54. The Empress Jin-gō Subdues Yamato

1Hereupon, when Her Augustness Princess Okinaga-tarashi was returning up to Yamato, she, owing to doubts concerning the disposition of the people, prepared a mourning-vessel, set the august child in that mourning-vessel, and let a report ooze out that the august child was already dead. While she went up thus, King Kagosaka and King Oshikuma, having heard [of the circumstance], thought to waylay her, went forth to the moor of Toga, and hunted for an omen. Then King Kagosaka climbed up an oak-tree, and then a large and angry boar came forth, dug up the oak-tree, and forthwith devoured King Kagosaka. His younger brother, King Oshikuma, undaunted by this circumstance, raised an army and lay in wait [for the Empress], to close with the mourning-vessel as being an empty vessel. Then an army was landed from the mourning-vessel, and joined in combat [with the opposing forces]. At this time King Oshikuma made the Noble Isahi, ancestor of the Kishi Clan of Naniha, his generalissimo; and on the august side of the Heir Apparent His Augustness Naniha-ne-ko-take-furu-kuma, ancestor of the Grandees of Wani, was made generalissimo. So when [the Empress’s troops] had driven [King Oshikuma’s troops] as far as Yamashiro, [the latter] turned and made a stand, and both [sides] fought together without retreating. Then His Augustness Take-furu-kuma planned, and caused it to be said that, as Her Augustness Princess Okinaga-tarashi was already dead, there was no need for further fighting,—forthwith snapping his bowstrings and feigning submission. Therefore King Oshikuma’s generalissimo, believing the falsehood, unbent his bows and put away his arms. Then [the Empress’s troops] picked out of their topknots some prepared bowstrings (one name [of the bowstrings] was usa-yu-dzuru,) stretched [their bows] again, and pursued and smote [the enemy]. So [these] fled away to Afusaka, rallied, and fought again. Then [the Empress’s troops] pursued pressed, on, and defeated them, and cut to pieces that army at Sasanami. Thereupon King Oshikuma, together with the Noble Isahi, being pursued and pressed, got on board a vessel and floated on the sea, and sang, saying:

2“Come on, my lord! rather than be stricken by Furu-kuma’s hurtful hand, I will plunge like the grebe into the Sea of Afumi,—I will!”

3Forthwith they plunged into the sea, and died together.