A study of the “Jokyo-Kakiage” historiographical collection

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 『貞享書上』考
  • 『 ジョウキョウ カキア 』 コウ

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Abstract

In 1683, the Edo Bakufu under Shogun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi ordered its feudal vassals (daimyo) to submit all documents in their possession related to the Tokugawa family. The purpose of this order was to collect source materials for the compilation and edition of a new, more authoritative history of the origins of the Tokugawa Family and the accomplishments of its founder Tokugawa Ieyasu. Those daimyo who complied with the order quickly had the requested documents drawn up, and submitted to the Bakufu what is known as the “Jokyo-Kakiage Collection”, which would form the historiographical basis for the compilation and edition of the work Butoku Taiseiki (Chronicle of Great Military Achievements). This project would set a trend in the compilation of a series of histories published by the Edo Bakufu during in the latter half of the 17th century. Despite being a very interesting historical development, very little research has been done on the historiographical compilation ordered by the Edo Bakufu. Here the author examines the purpose behind the project and the details involved in the work itself. <br> To begin with, the documents making up the Jokyo-Kakiage Collection were influenced greatly by the political milieu of the time, in that the daimyo who submitted them were interested in demonstrating their particular historical relationships to the Tokugawa Shogunate. Thus, the Collection's content is quite selective in emphasizing longstanding friendships with the Shogunate, while excluding any inconvenient facts to the contrary. The author shows that the Bakufu compilers were well aware of such selective biases, but turned a blind eye to the fact that the Jokyo-Kakiage Collection by no means reflected an accurate historical picture of the origins of the Tokugawa Family and its feudal relationships with it vassals. <br> Despite its lack of objectively, the Collection, the author argues, still remains a very interesting topic of study, for the very act of composing historiography to be submitted to the Bakufu constitutes none other than presenting historical ideas, or experience, concerning the subject matter at hand. That is to say, by analyzing the Jokyo-Kakiage Collection, the historian discovers a interesting body of knowledge telling him to how each daimyo viewed the Edo Bakufu in historical terms. <br> The author then goes on to discuss the influence that the Jokyo - Kakiage Collection exerted on later generations.

Journal

  • SHIGAKU ZASSHI

    SHIGAKU ZASSHI 125 (4), 32-49, 2016

    The Historical Society of Japan

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