39. Yamato-take Slays the Deity of the Ashigara Pass

1When, having thence penetrated on and subdued all the savage Yemishi and likewise pacified all the savage Deities of the mountains and rivers, he was returning up [to the capital], he, on reaching the foot of the Ashigara Pass, was eating his august provisions, when the Deity of the pass, transformed into a white deer, came and stood [before him]. Then forthwith, on his waiting and striking [the deer] with a scrap of wild chive, [the deer] was hit in the eye and struck dead. So, mounting to the top of the pass, he sighed three times and spoke, saying: “Adzuma ha ya!” So that land is called by the name of Adzuma.