s.

Fierce was the conflict now impending, and stern the struggle of the
natives for life and liberty. Here were no peaceful chiefs, like the one
met at Arasaka, and only by dint of trenchant blows was the land to be
won. On went the fight, victory now inclining to one side, now to the
other, until in the midst of the uncertain struggle the gods sent down a
deep and dark cloud, in whose thick shadow no man could see his foe, and
the strife was stayed. Suddenly, through the dense darkness, a bird in
the shape of a hawk came swooping down from the skies, enveloped in a
flood of golden light, and, dispersing the cloud, rested upon the hero's
bow. The light shed by his refulgent wings struck like the glare of
lightning upon the eyes of the enemy, so dazzling them with its radiance
that they broke into panic flight.

A victory gained in such a fashion as this does not seem quite
satisfactory to modern ideas. It is not fair to the other side. Yet it
was in this way that the Greeks won victory on the plains of Troy, and
that many other legendary victories were obtained. One cannot help
wishing that the event of battle had been left to the decision of brave
hearts and strong hands, instead of depending upon the interposition of
the gods. But such was the ancient way,--if we choose to take legend for
truth,--and we must needs receive what is given us, in default of
better.

At any rate, Jimmu was now lord of the land, and built himself a capital
city at Kashiwabara, near the site of the modern Kioto, from which he
governed the wide realms that the sword had made his own. The gods were
thanked for their aid by imposing religious ceremonies, and the people
rejoiced in the peace that had come upon the land. The soldiers who had
followed the hero to victory were amply rewarded, and his chiefs made
lords of provinces, for the control over which they were to pay in
military service. Thus early a form of feudal government was established
in Japan.

[Illustration: FUJIYAMA.]

All being now at peace within the realm, the weapons of war were hung up
in home and temple, sacrifices were offered to the goddess of the Sun,
and the three sacred emblems of the new kingdom, the mirror, the sword,
and the ball, were deposited with solemn ceremonies in the palace of the
emperor.

The remainder of Jimmu's story may be briefly told. He took for bride
the princess Tatara, the daughter of one of his chiefs, and the most
beautiful woman in all