“The Emperor, hearing the sound of their weeping and wailing, was grieved at heart, and commanded his high officers, saying: “‘It is a very painful thing to force these whom one has loved in life to follow him in death. Though it be an ancient custom, why follow it if it is bad? From this time forward, take counsel so as to put a stop to the following of the dead.’ “A.D. 3, seventh month, sixth day: The Empress Hibasuhime no Mikoto died. Sometime before the burial the Emperor commanded his ministers, saying: “‘We have already recognized that the practice of following the dead is not good. What should now be done in performing this burial?’ “Thereupon Nomi no Sukune came forward and said: “‘It is not good to bury living men upright at the tumulus of a prince. How can such a practice be handed down to posterity? I beg leave to propose an expedient which I will submit to your Majesty.’ “So he sent messengers to summon up from the land of Idzumo a hundred men of the clay-workers Be. He himself directed the men of the clay-workers Be to take clay and form therewith shapes of men, horses, and various objects, which he presented to the Emperor, saying: “‘Henceforward, let it be the law for future ages to substitute things of clay for living men, and to set them up at tumuli.’ “Then the Emperor was greatly rejoiced, and commended Nomi no Sukune, saying: “‘Thy expedient hath greatly pleased our heart.’ “So the things of clay were first set up at the tomb of Hibasuhime no Mikoto. And a name was given to those clay objects. They were called _hani-wa_ or ‘clay rings.’ “Then a decree was issued, saying: “‘Henceforth these clay figures must be set up at tumuli; let no men be harmed.’ “The Emperor bountifully rewarded Nomi no Sukune for this service, and also appointed him to the official charge of the clay-workers Be. His original title was therefore changed, and he was called Hashi no Omi. This was how it came to pass that the Hashi no Muraji superintended the burials of Emperors.”[108]