The Chronicle of Kamatari

Abstract

Abstract The Chronicle of Kamatari is the first of the three extant parts of the Tōshi Kaden (The History of the Fujiwara House). Most likely composed around the middle of the eighth century, the Chronicle tells us the story of Nakatomi no Kamatari (614–669), the patriarch of the Fujiwara house. The text is important in three ways. First, if provides details regarding seventh century political developments not included in other sources. Second, borrowing from several Chinese sources and the Nihon Shoki, the text presents a fine example of East Asian intertextuality. Third, the Chronicle greatly contributes to our understanding of the establishment and formulation of sovereignty in the early Japanese state.