Shan Hai Jing - Image and Text

Author: Liu Xiang et al. (compiled and selected)
Publisher:
Publication Date: March 1, 2003
Features: The Classic of Mountains and Seas is one of the earliest geographical works in China rich in myths and legends. The dating of its composition and the authorship have long been debated. Traditionally, it was attributed to the Xia Dynasty's Yu the Great and Bo Yi, but this is unreliable. Modern scholars generally believe that The Classic of Mountains and Seas was compiled between the early Warring States period and the early Western Han Dynasty. This period spanned three centuries, and the authorship was not singular. Based on the varying styles of the text and the accuracy of the geographical descriptions of mountains and rivers, the authors' region of residence was centered around Chu, extending westward to Ba and eastward to Qi. The current surviving version of The Classic of Mountains and Seas was first edited by Liu Xiang and Liu Xin father and son during the Western Han Dynasty. Over the centuries, it has been annotated by numerous scholars, resulting in multiple versions circulating in the world. The entire work comprises 18 volumes, divided into The Mountain Classics (5 volumes), The Sea Classics (8 volumes), The Great Wilderness Classics (4 volumes), and The Classics of the Inner Sea (1 volume), with approximately 31,000 words. It records about 100 states, 550 mountains, 300 waterways, and the geographical relationships between these states and mountains, as well as their customs, folklore, and important products. It also documents over 140 historical figures and their activities or genealogies. In summary, its content covers many aspects of ancient Chinese geography, history, mythology, ethnicity, animals, plants, minerals, medicine, and religion, making it an important source for studying China's ancient society. This book is based on Hao Yixing's edition of The Classic of Mountains and Seas from the Hai Dulu publication, incorporating the strengths of various versions. The annotations are concise and to the point; the translations primarily use a literal approach, ensuring clarity and accessibility; and the illustrations are selected from Wu Renchen's Comprehensive Annotations to the Classic of Mountains and Seas from the Qing Dynasty, aiming for a harmonious blend of text and images.