Kujiki
Encyclopedia
, or , is a historical Japanese text. It was generally believed to have been one of the earliest Japanese histories until the middle of the Edo period
, when scholars such as Tokugawa Mitsukuni
successfully contended that it was an imitation based on the Nihon Shoki
, the Kojiki
and the Kogo Shūi
. In 2006, this opinion was challenged, based on examinations of extant manuscripts, by John R. Bentley, who made a sophisticated argument for Kujiki having been written during the early eighth century. It is too soon to say whether Bentley's argument will be accepted by scholars.
Ten volumes in length, it covers the history of ancient Japan through Empress Suiko
, third daughter of Emperor Kimmei
. The preface is supposedly written by Soga no Umako
(+626). While it includes many quotes from Kojiki
(712) and Nihon Shoki
(720), volumes five and ten contain unique materials. The overall composition is considered as having been compiled between 807 and 936.
There are 3 variants of Kujiki: the 30 volumes Shirakawa edition, Shirakawahon Kujiki (白河本旧事紀) (kept by the Shirakawa Hakuou family), the 72 volumes Enpō edition, Enpōhon Sendai Kuji Hongi Taiseikyou (延宝本先代旧事本紀大成経) (discovered in 1679), and the 31 volumes Sazaki succession edition, Sazaki Denhon Sendai Kuji Hongi Taiseikyou (鷦鷯伝本先代旧事本紀大成経).
There is additionally a false document called a 10-volume Kujiki.
Edo period
The , or , is a division of Japanese history which was ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family, running from 1603 to 1868. The political entity of this period was the Tokugawa shogunate....
, when scholars such as Tokugawa Mitsukuni
Tokugawa Mitsukuni
or was a prominent daimyo who was known for his influence in the politics of the early Edo period. He was the third son of Tokugawa Yorifusa and succeeded him, becoming the second daimyo of the Mito domain....
successfully contended that it was an imitation based on 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...
, 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...
and the Kogo Shūi
Kogo Shui
is a historical record of the Inbe clan. It was composed by Inbe no Hironari in 807.-Background:Historically, both the Inbe and Nakatomi clans had long performed religious services for the court. However, at the beginning of the Heian period, the Fujiwara clan, whom the Nakatomi clan are a branch...
. In 2006, this opinion was challenged, based on examinations of extant manuscripts, by John R. Bentley, who made a sophisticated argument for Kujiki having been written during the early eighth century. It is too soon to say whether Bentley's argument will be accepted by scholars.
Ten volumes in length, it covers the history of ancient Japan through Empress Suiko
Empress Suiko
was the 33rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Suiko's reign spanned the years from 593 until her death in 628....
, third daughter of Emperor Kimmei
Emperor Kimmei
was the 29th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.His reign is said to have spanned the years from 539 through 571.-Traditional narrative:...
. The preface is supposedly written by 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...
(+626). While it includes many quotes from 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 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...
(720), volumes five and ten contain unique materials. The overall composition is considered as having been compiled between 807 and 936.
There are 3 variants of Kujiki: the 30 volumes Shirakawa edition, Shirakawahon Kujiki (白河本旧事紀) (kept by the Shirakawa Hakuou family), the 72 volumes Enpō edition, Enpōhon Sendai Kuji Hongi Taiseikyou (延宝本先代旧事本紀大成経) (discovered in 1679), and the 31 volumes Sazaki succession edition, Sazaki Denhon Sendai Kuji Hongi Taiseikyou (鷦鷯伝本先代旧事本紀大成経).
There is additionally a false document called a 10-volume Kujiki.
Further reading
- John R. Bentley. The Authenticity of Sendai Kuji Hongi: A New Examination of Texts, With a Translation and Commentary. ISBN 90-04-15225-3
- 三重貞亮.『舊事紀訓解』上・下. 明世堂 1944
- 飯田季治.『標註 舊事紀校本』. 瑞穂出版 1947
- 鎌田純一.『先代舊事本紀の研究』 <校本の部>・<研究の部>. 吉川弘文館 1960
- 大野七三.『先代舊事本紀 訓註』. 意富之舎、新人物往来社. 1989. ISBN 4404016115
- 大野七三.『先代旧事本紀 訓註』. 批評社. 2001. ISBN 4826503253
- 三重貞亮.「旧事紀訓解」
- 東宮孝行.『先代旧事紀大成経（一）鷦鷯本』. 新日本研究所. 昭和51年(1977)
- 宮東斎臣.『鷦鷯伝先代旧事本紀大成経』、先代旧事本紀刊行会、昭和56年(1981)）
- 松下松平.「旧事紀白河家三十巻本・解題」
- 望月古亶. 「異伝聖徳太子 -日本書紀の稿本か-」. 日本図書刊行会.
- 望月古亶. 「記紀漏文I」. 近代文芸社.
- 望月古亶. 「記紀漏文II」. 近代文芸社.
- 須藤太幹. 『先代舊事本紀大成経』全９巻. 先代舊事本紀研究会. 平成13年(2001)
External links
- 私本 先代舊事本紀 (Big5 Chinese) Online text of Kujiki.『先代旧事本紀』の現代語訳（ＨＩＳＡＳＨＩ） Online text of Kujiki in modern Japanese.
- 古代史最前線・白河本旧事紀研究会公式ホームページ Website support Shirakawahon Kujiki to be a true document