Edo bakufu nikki (Himeji)

• Japanese: 江戸幕府日記 (Edo bakufu nikki)

Edo bakufu nikki, or "Edo Shogunate Diary," is a set of official records of day-to-day events within the Tokugawa shogunate. No complete copy of the nikki survives, but one set of manuscript copies held by the Sakai clan of Himeji domain, rediscovered in the late 20th century, is among those that are most complete and in the best condition.

Describing events within the shogunate from 1631 to 1715, the documents are held by a research center based at Himeji castle. The portion up to 1658 has been published (in reproductions of the manuscript; not transcribed into type) by Yuima shobô in 25 volumes.

The diary is regarded a valuable historical source, as a supplement to those years which have been lost from the Ryuei hinamiki, one of the most extensive official shogunate records. The portion from 1631 to 1673 contains 79 volumes.

It covers chiefly the daily and annual ceremonial activities of the shogunate, with a particular focus on the shogun's activities, including New Year's and other seasonal observances within Edo castle; formal trips to Kan'ei-ji, Zôjô-ji, and Nikkô Tôshôgû; the appointment of shogunal officials; the promulgation of laws and edicts; daimyô audiences; the granting and transferring of fiefs; and so forth. Much of the text was based on the Tokugawa jikki, but also includes description of numerous events not mentioned in the jikki.

References

• "Edo bakufu nikki," product description, Yumani shobô.