was an imperially commissioned Japanese genealogical record from Heian period Japan.
The book itself has been lost, but its abridged version and fragments remain.
History It was first conceived during Emperor Kanmu's reign in 799 to properly track the clans' then ambiguous lineages, but was not completed before his death in 806. The project was later carried over by his son, Emperor Saga. Thirty volumes in length, it was compiled by the Emperor's brother, Imperial Prince Manda (, 788–830) and by the late Emperor Kanmu's associates such as Fujiwara no Otsugu, and Fujiwara no Sonohito et al. It was initially completed in 814, but underwent a revision to be recompleted in 815.
The original book is believed to have existed until the Kamakura period, but only its abridged version that supposedly contains 1/10 of the information survives today. The abridged version includes the preface and table of contents from the original as well as very brief summaries of the clans and their lineages.
All of the information provided is based on the abridged version.
Contents
According to the preface, the record contains genealogical records for 1182 families living in the Heian-kyō capital and the Kinai region (encompassing Izumi [和泉], Kawachi [河内], Settsu [摂津], Yamashiro [山城], Yamato [和]), which means "close to capital"; but the preface warns even this record comprises less than half of all the surnames in circulation there.
The four main categories in Japanese are called kōbetsu (Imperial ancestry), shinbetsu (Divine ancestry), shoban (Foreign ancestry), and uncategorized:
Imperial ancestry (kōbetsu): 335 families Scholars have noted that at least one family, the (), is listed under kōbetsu but was likely of foreign origin.Murayama 1983 : 49. According to Japanese historian (), the Yoshida family falsely claimed kōbetsu after claiming that (), the son of Emperor Kōshō (who they claim descent) migrated to Kaya and became royalty and that their clan founder, Kitta no Yoroshi () was a returning Japanese noble who had royal ties in both lands. In actuality, the Yoshida family was most likely only of Korean descent (specifically Paekche) and thus embraced the story of Emperor Kōshō's son of becoming royalty in Kaya to create legitimacy for having both ties with the imperial line and Korea. The general consensus is that the Yoshida family nor Kitta no Yoroshi was related to Shiodaretsuhiko or the imperial line.
Divine ancestry (shinbetsu): 404 families; of which 246 were of direct heavenly descent claiming to be born of gods who came down to Japan with Ninigi-no-Mikoto, 128 were of heavenly cadet descent, and 30 of (chigi, earthly divine) as from gods who already existed in Japan before Ninigi descended.
Foreign ancestry
(shoban): 326 families; of which, 163 were of 漢 (Kan; かん), 104 of 百済 (Kudara; くだら), 41 of 高句麗 (Kōkuri; こうくり), 9 of 新羅 (Shiragi; しらぎ), and 9 of 任那 (Mimana; みまな) origin. They mainly claim descent from ancient Toraijins who came to Japan from the mainland during the Jōmon period to the Asuka period. Historically, shoban also meant "barbarian". "漢 (Kan)" is written as the Han dynasty of ancient China. However, as the character is read as both "から; Kara" or "あや; Aya" which means "the continent (China)", it most likely meant "of Chinese descent", not specifically alluding to the Han dynasty but rather China in general. Some shoban families under "漢" are believed to be classified wrongfully according to modern research. Famous families such as the Hata clan were originally classified under "漢" but were later revised by modern historians. See controversy surrounding the book. +Notable families under 漢 (Kan/かん)ClassificationYuzuki no Kimi (Hata)Achi no Omi (Yamato no Aya)Wani ()Tarisusu (太利須須)Shamonei (沙門詠)Mantoku no Omi (Ōtomo)Hachita no Kusushi (蜂田薬師)OthersTotalNumber of associated clans31307432284163ClaimOriginates from Paekche. Claims descent of Qin Shi Huang.Originates from Paekche. Claims descent of Emperor Ling of Han.Originates from Paekche. Claims descent of Emperor Gaozu of Han.Originates from Paekche. Claims origin of Wu state.Originates from Paekche. Claims descent of unspecified Chinese emperor.Originates from Koma."