Part of the series on Japanese Mythology
Religions  · Divinities
Creatures & Spirits
Stories and Myths
Kojiki  · Kwaidan
Nihonshoki  · Otogizoshi
Yotsuya Kaidan
Legendary Figures
Abe no Seimei  · Hidari Jingoro
Kintarō  · Momotarō
Nezumi Kozo  · Tamamo no Mae
Tomoe Gozen  · Urashima Tarō
Sacred Objects
Amenonuhoko  · Kusanagi
Sessho-seki  · Tonbogiri
Three Sacred Treasures
Mythical & Sacred Locations
Horai  · Mt. Hiei
Mt. Fuji  · Rashōmon
Ryugu-jo  · Suzakumon
Takamagahara  · Yomi
Japanese Mythology

'Nihonshoki' (Japanese: 日本書紀), sometimes translated as "Chronicles of Japan," is the second oldest book of classical Japanese history. Compared with Kojiki, the oldest, it is more elaborate and has proven invaluable to historians as it includes the most complete historical records they have of ancient Japanese history. Nihonshoki was finished in 720 under the editorial supervision of Prince Toneriassisted by Ohno Yasumaro. The book is also called the Nihongi (日本紀). Japanese mythology is an extremely complex system of beliefs. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Amaterasu_cave_wide. ... This is a list of divinities native to Japanese beliefs and religious traditions. ... The following is a list of ryu (dragons), yokai, obake and yurei which are notable in Japanese mythology and folklore. ... Japanese mythology is an extremely complex system of beliefs. ... Kojiki or Furukotofumi (古事記) is the oldest surviving historical book dealing with the ancient history of Japan. ... This article is about the classical Japanese texts. ... Yotsuya Kaidan (四つ谷怪談) is a Japanese ghost story. ... Abe no Seimei (安倍 晴明 921?-1005?) was a leading specialist of onmyodo during the middle of Heian Period. ... The Famous, the Unrivalled Hidari Jingoro (Meiyo migi ni teki nashi Hidari Jingoro); by Utagawa Kuniyoshi Hidari Jingoro (å·¦ 甚五郎 ひだり じんごろう) was a Japanese artist, sculptor and carpenter, active from 1596-1644. ... This article is about the Japanese folklore hero; for the Mortal Kombat character, see Kintaro (Mortal Kombat character). ... Bisque doll of Momotarō Momotarō (桃太郎) is a hero from Japanese folklore. ... Jirokichi the Rat or Nezumi Kozo, (次郎吉 or ねずみ小僧, the latter literally meaning rat boy, ?? - 1832) is a Japanese folk hero, a legendary benevolent outlaw similar to the English Robin Hood. ... Tamamo-no-Mae (玉藻前) is a legendary figure in Japanese mythology. ... A woodblock print of Tomoe Gozen in battle. ... Urashima Tarō ) is a Japanese fairy tale about a fisherman who rescues a turtle and is rewarded with a visit to the RyÅ«gÅ«-jō, the Dragon Palace. ... The following is a list of sacred objects in Japanese mythology. ... Amanonuhoko (Lit. ... Kusanagi-no-tsurugi (Japanese: 草薙の剣) is a legendary Japanese sword as important to Japans history as Excalibur is to Britains. ... The Sessho-seki (Japanese: 殺生石), or Killing Stone, is an object in Japanese mythology. ... The Tonbogiri is one of three legendary spears created by the famed swordsmith Masazane. ... A representation of the Imperial Regalia of Japan. ... Horai is a place in Japanese mythology. ... Mount Hiei (Jp. ... Mount Fuji (富士山 Fuji-san, IPA: [ɸuʝisaɴ]) is the highest mountain on the island of Honshu and indeed in all of Japan. ... Marker at site of Rashōmon The Rashōmon (羅生門 or 羅城門 Rajōmon;the castle gate) was formerly the grandest of the two city gates of the Japanese city of Kyoto during the Heian period. ... In Japanese legend, Ryūgū-jō (竜宮城) is the undersea palace of Ryujin, the dragon god of the sea. ... The Suzakumon Gate was the main gate of the imperial palace in the Japanese ancient capital of Fujiwarakyō, Nara, and later Kyoto. ... Takama-ga-hara (Japanese: 高天原), or The High Plain of Heaven, is a place in Japanese mythology. ... Yomi (黄泉), the Japanese word for underworld in which horrible creatures guard the exits, is similar to Hades or hell and is most commonly known for Izanamis retreat to that place after her death. ... The written history of Japan began with brief appearances in Chinese history texts from the first century A.D., but abundant archaeological evidence demonstrates that people were living on the islands, which were actually adjoined to the mainland until about 13,000 years ago, as early as the upper paleolithic... Kojiki or Furukotofumi (古事記) is the oldest surviving historical book dealing with the ancient history of Japan. ... Events Umayyad caliph Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz succeeded by Yazid II ibn Abd al-Malik The Nihonshoki (日本書紀), one of the oldest history books in Japan, is completed Births Bertrada, wife of Pippin III (d. ... Prince Toneri (舎人親王, Toneri shinnō: 676-735) was a Japanese imperial prince in the Nara period. ...

