Editing Emperor Sujin (section)

==Legendary narrative==
The Japanese have traditionally accepted this sovereign's historical existence, and a [[kofun]] ([[tumulus]]) for Sujin is currently maintained. There remains no conclusive evidence though that supports this historical figure actually reigning. The following information available is taken from the [[Pseudohistory|pseudo-historical]] {{Lang|ja-latn|[[Kojiki]]}} and {{Lang|ja-latn|[[Nihon Shoki]]}}, which are collectively known as {{Nihongo|''Kiki''|記紀}} or ''Japanese chronicles''. These chronicles include legends and myths, as well as potential historical facts that have since been [[Tall tale|exaggerated and/or distorted]] over time. The records state that Sujin was born sometime in 148 BC, and was the second son of [[Emperor Kaika]].<ref name="Henshall"/><ref name="Brown1"/> Sujin's mother was ''Ikagashikome no Mikoto'', who was also a concubine of Sujin's grandfather [[Emperor Kōgen]].<ref name="aston109 & 149-150"/>{{efn|Ikagashikome (Ika-shiko-me) became Emperor Kaika's empress, but before that she had been a concubine to the previous Emperor (Kōgen). It is recorded that she bore a child with Kōgen, which makes this problematic as in order to be Sujin's mother she would have had to give birth again separated by a 50-year gap.<ref name="aston109 & 149-150"/> Given her recorded age at the time, this scenario seems highly unlikely.}} Before he was enthroned sometime in 97 BC, his pre-ascension name was either Prince ''Mimakiirihikoinie no Mikoto'', ''Mimakiiribikoinie no Sumeramikoto'', or ''Hatsukunishirasu Sumeramikoto''.<ref name="Henshall"/><ref name="aston150–164">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_oEfAAAAYAAJ|title=Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to A.D. 697, Volume 2|author=Aston, William George.|publisher=The Japan Society London|date=1896|pages=150–164|isbn=9780524053478|author-link=William George Aston}}</ref> The former name is used in the {{Lang|ja-latn|Kojiki}}, while the latter two are found in the {{Lang|ja-latn|Nihon Shoki}}. Sujin was enthroned sometime in 97 BC, and during the 3rd year of his reign it is the recorded that he moved the capital to {{Nihongo|[[Shiki District, Nara|Shiki]]|磯城}}, naming it the ''Palace of Mizu-gaki'' or {{Nihongo|Mizugaki-no-miya|瑞籬宮}}.<ref name="aston150–164"/>{{efn|Historian ''Tsutomu Ujiya'' states that the location could have been in the vicinity of {{Nihongo|Kanaya|金屋}}, [[Sakurai, Nara]]<ref name="Ujiya 121"/>}}

===Enshrining Ōmononushi (Miwa Myōjin)===
{{Further|Mount Miwa}}

The ''Kiki'' records that [[Infection|pestilence]] struck during the 5th year of Sujin's rule, killing half the Japanese population. The following year peasants abandoned their fields and rebellion became rampant.<ref name="Ujiya 121"/><ref name="aston150–164"/> To help relieve the suffering of his people, the Emperor turned his attention towards the gods. At the time, both the sun goddess [[Amaterasu]] and the god {{Nihongo|[[Yamato Okunitama|Yamato-no-Okunitama]]|倭大国魂神}}  were enshrined at the Imperial Residence. Sujin became overwhelmed with having to cohabit with these two powerful deities and set up separate enshrinements to house them. Amaterasu was moved to {{Nihongo|Kasanui village|笠縫邑}} in [[Yamato Province]] (Nara), where a [[Himorogi]] altar was built out of solid stone.<ref name="Ujiya 121"/><ref name="aston150–164"/> Sujin placed his daughter {{Nihongo|{{Ill|Toyosukiiri-hime|ja|豊鍬入姫命}}|豊鍬入姫命}} in charge of the new shrine, and she would become the first [[Saiō]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://d-museum.kokugakuin.ac.jp/eos/detail/?id=8608 | title=Encyclopedia of Shinto詳細 }}</ref> [[Yamato Okunitama|Yamato-no-Okunitama]] (the other god) was entrusted to another daughter named {{Ill|Nunaki-iri-hime|lt=Nunakiirihime|ja|渟名城入姫命}}, but her health began to fail shortly afterward. It is recorded that Nunakiiri-hime became [[emaciated]] after losing all of her hair, which rendered her unable to perform her duties.<ref name="Ujiya 121"/><ref name="aston150–164"/> These events still did not alleviate the ongoing plague sweeping the empire, so Sujin decreed a [[divination]] to be performed sometime during the 7th year of his reign. The divination involved him making a trip to the plain of Kami-asaji or {{Nihongo|Kamu-asaji-ga-hara|神浅茅原}}, and invoking the [[Yaoyorozu no Kami|eight hundred myriad deities]].

