Episode 14:
Dances by Two Boys
From the Kojiki, Volume III
“The Discovery of Two Princes”
Ichinohe-no-Oshiha-no-mikoto, the father of Prince Oke and Prince Woke, was killed by Ohatsuse-no-Wakatakeru-no-mikoto (the future Emperor Yuryaku), who had plotted to succeed to the Imperial throne. The two princes hid their identity, travelled and settled in Shijimu’s house in Harima Province (now Hyogo Prefecture).
One day, a nobleman called Yamabe-no-Muraji-Odate came to oversee Harima Province. He was invited to celebrate the completion of Shijimu’s new house, and he enjoyed the drinking party that followed. At the peak of the party, every one began to dance, one by one. The brothers, who were working at the cooking fire, were also told to dance. But they both hesitated, with the younger one saying, “Brother, please dance first,” and the elder brother responding, “No, you should dance first.”, the guests there laughed at their timid attitude.
When the elder brother Prince Oke finished dancing, the younger brother Prince Woke started to sing in a slow tempo:
My lord was a warrior.
The handle of his sword was painted in vermillion.
His belt was decorated with pieces of red cloth.
His flag was red.
Mountains were piling up.
On the hidden ridge of mountains, he cut down bamboo.
It was Emperor Izahowake, who ruled the world,
as if he were waving treetops of bamboo,
or as if he were playing the eight-stringed harp.
The emperor had a prince, who was called Ichinohe-no-Oshiha-no-miko.
Although I am only a servant now,
I am a son of the prince.
In this way, the younger brother revealed his identity as a direct descendant of the former emperor, Emperor Izahowake (Emperor Richu).
This revelation was astonishing to Odate. Shocked by this song, he fell down on the floor. Sending the other people away, Odate seated the brothers on his knees, and wept at the misfortune of the two princes.
Soon, Odate gathered some people and ordered them to build a temporary palace. Furthermore, he sent an urgent messenger to the brothers’ aunt, Princess Iidoyo-no-miko, in order to notify her of this discovery. The Princess was delighted at the news and welcomed the two princes to her palace.
Lamenting their unfortunate life, the brothers must have been waiting for an opportunity to return to their rightful positions. The drinking party with Odate was a one-in-a-million chance. Prince Woke, who seized the opportunity and revealed his identity by singing the song, later became Emperor Kenzo; his elder brother Prince Oke became Emperor Ninken.
Related tourism site:
Tsunosashi Shrine（Oshimi, Katsuragi City）
Tsunosashi Shrine is dedicated to Princess Iidoyo-no-miko, who called herself Iitoyo-Ao-no-mikoto. In the shrine precincts, there is a pond called Kagami Ike (lit. mirror pond). Iitoyo-Ao-no-mikoto is said to have used this pond as a mirror every morning. The tomb of Emperor Iitoyo, which is located northeast from the Shrine, is dedicated to Iitoyo-Ao-no-mikoto.
