The Legendary First Emperor - The Story of Emperor Jinmu(Second half)
- Chapter 5: The Battle of Yamato
After traveling around the Kii Peninsula, the land of Yamato finally spreads out before them.
An ideal country surrounded by mountains, with flowing rivers and gentle breezes.
However, standing in their way is Nagasunehiko, a powerful clan leader who has ruled the land for many years.
Guidance from the Yatagarasu
Nagasunehiko sensed Kamuyamatoiwarebiko's advance and built a fortress by taking advantage of the terrain.
He leads a large number of soldiers and prepares to fight back with a powerful army.
Meanwhile, Kamuyamatoiwarebiko does not retreat, and carefully arranges his formation.
At that moment, a black bird - the Yatagarasu, a messenger of the gods, appears from the sky and shows them the way to go.
The Battle Begins
As dawn breaks, the two armies face off on the plains.
Nagasunehiko's army fires arrows and overwhelms them with organized movements. Struggling against clever tactics such as archers from the high ground and flanking cavalry, Kamuyamatoiwarebiko calmly watches for an opening in the enemy's sights.
As the battle reaches a stalemate, he takes the lead and charges into the enemy camp himself.
During this, a corner of his allies is surrounded by an ambush, but he moves his troops in the direction of the Yatagarasu and successfully defeats them.
Divine Protection and Victory
Suddenly, a golden sacred bird descends on the battlefield.
Wrapped in its light, Kamuyamatoiwarebiko's troops are fired up and launch a counterattack.
Nagasunehiko's troops are in disarray and lose their command.
He himself tries to resist to the end, but finally realizes he has been defeated and gives up.
Victory and a new vow
After the battle, Kamuyamatoiwarebiko looks up to the sky and gives thanks to the gods.
He vows to build a new country on this land, which he gained after losing many friends and overcoming many trials.
Here, the foundation of the country of Japan was built.
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- Chapter 6: Founding and Enthronement
After pacifying the Yamato region, Kamuyamatoiwarebiko began his journey as a king who governed the people, not as a conqueror.
He healed the land wounded by war and set about strengthening the foundations of his country.
Building the foundations of governance
He chose the path of coexistence, not excluding the powerful clans that had opposed him in war.
He gathered influential people from all over the country and set up a forum for discussion.
He gained the cooperation of the powerful clans by explaining that "true strength lies in building a country together, not in war."
He promoted the development of irrigation facilities to support agriculture, and the construction of roads and markets, aiming for the stability and prosperity of the country.
Enthronement as Emperor Jimmu
In the 660 BC, he decided to officially ascend to the throne.
As a descendant of the descended grandson of the heavenly grandson, he offered thanks to the gods and became Emperor Jimmu, at Kashihara Shrine in Yamato.
At the enthronement ceremony, Amaterasu Omikami was worshiped and prayers were made for the prosperity of the country.
The guiding bird, the Yatagarasu, was used as a symbol to show that he was a "king who received the divine mandate."
National administration and policies
Emperor Jimmu ruled with compassion and morality, without relying on military force.
He established laws and rules, and built order.
He encouraged agriculture, enriching the lives of the people.
He developed irrigation and roads, and revitalized trade.
He placed governors in various regions, and stabilized national administration.
In this way, the country of Yamato developed, and the people regained a peaceful life.
The governance and spirit he established at this time would be passed down to future generations as the foundation of Japan.
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- Final Chapter: The Legacy of Emperor Jimmu
Emperor Jimmu ruled Yamato and showed the will of the gods to the present world.
During his reign, the country stabilized, his ties with the powerful clans deepened, and the foundation of governance was built.
The foundation he built was not limited to one country, but became the foundation of the whole of Japan, and was passed down to future emperors.
Later years and teachings to his successor
In his later years, Emperor Jimmu, who had witnessed the peaceful lives of his people, spoke to his successor.
"The strength of a nation is not in its military might. It is in living and prospering together with the people that its true strength lies."
These teachings eventually led to the spirit of "valuing harmony."
As the foundation of Japan
The path that Emperor Jimmu walked was a series of trials and battles, but these were trials for the creation of a nation.
The ideals of governance and the spirit of coexistence with the people that he showed have continued to be passed down throughout Japanese history.
His name will forever be engraved in history.
He is Emperor Jimmu, the first Emperor of Japan.
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Afterword
This story is not just a record of a battle. The path that Emperor Jimmu walked was not one of ruling a country by force alone, but a story of building a nation called Japan with morality, wisdom, and faith in the guidance of the gods.
His will still live on in the culture and spirit of Japan, and his legacy continues to this day and age.
