A Little Leisure

《大戴禮記》Jinzhang Book Company (Jinzhang Shuju) · ChinaJun 2024

4.0

Word count: 2K words
Chapters: 2

Summary

The Da Dai Liji (Ritual Records of Dai the Elder) takes its name from Dai De (first century BCE), one of the four disciples of Hou Cang (fl. 70 BCE), who in the first century BCE established the school for transmitting the Yili (Ceremonies and Rites) that was installed among the academic offices (see the Liji).

Editor's review

Shaoxian comes from the Da Dai Liji and is an important text for the study of ritual thought from the pre-Qin period to the early Han. Compared with the Xiao Dai Liji, the Da Dai Liji long remained on the margins of scholarship, yet its contents span ritual institutions, ethics, the Way of Heaven, and the art of governance, giving it a distinctive documentary value. This volume is the edition printed by Shanghai Jinzhang Book Company, reissued in 2024, offering readers an entry point to the original text. Its chapters mostly unfold through questions and answers between Confucius and his disciples; the language is archaic and elegant, and moral principle and institutional detail carry equal weight, so that both the lineage of ritual learning and Han scholars' organization and development of ritual can be seen. It should be read alongside the Liji, with attention to the similarities and differences in chapters and thought between the two books. For readers studying classical learning, the history of ritual institutions, or pre-Qin thought, this book is an indispensable reference; for general readers, a certain foundation in classical Chinese and patience are required. Reading selected chapters is recommended: begin with chapters relevant to one's own concerns, then gradually expand.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Researchers in classical learning and the history of ritual institutions who need to compare the Da Dai and Xiao Dai Liji
Enthusiasts of pre-Qin to Han intellectual history concerned with the lineage of ritual learning
Readers of traditional culture with some grounding in classical Chinese who are willing to read the original slowly
University students of literature and history as supplementary material for courses on the Liji

Not a good fit for

Beginners with weak classical Chinese reading ability, for whom the original text presents a high threshold
General readers seeking light entertainment or narrative reading
Newcomers hoping for vernacular translation, annotation, and a detailed introduction

Reading tips

First read through the table of contents and select chapters related to ritual institutions and ethics to read first; completeness is not necessary
Read corresponding chapters alongside the Liji and note differences in content and arrangement between the two books
Keep reference works or annotated editions at hand and check official titles and ritual vessel terms promptly
Write brief notes after each chapter, sorting out its core arguments and mode of reasoning

About the publisher

Jinzhang Book Company (Jinzhang Shuju) China · Founded in 1901

Jinzhang Book Company (Jinzhang Shuju) was a private publishing and distribution house in Shanghai during the late Qing and early Republican periods, issuing traditional works by lithographic printing. Judging from the 1,194 titles in the collection, its publishing focused on classical poetry, Eastern philosophy, historical reading, traditional Chinese medical texts, and canonical works, along with books on literary appreciation. Representative titles include the poetry and prose collections of Du Fu and Ouyang Xiu; historical works such as the Book of Han and Zizhi Tongjian; classical texts such as the Book of Documents and Mencius; and specialized and literary classics such as Treatise on Cold Damage and Li Sao. Its author resources cover major figures across the ages, including Du Fu, Ban Gu, Sima Guang, Zhang Zhongjing, Qu Yuan, Ouyang Xiu, and Tang Shenwei, reflecting the house's characteristic reliance on traditional scholarship and medical literature while serving general readers. Public information on its early history and operational details is limited, so no conjecture is offered here.

版权信息
少閒第七十六

FAQ

What is the relationship between Shaoxian and the Liji?

Shaoxian belongs to the Da Dai Liji, while what is commonly called the Liji usually refers to the Xiao Dai Liji. Both books descend from Han dynasty ritual learning, with Dai De and Dai Sheng each producing their own arrangement; their chapters and contents show both similarities and differences. Reading the two together helps in understanding the differentiation and transmission of Han ritual learning.

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

It is quite difficult. This book is the original text, archaic in language and involving specialized ritual terms and ancient institutions. If one's classical Chinese is weak, it is advisable to begin with an annotated edition of the Da Dai Liji that includes vernacular translation, then return to this edition for comparative reading.

Is this book suitable for reading straight through or in selections?

Selections are more suitable. The chapters of the Da Dai Liji span a wide range and are not all centered on the same theme. Readers may first choose chapters related to their own research or interests for close reading from the table of contents, then gradually expand, avoiding giving up halfway in pursuit of completeness.

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About the author

《大戴禮記》 Author

The Da Dai Liji is not the work of a single author but the title of a compilation of ritual-learning texts assembled by the Han scholar Dai De, and later generations generally treat it as a single classic. Public information about Dai De himself is limited: his dates, nationality, and scholarly lineage are unknown. Six related works are held here, with representative chapters such as Wei Jiangjun Wenzi, Xia Xiaozheng, Qiancheng, and Shaojian, covering ancient ritual institutions, seasonal phenomena, and the words and deeds of historical figures; they combine the qualities of a classic, documentary writing, and Eastern philosophy. The style is plain and archaic, consisting mainly of records and discussion, often conveying ethical and political ideas through specific ceremonies and historical anecdotes. Xia Xiaozheng is especially known for its month-by-month records of seasonal phenomena and farming, making it important material for the study of early calendars and daily life. The book holds considerable documentary value in the transmission of ritual learning and provides precious texts for understanding ritual institutions and thought from the pre-Qin to early Han periods, while also being read as literature.