42. Yamato-take Meets the Deity of Mount Ibuki

1Hereupon he said: “As for the Deity of this mountain, I will simply take him empty-handed,”—and was ascending the mountain, when there met him on the mountain-side a white boar whose size was like unto that of a bull. Then he lifted up words, and said: “This creature that is transformed into a white boar must be a messenger from the Deity. Though I slay it not now, I will slay it when I return,”—and [so saying,] ascended. Thereupon the Deity caused heavy ice-rain to fall, striking and perplexing His Augustness Yamato-take. (This creature transformed into a white boar was not a messenger from the Deity, but the very Deity in person. Owing to the lifting up of words, he appeared and misled [Yamato-take.]) So when, on descending back, he reached the fresh spring of Tama-kura-be and rested there, his august heart awoke somewhat. So that fresh spring is called by the name of the fresh spring of Wi-same.