Study on the Sound and Meaning of Zhuangzi

Author: Huang Huazhen
Editor-in-Chief: Lu Renlong
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: Excerpt: The eighth volume of Wu Dai Hui Yao under the entry Jing Ji records: "In the second month of Xian (955), the Zhongshu Menxia submitted a memorial stating: 'Yin Zhuo, the Libationer of the Guozijian, reported that according to imperial decree, the Classical Interpretation in thirty volumes has been proofread and engraved into printing blocks. He requests Zhang Zhao, the Minister of War, and Tian Min, the Minister of Rites, to participate in the proofreading.' The imperial decree stated: 'Since the Classical Interpretation has already been proofread by the officials of the Guozijian, Zhang Zhao and Tian Min should be assigned to conduct a detailed proofreading.'" At first glance, this record might give the impression that the Classical Interpretation in thirty volumes was already thoroughly proofread and engraved in the second month of Xian (955). However, if it is connected to the records in Yuhai and examined carefully, numerous doubts arise. What was actually completed—the full thirty volumes or only a part of them? Li Zhizhong, in his work Catalogue of Song Edition Books in the Beijing Library (Volume 14) [7], considers the Classical Interpretation engraved in the Five Dynasties as "the earliest printed edition." The Classical Interpretation was again engraved and published after being proofread in the early Northern Song Dynasty. This should be considered the second earliest printed edition of the Classical Interpretation. Unfortunately, both the Five Dynasties edition and the early Northern Song edition have long been lost and are no longer visible. Subsequently, with the organization and annotation of Confucian classics, as well as their engraving and printing, the Classical Interpretation was published in multiple editions." If this statement is too general and does not distinguish between the full edition and other versions, Cao Zhi, in his work History of Ancient Chinese Book Editions [8], clearly concludes that the engraving and printing of the Classical Interpretation in thirty volumes began in 955 and was completed in 959. Whether this accurately reflects the history of the Classical Interpretation's engraving and printing remains open to debate. To delve deeper into this issue, let us excerpt several records from Yuhai, Volume 43:
(1) Under the entry "Tang Stone Classics, Later Tang Nine Classics Engraved Blocks": In the second month of Xian (955), proofreading of the Classical Interpretation in thirty volumes was conducted, and Zhang Zhao and Tian Min were ordered to conduct a detailed proofreading.
(2) Under the entry "Kaibao Proofreading of the Classical Interpretation": During the Xian period of Zhou (955), in the second month, an edict ordered the engraving of the Preface, Yi, Shu, Zhou Li, and Yi Li interpretations of the four classics, all proofread by Tian Min, Yin Zhuo, and Nie Chongyi. Subsequently, the Liji, San Zhuan, and Mao Shi phonetic annotations were also proofread by Zhuo and others. In the third year of Jianlong (Northern Song, 962), Cui Song, the vice supervisor, submitted newly proofread Liji interpretations. In the fifth year of Kaibao (972), Chen E and four others, including Jiang Rong, proofread the Xiaojing, Lunyu, and Erya interpretations and submitted them. In the second month of the same year, Li Fang became the Imperial Censor. Li Mu and Hu Meng proofread the Shang Shu interpretations. The De Ming interpretations used the Ancient Text Shang Shu and were ordered to be revised and finalized by Zhou Wei Jian and Chen E, with the engraved blocks to be issued by imperial decree. In the second year of Xianping (999), on the sixteenth day of the tenth month, Sun Xi, the chief lecturer, requested that the phonetic annotations and newly revised interpretations of the Ancient Text Shang Shu be printed alongside each other, which was approved. This book was proofread by Tian Min and others in the sixth year of Xian (959). Guo Zhongshu revised and finalized the ancient text and engraved the blocks. In the second year of Jingde (1005), on the day of Jia Chen in the second month, Sun Xi and Du Hao were ordered to proofread the Zhuangzi interpretations.
(3) Under the entry "Jingde Proofreading of the Philosophical Works": In the fourth month of Xianping (1003), Du Hao and others were ordered to proofread the Dao De Jing, which was completed in June. In the second year of Jingde (1005), on the day of Jia Chen in the second month, the Zhuangzi interpretations were proofread and three volumes of interpretations were engraved. Later, Li Zong'e and others were ordered to proofread the preface to the Zhuangzi.
Postscript: This book is a revised version based on a doctoral dissertation written in Japanese, which was approved by the Graduate School of Research at Ritsumeikan University in Japan at the end of last year. With the exception of a few chapters, the formal revision work began in June of this year. At the time of this book's publication, sincere gratitude is extended to Professor Toyoichi Itō, Professor Ichikawa Tomoko, and other teachers and predecessors from China and Japan who have provided meticulous guidance over the years. Sincere thanks are also given to the relevant institutions that have provided various conveniences for my research, including the National Library of China, the National Diet Library of Japan, the Toyo Bunko, the Seikado Bunko, the Tenri University Library, the Ritsumeikan University Library, the University of Tokyo Comprehensive Library, the Department of Chinese Classics at the University of Tokyo, the Institute of Oriental Culture at the University of Tokyo, and the Comprehensive Library at Kyoto University. Gratitude is also extended to the Japan China Cultural Exchange Foundation, the Japan International Education Association, the Ritsumeikan University, and many friends and acquaintances who have always shown concern for my research and provided selfless assistance. Deep thanks are given to my mother, who is eighty-five years old this year and has always encouraged me to study diligently, as well as to my wife, who has fully supported me in completing my research.
September 1995, in my residence in Tokyo
In the postscript mentioned in the previous chapter, my mother, He Renjiao, a native of Xinhui, Guangdong, who had long encouraged my research, passed away on November 29, 1995, and could not witness the publication of this book. I hereby add this note to express my deep sorrow and remembrance.
February 1996, in my residence in Tokyo
A few days before this, Professor Toyoichi Itō sent me an article by Sun Yuwen titled "A New Examination of the Date of Composition of the Classical Interpretation," published in the fourth issue of Chinese Language in 1998. The article primarily argues that the Classical Interpretation was not composed before the Sui Dynasty. This view aligns with my own, expressed in an article titled "On the Composition, Proofreading, and Engraving of the Classical Interpretation," published in the fifth issue of Humanities Series at Ritsumeikan University in Japan in March 1995 (which was first presented orally at the 69th session of the Humanities Conference at Ritsumeikan University in July 1994 and is now included in this book, Chapter II, Section 2, etc.). Both articles question the traditional claim that the Classical Interpretation was composed before the Sui Dynasty and suggest that it may have been completed after entering the Sui Dynasty. Reading Sun's article has given me some new insights, but since the final review of this book is already complete, due to limited space and complexity, I will leave further discussion for another article in the future.
September 1998, in my residence in Misato City