Rokudai Shojiki
Encyclopedia
was a Japan
ese history book written in the early Kamakura period
, narrating events at that time in the order they occurred. The Rokudai, which literally means six generations, refers to Emperors Takakura
, Antoku
, Go-Toba
, Tsuchimikado
, Juntoku
and Go-Horikawa
. The fact that Go-Horikawa
is referred to as The Reigning Emperor (今上天皇) suggests that the book was written shortly after the Jōkyū War
(1221). For a long time, Minamoto no Mitsuyuki
had been considered as the author of the book. Recently, however, historians have argued that Fujiwara no Tadataka
, who was retired at the time the book was written, is more likely the actual author.
The book contends that Emperor Go-Toba
lost the Jōkyū War
because of his immorality, that he was basically a villain of the whole story, and that the event therefore does not necessarily challenge the authority of the emperor and his court. This viewpoint, which was convenient for both the imperial court and the newly formed Kamakura shogunate
, had profound influence in later relations between the people of kuge
and that of samurai
.
See also Imakagami
, which also narrates events in Kamakura period
.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese history book written in the early Kamakura period
Kamakura period
The is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura Shogunate, officially established in 1192 in Kamakura by the first shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo....
, narrating events at that time in the order they occurred. The Rokudai, which literally means six generations, refers to Emperors Takakura
Emperor Takakura
Emperor Takakura was the 80th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1168 through 1180.-Genealogy:...
, Antoku
Emperor Antoku
Emperor Antoku was the 81st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1180 through 1185. During this time, the imperial family was involved in a bitter struggle between warring clans...
, Go-Toba
Emperor Go-Toba
was the 82nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1183 through 1198....
, Tsuchimikado
Emperor Tsuchimikado
was the 83rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Tsuchimikado's reign spanned the years from 1198 through 1210.-Genealogy:Before Tsuchimikado's ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was ....
, Juntoku
Emperor Juntoku
was the 84th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1210 through 1221.-Genealogy:...
and Go-Horikawa
Emperor Go-Horikawa
was the 86th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years from 1221 through 1232....
. The fact that Go-Horikawa
Emperor Go-Horikawa
was the 86th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years from 1221 through 1232....
is referred to as The Reigning Emperor (今上天皇) suggests that the book was written shortly after the Jōkyū War
Jokyu War
', also known as the Jōkyū Disturbance or the Jōkyū Rebellion, was fought in Japan between the forces of Retired Emperor Go-Toba and those of the Hōjō clan, regents of the Kamakura shogunate, whom the retired emperor was trying to overthrow....
(1221). For a long time, Minamoto no Mitsuyuki
Minamoto no Mitsuyuki
Minamoto no Mitsuyuki was governor in Kawachi province. Mitsuyuki's cousin was the famous samurai Yorimasa....
had been considered as the author of the book. Recently, however, historians have argued that Fujiwara no Tadataka
Fujiwara no Tadataka
, first son of regent Matsudono Motofusa, was a Kugyō of the late Heian and Kamakura periods.Despite being first-born, he was treated as if he were not, while his stepbrother Moroie inherited the male-line. Hence, he called himself , avoiding the use of the name Matsudono...
, who was retired at the time the book was written, is more likely the actual author.
The book contends that Emperor Go-Toba
Emperor Go-Toba
was the 82nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1183 through 1198....
lost the Jōkyū War
Jokyu War
', also known as the Jōkyū Disturbance or the Jōkyū Rebellion, was fought in Japan between the forces of Retired Emperor Go-Toba and those of the Hōjō clan, regents of the Kamakura shogunate, whom the retired emperor was trying to overthrow....
because of his immorality, that he was basically a villain of the whole story, and that the event therefore does not necessarily challenge the authority of the emperor and his court. This viewpoint, which was convenient for both the imperial court and the newly formed Kamakura shogunate
Kamakura shogunate
The Kamakura shogunate was a military dictatorship in Japan headed by the shoguns from 1185 to 1333. It was based in Kamakura. The Kamakura period draws its name from the capital of the shogunate...
, had profound influence in later relations between the people of kuge
Kuge
The was a Japanese aristocratic class that dominated the Japanese imperial court in Kyoto until the rise of the Shogunate in the 12th century at which point it was eclipsed by the daimyo...
and that of samurai
Samurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
.
See also Imakagami
Imakagami
is a Japanese historical tale written in the late Heian period. According to its preface, it was written in the reign of Emperor Takakura and 2nd year of Kaō or 1170. The book is credited to Fujiwara Tametsune. It is the second of the four mirror series and is about years following...
, which also narrates events in Kamakura period
Kamakura period
The is a period of Japanese history that marks the governance by the Kamakura Shogunate, officially established in 1192 in Kamakura by the first shogun Minamoto no Yoritomo....
.