Page:Nihongi by Aston volume 2.djvu/357

350 desire now anew to enact regulations and to reform the laws. Do ye therefore join with us in executing this enterprise. But if we were to proceed suddenly with this business, affairs of state would suffer. It will therefore be proper to make a division of men before going on."

On this day, His Highness the Imperial Prince Kusakabe was made Prince Imperial and was accordingly associated with the Emperor in the conduct of the myriad machinery of state.

29th day. The Lady Abe died.

30th day. Toyohama Tahema no Kimi, of Shōshi rank, died.

3rd month, 3rd day. The Lady Abe was buried.

16th day. The Emperor took his place in the Great Hall of Audience, and there gave orders to the Imperial Princes Kahashima and Osakabe, to Prince Hirose, Prince Takeda, Prince Kuhada, and Prince Mino, to Michichi, Kamitsukenu no Kimi, of Lower Daikin rank, Kobito, Imbe no Muraji, of Middle Shōkin rank, Inashiki, Adzumi no Muraji, of Lower Shōkin rank, Ohogata, Naniha no Muraji, Ohoshima, Nakatomi no Muraji, of Upper Daisen rank, and Kobito Heguri no Omi, of Lower Daisen rank, to commit to writing a chronicle of the Emperors, and also of matters of high antiquity. Ohoshima and Kobito took the pen in hand themselves, and made notes.

20th day. There was an earthquake.

24th day. The Emperor took his place by the well of the New Palace, made trial of the sounds of drums and flutes and caused them to be practised in harmony.

Summer, 4th month, 2nd day. Worship was paid to the Deities of Hirose and Tatsuta.

3rd day. A prohibitory law in 92 articles was established, and was accordingly promulgated with the following words:—"The costumes of all from the Princes of the Blood down to the common people, and the wearing of gold and silver, pearls and jewels, purple, brocade, embroidery, fine silks, together with woollen carpets, head-dresses and girdles, as well as all kinds of coloured stuffs, are regulated according to a scale the details of which are given in the written edict."