Everything about Nihon-shoki totally explained
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 record of ancient Japan. The
Nihon Shoki was finished in
720 under the editorial supervision of
Prince Toneri and with the assistance of
Ōno Yasumaro. The book is also called the
Nihongi (日本紀).
Like the
Kojiki, the
Nihon Shoki begins with a series of
myths, but continues its account through to events of the
8th century. It is believed to record accurately the latter reigns of
Emperor Tenji,
Emperor Temmu, and
Empress Jitō. The
Nihon Shoki focuses on the merits of the virtuous
rulers as well as the errors of the bad rulers. It describes episodes from
mythological eras and
diplomatic contacts with other countries. The
Nihon Shoki was written in
classical Chinese, as was common for official documents at that time. The Kojiki, on the other hand, is written in a combination of Chinese and phonetic transcription of Japanese (primarily for names and songs). The
Nihon Shoki also contains numerous transliteration notes telling the reader how words were pronounced in Japanese.
Chapters
- Chapter 01: (First chapter of myths) Kami no Yo no Kami no maki.
- Chapter 02: (Second chapter of myths) Kami no Yo no Shimo no maki.
- Chapter 03: (Emperor Jimmu) Kamuyamato Iwarebiko no Sumeramikoto.
- Chapter 04:
- Chapter 05: (Emperor Sujin) Mimaki Iribiko Iniye no Sumeramikoto.
- Chapter 06: (Emperor Suinin) Ikume Iribiko Isachi no Sumeramikoto.
- Chapter 07:
- Chapter 08: (Emperor Chūai) Tarashi Nakatsuhiko no Sumeramikoto.
- Chapter 09: (Empress Jingū) Okinaga Tarashihime no Mikoto.
- Chapter 10: (Emperor Ōjin) Homuda no Sumeramikoto.
- Chapter 11: (Emperor Nintoku) Ōsasagi no Sumeramikoto.
- Chapter 12:
- Chapter 13:
- Chapter 14: (Emperor Yūryaku) Ōhatsuse no Waka Takeru no Sumeramikoto.
- Chapter 15:
- Chapter 16: (Emperor Buretsu) Ohatsuse no Waka Sasagi no Sumeramikoto.
- Chapter 17: (Emperor Keitai) Ōdo no Sumeramikoto.
- Chapter 18:
- Chapter 19: (Emperor Kimmei) Amekuni Oshiharaki Hironiwa no Sumeramikoto.
- Chapter 20: (Emperor Bidatsu) Nunakakura no Futo Tamashiki no Sumeramikoto.
- Chapter 21:
- Chapter 22: (Empress Suiko) Toyomike Kashikiya Hime no Sumeramikoto.
- Chapter 23: (Emperor Jomei) Okinaga Tarashi Hihironuka no Sumeramikoto.
- Chapter 24: (Empress Kogyoku) Ame Toyotakara Ikashi Hitarashi no Hime no Sumeramikoto.
- Chapter 25: (Emperor Kōtoku) Ame Yorozu Toyohi no Sumeramikoto.
- Chapter 26: (Empress Saimei) Ame Toyotakara Ikashi Hitarashi no Hime no Sumeramikoto.
- Chapter 27: (Emperor Tenji) Ame Mikoto Hirakasuwake no Sumeramikoto.
- Chapter 28: (Emperor Temmu, first chapter) Ama no Nunakahara Oki no Mahito no Sumeramikoto, Kami no maki.
- Chapter 29: (Emperor Temmu, second chapter) Ama no Nunakahara Oki no Mahito no Sumeramikoto, Shimo no maki.
- Chapter 30: (Empress Jito) Takamanohara Hirono Hime no Sumeramikoto.
Process of compilation
Shoku Nihongi notes that "先是一品舎人親王奉勅修日本紀。至是功成奏上。紀三十巻系図一巻" in the part of May,
720. It means "Up to that time, Prince Toneri had been compiling
Nihongi on the orders of the emperor; he completed it, submitting 30 volumes of history and one volume of genealogy." The volume of genealogy is no longer extant.
Contributors
The process of compilation is usually studied by stylistic analysis of each chapter. Although written in classical Chinese, some sections use styles characteristic of Japanese editors, while others seem to be written by native speakers of Chinese. According to recent studies, most of the chapters after #14 (Emperor Yūryaku chronicle) were contributed by native Chinese, except for Chapters 22 and 23 (the Suiko and Jomei chronicle). Also, as Chapter 13 ends with the phrase "see details of the incident in the chronicle of Ōhastuse(Yūryaku) Emperor" referring to the assassination of Emperor Ankō, it's assumed that this chapter was written after the compilation of subsequent chapters. Some believe Chapter 14 was the first to be completed.
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