It was written for his master Ienobu TOKUGAWA, who became deeply interested in the historical changes of ancient Japan in times of war and peace, rise and fall, when Hakuseki gave a lecture on "Tongjian Gangmu" (Outline and Details of the Comprehensive Mirror) in his presence.
白石が主君・徳川家宣に『通鑑綱目』を進講しつつ、日本古来の治乱興亡の沿革に深い関心を寄せていた家宣のために書いたものである。