| aR Ei‘ i‘i( a a Bai - JINGU = EMPRESS nce upon a time, in Japan, there lived an empress, who was expecting a child. } One day her husband, the emperor, declared war on a group of rebels. | Jinga did not agree. She told him of a vision that had come to her in a dream: They should use their army to invade Korea, “a country full of mar- velous things dazzling to the eye.” Jingi''s husband did not take her advice: He lost the battle against the a rebels and died. 2 While still pregnant, Jinga kept her husband's death secret, put on his clothes, and defeated the rebels herself. She then led the Japanese army across the Sea of Japan to conquer Korea, as her dream foretold. ‘As well as having dreams that helped her win battles, Jingu was thought to have all kinds of magical powers. People said that she controlled the tides, using two special jewels she had in her jewelry box. Others said that her son, Gjin, remained in her womb for three whole years, giving his mother E time to invade Korea and return home before giving birth. She was probably just exceptionally talented and tough. Jingls was a heroic warrior and never afraid to take responsibility for her actions. “If this expedition is successful, it will be due to you, my ministers; and, if not, | alone am to blame,” she said. The expedition was successful and she reigned for over seventy years. ooo ooo 1 CA, 169-269 JAPAN +88