Page:Nihongi by Aston volume 2.djvu/365

358, and the ceremonial custom of standing of the Naniha Court was again practised.

11th day. At mid-day, several hundreds of cranes appeared in the quarter of the Great Palace, and soared aloft in the void. After two hours they all dispersed.

Winter, 10th month, 8th day. A great revel was held.

11th month, 16th day. The Emperor made a decree, saying:—"Hear this, all ye Princes of the Blood, Princes and Ministers, as well as ye common people! In regard to trials For offences against the law, whether within the Palace or in the Court, let examination be made at the place where the offence has been committed as soon as seen or heard of, and let there be no concealment. In the case of grave crimes, let those which should be referred to a superior be so referred, and when arrest is proper let the offender be seized. If any resist and are not arrested, raise the soldiers of the place and arrest them. To those judged deserving of flogging there may be administered not more than a hundred blows, to be determined according to a scale. Moreover, when the facts of a crime are undeniable and the accused falsely states that he is innocent, and does not admit the justice of the charge, but disputes with the prosecutor, let his original offence be superadded to this."

12th month, 3rd day. A decree was issued as follows:—"Let the people of every House each determine who shall be the Senior member of the House, and make report accordingly. Moreover, in cases where there are numerous members of the same House, let them divide and each part determine who shall be its own Senior member, all reporting at the same time to the proper officials, who shall thereupon weigh the facts and deal with the matter. Such official decisions must be accepted. And let no one for trifling reasons hastily include in his House persons who do not belong to it."

12th year, Spring, 1st month, 2nd day. The functionaries paid their respects at Court.