Translation guide
A historical account of military events, often in narrative form. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through specific terms for war tales, military histories, and campaign records.
A narrative account of battles and military exploits, especially from Japan's medieval period.
The standard term for Japanese war tales, such as the Heike Monogatari. Refers to a genre of medieval literature.
『平家物語』は代表的な軍記物語です。
The Tale of the Heike is a representative war chronicle.
A synonym for 軍記物語, though less common. Literally 'war chronicle tale'.
戦記物語は武士の生き方を描いています。
War chronicles depict the way of the samurai.
An abbreviated form of 軍記物語, often used in academic or literary contexts.
軍記の研究をしています。
I am researching war chronicles.
A factual or analytical account of a war or military campaign, often written by historians or participants.
The standard term for military history or a war chronicle in a modern context. Used for official histories and academic works.
彼は太平洋戦争の戦史を書いた。
He wrote a war chronicle of the Pacific War.
A personal or narrative account of a war, often by a participant. Can be used for both modern and pre-modern conflicts.
A chronicle written by someone who accompanied the military, such as a journalist or observer. Literally 'campaign record'.
彼の従軍記は戦場の現実を伝えている。
His war chronicle conveys the reality of the battlefield.
A detailed record of a particular conflict, often used in titles.
A suffix meaning 'chronicle of the ~ war'. Attach to the name of a war or battle.
『ガダルカナル戦記』を読んだ。
I read a chronicle of the Guadalcanal campaign.
A suffix meaning 'military history of ~'. More formal and academic than 戦記.
『第二次世界大戦戦史』は詳細な分析を提供する。
The 'Chronicle of World War II' provides a detailed analysis.
軍記物語 refers specifically to medieval Japanese war tales, which blend history and literature. 戦史 is a modern term for factual military history. Using 軍記物語 for a modern war would sound anachronistic.
『太平記』は軍記物語だが、『昭和戦史』は戦史だ。
The Taiheiki is a war chronicle (medieval tale), but the Showa Military History is a war chronicle (modern history).
The literal translation '戦争年代記' (sensō nendaiki) is not idiomatic. Use the terms above depending on context.
That war chronicle is written from a soldier's perspective.