Kunxue Jiwen (Records of Learning through Hardship)
Tags
Summary
Editor's review
In terms of reading value, this book is by no means a dry pile of materials. Wang Yinglin lived at the end of the Song, and his textual research often embodies deep reflection on the times and profound concern for cultural transmission, lending intellectual brilliance to his scholarly notes. The book's original insights on classics such as the Book of Songs and the Book of Documents, penetrating analyses of historical events and figures, and broad coverage of astronomy, geography, and literature together build a grand treasury of knowledge. It is not only essential reading for studying Song academic and intellectual history but also, through its rigorous method and the spirit of 'learning while in hardship,' offers strong exemplary and inspirational value to today's lovers and researchers of literature and history. This Shanghai Classics Publishing House edition, with its excellent collation, provides a reliable foundation for in-depth study.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Researchers with strong interest in ancient Chinese academic history, especially Song evidential scholarship and philology
- Literature and history students devoted to reading classical texts and exegesis, hoping to learn traditional scholarly methods
- Veteran readers who enjoy broad reading and drawing knowledge and intellectual sparks from notes and textual research
- Enthusiasts with a systematic understanding of traditional Chinese culture who are not daunted by somewhat demanding classical Chinese texts
Not a good fit for
- Beginner readers expecting light, story-driven reading or pure literary appreciation
- Those unfamiliar with classical Chinese and traditional evidential texts and lacking patience for detailed reading
Reading tips
- On first encounter, skim the table of contents and start with familiar classic or historical chapters or entries on names and institutions of interest; sequential reading is not required.
- Keep reference works (such as classical Chinese dictionaries and historical chronologies) at hand; for important conclusions and citations, try tracing the original texts to deepen understanding.
- Reading against the historical background of the Song and Wang Yinglin's life experiences helps better grasp the subtle meanings and scholarly sentiments behind his research.
About the publisher
Shanghai Classics Publishing House is a professional publisher centered on the collation of ancient texts and academic research works. Its publishing areas cover historical readings, classical poetry, folk literature, literary appreciation, canonical works, and Eastern philosophy. Its books include Chen Yinke's A Brief Discussion of the Origins of the Sui and Tang Institutions, Xin Qiji's Chronological Annotated Edition of Jiaxuan's Ci (Simplified Edition), Tang Xianzu's The Peony Pavilion, Liu Xie's The Literary Mind and the Carving of Dragons, as well as New Annotations to Three Hundred Tang Poems (Collector's Edition), Annotated Edition of Han Changli's Collected Works (Simplified Edition, 3 volumes), and Youyang Zazu. Its authors include Chen Yinke, Xin Qiji, Tang Xianzu, Liu Xie, Deng Guangming, Hengtang Tuishi, Han Yu, and Ma Qichang. In terms of publishing characteristics, the house emphasizes collation, annotation, and compilation of ancient texts alongside academic research works, and continues to issue simplified and collector's editions that balance scholarship and accessibility. Public information about the publisher's fuller publishing profile is limited.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 校点说明
- 自叙
- 序
- 卷一
- 易
- 卷二
- 书
- 卷三
- 诗
- 卷四
- 周礼
- 卷五
- 仪礼
- 礼记
- 大戴礼记
- 乐
- 卷六
- 春秋
- 左氏
- 卷七
- 公羊
- 穀梁
- 论语
- 孝经
- 卷八
- 孟子
- 小学
- 经说
- 卷九
- 天道
- 历数
- 卷十
- 地理
- 诸子
- 卷十一
- 考史
- 卷十二
- 考史
- 卷十三
- 考史
- 卷十四
- 考史
- 卷十五
- 考史
- 卷十六
- 考史
- 卷十七
- 评文
- 卷十八
- 评诗
- 卷十九
- 评文
- 卷二十
- 杂识
- 历代笔记小说大观总目
FAQ
What is the main content of Kunxue Jiwen?
What level of classical Chinese is needed to read this book?
What are the features of this edition?
Comments
Find this book
This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.
About the author
Wang Yinglin (1223–1296), courtesy name Bohou and art name Shenning Jushi, was a native of Yin County in Qingyuan Prefecture (present-day Ningbo, Zhejiang). A Southern Song scholar, educator, and statesman, he rose to the posts of Minister of Rites and concurrently Supervising Secretary. He followed Zhu Xi's learning and excelled in evidential research, covering the classics, history, philology, and textual scholarship. After the fall of the Song, he lived in retirement for twenty years, devoting himself to writing. His works include Kunxue Jiwen, Yuhai, and Xiaoxue Ganzhu. Kunxue Jiwen, in note form, examines the classics and histories and clarifies terms and institutions, reflecting his empirical and broad-minded approach and influencing later evidential scholarship. The primer Sanzi Jing is traditionally attributed to him; its plain language and clear structure made it widely circulated as an important traditional text for elementary education. This site holds 11 of his works, spanning philosophy, Eastern philosophy, culture, literary appreciation, and classic works.
