ABSTRACT
THE Emperor Ama no Nunahara oki no mabito was the younger brother by the same mother of the Emperor Arne nlikoto hirakasu \vake. In his childhood he was called the Imperial Prince Oho-ama.2 From his birth he had a majestic and intelligent appearance: when he grew to manhood, he was virile and martial. He was skilled in astronomy and the art of becoming invisible. He took to him the Imperial Princess Uno, daughter of the Emperor Arne mikoto hirakasu wake, J and made her his wife. In the first year of the Emperor Arne mikoto hirakasu wake, he was made Heir Apparent. 4 In the fourth year of his reign, winter, the tenth month, and the seventeenth day, the Emperor took to his sick-bed. His sufferings were very severe. U pan this he sent Yasumaro Saga no Omi to fetch the Heir Apparent, and to introduce him to the Great Hall. Now Yasumaro had been always a favourite of the Heir Apparent, and secretly taking thought for him, said :-" Think
before you speak." Upon this the Heir Apparent suspected a secret plot and was cautious. \Vhen the Emperor gave him his commands and bestowed on him the vast undertaking,· he declined, saying :-" Thy servant has unfortunately al\vays had bad health: ho,v could he maintain the State? I beseech Your Majest)?, besto,v the entire Elnpire on the Empress-consort, and let the Imperial Prince Ohotomo be established as successor to the throne. I \vill to-day renounce the world, and it is my desire for Your Majest:y's sake to perform acts of merit." The Emperor gave his consent, and on the same day he renounced the \vorld and put on the priestl)T garb. He accordingly collected his private weapons and deposited them everyone in the Department.
