Nihon Shoki

At a glance

History, context & interpretation

The text and its story

Thirty books covering creation myths and imperial history up to 697 CE. It often gives several versions of the same myth side by side.

Traditional attribution

The official chronicle of Japan from the age of the gods.

Historical scholarship

Edited by Prince Toneri with Ō no Yasumaro and court scholars.

Context and curiosity

It records the arrival of Buddhism in Japan in the 6th century.

Chronology and transmission

This text belongs to Japan (Shinto) (Nara Japan). The catalogue gives its approximate dating as 720 CE and original language or script as Classical Chinese. The dated manuscript witnesses and traditional claims may not refer to the same historical event.

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Sources and further reading

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nihon_Shoki

Historical descriptions are educational summaries. Religious traditions, scholarly interpretations and unverified claims are distinguished where possible; imagery may be illustrative rather than an artifact photograph.