Nihon Shoki

The "Chronicles of Japan", the court's official history in classical Chinese and the second-oldest book of Japan.

Core Characteristics

• Completed in 720 AD, eight years after the Kojiki, under Prince Toneri's direction.
• Retells the creation myths in polished Chinese historiography, often giving several rival versions.
• Carries the story down through the emperors to the end of the 7th century in dated annals.

Related Concepts & Sources

Japanese, Kojiki, Divine Kingship