“‘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]