Drafts from Returning to the Fields
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Summary
Traditional Chinese thought and culture have a long history and are highly original, inventive and literary. Early forms of thought are distinctive: religious theology, canonical Chinese medical texts, ancient military treatises, Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist and Hundred Schools thought, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, and customs and local gazetteers—all are profound and extensive. This "Essence of the Chinese Classics: Original Cultural Texts" series preserves the original appearance of the texts, with the aim of preserving and transmitting traditional Chinese thought and culture. By reading the literary essence left by ancient sages, readers cultivate their character and quietly come to know the classics of Chinese learning.
Editor's review
This book also belongs to the "Essence of the Chinese Classics: Original Cultural Texts" series, whose aim is to preserve and transmit traditional Chinese thought and culture, preserving the original appearance of the texts and emphasizing an authentic reading experience. Guitian Gao, by Xie Qian, appears from its title to relate to returning home, retirement or rural life, and is best understood within the context of traditional literati life and thought. Its value lies in allowing readers to face the ancient text directly and feel the emotions and ideas in the ancients' writing, rather than relying on modern rewrites. It can be viewed as a window: one may learn about the life of traditional scholars and appreciate the characteristics of ancient literary expression. Because the original textual appearance is preserved, vocabulary and expression may pose a certain reading threshold; use reference works and slow down, without pursuing speed. It suits desk browsing and careful reading in quiet moments, and also reading alongside similar traditional poetry and prose anthologies to appreciate the brushwork and moods of different authors.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers interested in ancient literati life and rural-themed works who are willing to read original texts slowly
- Chinese classics enthusiasts who prefer preserving original textual appearances and authentic traditional texts
- Those with some classical Chinese reading ability who wish to broaden their reading of traditional poetry and prose
- Readers who need a desk-side volume for casual browsing without seeking plot
Not a good fit for
- Beginners with weak classical Chinese who need sentence-by-sentence vernacular comparison to read smoothly
- Popular-literature readers expecting tight plots or strong dramatic conflict
- Researchers needing specialized materials such as author biography and textual dating
Reading tips
- First browse the table of contents and select shorter passages or titles of interest to sample, then decide the order of close reading.
- While reading, note down unfamiliar words and allusions and look them up in batches to avoid frequently interrupting one's train of thought.
- Read one short piece at a time, then briefly restate its content and one's impressions in one's own words to build familiarity with the style.
- Use classical Chinese reference works or read alongside similar traditional poetry and prose anthologies to help understand expressive conventions.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 序
- 谢文正公传
- 小像赞
- 文正谢公年谱
- 归田稿卷之一
- 归田稿卷之二
- 归田稿卷之三
- 归田稿卷之四
- 文正公归田稿后跋
- 敬跋归田稿后
FAQ
What does the title Guitian Gao tell us the book is about?
From the title, "guitian" usually relates to returning home, retirement or rural life, but the specific contents should be judged by the actual pieces in the book. The book preserves the original textual appearance, and readers can directly experience the author's themes and emotional orientation in reading.
Can someone without classical Chinese background read this book?
There will be some difficulty. The book does not provide sentence-by-sentence vernacular translation and preserves the original mode of expression, so readers with no background may get stuck on words and allusions. It is advisable to use reference works and annotated materials, or begin with shorter pieces and gradually adapt.
Is this book better for close reading or casual browsing?
Both are possible. Because it preserves the original textual appearance and the pieces are relatively independent, it suits desk-side browsing; if one wishes to appreciate the meaning and expression more deeply, one may also closely read a small number of pieces, using reference works to verify words and taking brief notes afterward.
What does this book have in common with others in the series?
Like other works in the series, it aims to preserve and transmit traditional Chinese thought and culture, preserves the original textual appearance, and focuses on giving readers direct access to ancient texts. The differences lie in the specific author and subject matter, and readers may choose the reading order according to interest.
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About the author
谢迁
Author
Xie Qian was an official and scholar of the Ming dynasty; his life and career are thinly documented in publicly available sources, so no speculation is offered here. His extant work, Guitian Gao (Drafts of Returning to the Fields), is a collection of poems and prose written after he retired from office. It records rural daily life, exchanges with friends, and reflections on reading, while also revealing his understanding of advancement and withdrawal in official life and of the ways of the world. The style is plain and natural, free of ornamentation; ordinary matters enter his writing, and genuine feeling shows through in a tranquil tone, with few allusive displays—a contrast to the elegant, expansive court style of the time. The library classifies the collection under literary appreciation, and it offers direct material for understanding the retired life and mindset of Ming literati. Because sources are limited, a full assessment of his literary achievement and influence awaits more thorough compilation and study.
