40. Revelation of the Great Deity of Kadzuraki, Lord of One Word

1Again once, when the Heavenly Sovereign made a progress up Mount Kadzuraki, the various officials were all clothed in green-stained garments with red cords that had been granted to them. At that time there were people ascending the mountain on the opposite mountain acclivity quite similar to the order of the Heavenly Monarch’s retinue. Again the style of the habiliments and likewise the people were similar and not distinguishable. Then the Heavenly Sovereign gazed, and sent to ask, saying: “There being no other king in Yamato excepting myself, what person goeth thus?” The style of the reply again was like unto the commands of a Heavenly Sovereign. Hereupon the Heavenly Sovereign, being very angry, fixed his arrow [in his bow], and the various officials all fixed their arrows [in their bows]. Then those people also all fixed their arrows [in their bows]. So the Heavenly Sovereign again sent to ask, saying: “Then tell thy name. Then let each of us tell his name, and [then] let fly his arrow.” Thereupon [the other] replied, saying: As I was the first to be asked, I will be the first to tell my name. I am the deity who dispels with a word the evil and with a word the good,—the Great Deity of Kadzuraki, Lord of One Word.” The Heavenly Sovereign hereupon trembled, and said: “I reverence [thee], my Great Deity. I understood not that thy great person would be revealed;”—and having thus spoken, he, beginning by his great august sword and likewise his bow and arrows, took off the garments which the hundred officials had on, and worshipfully presented them [to the Great Deity]. Then the Great Deify, Lord of One Word, clapping his hands, accepted the offering. So when the Heavenly Sovereign made his progress back, the Great Deity came down the mountain, and respectfully escorted him to the entrance of the Hatsuse mountain. So it was at that time that the Great Deity Lord of One Word was revealed.