Like Kojiki, Nihonshoki begins with mythological tales that cannot be relied on for historical reference, but it also continues on to contemporary events. It is considered to have recorded accurately the latter reigns of Emperor Tenji, Emperor Temmu, and Empress Jitō. Nihonshoki focuses on the merits of the virtuous rulers and the mistakes of the bad ones. It recorded episodes from mythological eras, diplomatic contacts with China and Korea , and numerous events close to its time of compilation. Though Kojiki was written in transliterated Japanese with Chinese characters, Nihonshoki was written in classical Chinese as was common for any official documents at that time. // The word mythology (Greek: μυθολογία, from μυθος mythos, a story or legend, and λογος logos, an account or speech) literally means the (oral) retelling of myths – stories that a particular culture believes to be true and that use supernatural events or characters to explain the nature of the universe and humanity. ... Look up Story in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... ... Emperor Temmu (天武天皇 Temmu Tennō) (c. ... Jito Tenno (From Ogura Hyakunin Isshu) Tomb of Emperor Temmu and Empress Jitō Empress Jitō (持統天皇 Jitō Tennō) (645 – December 22, 7021) was the 41st imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... His Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan Imperial Seal of Japan The Emperor (天皇 tennō, literally heavenly sovereign) is a constitutionally-recognized symbol of the Japanese nation and the unity of its people. ... Japanese mythology is an extremely complex system of beliefs. ... The United Nations, with its headquarters in New York City, is the largest international diplomatic organization. ... Korea (Hangul: 한국, Hanja: 韓國, McCune-Reischauer: Hanguk, Revised: Hanguk, or ChosŏngÅ­l : ì¡°ì„ , Hanja: 朝鮮, McCune-Reischauer: Chosŏn, Revised: Joseon) is a civilization and geographical area situated on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia, bordering China (PRC) to the northwest and Russia to the northeast, with Japan situated to the... 漢字 Chinese character in hànzì, hanja, kanji. ... Classical Chinese or Literary Chinese is a traditional style of written Chinese based on the grammar and vocabulary of very old forms of Chinese , making it very different from any modern spoken form of Chinese. ...

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 "Until then Prince Toneri had compiled Nihongi under the order of the emperor, he completed it and submitted 30 volumes of history and one volume of genealogy". The volume on geneology is no longer extant. The Shoku Nihongi（続日本紀）is an imperially commissioned history of Japan written in the early Heian period. ... Events Umayyad caliph Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz succeeded by Yazid II ibn Abd al-Malik The Nihonshoki (日本書紀), one of the oldest history books in Japan, is completed Births Bertrada, wife of Pippin III (d. ...

