Literature
Table of Contents
Literature
This page acts to compile a list of all aspects of historical Japanese Literature currently on our website.
See also: Japanese Folktales.
See also: Proverbs and Idioms
Anthologies/Encyclopedias
| Name | Comments |
|---|---|
| Konjaku Monogatari-shu | 今昔物語集 - Anthology of Tales from the Past. Collection of tales. |
| Otogi Bōko | 御伽ばうこ – Hand Puppet Tales. Collection of scary stories. |
| Shin Otogi Bōko | 新御伽婢子. 1683 collection of stories. |
| Shokoku Rijin Dan | 諸国里人談 1743 collection of well known tales. Some of which relate to Yōkai. |
| Wakan Sansai Zue | 和漢三才図会 - Illustrated Sino-Japanese Encyclopedia of the Three Realms. 1712, created by Terajima Ryōan. Toriyama Sekien was greatly inspired by this book for his Yōkai. |
| Wamyō Ruijushō | 倭名類聚抄 The oldest Chinese-Japanese dictionary we have. Compiled compiled around 934 by Minamoto no Shitagō. |
| Yamato Monogatari | 大和物語 - Tales of Yamato. 10th Century. |
Art
| Name | Comments |
|---|---|
| Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga | 鳥獣人物戯画 Scrolls of Frolicking Animals Scrolls showing varying animal and human depictions, many of the animals having human characteristics. |
| One Hundred Famous Views of Edo | 名所江戸百景 Edo Period Publication of Ukiyo-e prints created by Utagawa Hiroshige. |
| Toriyamabiko | 鳥山彦 - Sekien’s Echoes. Art Book published in the Spring of 1774 by Toriyama Sekien. |
Chronicles
| Name | Comments |
|---|---|
| Azuma Kagami | 吾妻鏡/東鑑 Imporant source of information on the Kamakura Shogunate. |
| Kanke Godenki | 菅家御伝記 Document created by Sugawara no Tsuratsune in 1106 in which he rectifies their family tree. |
| Kana Nihongi | Thought to have existed prior to the Nihongi and may have been used to aid in its creation. |
| Kogo Shūi | 古語拾遺 AD807. Book published by Imbe no Hironari detailing the achievements of the Imbe Clan as well as Chronicles about the myth and legends before Emperor Jimmu. |
| Kojiki | 古事記 - An Account of Ancient Matters. AD712. Compiled by Ō no Yasumaro detailing Japanese history from its mythological creation to Empress Suiko. |
| Kujiki | 旧事紀 - Chronicles of Old Matters of Former Ages. AD620. Entrusted to the Soga Clan but mostly lost when the clan was destroyed. |
| Kyūji | 旧辞 6th Century AD. Documents myths and legends of Japan and is thought to have aided in the creation of the Kojiki and Nihongi. |
| Nihongi | 日本紀 - Chronicles of Japan. AD720. Compiled by Ō no Yasumaro detailing Japanese history from its mythological creation to Emperor Buretsu. |
| Nihon Kiryaku | 日本紀略 Heian Period. Unknown authorship. 34 chapters, covering the times up to the reign of Emperor Go-Ichijō. |
| Taiheiki | 太平記 Chronicle of Great Peace 14th Century. Contains many things including tales relating to the Yokai Tesso and Itsumade. |
Commentaries
| Name | Comments |
|---|---|
| Bōsō Manroku | 茅窓漫録 - The Musings of Bōsō. 1833. Book written by Chihara Kyosai under the pen name of Bōsō. |
| Shaku Nihongi | 釈日本紀 13th Century. Contains commentaries about the Nihongi which were written soon after its completion. |
| Kojidan | 古事談 AD1212-15 Historical anecdotes written by Minamoto no Akikane. |
| Kōnin Shiki | AD810-824. Commentaries upon the Nihongi detailing it as selected afresh showing the work was a composition of older texts. |
| Engi Shiki | Admnistrative/Ceremonial Procedures and Penal Codes Legal documents made to implement the laws of the late 7th and early 8th centuries |
| Utatane no ki | A recount of a nap. |
Diaries
| Name | Comments |
|---|---|
| Gonki | 権記 Diary of Fujiwara no Yukinari covering the years 991-1011AD. |
| Tosa Nikki | 土佐日記 935AD by Ki no Tsurayuki. An account (punctuated by poems throughout) of his journey home to Kyoto. |
