Japanese Historical Text Initiative

Japanese Historical Text Initiative (JHTI) is a searchable online database of Japanese historical documents and English translations. It is part of the Center for Japanese Studies at the University of California at Berkeley.

History

Delmer M. Brown started the process of establishing JHTI in 1998. The development of JHTI involved negotiations with the University of Tokyo Press and the National Institute of Japanese Literature.

Select list

JHTI is an expanding online collection of historical texts. The original version of every paragraph is cross-linked with an English translation. The original words in Japanese and English translation are on the same screen. There are seven categories of writings, including

Ancient chronicles

These works were compiled by officials of the Imperial Court at the command of the emperors.

Kojiki (completed in 712 CE) with translation[clarification needed] by Donald L. Philippi
Nihon Shoki (completed in 720) with translation by W. G. Aston
Shoku Nihongi (covering 697 to 791) with translation by J. B. Snellen
Kogo Shūi (completed in 807) with translation by Genchi Katō and Hikoshirō Hoshino

Ancient gazetteers

These records, Fudoki, were compiled by provincial officials according to imperial edicts during the first half of the 8th century.

Izumo no Kuni Fudoki(出雲国風土記) (submitted in 733) with translation by Michiko Aoki
Harima no Kuni Fudoki(播磨国風土記) with translation by Michiko Aoki
Bungo no Kuni Fudoki(豊後国風土記) with translation by Michiko Aoki
Hizen no Kuni Fudoki(肥前国風土記) with translation by Michiko Aoki
Hitachi no Kuni Fudoki(常陸国風土記) with translation by Michiko Aoki

Ancient kami-civil code

This was a compilation of religious law and civil law.

Engishiki (927) with translation by Felicia Gressitt Bock

Medieval stories

These historical tales (monogatari) were about what was said and done by the prominent historical figures in aristocratic and military clans in feudal Japan

Okagami (covering the years 866 to 1027) with translation by Helen Craig McCullough
Yamato Monogatari (completed around 951) with translation by Mildred Tahara translation
Eiga Monogatari (covering the years 794 to 1185) with translation by William H. McCullough & Helen Craig McCullough
Taiheiki (completed around 1371) with translation by Helen Craig McCullough
Azuma Kagami (completed around 1300) with partial translation by Minoru Shinoda

Medieval and early-modern histories

These three histories were written in ways that mirror the religious and political interests of their authors.

Gukanshō (completed in 1219) with translation by Delmer M. Brown and Ichiro Ishida
Jinnō Shōtōki (completed in 1339) with translation by H. Paul Varley
Tokushi Yoron (completed in 1712) with translation by Joyce Ackroyd

State and Imperial Shinto

These works are about State Shinto and the Empire of Japan.

Meiji Ikô Jinja Kankei Hôrei Shiryô(明治以降神社関係法令史料; Governmental Orders Concerning Shinto Shrines After the First Year of Meiji)
Kokutai no Hongi (Cardinal Principles of Nation Polity, 1937) with translation by John Owen Gauntlett

Late-Edo period and Meiji period texts

This category is for miscellaneous writings which are from Japan's pre-modern and early-modern periods.