Stirring Writings

贺贻孙Jun 2024

3.4

Word count: 45K words
Chapters: 46

Summary

Traditional Chinese thought and culture have a long history and are highly original, inventive, and literary. Early intellectual forms have distinctive characteristics: religious theology, classical texts of Chinese medicine, ancient military strategy, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism, and the Hundred Schools of Thought, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, and customs and local gazetteers—all are vast and profound. This "Essence of Classic Chinese Culture: Original Texts" series 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 can cultivate their temperament and subtly appreciate the classics of Chinese learning.

Editor's review

Jishu is a collection by He Yisun, a literatus of the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, now issued in the "Essence of Classic Chinese Culture: Original Texts" series, retaining the basic appearance of the original book. He Yisun lived through the Ming-Qing transition, and his writing often carries the laments and reflections of a remnant subject; combining argument and lyricism, it is useful material for understanding the mentality and prose style of scholars of that period. The value of this book lies not in offering a popular introduction to Chinese classics but in presenting ancient literati's direct discourse on worldly affairs, life, and learning, allowing readers to experience the transitions and intellectual edge of traditional prose. It should be read slowly, with the historical background of the late Ming and early Qing in mind; there is no need to finish it in one sitting—selected pieces can be savored closely. Readers accustomed to vernacular reading may benefit from reading alongside annotated editions or related background materials.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in late Ming and early Qing literature and remnant-subject literati
Readers with some Classical Chinese foundation who enjoy close reading of ancient prose
Enthusiasts researching or collecting original editions of traditional prose collections
General readers hoping to draw life reflections from ancient writings

Not a good fit for

Beginners with no Classical Chinese foundation who need sentence-by-sentence vernacular translation
Readers expecting a systematic introduction to Chinese classics or textbook-style explanation
Readers who prefer light entertainment and do not wish to engage with original texts

Reading tips

First read the preface and contents to understand the author's era, then closely read pieces of interest
Take brief notes after each piece, recording difficult words and personal reflections
Mark unfamiliar allusions and skip them first, then look them up afterward to maintain reading rhythm
Read alongside works by other late Ming and early Qing literati to appreciate differences in period style

版权信息
激书
卷一
贵因
习巧
藏用
慢藏
预知
造物
戒智
全勇
图大
怜才
用人
备患
得机
疑阳
定志
汰甚
驯文
酌取
儆贪
规猛
卷二
宝啬
去恃
割爱
挫名
息谤
友丐
煅珠
原病
撤蔽
山子
专气
止辩
涤习
传人
仁礼
生聚
慎辞
求己
失我
心性
空明
附录

FAQ

Is this book suitable for readers without a Classical Chinese foundation?

Not really. The book preserves the original text and is mainly in Classical Chinese, so readers without a foundation will find it difficult. If you are especially interested in the author and era, start with an annotated or vernacular edition before returning to this book for the original.

What historical background is needed to read this book?

The author He Yisun lived in the late Ming and early Qing; understanding the social turmoil of the Ming-Qing transition and the situation of remnant-subject literati makes it easier to grasp the laments and ideas in the text. Readers may first read the preface or consult brief background material before entering the main text.

Is this book a complete collection or a selection?

According to available information, this book belongs to the "Essence of Classic Chinese Culture: Original Texts" series and focuses on preserving the original appearance and transmitting traditional thought and culture. For the specific scope of inclusion, please refer to the physical book's contents and publication notes; check the contents before purchasing.

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About the author

贺贻孙 Author

He Yisun was a literary figure of the late Ming and early Qing period. Public information about him is limited, and his birth and death years, native place, and detailed career are difficult to verify with certainty. Three works can currently be confirmed: Shifa, Shifa (unannotated edition), and Jishu, whose contents mainly concern literary appreciation and commentary on classic works. Shifa is a work in the shihua tradition, commenting on poetry of successive dynasties in the form of random notes and discussing such issues as conception, tone, rhyme, and rhetoric; it reflects the author's familiarity with the poetic tradition and his personal judgment. Jishu is a more argumentative work, echoing his interest in poetry and prose criticism. Overall, He Yisun's writing emphasizes the reading experience and textual analysis, with concise language and clear views, and is suitable for readers interested in ancient poetics and literary criticism. Owing to limited historical sources, his life and scholarly background still await further study.