Contributors

Process of compilation is studied based on stylistic analysis for each chapters. Although written in classical Chinese, there are in some part styles characteristic of Japanese editors, while some other parts seem to be written by native speakers or Chinese. According to recent studies, most of the chapters after #14 (Emperor Yuryaku chronicle) are estimated to be contributed by native Chinese, except for chapters 22 and 23(Suiko and Jomei chronicle). Also, as chapter 13 ends with phrase "see detail of the incident in chronicle of Ōhastuse(Yūryaku) Emperor" for the assassination of Emperor Ankō, it is assumed that this chapter was written after the compilation of coming chapters. Some believes the compilation started with chapter 14.

References

Nihonshoki is said to be compiled based on older documents, which continuously recorded in Yamato court since 6th century. It also includes many records and folklores submitted from clans serving the court. Prior to Nihonshoki, there were Tennoki(chronicle of emperors), and Kokki(chronicle of the state) compiled by Prince Shotoku and Soga no Umako, but as they were stored in Soga's residense, they were burned out while assaulting Soga in Itsushi Incident. Sculpture of Prince Shotoku in Asuka Dera, Asuka, Nara Prince Shōtoku (聖徳太子 574-622) was a regent and a politician of the Imperial Court in Japan. ... Soga no Umako (蘇我馬子; 551? - 20 May 626), the son of Soga no Iname and the strongest member of Soga clan of Japan, conducted politicial reforms with Prince Shotoku during the rules of Emperors Bidatsu and Suiko, and established Soga clans stronghold in the governemt by having his daughter married... The tomb of Soga no Irukas head in Asuka-mura, Nara Prefecture. ...

In compiling process, contributors also referred various sources not exist today. In some cases they recorded the book they referred. Among those sources, three Baekje documents are cited mainly for the purpose of recording diplomatic affairs.[1]. [2]. Baekje was a kingdom that existed in southwestern Korea from 18 BCE to 660 CE. Together with Goguryeo and Silla, Baekje is known as one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. ...

Korean sources used in the Nihonshoki are the Baekje-gi (Record of Baekje), Baekje Sinch'an (New Record of Baekje), and Baekje Pon'gi (Original Record of Baekje). Records written in Baekje may have been the basis for the quotes in the Nihonshoki but textual criticism shows that scholars fleeing the destruction of the Baekje Kingdom to Yamato wrote these histories and the authors of the Nihonshoki heavily relied upon those sources. [3]. The use of Korean place names in Nihonshoki is another piece of evidence that the history used Korean sources.

Some other sources are also cited anonymously as "aru fumi"(一書; other document), in order to keep alternative records for specific incidents.

Extension of the Monarchs' Reign

Most scholars agree that the founding date of Japan as 660 BCE and the first thirteen emperors of Japan are mythical and not based on historical fact. This does not necessarily imply that no such person existed, just that there is insufficient evidence to conclude that he existed or assign him to a particular period of history. If he did exist, there is no evidence to suggest that the title tennō was used during the time period to which his reign has been assigned. It is much more likely that he was a chieftain, or local king, and the polity he ruled would not have encompassed all, or even most, of Japan.

For those monarchs, and also for Emperors Ojin and Nintoku, years of reign are likely to be extended in order to date the origin of imperial family old enough. It is widely believed that the epoch of 660 BCE is set because it is a "xīn-yǒu" year in the sexagenary cycle, which was believed in Taoism as "proper year for revolution to take place". As Taoism theory also notes 21 sexangery cycles for a unit of history, it is assumed that compilers of Nihonshoki dates year 601 ("xīn-yǒu" year while Prince Shotoku's reformation took place) as "modern revolution" year, and consequently recorded 660 BCE, 1260 years prior to that year, as the epoch for their regime. The Chinese sexagenary cycle (干支 pinyin: gānzhÄ«) is a cyclic numeral system of 60 combinations of the two basic cycles, the ten Heavenly Stems (十干; shígān) and the twelve Earthly Branches (十二支; shíèrzhÄ«). These have been traditionally used as a means of numbering the years, not only in China...

