Veritable Records
Official court histories compiled after a monarch's death.
Starting in the 7th century, Chinese dynasties began producing official court histories known as Veritable Records, a practice later adopted by Korea, Japan, and Vietnam after they took up the Chinese bureaucratic model and Classical Chinese writing. These records were typically put together right after a monarch’s death—though preparation sometimes started while the ruler was still alive—and stuck to a rigid format. They are extremely detailed, packed with political, economic, military, and biographical material. Famous examples, all written in Classical Chinese, include China’s Ming and Qing Veritable Records, Japan’s *Nihon Sandai Jitsuroku*, Korea’s *Joseon Wangjo Sillok*, and Vietnam’s *Đại Nam thực lục*. During the Yuan and Qing dynasties, versions were also produced in Mongol and Manchu. The earliest known Veritable Records were compiled during the Tang dynasty for Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong, but the practice didn’t become standardized until Emperor Taizong of Tang, who was deeply concerned with how history would remember him.
Quick Facts
- P
- Shílù
- W
- Shih / 2 / -lu / 4
- Rr
- Sillok
- Vie
- Thực lục
- Romaji
- Jitsuroku
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The earliest Veritable Records were those compiled during the Tang dynasty for Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong. However, the practice did not become standardized until the reign of Emperor Taizong of Tang, who was obsessed with his historical legacy. These records were prepared immediately following the death of a monarch, though preparations sometimes began while he was still alive.
Reader's Guide
Veritable Records represent a key tradition in East Asian historiography, providing highly detailed accounts of political, economic, military, and biographical information for each reign. They were compiled by government historians using a strictly prescribed format and written in Classical Chinese, the bureaucratic and literary language of the region. Notable examples include the Ming Veritable Records, Qing Veritable Records, Japan's Nihon Sandai Jitsuroku, Korea's Joseon Wangjo Sillok, and Vietnam's Đại Nam thực lục. During the Yuan and Qing dynasties, versions were also written in Mongol and Manchu respectively. The practice originated in 6th-century China and became standardized under Emperor Taizong of Tang. These records are distinct from the Twenty-Four Histories, though related as primary sources for later official histories.
Did You Know?
- During the Yuan and Qing dynasties, Veritable Records were also written in Mongol and Manchu respectively.
- Famous examples include the Joseon Wangjo Sillok of Korea and the Đại Nam thực lục of Vietnam.
More in History of Imperial China 1-22
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