, his ideas will be adopted and embodied in regulations."

10th day. There was thunder in the West.

12th day. The Empress-consort was unwell. (The Emperor,) having made a vow on her behalf, began the erection of the Temple of Yakushiji, and made one hundred persons enter religion as priests. In consequence of this she recovered her health.

On this day an amnesty was granted.