1690. Dai VIII. In the forty-sixth year of his reign, before Christ 244, the Empire of Japan was first divided into thirty-six Provinces. He reign'd 76 and liv'd 128 years. His son KOOKIN succeeded him in the year of KOOKIN. Synmu 447, before Christ 214, and the 60th of his age. He remov'd his court and residence to Karutz. He About this time reign'd in China, Sikwo or Sino Siko, of the family of Cin, a Prince no less famous in Chinese and Japanese Histories for his profuseness and magnificence, than he was dreaded by his subjects for his unparallel'd cruelty and tyrannical Government. came to the Throne of China in the year before Christ 246, and died after a reign of thirty-seven years, in the fiftieth year of his age. Of the many Instances of his lavishness and tyranny, which are set down in my Japanese Authors, I will transcribe only a few. He once caus'd a large Lake to be dug up, and to be fill'd with Chinese Rice-beer, which being done, he sail'd over it in boats with his Mistresses naked. He built the famous Chinese Wall, which is 300 German Miles long, to secure his Empire against the irruptions of the Tartars. He sent 300 young Men, and so many young Women beyond Sea, under the command of one of his Physicians, who perswaded him to it, in order to look for, and to bring over the Plants and other necessary Ingredients, for preparing an universal Medicine, which he was very desirous to have. This Physician went over with his gallant Colony into Japan, and settled there, far from harbouring any thoughts ever to return to China. He built the famous Palace Kanjoku, which is as much as to say, a great House resembling Heaven, the floors whereof were cover'd with Gold and Silver, and the whole Palace so costly, large and magnificent, that afterwards it turn'd into a Proverb. It was set on fire, and burnt in the year before Christ 205, by order of Kool, who set up against the family of Cin, and having put to death the Emperor Syse, Sikwo's successor, possess'd himself of the Throne. The Japanese and Chinese Histories mention, that it burnt for the space of three months, before it was quite laid in ashes, from whence its largeness and extent may be conjectur'd. He was extreamly cruel with regard to his subjects, and thought the greatest torments too small a punishment for even their most inconsiderable faults. On this account he is mention'd as the first of the three famous Chinese Nero's, Sinosiko, Katsuwo and Tsuwo, of ever dreadful memory. Kookin reign'd 56, and liv'd 116 years. 1690. He was succeeded by his second Son KAIKWO, or Dai IX. KAIKWO. Kai Quo, in the year of Synmu 504, before Christ 157, and the fifty-second year of his Age. This Emperor in the third year of his reign remov'd his court and residence to Isagawa. In the seventeenth year of his reign, before Christ 140, three violent Earthquakes happen'd in China, and the next year the moon appear'd of a purple colour. In the nineteenth year of his reign, before Christ 138, the first Nengo was begun in China, by the Emperor Koo Bu, not long after his accession to the throne. Nengo is a particular Epoch commonly dated from some remarkable incident, and express'd by two characters. It is not limited to a certain number of years, but continues as long as the Emperor pleases. The character of this first Nengo was Ken Ken. He reign'd fifty-nine years, and died at Isagawa III years old. His Son SIUNSIN, or SIUSIN, succeeded him in the Dai X. year of Synmu 564, before Christ 97, and the 52d year SIUSIN. of his age. In the fourth year of his reign, before Christ 93, he remov'd his court and residence to Siki. In the seventh year of his reign, before Christ 90, was a great mortality in Japan. In the eleventh year of his reign, before Christ 86, was first erected the title and office of Seogun, who hath the direction of all military affairs, and the command of 1690. Dai XI. the army in case of war, or rebellion. The Emperor conferr'd this title on one of his sons. In the nineteenth year of his reign, before Christ 78, the first Fune, Merchant-ships and Men of War, were built in Japan. In the sixty-eighth year of his reign two Moons were seen in the East. Siusin reign'd 68, and liv'd 119 years. SYNIN, his third son, succeeded him in the year of SYNIN. Synmu 632, before Christ, 29, and the 41st of his of his age. In the first year of his reign they had ripe Peaches in China late in Autumn. In the thirty-sixth year of his reign it rain'd Stars