ABSTRACT
Temmu Tenno’s commissioners for “selecting“ materials for a National History were evidently prudent men, well-advised of the advisability of making figures at least approximately plausible as they drew nearer to the age when certain things were getting to be set down in black on white. It is needless to observe that such purple patches in the Nihongi are something entirely different from the speeches that add vivacity and dramatic effect to the narrative set forth in Thucydides’ immortal pages. It has been pointed out that while the accuracy of the Chinese chronology at this time has never been disputed, it is possible that errors may have crept in in the case of notices relating to a distant and little-known country. However, even from the Arihongi’s own account, it is clear that Yueyako was neither an entire stranger to pity, nor altogether devoid of generous impulses, and his Imperial Majesty certainly had a sense of humour.
