43. His Progress Eastward, and Death of His Elder Brother

1The two Deities His Augustness Kamu-yamato-ihare-biko and his elder brother His Augustness Itsu-se, dwelling in the palace of Takachiho, took counsel, saying: “By dwelling in what place shall we [most] quietly carry on the government of the Empire? It were probably best to go east.” Forthwith they left Himuka on their progress to Tsukushi. So when they arrived at Usa in the land of Toyo, two of the natives, whose names were Usa-tsu-hiko and Usa-tsu-hime built a palace raised on one foot, and offered them a great august banquet. Removing thence, they dwelt for one year at the palace of Wokada in Tsukushi. Again making a progress up from that land, they dwelt seven years at the palace of Takeri in the land of Agi. Again removing, and making a progress up from that land, they dwelt eight years at the palace of Takashima in Kibi. So when they made their progress up from that land, they met in the Hayasuhi Channel a person riding towards them on the carapace of a tortoise, and raising his wings as he angled. Then they called to him to approach, and asked him, saying: “Who art thou?” He replied, saying: “I am an Earthly Deity.” Again they asked him, saying: “Knowest thou the sea-path?” He replied, saying: “I know it well.” Again they asked him, saying: “Wilt thou follow and respectfully serve us?” He replied, saying: “I will respectfully serve you.” So they pushed a pole across to him, drew him into the august vessel, and forthwith conferred on him the designation of Sawo-ne-tsu-hiko. (This is the ancestor of the Rulers of the land of Yamato). So when they went up from that land they passed the Namihaya Crossing, and brought up at the haven of Shirakata. At this time Nagasune-biko of Tomi raised an army, and waited to go out to fight [against them]. Then they took the shields that had been put in the august vessel, and disembarked. So they called that place by the name of Tate-dzu. It is what is now called the Tadetsu of Kusaka. Therefore when fighting with the Prince of Tomi, His Augustness Itsu-se was pierced in his august hand by the Prince of Tomi’s hurtful arrow. So then he said: “It is not right for me, an august child of the Sun-Deity, to fight facing the sun. It is for this reason that I am stricken by the wretched villain’s hurtful hand. I will henceforward turn round, and smite him with my back to the sun.” Having [thus] decided, he, on making a progress round from the southern side, reached the sea of Chinu, and washed the blood on his august hand: so it is called the sea of Chinu. Making a progress round from thence, and arriving at the river-mouth of Wo in the land of Ki, he said: “Ah! that I should die stricken by the wretched villain’s hand!” and expired as a valiant man. So that river-mouth was called the river-mouth of Wo. The mausoleum, too, is on Mount Kama in the land of Ki.