Ming Shilu


The Ming Shilu contains the imperial annals of the Ming emperors. It is the single largest historical source for the dynasty. According to modern historians, it "plays an extremely important role in the historical reconstruction of Ming society and politics." After the fall of the Ming Dynasty, the Ming Shilu was used as a primary source for the compilation of the Mingshi.
The section for each emperor was composed after the emperor's death by a History Office appointed by the Grand Secretariat using different types of historical sources such as:
  1. "The Qiju zhu, or 'Diaries of Activity and Repose'. These were daily records of the actions and words of the Emperor in court."
  2. "The 'Daily Records'. These records, established precisely as a source for the compilation of the shilu, were compiled by a committee on the basis of the diaries and other written sources."
  3. Other sources such as materials collected from provincial centres and "culled from other official sources such as memorials, ministerial papers and the Metropolitan Gazette."
RecordEmperor
Taizu Shilu Taizu or Hongwu
Taizong Shilu Taizong or Yongle
Renzong Shilu Renzong or Hongxi
Xuanzong Shilu Xuanzong or Xuande
Yingzong Shilu Yingzong
Xianzong Shilu Xianzong or Chenghua
Xiaozong Shilu Xiaozong or Hongzhi
Wuzong Shilu Wuzong or Zhengde
Shizong Shilu Shizong or Jiajing
Muzong Shilu Muzong or Longqing
Shenzong Shilu Shenzong or Wanli
Guangzong Shilu Guangzong or Taichang
Xizong Shilu Xizong or Tianqi

Citations