Chapters

• Chapter 1: Kami no Yo no Kami no maki (First Chapter of Mythic Age)
• Chapter 2: Kami no Yo no Shimo no maki (Second Chapter of Mythic Age)
• Chapter 3: Kamuyamato Iwarebiko no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Jimmu)
• Chapter 4:
  • Kamu Nunakawamimi no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Suizei)
  • Shikitsuhiko Tamatemi no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Annei)
  • Ōyamato Hikosukitomo no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Itoku)
  • Mimatsuhiko Sukitomo no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Kosho)
  • Yamato Tarashihiko Kuni Oshihito no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Koan)
  • Ōyamato Nekohiko Futoni no Sumramikoto (Emperor Korei)
  • Ōyamato Nekohiko Kunikuru no Sumramikoto (Emperor Kogen)
  • Wakayamato Nekohiko Ōbibi no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Kaika)
• Chapter 5: Mimaki Iribiko Iniye no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Sujin)
• Chapter 6: Ikume Iribiko Isachi no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Suinin)
• Chapter 7:
  • Ōtarashihiko Oshirowake no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Keiko)
  • Waka Tarashihiko no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Seimu)
• Chapter 8: Tarashi Nakatsuhiko no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Chuai)
• Chapter 9: Okinaga Tarashihime no Mikoto (Regent Empress Jingu)
• Chapter 10: Homuda no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Ojin)
• Chapter 11: Ōsasagi no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Nintoku)
• Chapter 12:
  • Izahowake no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Richu)
  • Mitsuhawake no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Hanzei)
• Chapter 13:
  • Oasazuma Wakugo no Sukune no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Ingyo)
  • Anaho no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Anko)
• Chapter 14: Ōhatsuse no Waka Takeru no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Yuryaku)
• Chapter 15:
  • Shiraka no Take Hirokuni Oshi Waka Yamato Neko no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Seinei)
  • Woke no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Kenzo)
  • Oke no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Ninken)
• Chapter 16: Ohatsuse no Waka Sasagi no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Buretsu)
• Chapter 17: Ōdo no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Keitai)
• Chapter 18:
  • Hirokuni Oshi Take Kanahi no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Ankan)
  • Take Ohirokuni Oshi Tate no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Senka)
• Chapter 19: Amekuni Oshiharaki Hironiwa no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Kimmei)
• Chapter 20: Nunakakura no Futo Tamashiki no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Bidatsu)
• Chapter 21:
  • Tachibana no Toyohi no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Yomei)
  • Hatsusebe no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Sushun)
• Chapter 22: Toyomike Kashikiya Hime no Sumeramikoto (Empress Suiko)
• Chapter 23: Okinaga Tarashi Hihironuka no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Jomei)
• Chapter 24: Ame Toyotakara Ikashi Hitarashi no Hime no Sumeramikoto (Empress Kogyoku)
• Chapter 25: Ame Yorozu Toyohi no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Kotoku)
• Chapter 26: Ame Toyotakara Ikashi Hitarashi no Hime no Sumeramikoto (Empress Saimei)
• Chapter 27: Ame Mikoto Hirakasuwake no Sumeramikoto (Emperor Tenji)
• Chapter 28: Ama no Nunakahara Oki no Mahito no Sumeramikoto, Kami no maki(Emperor Temmu, first chapter)
• Chapter 29: Ama no Nunakahara Oki no Mahito no Sumeramikoto, Shimo no maki(Emperor Temmu, second chapter)
• Chapter 30: Takamanohara Hirono Hime no Sumeramikoto (Empress Jito)