Fudoki
| Name | Comments |
|---|---|
| Harima Fudoki | 播磨国風土記 Includes, among other things some details concerning Nomi no Sukune. |
| Hitachi Fudoki | 常陸 風土記 8th Century. Includes, among other things, exploits of the life of Yamato Takeru. |
| Izumo Fudoki | 出雲国風土記 733AD Accounts of the Province of Izumo, as well as myths not found in other works. |
| Tango Fudoki | 丹後国風土記 8th Century Includes, among other things, the tale of Urashima Taro. |
Geneologies
| Name | Comments |
|---|---|
| Shinsen Shōjiroku | 新撰姓氏録 Literature listing the geneologies of many noble families from the Heian Period. 1177 families are listed. |
Law/Reforms
| Name | Comments |
|---|---|
| Asuka no Kyomihara Ritsuryo | 681AD. Collection of Law Codes created through an edict by Emperor Tenmu. |
| Jinkaishū | 1563. Domainal Law Code written by Date Tanemune. |
| Taika Reforms | 大化の改新 Instigation for the organisation of a census as well land survey and other things. |
Poetry
| Name | Comments |
|---|---|
| Fukuro-sōshi | 1159. Collection by Fujiwara no Kiyosuke. |
| Kintōshū | Collection by Fujiwara no Kintō. |
| Man’yōshū | 万葉集 The largest and most important compilation of japanese poetry. |
| Ryōunshū | 凌雲集 Poetry anthology compiled by Ono no Minemori and Sugawara no Kiyogimi in 814 on the behest of Emperor Saga. |
| Wakan rōeishū | 1013 和漢朗詠集 Compilation edited solely by Kintō containing 216 Japanese poems and 587 Chinese couplets, |
| Yoru no tsuru | Collection of poetics by Abutsu-ni. |
Records
| Name | Comments |
|---|---|
| Jōgū Shōtoku Hōōtei setsu | 上宮聖徳法王帝説 – Traditions concerning His Holiness, Prince Shōtoku, One volume piece of literature of unknown authorship concerning Shōtoku Taisha. |
| Kawachi Kagami Meishoki | 河内鉴名所记 - A Record of Famous Places in Kawachi. 17th Century. |
| Koro Chawa | Tea Talk of Old Piece of literature where we can find mention of Kashin Koji. |
Religious
| Name | Comments |
|---|---|
| Shasekishū | 沙石集 1283. Buddhist Parables which also make mention of the Nozuchi. |
Stories
| Name | Comments |
|---|---|
| Sagoromo Monogatari | 狭衣物語 c.1069-1081 Story of the protagonist Sagoromo, a man who has a desire and love for his cousin and adopted sister Genji no Miya. |
| Utsubo Monogatari | うつほ 物語 Tale of the Hollow Tree 10th Century. Adventure story following Kiyowara no Toshikage and his descendants. |
Supernatural
| Name | Comments |
|---|---|
| Bakemonozukushie | 化物之繪 – Illustrations of Bakemono 17th century picture scroll depciting 35 different Yokai. Several of which are seldom seen and depicted. |
| Hyakkai Zukan | 百怪図巻 - Illustrated Creeps 1737 Yokai compendium by Sawaki Sushi. |
| Gazu Hyakki Yagyo | 画図百鬼夜行 - The Illustrated Demon Horde’s Night Parade. 1776 Yokai compendium by Toriyama Sekien. |
| Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki | 今昔画図続百鬼 – The Illustrated Demon Horde from Past and Present. 1779 Yokai compendium by Toriyama Sekien. |
| Konjaku Hyakki Shūi | 今昔百鬼拾遺 - More of the Demon Horde from Past and Present. 1780/81 Yokai compendium by Toriyama Sekien. |
| Nihon Ryōiki | 日本霊異記. A Record of Strange Ghostly Happenings in Japan detailing many supernatural tales from around the country. |
| Wamiōsho | Old text detailing an alternative name for the 'Eight Ugly Females of Yomi.' |
Travel Diaries
| Name | Comments |
|---|---|
| Izayoi Nikki | 十六夜日記 - An account of travel between Kyoto and Kamakura containing many poems by Abutsu-ni. |
| Ryokō yōjinshū | 旅行用心集 - Travel guide from 1810 by Yasumi Roan. |
Unclassified
| Name | Comments |
|---|---|
| Hōjōki | 方丈記 Makes mention of Priest Manzei. |
| Tōkan Kikō | 東関紀行 Dating to around 1242, it makes mention of Priest Manzei. |
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