Historian Joan R. Piggott translates fûdoki (風土紀) as "regional gazetteers," but the less practical and most literal translation of "Records of Wind and Earth" is also seen in academic circles. These "gazetteers" followed the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki as early historical texts, but what sets them apart is their individuality: they are limited in scope, as the information they contain stays within the borders of their respective provinces. It is believed that the writers of the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki used various fûdoki to gather information for their final work.
Origins
It was Empress Genmei's intention that all regions in 8th century Japan record their respective history, mythology, geography, etc...when she issued her sinophilic edict in 713 A.D.
Language
Like contemporary texts, it was mostly written in Chinese. However, similar to the notable linguistic hybrid seen in the Kojiki, it contained interwoven Japanese when citing word-for-word or presenting poetry.
Extant Fûdoki
The following fûdoki are extant:
- Bungo fûdoki 豊後風土紀
- Hitachi fûdoki 常陸風土紀
- Harima fûdoki 播磨風土紀
- Izumo fûdoki 出雲風土紀
- Hizen fûdoki 肥前風土紀
- Higo fûdoki
There is some discrepancy in the number and titles of remaining fûdoki, in that Piggott lists all the above except the Bungo fûdoki as being extant. However, an impressive work by Michiko Y. Aoki has all the above fûdoki including the Bungo text translated into English. However, it is missing the Higo text. The Cambridge History of Japan Volume One: Ancient Japan helps put some closure to this issue:
"Only the Izumo fûdoki survives intact; the gazetteers of Harima, Bungo, Hitachi, and Hizen are partially preserved, and fragments of a number of others have come down thanks to being quoted in various works."
The mysterious "number of others," therefore, puts to rest this confusion over the discrepancies.