38. Yamato-take’s Empress Stills the Waves

1When he thence penetrated on, and crossed the sea of Hashiri-midzu, the Deity of that crossing raised the waves, tossing the ship so that it could not proceed across. Then [Yamato-take’s] Empress, whose name was Her Augustness Princess Oto-tachibana said: “I will enter the sea instead of the august child. The august child must complete the service on which he has been sent, and take back a report [to the Heavenly Sovereign].” When she was about to enter the sea, she spread eight thicknesses of sedge rugs, eight thicknesses of skin rugs and eight thicknesses of silk rugs on the top of the waves, and sat down on the top [of them]. Thereupon the violent waves at once went down, and the august ship was able to proceed. Then the Empress sang, saying:

2“Ah! thou [whom I] enquired of, standing in the midst of the flames of the fire burning on the little moor of Sagamu, where the true peak pierces!”

3So seven days afterwards the Empress’s august comb drifted onto the sea-beach,—which comb was forthwith taken and placed in an august mausoleum which was made.