Nihonshoki

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Template:Jmyth navbox tall Nihonshoki (Japanese: 日本書紀), also known in English as the Chronicles of Japan, is the second oldest history book of classical Japan. 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 Toneri. The book is also called the Nihongi (日本紀).

Like Kojiki, Nihonshoki begins with mythological tales that cannot be relied on for historical reference, but it also continues on to contemporary events.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.

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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".

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