Nihon Koki
Encyclopedia
is an officially commissioned Japanese history
text. Completed in 840, it is the third volume in the Six National Histories
. It covers the years 792-833.
(797), in 819 Emperor Saga
ordered the compilation of the years since then. Primarily edited by Fujiwara no Otsugu
, Minamoto no Tokiwa, Fujiwara no Yoshino and Fujiwara no Yoshifusa
, the text was completed in 840.
Much of the text was lost during the Ōnin and Bunmei Wars
in the late 15th century. Of the original 40 volumes, only ten currently exist: 5, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20-22, and 24.
-style, the contents covered the years 792 through 833. It spans four imperial reigns: Kammu
, Heizei
, Saga
, Junna
. The text is characteristic in that it contains criticism of emperors and officials as well as poetry.
History of Japan
The history of Japan encompasses the history of the islands of Japan and the Japanese people, spanning the ancient history of the region to the modern history of Japan as a nation state. Following the last ice age, around 12,000 BC, the rich ecosystem of the Japanese Archipelago fostered human...
text. Completed in 840, it is the third volume in the Six National Histories
Rikkokushi
is a general term for Japan's six national histories chronicling the mythology and history of Japan from the earliest times to AD 887. The six histories were written at the imperial court during the eighth and ninth centuries, under order of the Emperors...
. It covers the years 792-833.
Background
Following the earlier national history Shoku NihongiShoku Nihongi
The is an imperially commissioned Japanese history text. Completed in 797, it is the second of the Six National Histories, coming directly after the Nihon Shoki and followed by Nihon Kōki. Fujiwara no Tsugutada and Sugano no Mamichi served as the primary editors...
(797), in 819 Emperor Saga
Emperor Saga
was the 52nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Saga's reign spanned the years from 809 through 823.-Traditional narrative:...
ordered the compilation of the years since then. Primarily edited by Fujiwara no Otsugu
Fujiwara no Otsugu
was a Japanese statesman, courtier, politician and editor during the Heian period. He is credited as one of the collaborative compilers of the Nihon Kōki.-Career at court:He was a minister during the reigns of Emperor Saga, Emperor Junna and Emperor Nimmyō....
, Minamoto no Tokiwa, Fujiwara no Yoshino and Fujiwara no Yoshifusa
Fujiwara no Yoshifusa
, also known as Somedono no Daijin or Shirakawa-dono, was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.When Yoshifusa's grandson was enthroned as Emperor Seiwa, Yoshifusa was assumed the role of regent for the young monarch...
, the text was completed in 840.
Much of the text was lost during the Ōnin and Bunmei Wars
Onin War
The ' was a civil war that lasted 10 years during the Muromachi period in Japan. A dispute between Hosokawa Katsumoto and Yamana Sōzen escalated into a nationwide war involving the Ashikaga shogunate and a number of daimyo in many regions of Japan....
in the late 15th century. Of the original 40 volumes, only ten currently exist: 5, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20-22, and 24.
Contents
Written in KanbunKanbun
The Japanese word originally meant "Classical Chinese writings, Chinese classic texts, Classical Chinese literature". This evolved into a Japanese method of reading annotated Classical Chinese in translation . Much Japanese literature was written in literary Chinese using this annotated style...
-style, the contents covered the years 792 through 833. It spans four imperial reigns: Kammu
Emperor Kammu
was the 50th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Kammu reigned from 781 to 806.-Traditional narrative:Kammu's personal name was . He was the eldest son of Prince Shirakabe , and was born prior to Shirakabe's ascension to the throne...
, Heizei
Emperor Heizei
, also known as Heijō-tennō. was the 51st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Heizei's reign lasted from 806 to 809.-Traditional narrative:...
, Saga
Emperor Saga
was the 52nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Saga's reign spanned the years from 809 through 823.-Traditional narrative:...
, Junna
Emperor Junna
was the 53rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Junna reigned from 823 to 833.-Traditional narrative:Junna had six Empresses and Imperial consorts and 13 Imperial sons and daughters...
. The text is characteristic in that it contains criticism of emperors and officials as well as poetry.
See also
- Ruijū KokushiRuiju Kokushiis a historical text that categorizes and chronologizes the events listed in the Six National Histories. It was compiled by Sugawara no Michizane and completed in 892. The text was commissioned by Emperor Uda.-Contents:...
, a categorized and chronological history text of the Six National Histories; valuable resource in recreating the missing contents of the Nihon Kōki
External links
- Manuscript scans, Waseda University LibraryWaseda University LibraryThe library of Waseda University is one of the largest libraries in Japan. It was established in 1882, and currently holds some 4.5 million volumes and 46,000 serials.-History:...