英語訳
The text continues: Bing (丙, *hinoe*, "elder fire") means "炳" (*hei*, "to shine brightly"), referring to the fire of the sun, blazing heat, and the like. This is called "sovereign fire" (*kunka*). Ding (丁, *hinoto*, "younger fire") is the younger sibling of fire and also governs the south. It is said that Ding means "灯" (*tō*, "lamp"), referring to the fire used daily in ordinary households. This is called "ministerial fire" (*sōka*). Wu (戊, *tsuchinoe*, "elder earth") is the elder sibling of earth, positioned at the center, governing the *doyō* (earth-phase periods) of the four seasons, and paired with "faithfulness" (*shin*) among the Five Constant Virtues. It is further said that Wu means "mother," as it is the mother that nurtures the five grains and all vegetation. Ji (己, *tsuchinoto*, "younger earth") is the younger sibling of earth; it is said that Ji means "to rise" (*ki*), meaning it brings forth all implements and assists the productive activities of the people. Geng (庚, *kanoe*, "elder metal") is the elder sibling of metal, governing the autumn of the west, paired with "propriety" (*rei*) among the Five Constant Virtues, and representing the direction that gathers all things. It is thus said that Geng means "to renew/change" (*kō*): all things are born in the age of wood, and transformed and gathered in the age of metal. Xin (辛, *kanoto*, "younger metal") is the younger sibling of metal, also paired with autumn. It is said that Xin means "new" (*shin*), representing the renewal of all things. Ren (壬, *mizunoe*, "elder water") is the elder sibling of water, governing the winter of the north, paired with "wisdom" (*chi*) among the Five Constant Virtues. It is said that Ren means "to bundle together" (*jin*): all things are gathered in the age of metal and born in the age of wood. Gui (癸, *mizunoto*, "younger water") is the younger sibling of water. It is said that Gui means "to measure/gauge" (*ki*): water is the beginning by which all things are measured, and wisdom is the foundation by which all plans are gauged.
**[The Twelve Earthly Branches]**
*Ne* (子, Rat) means "root" (*ne*). It is called the ninth night-watch (midnight). It is the end of *yin* and the beginning of *yang*. Thus, the character 子 (*ne*) combines 了 ("to end") with 一 ("beginning") to form 子. It is the root from which all things are born. *Ushi* (丑, Ox) is at the extreme of *yin* and loses *yang* energy. It is called the eighth night-watch (cock-crow). It marks the end of things. *Tora* (寅, Tiger) is the moment when *yin* energy is seized by *yang* energy. It is called the seventh morning watch (dawn). There is the energy of rising peacefully at daybreak. *U* (卯, Rabbit) means "to give birth to the sun." It is called the sixth morning watch (daybreak). It is the time when people open their doors. Thus, the character 卯 has the shape of the character 戸 ("door") opened to the left and right. *Tatsu* (辰, Dragon) means "the sun rises and stands." It is called the fifth morning watch (meal time). It is the pinnacle of *yang*. *Mi* (巳, Snake) means "the energy of the sun fills up." It is called the fourth daytime watch (*yūchū*). The sun approaches the zenith and *yang* energy rises to fullness. *Uma* (午, Horse) means "*yang* energy is born." It is called the ninth daytime watch (noon). Once the sun rises to the zenith, it can only begin to tilt. *Hitsuji* (未, Goat) means "the sun passes through," meaning the crossing point of the sun. It is called the eighth daytime watch (afternoon). *Saru* (申, Monkey) means "the sun departs." It is called the seventh dusk watch (*hoji*, late afternoon). The restless nature of monkeys is said to manifest in the busyness before dusk. *Tori* (酉, Rooster) means "the sun is gathered in." It is called the sixth dusk watch (sunset). The character 酉 is the reverse of 卯, shaped as the doors closed together with a crossbar inserted. *Inu* (戌, Dog) means "*yang* energy departs." It is called the fifth dusk watch (twilight). Moreover, Inu means "to destroy/break" (*yaburu*): *yin* energy destroys *yang*. Vegetation is broken by frost and perishes. *I* (亥, Boar) means "*yang* energy returns." It is called the fourth night watch (human quiet). Faint *yang* mingles with abundant *yin*, and it is the time when people settle and conception occurs. Vegetation returns and takes in the budding.
It is at Inu (戌, *yaburu* = "to destroy") and *I* (亥) that earthquakes occur. The hour of *Ne* (子), the beginning of the night and the widely auspicious beginning of spring, is called "Banzairaku" (万歳楽, a song of celebration) with reference to earthquakes occurring after the celebrations.
The great earthquake that occurred on the 2nd day of the 10th month fell on the day of *Tatsu* (辰), occurring just after the fifth night-watch and before the fourth, specifically in the lower half of the Inu (戌) hour (around 8 p.m.). Inu and *I* correspond to the northwest: Inu governs earth and *I* governs water. *Tatsu* (辰) corresponds to the southeast and also governs earth. At this season there is much mid-moisture (*chūuroi*), and while this energy attempts to transform all things, the *yang* energy above is still young and weak, unable to manifest because the time has not yet come. This energy transforms and becomes an earthquake. This is the meaning of "vibrating at *Tatsu*." Inu represents "breaking/destroying" (*yaburu*) and *I* represents "ceasing/exhausting" (*taeru*), being the end of the year and the end of the day. Even if there is a sudden eruption, shaking, and collapse, the following day will be the day of *Mi* (巳), and since *Mi* means "to stop/remain" (*todomaru*), the earthquake will lose its source. After that, it transitions to the hour of *Ne* (子), and since *Ne* is the ninth watch, the end of *yin* and the beginning of *yang*, this is the root that gives birth to heaven and earth, the universe, all things, and the five grains.
Considering all of this together, these events are not an omen of a disastrous year, but rather the foundation of a prosperous harvest year. Truly, this demonstrates that it is an auspicious omen (*shōzui*) of the current reign, and it is my earnest wish that people's confusion be resolved and that there be no one who harbors dread or doubt — this is what I have to say.
It should be noted that while the residual energy will remain until the ground settles, there is no cause to fear another great earthquake. However, the workings of Heaven are unfathomable. Continued caution and vigilance are of utmost importance.
[Boxed inscription at lower left]
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