76
Represented at Ise by dancers called tonako (bird-cry).
77
'The Golden Bough,' second edition, i. 115.
78
See Index-'River-deities.'
79
See above, p. 90. (#Page_90)
80
Another authority makes Uka no mitama a daughter of Izanagi and Izanami.
81
See above, p. 93. (#FNanchor_64_64)
82
See Index-Futsunushi.
83
Like Odin, who lends his spear Gungmir to heroes to win victories with.
84
I.e., died.
85
It was an Arab custom in certain places to build a hut outside the camp, where the parturient woman had to stay for a time. – Welhausen.
86
There was no official recognition of the art of writing in Japan until a. d. 405, and no mention of calendars until a. d. 553. So much for the authenticity of the above date.
87
Usa is not on the direct route from Hiuga to Yamato. It was no doubt introduced because this place was anciently a famous centre of Shinto worship.
88
This is a specimen of the numerous derivations of the Jimmu narrative. The Idzumo Fudoki is also full of infantile etymologies, which have usually a scrap of legend attached to them.
89
Blade-holder.
90
Yata-garasu means eight-hand-crow. The guidance of conquerors or colonists to their destination by a supernatural bird or beast is a familiar feature of old-world story.
91
Ame is the name of a sweet substance made from millet, of the same nature as our malt extract.
92
The Mikado deputed most of his priestly functions to the Nakatomi.
93
Idzu-hime means dread or sacred princess. Michi no Omi (minister of the way) seems therefore to have been given a feminine title for the occasion, no doubt because the office was usually held by women.
94
It was at this season of the year that the harvest festival, or rather the festival of tasting the new rice, was celebrated. See Index-Nihiname.
95
Japanese history is said to begin from this date. In reality nothing deserving the name existed for nearly one thousand years more.
96
Deuteronomy iv. 19; xvii. 3.
97
The Vice-Royalty of Kiushiu.
98
In Korea.
99
See above, p. 70 (#Page_70); also Index-'Mirror.'
100
"The mirror is kept in a box of chamaecyparis wood, which rests on a low stand covered with a piece of white silk. It is wrapped in a bag of brocade, which is never opened or renewed, but when it begins to fall to pieces from age another bag is put on, so that the actual covering consists of many layers. Over the whole is placed a sort of wooden cage, with ornaments said to be of pure gold, over which again is thrown a cloth of coarse silk falling to the floor on all sides." – Murray's 'Japan,' fifth edition, p. 308.