from Heaven in Japan. In the fortieth year of his reign, on a clear and serene day, there arose of a sudden in China a violent storm of thunder and lightning: Comets, Fiery-Dragons and uncommon Meteors appear'd in the Air, and it rain'd fire from Heaven. In the sixtieth year of his reign they begun to make Fish-ponds in Japan, to cultivate Rice-fields, and to inclose the same with ditches. In the sixty-fifth year of his reign, in the seventh month, many People were kill'd in China by lightning and hail. This storm was follow'd by so dreadful a famine, that People kill'd and eat one another. In the eighty-eighth year of his reign an extraordinary swift Horse was brought over from the Indies into Japan. He could run a thousand miles a day. (A race between this Horse and the famous Horse of Ali, would have been a very diverting sight.) In the ninety-fifth year of his reign, Bupo, otherwise call'd Kobotus, came over from the Indies into Japan, and brought over with him, on a white Horse, the Kio or Book of his Religion and Doctrine. A temple was afterwards erected to him, which is still call'd Fakubasi, or the Temple of the White Horse. Ever since that time, the foreign Pagan worship of the Chinese and other Nations begun to spread in Japan, and the number of temples and religious houses was from time to time considerably increas'd. any that The reign of this Emperor is the longest of sat upon the throne of Japan, for he reign'd 98 years, and liv'd 139. I must not forget, before I close this Chapter, to take Notice: That in the 29th year of the reign of this Emperor, which was the 661 year of Synmu, the sixth and last year of the Chinese Emperor AI, by the Chinese call'd HÍAO N GAI TI, (who was then already expir'd and succeeded by the Emperor HIAO PIM TI) and the second year of his last NENGO, was born CHRIST, the Saviour of the World, and that in the 66th year of the reign of SY NIN, which was the ninth year of the reign of the Chinese Emperor KWOO BU, he was crucify'd, buried, and rose again from the dead, supposing that his death happen'd in the 33d year of his Age. Chap. IV. Of the Ecclesiastical Hereditary Emperors, who liv'd and govern'd with an unlimited Authority from the Birth of our Saviour to Joritomo, the first Secular Monarch. 71st 1690. ΚΕΚΟ. EIKOO, Synin's third son, succeeded his Dai XII. In the twenty third year of his reign a new Island rose up near Japan, from the bottom of the Sea. It was call'd Tsikubasima, and consecrated to Nebis, who is the Neptune of the Japanese. Three years after a Mia, or Temple, call'd Takajanomia, was built upon the said Island in honour of Nebis, and a sufficient number of Bonsey's or Priests appointed to attend it. This Temple, 1690. Dai XIII. in succeeding ages, became very famous and rich, and the Island it self is said to have been always free from Earthquakes. He reign'd sixty years, and liv'd hundred and forty three. SEI MUU, his fourth Son succeeded him in the year SEI MUU. of Synmu 791, of Christ 131, and the forty ninth of his Dai XIV. TSIU AI. Dai XV. age. He remov'd his Court and Residence to Sigga in the Province Oomi. In the sixth year of his reign he settled the confines of all the Provinces of his Empire. He reign'd 60 years, and liv'd hundred and eight. TSIUU AI, the second Son of Sei Mu's Sister, (who was married to Jamatta Dakino Mikotta,) and Keko's Grandson, succeeded him, in the year of Synmu 852, of Christ 192 and the forty fourth of his age. He made his way to the Throne by the murder of Kumasi Usomu Kuno Mikotto. old. He reign'd but nine years, and died fifty two years SINGUKOGU, or Dsin Guukwoo Guu, succeeded him in the year of Synmu 861, of Christ 201, and the thirtieth of her age. She was the deceased Emperors relict, and besides entituled to the Succession, by the relation she bore, in the fifth degree, to the Emperor Keikoo. She carried on war against the Coreans, and at the very beginning of her reign went over with a numerous Army, which she commanded in person, but finding herself with child in a foreign Country, she hasten'd back to Japan, and was brought to bed (in Tsikusen, in the Province Mikassa, where she then resided) of a Son, who was in his younger years call'd Wakono Oosi, but when he came of age, and to the throne, Oosin Ten Oo, and after his death Jawatta Fatzman, which is as much as to say, the Mars of Jamatta, having been for his heroic and virtuous actions related among the Gods of the Country. She |