Completed in 879, it is the fifth text in the Six National Histories series.
Following the earlier national history Shoku Nihon Kōki (869), in 871 Emperor Seiwa ordered the compilation of the years since then.
It was primarily edited by Fujiwara no Mototsune with assistance from Minabuchi no Toshina, Ōe no Otondo, Shimada no Tadaomi, Sugawara no Koreyoshi, Yoshibuchi no Yoshinari, and significant contributions by Miyako no Yoshika.
Written in Kanbun-style and contained within ten volumes, the contents cover nine years of Emperor Montoku's reign spanning from 850 through 858.
The text is characteristic in that it contains few political details but many obituaries for nobles.