27. His Later Wives

1Again, in accordance with the Empress’s words, he summoned Her Augustness Princess Hibasu, next Her Augustness Princess Oto, next Her Augustness Princess Utakori, next Her Augustness Princess Matonu, daughters of Prince Michi-no-ushi,—four Deities in all. Now he kept the two Deities Her Augustness Princess Hibasu and Her Augustness Princess Oto; but as for the two Deities the younger queens, he sent them back to their native place on account of their extreme hideousness. Thereupon Princess Matonu said with mortification: “When it is known in the neighbouring villages that, among sisters of the same family, we have been sent back on account of our ugliness, it will be extremely mortifying;” and, on reaching Sagaraka in the Land of Yamashiro, she tried to kill herself by hanging herself from a branch of a tree. So that place was called by the name of Sagariki. It is now called Sagaraka. Again, on reaching Otokuni, she at last killed herself by jumping into a deep pool. So that place was called by the name of Ochikuni. It is now called Otokuni.