An Announcement on Ma Yifu

Ma YifuJul 2022

3.0

Word count: 5.6K words
Chapters: 10

Summary

Ma Yifu (1883–1967) was a modern Chinese thinker, poet and calligrapher, and an early representative of modern New Confucianism. He was the first person in China to introduce the German and English editions of Marx's Das Kapital, and together with Liang Shuming and Xiong Shili he was known as one of the "Three Sages of New Confucianism."

In scholarship he was deeply accomplished in ancient philosophy, Neo-Confucianism, literature and Buddhist studies, integrating Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism into one coherent whole, and was regarded as a Confucian master of his age. In philosophy he held that the fundamental spirit of Chinese culture lies in "bringing to light the principles inherent in one's own mind." In Neo-Confucianism his profound study and personal experience of traditional Confucian culture, especially Song-Ming Neo-Confucianism, were widely recognized by his contemporaries. His "Theory of Principles and Names" was a new doctrine of principles that Ma Yifu devised on his own and could apply to teaching, an exposition and elaboration of the principles of the "Six Arts."

As a calligrapher he fused zhangcao and Han clerical script into a style of his own, blending Confucian bearing, Daoist transcendence and Chan Buddhist insight into one, and was a master of calligraphy whom Feng Zikai praised as "the leading figure of Chinese calligraphy."

This book is a collection of the qĭ (letters of invitation and reply) written by the great scholar of Chinese studies, Mr. Ma Yifu.

Editor's review

This volume collects Mr. Ma Yifu's qĭ—short letters of invitation, reply and practical correspondence—and, together with the companion collection of his postscripts, forms a pair of samples for observing the everyday writing of this representative of modern New Confucianism. The qĭ form was mostly used for personal dealings, invitations and replies, and matters of business; brief in wording yet measured in courtesy, it best reveals the author's choices between accommodating the world and keeping to his principles. Ma Yifu was versed in Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism and was also an accomplished calligrapher; his wording is concise and restrained, his bearing calm. Reading these letters, one can both grasp the practical use of the traditional epistolary style and glimpse his circle of associates and his attitude toward worldly affairs through concrete personal matters. The book suits readers interested in the letters and classical Chinese correspondence of Republican-era scholars, and serves researchers as supplementary material on his life and associations. It is best read alongside relevant biographies and chronological biographies, noting the persons and occasions involved in each letter, to read the meaning beyond the literal words; it can also serve as a model for learning the conventions of classical Chinese correspondence, to be dipped into and noted at leisure.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in the letters and classical Chinese correspondence of Republican-era scholars
Researchers of Ma Yifu's life and associations who need supplementary material
Writing enthusiasts who want to learn the courtesy and measured wording of traditional qĭ
Readers who have read his scholarly works and wish to know his everyday writing

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting systematic philosophical exposition or academic monographs
Beginners without a foundation in classical Chinese who need sentence-by-sentence vernacular translation
General readers seeking a complete account of Ma Yifu's life through this book

Reading tips

Begin with the table of contents, grouping by person or occasion to clarify the identities of his correspondents.
Read alongside chronological biographies and biographies, placing each letter in its specific context.
Note differences in forms of address, openings and closings, and wording, to appreciate the courtesy and measure of the epistolary style.
Copy out one or two short pieces as a reference for writing classical Chinese correspondence.

版权信息
为董事会代拟书院募集刻书基金启
蠲戏老人鬻书约
蠲戏老人鬻字刻书启
蠲戏斋鬻字改例启
蠲戏斋鬻字后启
蠲戏老人以鬻字代劳作润例
废置复性书院议
复性书院董事会基金管理委员会联合启事
复性书院改设智林图书馆编纂处启事

FAQ

How do qĭ and postscripts differ?

Qĭ were mostly used for personal dealings, invitations and replies, and matters of business, emphasizing courtesy and response; postscripts were attached to books, calligraphy and paintings, emphasizing examination and judgment. Both are short pieces, but their uses and methods differ; reading them together reveals Ma Yifu's sense of measure in different settings.

Do I need to know Ma Yifu's life first to read this book?

A basic knowledge of his life helps. Most qĭ were written for specific personal matters; without familiarity with the correspondents and the historical background, one easily reads only the surface. It is advisable to look over a brief chronology or biography first, then read the letters, checking names and occasions as they arise, which makes understanding much smoother.

Is this book suitable as a writing model?

It can serve as a reference. Qĭ pay attention to forms of address, openings and closings, and measured wording; they are short with a clear structure, suited to appreciating the courtesy and diction of traditional correspondence. But their classical Chinese is quite distant from today's letter-writing language; one should take their sense of measure and concise style rather than directly copying their phrasing.

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About the author

Ma Yifu Author · Chinese · 1883–1967

Ma Yifu (1883–1967), whose given name was Fu and who used Yifu as his courtesy name and Zhanweng as his literary name, was a native of Shaoxing, Zhejiang. A modern Chinese thinker, philosopher, poet and calligrapher, he was one of the early representative figures of modern New Confucianism and, together with Liang Shuming and Xiong Shili, was known as one of the "Three Sages of New Confucianism." In 1939 he founded Fuxing Academy in Leshan, Sichuan, where he continued to lecture and write. His works combine philosophical reflection with a literary and poetic temperament, often taking the form of lecture records, talks, answers to questions and poetry talks, with closely reasoned argument and elegant, refined language. Works such as Lecture Records of Fuxing Academy, Talks at Taihe and Yishan, Answers to Questions at Erya Terrace and Poetry Talks from the Juanxi Studio embody his exposition of Confucian principles and his continuation of traditional scholarship. The library holds 32 of his works, spanning classics, Eastern philosophy and modern poetry, which shows the enduring influence of his writings on the transmission of modern Confucianism and the study of traditional culture.