Ming'an's Second Notes

朱克敬Jun 2024

3.2

Word count: 34K words
Chapters: 3

Summary

Traditional Chinese thought and culture have a long history and are highly original, inventive and literary. Early intellectual forms have distinctive features: religious theology, classical Chinese medical texts, ancient military strategy, Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism and the Hundred Schools of Thought, feng shui and metaphysics, the Twenty-Four Histories, local customs and gazetteers, and other fields are profound and extensive. This "Classic Chinese Studies Essence Culture Original Texts" series preserves the original appearance of the books and focuses on conserving and transmitting traditional Chinese thought and culture. By reading the literary essence left by ancient sages, readers cultivate character and imperceptibly encounter the classics of Chinese studies.

Editor's review

Ming'an er shi is a note-form work by Zhu Kejing of the Qing dynasty, mostly concerning miscellaneous observations, anecdotes about people and comments on worldly affairs; it is reference material for understanding the outlook of late Qing literati and the note-writing tradition. This book is included in the "Classic Chinese Studies Essence Culture Original Texts" series, focusing on preserving the original appearance and transmitting traditional thought and culture, so the text is relatively plain and not modernized. Its reading value lies in glimpsing the social conditions and literati tastes of the time through scattered notes, and it can also serve as auxiliary material for studying Qing note literature. Since the entries are loosely connected, it suits browsing and reading in sections rather than sequential reading. Readers who combine it with Qing historical background and note the author's choices and tone in recording will more easily discern the information about the era.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in Qing notes and literati observations
Students researching late Qing social culture or note literature
Readers who enjoy miscellaneous short notes and fragmented reading

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting systematic exposition or complete stories
First-time readers unaccustomed to the classical Chinese note format

Reading tips

You may first browse the table of contents or flip through at random, starting with entries that interest you.
While reading, consult materials on Qing historical background to understand the era behind the entries.
Keep a notebook to record people, events and questions for later cross-reference.

版权信息
卷一
第二

FAQ

What kind of book is Ming'an er shi?

It is a note-form work by Zhu Kejing of the Qing dynasty, mostly recording observations, anecdotes and miscellaneous reflections; it belongs to the traditional note genre, and its entries are relatively independent.

Do I need to read it in order from beginning to end?

No. The entries in a note-form work are loosely connected; you can read selectively by interest or browse at random, and reading in sections actually suits its format better.

What use is this book for studying the Qing dynasty?

It preserves the observations and impressions of late Qing literati and can serve as auxiliary material for understanding social conditions, anecdotes and note writing of the time, but it should be used alongside other historical sources.

Related on WeRead

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

朱克敬 Author

Zhu Kejing is an author about whom very little biographical information is publicly available; no clear records of his native place, dates of birth and death, or professional career can be found, and the existing information rests mainly on his surviving works. Two of his works are held in the collection, Ming'an Zashi and Ming'an Ershi, which, judging from their titles and content, are note-style writings in the form of miscellaneous jottings. These two works are often classified under literary appreciation and Eastern philosophy, indicating that his writing combines discussion of literature and art with speculative reasoning. The tone tends toward leisurely, refined notes, drawing on reading experiences and everyday observations to reflect on language, life, and philosophical insight. Because details of the author's life are difficult to verify, his influence lies mainly in the practice of note-style writing and in the later reading interest in similar collections of jottings. Readers interested in the Qing note tradition and literary essays may begin with these two books to understand his style and way of thinking.