Tang Kai Shu Dictionary

Author: (Japan) / Zhou Peiyan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: This book categorizes and organizes the regular script characters of the Tang Dynasty (618–907). The collected materials total 190 sources, with 5,840 characters, and the character examples were strictly selected from over 46,000 characters. Each character is recorded with its publication information. For the collected characters, the principle is to select well-preserved ones, avoiding unclear or damaged ones. For characters with similar styles from the same source, the most important ones were chosen after comparison. Special-shaped characters such as variant forms and the character "Zhou Tian" were included only if they were widely used. The collected materials also include the text of the Confucius Temple Stele, with inscriptions, coverings, and later copies all labeled separately. Regarding character size, handwritten materials such as Buddhist scriptures were generally published in their original dimensions, while most others were reduced in size. In brush calligraphy, regular script with running-style elements was also included. To preserve the original character's charm, no modifications were made in principle. However, for convenience in appreciation, appropriate corrections were made to stains and damaged parts around the characters. Rubbing texts were published in a black-and-white inverted manner. For the convenience of readers, a comprehensive index of illustrations is appended at the end of the volume.