Now when Naga-sune-hiko heard this, he said:  “The object of the children of the heavenly deity in coming hither is assuredly to rob me of my country.”  So he straightway levied all the forces under his dominion, and intercepted them at the Hill of Kusaka.  A battle was engaged, and Itsuse no Mikoto was hit by a random arrow on the elbow.  The imperial forces were unable to advance against the enemy.  The emperor was vexed, and revolved in his inmost heart a divine plan, saying:  “I am the descendant of the sun-goddess, and if I proceed against the sun to attack the enemy, I shall act contrary to the way of heaven.  Better to retreat and make a show of weakness.  Then, sacrificing to the gods of heaven and earth, and bringing on our backs the might of the sun goddess, let us follow her rays and trample them down.  If we do so, the enemy will assuredly be routed of themselves, and we shall not stain our swords with blood.”

They all said:  “It is good.”  Thereupon he gave orders to the army, saying:  “Wait a while and advance no further.”  So he withdrew his forces, and the enemy also did not dare to attack him.  He then retired to the port of Kusaka, where he set up shields, and made a warlike show.  Therefore the name of this port was changed to Tatetsu, which is now corrupted into Tadetsu.

Before this, at the battle of Kusaka, there was a man who hid in a great tree, and by so doing escaped danger.  So pointing to this tree, he said:  “I am grateful to it, as to my mother.”  Therefore the people of the day called that place Omo no ki no Mura.

Fifth month, 8th day.  The army arrived at the port of Yamaki in Chinu (also called Port Yama no wi).  Now Itsuse no Mikoto’s arrow wound was extremely painful.  He grasped his sword, and striking a martial attitude, said:  “How exasperating it is that a man should die of a wound received at the hands of slaves, and should not avenge it!” The people of that day therefore called the place Wo no Minoto.

Proceeding onward, they reached Mount Kama in the Land of Kii, where Itsuse no Mikoto died in the army, and was therefore buried at Mount Kama.

Sixth month, 23d day.  The army arrived at the village of Nagusa, where they put to death the Tohe of Nagusa.  Finally they crossed the moor of Sano, and arrived at the village of Kami in Kumano.  Here he embarked in the rock-boat of heaven, and leading his army, proceeded onward by slow degrees.  In the midst of the sea, they suddenly met with a violent wind, and the imperial vessel was tossed about.  Then Ina-ihi no Mikoto exclaimed and said:  “Alas! my ancestors were heavenly deities, and my mother was a goddess of the sea.  Why do they harass me by land, and why, moreover, do they harass me by sea?” When he had said this, he drew his sword and plunged into the sea, where he became changed into the god Sabi-Mochi.