高麗/Koma", an alternate pronunciation and spelling of "高句麗/Kōkuri" meaning Goguryeo. Claims descent of Emperor Gaozu of Han.Originates from Paekche. Claims descent of Sun Quan.Claims descent of notable figures such as: Cao Cao, Cao Pi, Emperor Yang of Sui, Gongsun Yuan, etc.NoteName of the founder/clan. Includes all branch clans. Suspected of aggrandization thus revised as Silla descent.Name of the founder/clan. Includes all branch clans. Suspected of aggrandization thus revised as Kaya descent.Name of the founder/clan. Includes all branch clans. Suspected of aggrandization thus revised as Paekche descent.Name of the founder.Most like related to Tarisusu (多利須須) under "百済 (Kudara)" who also came from Baekje that has the same pronunciation and almost exact spelling. Includes all branch clans. Suspected of aggrandization thus revised as Paekche descent.Name of the founder. Includes all branch clans. Suspected of aggrandization thus revised as Paekche descent.Name of the founder/clan. Includes all branch clans. Revised as Silla descent.Name of the founder. Includes all branch clans. Suspected of aggrandization thus authenticity of claim is questioned.Some are suspected of aggrandization thus authenticity of claim is questioned. "百済 (Kudara)" is the Japanese pronunciation for Paekche of ancient Korea. Due to the strong affinity between the two kingdoms, it is recorded as the largest origin for families of Korean descent. Like with "漢", there are certain claims that are questioned by modern historians such as the origins of Yuzuki no Kimi, Achi no Omi, and Wani of whether or not Kudara/Paekche was indeed their country of origin and whether they truly existed. See controversy surrounding the book. +Notable families under 百済 (Kudara/くだら)ClassificationUkyoSakyoKawachiSettsuIzumiYamashiroYamatoTotalNumber of associated clans4614159866104ClaimOriginates from Paekche. Claims descent of notable figures such as: Uija, Tokusa-Ō, Geungusu, Biyu, etc of Paekche.Originates from Paekche. Claims descent of notable figures such as: Muryeong, Hye, Munju, etc of Paekche.Originates from Paekche. Claims descent of notable figures such as: Jinsa, Jeonji, Dongseong, Buyeo Gonji, etc of Paekche.Originates from Paekche. Claims descent of less notable figures of Paekche.Originates from Paekche. Claims descent of notable figures such as: Ju, and less notable figures of Paekche.Originates from Paekche. Claims descent of notable figures such as: Biryu, etc of Paekche.Originates from Paekche. Claims descent of notable figures such as: Muryeong, etc of Paekche.Note"Ukyo" means "the right side of the capital (Heian)" now known as Kyoto."Sakyo" means "the left side of the capital (Heian)" now known as Kyoto."Kawachi" means Kawachi Province in Osaka.Name of an ancient province.Name of an ancient province.Name of an ancient province.Name of the Yamato Kingship. "高句麗 (Kōkuri)" is the Japanese pronunciation for Goguryeo of ancient Korea. +Notable families under 高句麗 (Kōkuri/こうくり)ClassificationSakyoUkyoYamashiroYamatoSettsuKawachiTotalNumber of associated clans159563341ClaimOriginates from Goguryeo. Claims descent of notable figures such as: Anryu, Yeonjeon, etc of Goguryeo.Originates from Goguryeo. Claims descent of notable figures such as: Dongmyeong, Gwanggaeto, etc of Goguryeo.Originates from Goguryeo. Claims descent of notable figures such as: Kusagi, Buryeon, etc of Goguryeo.Originates from Goguryeo. Claims descent of less notable figures of Goguryeo.Originates from Goguryeo. Claims descent of less notable figures of Goguryeo.Originates from