is a general term for Japan's Six National Histories chronicling the mythology and history of Japan from the earliest times to 887. The six histories were written at the imperial court during the 8th and 9th centuries, under order of the Emperors. The basic sources were the court records kept by the Ministry of Central Imperial Affairs, and the biographies of meritorious officials composed in the Ministry of Ceremonial Affairs.
[Kōdansha (1983)]
The collection consists of the following texts:
*''
Nihon Shoki'' (Chronicle of Japan; also called ''Nihongi'') – 30 volumes covering the mythological period through 697. Completed by
Toneri Shinnō in 720.
*''
Shoku Nihongi'' (Chronicle of Japan, Continued; also called ''Shokki'') – 40 volumes covering 697 through 791. Completed by
Fujiwara no Tsugutada and
Sugano no Mamichi in 797.
*''
Nihon Kōki'' (Later Chronicle of Japan) – 40 volumes covering 792 through 833. Completed by
Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu and
Fujiwara no Otsugu in 840.
*''
Shoku Nihon Kōki'' (Later Chronicle of Japan, Continued) – 20 volumes covering 833 through 850. Completed by
Fujiwara no Yoshifusa,
Fujiwara no Yoshimi,
Tomo no Yoshio, and
Haruzumi no Yoshitada in 869.
*''
Nihon Montoku Tennō Jitsuroku'' (Veritable Record of Emperor Montoku of Japan; also called ''Montoku jitsuroku'') – 10 volumes covering 850 through 858. Completed by
Fujiwara no Mototsune and
Sugawara no Koreyoshi in 879.
*''
Nihon Sandai Jitsuroku'' (Veritable Record of Three Generations
f Emperorsof Japan; also called ''Sandai jitsuroku'') – 50 volumes covering 858 through 887. Completed by
Fujiwara no Tokihira and
Ōkura no Yoshiyuki in 901.
The national histories were discontinued after the ''Sandai Jitsuroku''; they were followed by the
four Mirror books (starting with ''
Ōkagami'').
See also
*''
Ruijū Kokushi'', a categorized and chronological history text of the ''Six National Histories''
*
Historiography of Japan
Notes
References
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External links
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Asuka period
Nara period
Heian period
*
8th-century Japanese books
9th-century Japanese books
Kanbun
Shinto texts