Record of Calligraphy

董更Jun 2024

3.6

Word count: 15K words
Chapters: 7

Summary

Chinese traditional thought has a long history and is highly original, inventive and literary. Early forms of thought are distinctive: religious theology, classical Chinese medical texts, ancient military strategy, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism and the Hundred Schools, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, and local customs and geography are all profound and extensive. This series, "Essence of Classic Chinese Studies: Original Texts," preserves the original appearance of the books and focuses on preserving and transmitting traditional Chinese thought and culture. By reading the literary essence left by ancient sages, readers cultivate their temperament and quietly absorb the classics of Chinese studies.

Editor's review

Shulu also belongs to the Classics of Chinese Thought and Culture: Original Texts series; like its companion volumes, it aims to conserve and transmit traditional Chinese thought and culture and stresses preserving the original text's character. Its contents range widely—religious theology, medical classics, ancient military strategy, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism and the Hundred Schools, fengshui and arcane studies, the Twenty-Four Histories, customs and local gazetteers—presenting early thought in its most distinctive forms. As a cultural reader fit for the desk, its strength lies in the gathering nature of a "record": readers need not rely on secondhand summaries but confront directly the fragments and texture of ancient texts, experiencing each category's manner of expression as they browse. It suits long-term, companionable reading—slow rather than hurried, comparative rather than isolated. For readers who want a foundation in traditional culture without being confined to a single school, it offers a broad and plain entry point.

Who it's for

A good fit for

General cultural readers who wish to encounter multiple branches of Chinese learning in their original form
Readers wanting a desk reference of traditional culture to browse at any time
Extensive readers curious about ancient military strategy, medical classics, historical gazetteers, and more
Self-learners willing to build classical Chinese sensibility through slow reading, not seeking quick results

Not a good fit for

Beginners who need modern translation and annotation, or paragraph-by-paragraph explanation, to read smoothly
Readers seeking in-depth treatment of a single school or single theme
Scholars engaged in specialized research who need textual criticism and scholarly annotation

Reading tips

Keep it within easy reach; read a short passage from one category at a time, maintaining light contact.
When an entry interests you, note its source clues, then seek out the relevant original text or reference work.
Read alternately with companion volumes in the series to compare how the same category appears under different editorial arrangements.
Attend to punctuation and wording in the classical text; do not rush to understand—cultivate sensibility first, comprehension later.

版权信息
书録提要
钦定四库全书书録卷上
钦定四库全书书録卷中
钦定四库全书书録卷下
钦定四库全书书録外篇
书録后跋

FAQ

How does Shulu differ from other readers in the same series?

Both belong to the Classics of Chinese Thought and Culture: Original Texts series; their editorial aims are the same, both stressing preservation of the original text's character and the conservation and transmission of traditional thought and culture. Differences lie mainly in editorial arrangement and selected content; use the table of contents to judge which book better suits your interests—do not be bound by the title.

The book includes fengshui and arcane studies—how should one read these?

Sources indicate the book covers fengshui, arcane studies, and other traditional content as part of presenting early thought. Read them as cultural-historical material and ancient conceptions, to understand their discourse and historical context, rather than as practical guides to be followed directly.

Can I read this book without a foundation in classical Chinese?

You can, but it will be demanding. The book preserves the original text's character and provides no sentence-by-sentence vernacular translation. Start with short passages, use dictionaries and annotated editions as aids, and aim to sense the language and grasp the gist rather than achieve word-for-word precision.

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About the author

董更 Author

Dong Geng is an author about whom very little is known from publicly available sources. At present, only one work by this author is known to exist, Shulu (A Record of Books), which is commonly classified under Eastern philosophy. Because there is no confirmed information about nationality, dates of birth and death, or personal experience, it is difficult to reconstruct a complete biography. Even so, Shulu offers some indication of the author's approach to writing. The title points to a record or discussion of books and writing, and given its classification under Eastern philosophy, the content may involve reading notes, commentary on classical texts, or reflections on the tradition of writing. The style may lean toward miscellaneous notes and essays, with emphasis on organizing documents and expressing personal understanding. Since the work is scarce and not widely circulated, Dong Geng's influence among scholars and readers is limited, and the value of the work lies mainly in serving as a case for researchers of Eastern philosophical literature.