Meiji era print of Emperor Jimmu The legendary tomb of Emperor Jimmu, Nara Emperor Jimmu (神武天皇 Jinmu Tennō; given name: Kamuyamato Iwarebiko, born according to legend on January 1, 711 BCE, and died, again according to legend, on March 11, 585 BCE), was the mythical founder of Japan and is the... Meiji era print of Emperor Suizei Emperor Suizei (綏靖天皇 Suizei Tennō) was the second imperial ruler of Japan to appear on the traditional list of emperors. ... Meiji era print of Emperor Annei Emperor Annei (安寧天皇 Annei Tennō) was the third imperial ruler of Japan to appear on the traditional list of emperors. ... Meiji era print of Emperor Itoku Emperor Itoku (懿徳天皇 Itoku Tennō) was the fourth imperial ruler of Japan to appear on the traditional list of emperors. ... Kōshō is the fifth emperor (tenno) of Japan to appear on the traditional list of emperors. ... Emperor Kōan (孝安天皇 Kōan Tennō) was the sixth imperial ruler of Japan to appear on the traditional list of emperors. ... Emperor Kōrei (孝霊天皇 Kōrei Tennō) was the seventh imperial ruler of Japan to appear on the traditional list of emperors. ... Emperor Kōgen (孝元天皇 Kōgen Tennō) was the eighth imperial ruler of Japan to appear on the traditional list of emperors. ... Emperor Kaika (開化天皇 Kaika Tennō) is the ninth imperial ruler of Japan to appear on the traditional list of emperors. ... Emperor Sujin (崇神天皇 Sujin Tennō) was the tenth imperial ruler of Japan to appear on the traditional list of emperors. ... Grave of Emperor Suinin, Nara Prefecture Emperor Suinin (垂仁天皇 Suinin Tennō) was the eleventh imperial ruler of Japan to appear on the traditional list of emperors. ... Emperor Keikō (景行天皇 Keikō Tennō) was the twelfth imperial ruler of Japan to appear on the traditional list of emperors. ... Emperor Seimu (成務天皇 Seimu Tennō) was the 13th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... ChÅ«ai was a Japanese monarch, the 14th emperor (tenno) of Japan to appear on the traditional list of emperors. ... Empress Consort JingÅ« of Japan (c. ... Emperor ÅŒjin (応神天皇 ÅŒjin Tennō) was the 15th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Daisen-Kofun, the tomb of Emperor Nintoku, Osaka Emperor Nintoku (仁徳天皇 Nintoku Tennō) was the 16th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Emperor RichÅ« (履中天皇 RichÅ« Tennō) was the 17th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Emperor Hanzei (反正天皇 Hanzei Tennō) was the 18th Emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Emperor Ingyō (允恭天皇 Ingyō Tennō) was the 19th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Emperor Ankō (安康天皇 Ankō Tennō) was the 20th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Emperor YÅ«ryaku (雄略天皇 YÅ«rayku Tennō, c. ... Emperor Seinei (清寧天皇 Seinei Tennō) was the 22nd imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Kenzō (顕宗天皇 Kenzō Tennō, or rather Kenzo okimi) was the 23rd Japanese imperial ruler, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Emperor Ninken (仁賢天皇 Ninken Tennō, or rather Ninken okimi) (-c. ... Emperor Buretsu (武烈天皇 Buretsu Tennō) (c. ... ... Emperor Ankan (安閑天皇 Ankan Tennō) was the 27th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... ... Emperor Kimmei (欽明天皇 Kinmei Tennō) (509-571) was the 29th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession, and the first to whom contemporary historiography assigns clear dates. ... ... ... ... Empress Suiko (推古天皇) (554-628) was the 33rd imperial ruler of Japan and the first woman to hold this position. ... Emperor Jomei (舒明天皇 Jomei Tennō) (593- November 17, 641) was the 34th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Empress Kōgyoku (皇極天皇 Kōgyoku Tennō), also Empress Saimei (斉明天皇 Saimei Tennō) (594–661) was the 35th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Emperor Kōtoku (孝徳天皇 Kōtoku Tennō) (596?- October 10, 654)1 was the 36th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Empress Kōgyoku (皇極天皇) or Saimei (斉明天皇) (594–661) was the 35th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... ... Emperor Temmu (天武天皇 Temmu Tennō) (c. ... Emperor Temmu (天武天皇 Temmu Tennō) (c. ... Jito Tenno (From Ogura Hyakunin Isshu) Tomb of Emperor Temmu and Empress Jitō Empress Jitō (持統天皇 Jitō Tennō) (645 – December 22, 7021) was the 41st imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ...

See also

• William George Aston - the first translator into English of the Nihongi

William George Aston (1841-1911) was a British consular official in Japan. ...

External links

• Nihonshoki TEXT