Overview
Nihon Shoki is Japan’s oldest official history, completed in 720 CE during the Yōrō era. It serves as the primary historical record of the Japanese state. This cultural property is an extremely valuable ancient manuscript comprising four scrolls from Nihon Shoki: Volume 11 (Chronicles of Emperor Nintoku), Volume 14 (Chronicles of Emperor Yūryaku), Volume 17 (Chronicles of Emperor Keitai), and Volume 20 (Chronicles of Emperor Tōtetsu). The scrolls were copied during the Heian Period. They have been passed down through the Maeda family, lords of Kaga Domain, and are currently held by the Maeda Ikutoku Foundation (Sonnkeikaku Library). It is among the oldest surviving Heian manuscripts and is essential for understanding Japan’s formation as a nation.
Historical Background
Nihon Shoki originally consists of 30 volumes, covering history from the Divine Age to Emperor Jitō. It has always been regarded as the official state chronicle of the Imperial Court. During the Heian Period (794–1185), reading and studying Nihon Shoki became popular among the nobility. This led to the establishment of “Japanese Chronicle Study Sessions” (Nihongi Kōen), which resulted in the creation of numerous copies.
This specific manuscript is estimated to have been copied in two phases: Volumes 11 and 14 were written in the mid-Heian Period (late 11th century), while Volumes 17 and 20 were written in the late Heian Period (early 12th century). These texts are part of the collection at the “Sonnkeikaku Library,” which has been preserved by Maeda Toshitaka, the third lord of Kaga Domain. They provide vital historical evidence of how the educated class studied, preserved, and transmitted knowledge about the nation’s origins.
Features and Appeal
This cultural property holds immense value for both Heian Period calligraphy history and Japanese national literature/history studies.
- Calligraphic Beauty and Evolution: The text is written in a refined and elegant Kaisho (standard script) characteristic of the Heian Period. Differences in brushwork across the volumes suggest that multiple skilled scribes were involved, offering insight into the actual process of manuscript creation at the time.
- Early Reading Guides (Kunten): Alongside the main text are detailed annotations and reading guides (kunten), written in vermilion or ink. These preserve older readings used during early Heian Study Sessions. They hold exceptionally high academic value for studying the history of the Japanese language and Manyōgana (Chinese characters used to represent Japanese sounds).
- Rare Heian Manuscript: It is extremely rare to find specific, consecutive volumes of Nihon Shoki surviving together up to the Heian Period. The manuscripts maintain the highest standard in terms of textual accuracy, paper quality, and binding.
- National Treasure Value: As one of the oldest copies of Nihon Shoki, which records Japan’s national formation, and as a cultural legacy protected by the Maeda family (the lords of Kaga Domain), it is highly valued for transmitting the origins of Japanese historical writing.
Source: Excerpted from the National Designated Cultural Properties Database (https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/index)