『類聚國史』所載の所謂「渤海沿革記事」の史料的性格について

Abstract

The Ruijūkokushi is an encyclopedia, completed by Sugawara no Michizane in 892. The section dated the 25th day of the sexagenary cycle of the 4th month in the 15th year of the Enryaku era in the 193rd volume of the Ruijūkokushi includes an account of the history of Balhae. It describes its founding and the local society of Balhae, providing a precious source for consideration of the domestic affairs in Balhae. Because the latter section describes the organization of the local administration and the ethnic composition of the local people, it has attracted much attention. In regard to this account, local society and governance has been discussed through an examination of the character of the shuryō 首領, a title that appears in the text. However, the problem of how to think about the historical character of this account is an important prerequisite for any further discussion. As for this problem, there has been a consensus of opinion and there seemed to be no need for further discussion. Afterwards, there has been some consideration of the historical character of the account, albeit fragmentary in nature. This author thus thinks that it is necessary to reexamine this issue using a thoroughly empirical approach. In this study, the author first reexamines the historical character of the account and then employs his findings as a key in interpreting the account, and finally concludes by offering some remarks on the circumstances of local society and its governance in Balhae.