Private collection of 100 novels (complete 100 volumes)

Author: Jin Chengpu
Publisher:
Publishing Date:
Features: Banned novels, rescue of rare collections.
1. Never-seen-before, never-heard-of content
This collection comprehensively gathers over 200 rare and extraordinary books from private collections around the world. These are the finest works among banned novels, hidden away for centuries by countless families. After nearly a decade of collection and rescue by hundreds of experts, they are now published publicly for the first time. The books are remarkable, novel, secretive, and alluring, offering a feast for the eyes and ears. They are complete, exquisite, detailed, and fascinating—truly unprecedented and unparalleled.
2. Using lust to curb lust, offering and encouraging lust
The books primarily describe love and desire, such as the thoughts of young girls, the affairs of married women, the intimacy between two men, or the love between two women—for example, one day, the weather was scorching, and lotuses bloomed in the pond. Seeing a couple swimming in the lotus pond stirred their hearts, making them blush with desire, their mouths dry and their bodies ablaze with passion.
A chaste woman initially coped, but after three or four years, she grew unhappy. When spring arrived in February or March, the warm weather and blooming flowers made her drowsy and agitated. She felt cold and hot, her cheeks flushed, and her legs ached.
Though she was a man, Jing Quan was even more handsome and charming than women, so Bai Kun did everything in her power to seduce him. By day, they were study buddies; by night, they were lovers.
Another story features Li Jingu, who after seeing men and women enjoying each other in Bian River, could no longer contain her desires. Luckily, she met Kong Jia’s sister Mei Yu, and the two spent every night together, becoming a pair of enchantresses who caressed and teased each other. Initially shy, they soon grew bold, sleeping side by side and kissing like men. At first, the scenes seemed shocking, but upon reading the entire book, one realizes the author’s true intention—to advise people to sexual desires, not to indulge in them; to educate, not to propagate lust. The author’s effort is deeply thoughtful.
3. Broadly drawing from diverse traditions, unique in value
The authors of these privately collected novels were often experts in Buddhism, Taoism, medicine, and philosophy. They had profound knowledge of Buddhist secret arts, Taoist alchemy, medical bedroom techniques, and more. For instance, one passage reads:
"There are marvelous methods to retain essence, extraordinary in effect. Hold the dragon in the left hand, rub the top of the head with the right. Count hundreds while lying down, lightly at first, then firmly. Tighten the passages. In emergencies, pinch to stop urination, lift to look at the light. Rinse with sour water, and only then will the sword be strong. Approach with sincerity, avoid wildness. Follow this method step by step, with a nine-inch long dragon. Cultivate the body and take elixirs, and health will follow."
This passage is both a Taoist method for self-cultivation and a medical bedroom technique. Throughout the book, there are methods for longevity, bedroom arts, elixirs for beauty, and awakening pills—covering all aspects and containing numerous secrets. The Dutch scholar Robert van Gulik’s The Sex Life of Ancient Chinese was compiled and published based on these private collections, as the original manuscript was lost.
4. Frequently banned, rare and extraordinary
Due to the strict control of culture in ancient times, some uniquely valuable novels were frequently banned. The Qing Dynasty laws stated:
"Any novel or erotic poetry sold in the market must be strictly confiscated and destroyed, along with the printing plates and books. Those who manufacture or print such forbidden works will be dismissed from office. Those who buy or read them will be fined one year in corvée labor. If the responsible officials fail to detect such violations, they will be fined half a year in corvée labor. They shall not use any excuse to accuse or extort. If officials knowingly allow such books to be stored or rented, they will be demoted two ranks and reassigned."
The government’s crackdown led to some novels being suppressed and hidden away, surviving in secret for centuries. These privately collected banned novels are rarer than ordinary banned books, hard to find over a thousand years. From both reading and collecting perspectives, they are invaluable treasures of the ages.