Kokki
Encyclopedia
, alternatively known as Kuni tsu Fumi and literally meaning "National Record", is a historical text purported to have been written in 620
by Shōtoku Taishi
and Soga no Umako
. It is recorded in the Nihon Shoki
, but there are no known extant copies. Assuming that it did in fact exist, it would predate both the Kojiki
(712) and the Nihon Shoki (720).
According to the Nihon Shoki,
During the Isshi Incident in 645
, the residence of Soga no Emishi
(a successor of Soga no Umako) was burned down. The Nihon Shoki records that the Kokki burned along with the Tennōki, but the Kokki was saved before being destroyed.
However, this copy or its remains did not apparently survive.
On November 13, 2005, the remains of Soga no Iruka
's residence were discovered in Nara
, supporting the description found in Nihon Shoki. Researchers speculate whether parts of the Tennōki or Kokki may be found.
620
Year 620 was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 620 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- India :* Pulakesi II defeats the Harsha army on the...
by Shōtoku Taishi
Prince Shotoku
, also known as or , was a semi-legendary regent and a politician of the Asuka period in Japan who served under Empress Suiko. He was a son of Emperor Yōmei and his younger half-sister Princess Anahobe no Hashihito. His parents were relatives of the ruling Soga clan, and was involved in the defeat...
and Soga no Umako
Soga no Umako
was the son of Soga no Iname and a member of the powerful Soga clan of Japan.Umako conducted political reforms with Prince Shōtoku during the rules of Emperor Bidatsu and Empress Suiko and established the Soga clan's stronghold in the government by having his daughter married with members of the...
. It is recorded in the Nihon Shoki
Nihon Shoki
The , sometimes translated as The Chronicles of Japan, is the second oldest book of classical Japanese history. It is more elaborate and detailed than the Kojiki, the oldest, and has proven to be an important tool for historians and archaeologists as it includes the most complete extant historical...
, but there are no known extant copies. Assuming that it did in fact exist, it would predate both the Kojiki
Kojiki
is the oldest extant chronicle in Japan, dating from the early 8th century and composed by Ō no Yasumaro at the request of Empress Gemmei. The Kojiki is a collection of myths concerning the origin of the four home islands of Japan, and the Kami...
(712) and the Nihon Shoki (720).
According to the Nihon Shoki,
On this year, Hitsugi no MikoPrince Shotoku, also known as or , was a semi-legendary regent and a politician of the Asuka period in Japan who served under Empress Suiko. He was a son of Emperor Yōmei and his younger half-sister Princess Anahobe no Hashihito. His parents were relatives of the ruling Soga clan, and was involved in the defeat...
and Shima no ŌomiSoga no Umakowas the son of Soga no Iname and a member of the powerful Soga clan of Japan.Umako conducted political reforms with Prince Shōtoku during the rules of Emperor Bidatsu and Empress Suiko and established the Soga clan's stronghold in the government by having his daughter married with members of the...
worked together on TennōkiTennoki, alternatively known as Sumera Mikoto no Fumi, is a historical text purported to have been written in 620 by Shōtoku Taishi and Soga no Umako. It is recorded in the Nihon Shoki, but no extant copies are known to exist....
and Kokki, composing the true history of the various court nobles.
During the Isshi Incident in 645
645
Year 645 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 645 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Byzantine Empire :* The Byzantines recapture...
, the residence of Soga no Emishi
Soga no Emishi
was a statesman of the Yamato Imperial Court. His alternative names include Emishi and Toyora no Ooomi . After the death of his father Soga no Umako, Emishi took over Ooomi, the Minister of state, from his father....
(a successor of Soga no Umako) was burned down. The Nihon Shoki records that the Kokki burned along with the Tennōki, but the Kokki was saved before being destroyed.
On the thirteenth day as Soga no EmishiSoga no Emishiwas a statesman of the Yamato Imperial Court. His alternative names include Emishi and Toyora no Ooomi . After the death of his father Soga no Umako, Emishi took over Ooomi, the Minister of state, from his father....
was about to be killed, flames burned the Tennōki, Kokki, and treasures. Fune no Fubitoesaka quickly grabbed the burning Kokki and presented it to Naka no ŌeEmperor Tenji, also known as Emperor Tenchi, was the 38th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Tenji's reign spanned the years from 661 through 671.-Traditional narrative:...
.
However, this copy or its remains did not apparently survive.
On November 13, 2005, the remains of Soga no Iruka
Soga no Iruka
was a statesman in the Asuka Period of Japan.He was a son of Soga no Emishi. He was assassinated by Prince Naka-no-Ōe though he tried to murder Prince Yamashiro, and to rule the emperor family. Emishi also committed suicide soon after his son's death, and the main branch of the Soga clan went...
's residence were discovered in Nara
Nara Prefecture
is a prefecture in the Kansai region on Honshū Island, Japan. The capital is the city of Nara.-History:The present-day Nara Prefecture was created in 1887, making it independent of Osaka Prefecture....
, supporting the description found in Nihon Shoki. Researchers speculate whether parts of the Tennōki or Kokki may be found.