Goguryeo. Claims descent of less notable figures of Goguryeo.Note"Sakyo" means "the left side of the capital (Heian)" now known as Kyoto."Ukyo" means "the right side of the capital (Heian)" now known as Kyoto. Some are suspected of aggrandization thus authenticity of claim is questioned.Name of an ancient province.Name of the Yamato Kingship.Name of an ancient province."Kawachi" means Kawachi Province in Osaka. "新羅 (Shiragi)" is the Japanese pronunciation for Silla of ancient Korea. Similar to other immigrant clans, families under "Shiragi/Silla" origin are also questioned due to Amenohiboko having a legendary status. See controversy surrounding the book. +Notable families under 新羅 (Shiragi/しらぎ)ClassificationUkyoSakyoYamashiroYamatoSettsuKawachiIzumiTotalNumber of associated clans31111119ClaimOriginates from Silla. Claims descent of notable figures such as: Amenohiboko, etc of Silla.Originates from Silla. Claims descent of Amenohiboko of Silla.Originates from Silla. Claims descent of less notable figures of Silla.Originates from Silla. Claims descent of Amenohiboko of Silla.Originates from Silla. Claims descent of Amenohiboko of Silla.Originates from Silla. Claims descent of less notable figures of Silla.Originates from Silla. Claims descent of less notable figures of Silla.Note"Ukyo" means "the right side of the capital (Heian)" now known as Kyoto. Some are suspected of aggrandization thus authenticity of claim is questioned."Sakyo" means "the left side of the capital (Heian)" now known as Kyoto. It is suspected of aggrandization thus authenticity of claim is questioned.Name of an ancient province.Name of the Yamato Kingship. It is suspected of aggrandization thus authenticity of claim is questioned.Name of an ancient province. It is suspected of aggrandization thus authenticity of claim is questioned."Kawachi" means Kawachi Province in Osaka.Name of an ancient province. "任那 (Mimana)" is the Japanese pronunciation for Kaya confederacy of ancient Korea. +Notable families under 任那 (Mimana/みまな)ClassificationSakyoSettsuYamatoYamashiroTotalNumber of associated clans33219ClaimOriginates from Kaya. Claims descent of notable figures such as: Gasil, etc of Kaya.Originates from Kaya. Claims descent of notable figures such as: Punggwi, etc of Kaya.Originates from Kaya. Claims descent of Irigumo and Jwari of Kaya.Originates from Kaya. Claims descent of Irigumo of Kaya.Note"Sakyo" means "the left side of the capital (Heian)" now known as Kyoto.Name of an ancient province.Name of the Yamato Kingship. Some are suspected of aggrandization thus authenticity of claim is questioned.Name of an ancient province. It is suspected of aggrandization thus authenticity of claim is questioned. A total of 117 are listed as unclassified (未定雜姓). Some families under "未定雜姓" have specific names that may allude to foreign origin. These include names such as 百済 (Kudara; くだら) for Paekche in Kudara clan (百済氏), "加羅 (Kara/から)" for Kaya in Kara clan (加羅氏), "韓 (Kara; から)" for Korea (in general) in Karanoamabenoobito clan (韓海部首), Wiman for the (筆氏), Oh (surname) in (呉氏), etc. However, they are still considered "unclassified".
Controversy surrounding the book
Historical inaccuracy Due to the inconsistencies found within the records, modern historians are cautious as to deeming the Shinsen Shōjiroku as a reliable source at face value, especially in regards to the foreign "shoban" families and several imperial "kōbetsu" families.
The biggest criticism stems from the lack of evidence and that much of the sources found in the book are mostly baseless claims. Places like the city of Kyoto and Fushimi Inari-taisha, when revising the origins of the Hata clan, specifically stated their sentiments in regards to the Shinsen Shōjiroku as "unreliable" with having to rely on more reliable historical sources and archaeological evidence to draw up an accurate conclusion.