Overview.
The Biography of Wei Zhi, The Biography of the Japanese People is part of the Sanguozhi (三国志), a history book compiled during the Three Kingdoms period in China, and is included in Volume 30 of the Wei Shu (魏書), the record of the Wei dynasty, under the title Toi Deng (東夷伝). This chapter describes the Japanese people living in the Japanese archipelago, and is particularly famous for its record of Yamaichi-koku (邪馬壹国) and its queen Himiko.
Main contents.
Geography and peoples of Japan.
- Yamaichi-koku is said to be located across the sea to the east and to have many small states.
- There are more than a hundred countries in ‘倭(Wa)’, the most powerful of which is believed to be ‘邪馬壹国(YamaIchi-koku)’.
邪馬壹国(YamaIchi-koku).
- The most powerful of the many Yamaichi-koku states was ruled by a queen called Himiko.
- Himiko is described as a shamaness with divine powers, and as having received oracles when conducting the country’s politics.
Himiko.
- Himiko is described as a queen who was set up because it was difficult for men to hold power.
- She had diplomatic relations with China, sending envoys to the Wei and receiving the title of King of the Parent Wei.
Relationship with Wei.
- The Queen sent an emissary to Wei and was awarded a golden seal and title by the Emperor of Wei.
- This established Yamaichi-koku’s superiority over the other Japanese states, as it was considered to be under the control of the Wei.
Culture and lifestyle.
- The customs and habits of the Japanese people, including their food, clothing and housing, the institution of marriage and funeral rites, are also described.
- For example, the Japanese people had the custom of ink-entry, through which their status and occupation were indicated.
Historical significance
The Gi-shi-wa-jin-den is an extremely important historical document in the study of ancient Japanese history, especially the ongoing controversy over the location of Yamaichi-koku. It is key to elucidating where the Yamaichi-koku was located and what influence it had on the subsequent formation of a unified Japanese state.
Points of Controversy.
Location of the Yamaichi-koku.
- The Kyushu and Kinai theories are the main points of controversy, with much research over archaeological finds and place name coincidence.
The identity of Himiko.
- There is also much debate over who Himiko actually was and how her ruling system functioned.
The Gi-shi-wa-jin-den is a valuable record for understanding the ancient history of Japan, and much research is expected to be conducted in the future.
NB.
This text is based on asking the AI; the AI’s answers may not always be correct. Important information should be checked.
(From me: I won’t post the full text of Wei Wei’s biography because it’s too long)
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