Sujin's aunt {{Nihongo|[[Princess_Yamato_Totohi_Momoso|Yamatototohimomoso-hime]]|倭迹迹日百襲媛命}} (daughter of 7th Emperor [[Emperor Kōrei]]) acted as a ''[[miko]]'', and was possessed by a god who identified himself as [[Ōmononushi]]. This god claimed responsibility for the plague, announcing that it would not stop until he was venerated. Although the Emperor propitiated to the god, the effects were not immediate. Sujin was later given guidance in the form of a dream to seek out a man named {{Nihongo|{{ill|Ōtataneko|ja|大田田根子命}}|太田田根子}} and appoint him as head priest. When he was found and installed, the pestilence eventually subsided, allowing five cereal crops to ripen.<ref name="aston150–164"/> Out of an abundance of caution, the Emperor also appointed {{Nihongo|Ikagashikoo|伊香色雄}} as {{Nihongo|''kami-no-mono-akatsu-hito''|神班物者}}, or one who sorts the offerings to the gods. To this day the [[Miwa clan|Miwa sect]] of the [[Kamo clan]] claim to be descents from {{ill|Ōtataneko|ja|大田田根子命}}, while Ikagashikoo was a claimed ancestor of the now extinct [[Mononobe clan]].<ref name="Ujiya 121"/><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/shi/kj/kj072.htm|title=''[SECT. LXV.—EMPEROR SŪ-JIN (PART III: STORY OF OHO-TATA-NE-KO'S BIRTH)]'' (''The Kojiki'')|author=Chamberlain, Basil|publisher=Read before the Asiatic Society of Japan on April 12, May 10, and June 21, 1882, reprinted in 1919|page=219|author-link=Basil Chamberlain|quote=His Augustness Oho-tata-ne-ko&nbsp;... was the ancestor of the Dukes of Miwa and of the Dukes of Kamo.}}</ref>

===Four Cardinal Quarters (Shidō shogun)===
[[File:Rutas shido shogun.svg|thumb|180px|The ''Four Cardinal Quarters'']]
In his 10th year of rule, Sujin instituted four of his Generals to the ''Four Cardinal Quarters'' in what would be known as the ''Shidō shogun''. These areas (west, north/northwest, northeast, and east) were all centered around the capital in [[Yamato Province]]. Sujin instructed his generals (shogun) to quell those who would not submit to their rule.<ref name="Ujiya 121"/><ref name="aston150–164"/><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/shi/kj/kj073.htm|title=''[SECT. LXVI.—EMPEROR SŪ-JIN (PART IV.—WAR WITH KING TAKE-HANI-YASU).]'' (''The Kojiki'')|author=Chamberlain, Basil|publisher=Read before the Asiatic Society of Japan on April 12, May 10, and June 21, 1882, reprinted in 1919|page=220|author-link=Basil Chamberlain}}</ref> One of the four shoguns who had been sent to the northern region was named {{Nihongo|Ōhiko|大彦}}, who was also [[Emperor Kōgen]]'s first son. One day a certain maiden approached Ōhiko and sang him a cryptic song, only to disappear afterwards. Sujin's aunt {{Nihongo|[[Princess_Yamato_Totohi_Momoso|Yamatototohimomoso-hime]]|倭迹迹日百襲媛命}}, who was skilled at clairvoyance, interpreted this to mean that Take-hani-yasu-hiko (Ōhiko's [[Emperor Kōgen#Consorts and children|half brother]]) was plotting an [[Rebellion|insurrection]]. [[Princess_Yamato_Totohi_Momoso|Yamatototohimomoso-hime]] pieced it together from overhearing news that Take-hani-yasu-hiko's wife (Ata-bime) came to {{Nihongo|Mount Amanokaguya|天香久山}}, and took a clump of earth in the corner of her [[neckerchief]].{{efn|Mount Amanokaguya is located in [[Kashihara, Nara]].}}

