Page:Occult Japan - Lovell.djvu/277

Rh wrong. He naturally attributed this to the gods, and determined finally to question them on the subject. So going out into a certain plain he collected the eight hundred myriad deities, immaterially speaking, doubtless, and asked to have his fortune told. Upon which:

"At this time a god descended upon the princess Yamato-tōtōhi-momoso-hime-no-mikoto, and said (kami-gakarite-iwaku): 'Why is the Emperor troubled in spirit because the country is vexed and there is no law in the land? If he diligently worship me and follow my commandments the land shall rest in peace.' Then the Emperor inquired and said, 'What god is it that thus instructs me?' And the god answered, 'I am the god that dwelleth within the boundaries of this land, the land of Yamato, and my name is Omono-nushi-no-kami.' Then receiving reverently the instructions of the god, the Emperor worshiped diligently according to his commandments."

A little after this, in the next reign, the reign of the Emperor Suinin, we are told of an image that was suddenly possessed by the god whose image it was. This also is out of the Nihonshoki:—