Kojiki 52

Section LII. Emperor Jim-mu (Part. IX—Troubles Which Followed His Decease)

So when, after the decease of the Heavenly Sovereign, the elder half-brother, His Augustness Tagishi-mimi, wedded the Empress I-suke-yori-hime, he plotted how he might slay his three younger brethren, pending which their august parent I-suke-yori-hime lamented, and made [the plot] known to her august children by a Song. The Song said: “From the River Sawi the clouds have risen across, and the leaves of the trees have rustled on Mount Unebi: the wind is about to blow.”

Again she sang, saying: “Ah! What rest on Mount Unebi as clouds in the day-time, will surely blow as wind at night-fall, [whence] the rustling of the leaves!”

When hereupon her august children, hearing and knowing [of the danger], were alarmed and forthwith were about to slay Tagishi-mimi, His Augustness Kamu-nuna-kaha-mimi said to his elder brother His Augustness Kamu-ya-wi-mimi: “Thy dear Augustness, [do thou] take a weapon, and go in and slay Tagishi-mimi.” So he took a weapon and went in, and was about to slay him. But his arms and legs trembled so, that he was unable to slay him. So then the younger brother His Augustness Kamu-nuna-kaha-mimi begged [to be allowed] to take the weapon which his elder brother held, and went in and slew Tagishi-mimi. So again, in praise of his august name, he was called His Augustness Take-nuna-kaha-mimi. Then His Augustness Kamu-ya-wi-mimi resigned [in favour of] the younger brother His Augustness Take-nuna-kaba-mimi, saying: “I could not slay the foeman; but Thine Augustness was at once able to slay him. So, though I be the elder brother, it is not right that I should be the superior. Wherefore do Thine Augustness be the superior, and rule [all] beneath the Heaven. I will assist Thine Augustness, becoming a priest, and respectfully serving thee.”