Emperor Sujin gathered his generals in a meeting upon hearing the news, but the couple had already mustered troops to the west who were ready to attack the capital. The Emperor responded by sending an army under the command of general ''Isaseri-hiko no Mikoto'' to fight a battle that ended with a decisive Imperial victory. Ata-bime was killed in combat, and her husband fled back north.<ref name="Ujiya 121"/><ref name="aston150–164"/> Sujin then sent general {{Nihongo|Hiko-kuni-fuku|彦国葺命}} north to [[Yamashiro Province]] to punish the rebel prince. There was ultimately an exchange of bowshots that resulted in Take-hani-yasu-hiko's death by an arrow through the chest.<ref name="Ujiya 121"/><ref name="aston150–164"/> Eventually the Emperor would appoint 137 governors for the provinces under his Imperial rule as the empire expanded.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MquHCgAAQBAJ&q=kujiki+%2B+chichibu&pg=PA13|title=''Chichibu: Japan's hidden treasure''|author=Enbutsu, Sumiko|publisher=Tuttle Publishing|year=1990|page=13|isbn=978-0-8048-2131-5}}</ref> In his 12th year of rule, the Emperor decreed that a [[census]] be taken of the populace "with grades of seniority, and the order of forced labour". The tax system meanwhile was set up so taxes imposed were in the form of [[Corvée|mandatory labor]]. These taxes were known as {{Nihongo|''yuhazu no mitsugi''|弭調|extra="bow-end tax"}} for men and {{Nihongo|''tanasue no mitsugi''|手末調|extra="finger-end tax"}} for women. During this period peace and prosperity ensued, and the Emperor received the title {{Nihongo|''Hatsu kuni shirasu sumeramikoto''|御肇国天皇|extra="The Emperor, the august founder of the country"}}.<ref name="Ujiya 121"/><ref name="aston150–164"/><ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/shi/kj/kj074.htm|title=''[SECT. LXVII.—EMPEROR SŪ-JIN (PART V.—PEACE RESTORED AND TRIBUTE LEVIED).]'' (''The Kojiki'')|author=Chamberlain, Basil|publisher=Read before the Asiatic Society of Japan on April 12, May 10, and June 21, 1882, reprinted in 1919|page=224|author-link=Basil Chamberlain|quote=His Augustness Oho-tata-ne-ko&nbsp;... was the ancestor of the Dukes of Miwa and of the Dukes of Kamo.}}</ref>

===Choosing an heir and Divine treasures===
During the 48th year of Sujin's reign (50 BC), he summoned two of his sons saying that he loved them equally and could not make up his mind which to make his heir. He then asked his sons to describe the dreams they had recently, so he could divine their lot by interpreting them. The elder son's name was {{Nihongo|Toyoki|豊城命}}, and explained to his father that he dreamt of climbing Mt. Mimoro ([[Mount Miwa]]). While facing east, he said that he thrust his spear eight times and then waved his sword eight times skywards. The younger prince, whose name was {{Nihongo|Ikume|活目命}} dreamt of climbing Mimoro and spanning ropes on four sides. He went on to say how he chased the sparrows that ate the [[millet]].<ref name="Ujiya 121"/><ref name="aston150–164"/> Sujin accordingly chose his younger son Ikume to become the next [[Crown prince]], while his older son Toyoki was chosen to govern the east. Toyoki ultimately became the ancestor of the Kamitsuke and Shimotsuke clans.<ref name="Ujiya 121"/><ref name="aston150–164"/>

In the 60th year of Sujin's reign (38 BC), Sujin told his ministers that he wanted to look at divine treasures brought from the heavens by {{Nihongo|Takehinateru|建比良鳥命}} which were housed in the [[Izumo Shrine]]. {{Nihongo|Izumo Furune|出雲振根}} was the keeper of the treasures, but at the time was away on business in [[Tsukushi Province]]. Furune's younger brother {{Nihongo|Izumo Iiirine|出雲飯入根}}, accommodated the Imperial Edict on his behalf by sending his two younger brothers as carriers of these treasures to show the Emperor. When Furune returned, he was furious at Iiirine for parting with the treasures. He invited his younger brother to wade in a pool (named Yamuya) with him, where he used a sword-swapping intrigue. Furune exchanged his own wooden sword with his brother's real sword and commenced a battle which ended with Iiirine's death. When the Imperial court received news of the event, they dispatched two generals{{efn|{{Nihongo|Takenunakawawake|武渟川別}} (General of the East), and {{Nihongo|Kibitsuhiko|吉備津彦命}} (General of the West)}} to slay Izumo Furune.<ref name="Ujiya 121"/><ref name="aston150–164"/>

===Later reign and death===
Towards the end of his reign in (36 BC), both the {{Lang|ja-latn|Kojiki}} and {{Lang|ja-latn|Nihon Shoki}} records indicate that Sujin started to encourage the building of artificial ponds and canals. During this time, {{Nihongo|Yosami pond|依網池}} was built near {{Nihongo|Ōyosami Shrine|大依羅神社}} in [[Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka]].<ref name="Ujiya 121"/><ref name="aston150–164"/>{{efn|Yosami pond could have also been slightly south in the Ikeuchi area of [[Sakai, Osaka]].<ref name=takeda>{{cite book|title=''Shintei Kojiki''|author=Takeda, Yukichi|year=1977|publisher=Kadokawa|pages=94–99|isbn=4-04-400101-4}}</ref>}} Sujin is also credited with building {{Nihongo|Sakaori pond|酒折池}} which was said to be located in ''Karu'' ([[Kashihara, Nara]]).<ref name=takeda/> During his alleged lifetime, Sujin fathered twelve children with a chief wife (empress) and two consorts. When he died in 30 BC, his son ''Prince Ikumeirihikoisachi'' became the [[Emperor Suinin|next emperor]] per Sujin's choice. Sujin's actual burial site is unknown, but is said to be at [[Mount Miwa]].