tal and plan it great and strong.

"At present things are in a crude and obscure condition, and the
people's minds are unsophisticated. They roost in nests or dwell in
caves. Their manners are simply what is customary. Now if a great man
were to establish laws, justice could not fail to flourish. And even if
some gain should accrue to the people, in what way would this interfere
with the sage's action? Moreover it will be well to open up and clear
the mountains and forests, and to construct a palace. Then I may
reverently assume the precious dignity, and so give peace to my good
subjects. Above, I should then respond to the kindness of the heavenly
powers in granting me the kingdom; and below, I should extend the line
of the imperial descendants and foster rightmindedness. Thereafter the
capital may be extended so as to embrace all the six cardinal points
(_sic_), and the eight cords may be covered so as to form a roof. Will
this not be well? When I observe the Kashiha-bara plain, which lies
southwest of Mount Unebi, it seems the centre of the land. I must set it
in order." Accordingly, he, in this month, commanded officers to set
about the construction of an imperial residence.

Year Kanoye Saru, Autumn, 8th month, 16th day. The emperor, intending to
appoint a wife, sought afresh children of noble families. Now there was
a man who made representation to him, saying: "There is a child, who was
born to Koto-Shiro-Nushi no Kami by his union with Tama-Kushi-hime,
daughter of Mizo-kuhi-ni no Kami of Mishima. Her name is
Hime-tatara-i-suzu-hime no Mikoto. She is a woman of remarkable beauty."
The emperor was rejoiced. And on the 24th day of the 9th month he
received Hime-tatara-i-suzu-hime no Mikoto and made her his wife.

Year Kanoto Tori, Spring, 1st month, 1st day. The emperor assumed the
imperial dignity in the palace of Kashiha-bara. This year is reckoned
the first year of his reign. He honored his wife by making her empress.
The children born to him by her were Kami-ya-wi-Mimi no Mikoto and
Kami-Nunagaha-Mimi no Mikoto. Therefore there is an ancient saying in
praise of this, as follows: "In Kashiha-bara in Unebi, he mightily
established his palace-pillars on the foundation of the bottom rock, and
reared aloft the cross roof-timbers to the plain of high heaven. The
name of the emperor who thus began to rule the empire was Kami Yamato
Ihare-biko Hohodemi."

Fourth year, Spring, 2d month, 23d day. The emperor issued th