Selected Works on Literature Theory by Scholars from China and Abroad Volumes 1 and 2

Author: Yu Shaochu / Xu Yimin (editors)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: The annotations in the Wenxuan (Selected Prose and Poetry) first appeared in the early years of the Sui Dynasty with Xiao Gai. The specialized study of the Wenxuan (referred to as "Xuanxue") originated with Cao Xian and Li Shan in the early Tang Dynasty. At that time, less than a century had passed since Xiao Tong completed the Wenxuan, yet it has now been over 1,400 years. During the Tang Dynasty, "Xuanxue" was as esteemed as the Five Classics and flourished to its peak. By the Northern Song Dynasty, there was still the saying, "The Wenxuan is so vast that half of the scholars cannot master it." However, from the Southern Song Dynasty onwards, scholars abandoned the study of literary prose and poetry, and "Xuanxue" gradually declined. Yet from the Song, Yuan, to Ming Dynasties, the writing of works never ceased. By the Qing Dynasty, "Xuanxue" experienced a resurgence. Zhang Zhidong's Catalogue of Books listed fifteen Qing-era scholars specializing in "Xuanxue," all of whom left behind works. This demonstrates that "Xuanxue" has a long history and profound influence, and in the history of Chinese academic development, it has maintained an enduring vitality.
Initially, "Xuanxue" was primarily focused on phonetic interpretation and textual exegesis. The existing Annotations to the Wenxuan by Li Shan remain timeless and laid the foundation for "Xuanxue." Later, branches of "Xuanxue" flourished from Jianghuai to Bian and Zheng, with new works appearing in each generation. Beyond annotations, there were also studies in literary composition, comprehensive continuations, textual collation, and critical reviews. In modern times, Huang Kan (Jigang) vigorously promoted "Pingdi Xue," also known as "Wenxuan Huangshi Xue." His disciple Luo Hongkai further advanced this field, publishing Xuanxue in 1936 (Zhonghua Book Company edition), which summarized over a thousand years of "Xuanxue" history and established a milestone for its development. Before Luo's work, one might call it the "Traditional Xuanxue" period, largely following the Tang and Song dynasties, with an emphasis on annotations and critical reviews. After Luo's work, modern literary consciousness entered the field, research perspectives expanded, and the exploration of issues became more profound, marking the beginning of a new era in "Xuanxue" studies.
In contemporary academia, those who advocate for "New Xuanxue" are essentially carrying forward the legacy of Huang Kan and Luo Hongkai while further developing it. "New Xuanxue" indeed carries the meaning of innovating and refining, without breaking with tradition or creating something entirely new. It respects the past while opening new horizons, becoming a prominent feature of the revival of "Xuanxue" in China over the past decade. This trend aligns well with academic circles in Hong Kong, Taiwan, as well as Japan, Europe, and the United States. In 1963, Japanese publications first mentioned the term "New Wenxuan Xue," and since then, numerous articles on the compilers of the Wenxuan and the criteria for selecting texts have appeared. However, the "New Wenxuan Xue" as understood by Japanese scholars, though innovative, seems too narrow to encompass the full scope of current "Xuanxue" research. Currently, Chinese scholars believe that "New Xuanxue" covers approximately eight aspects: (1) Wenxuan annotation studies; (2) Wenxuan textual criticism; (3) Wenxuan critical studies; (4) Wenxuan indexing; (5) Wenxuan textual studies; (6) Wenxuan bibliographical studies; (7) Wenxuan compilation studies; (8) Wenxuan literary studies (see Xu Yimin's Definition of New Xuanxue). Whether this framework is perfect remains to be seen historically, but it is beneficial as a reference for Wenxuan studies.
To promote "New Xuanxue," Chinese scholars held two international symposiums in Changchun in 1988 and 1992. In 1995, a third symposium was held in Zhengzhou, where scholars from around the world gathered to discuss the revitalization of "Xuanxue." At the Changchun meeting in 1992, the Chinese Xuanxue Research Association was formally established, with its headquarters at the Institute of Ancient Books at Zhengzhou University. To date, the association has over 200 members, and the Institute of Ancient Books at Zhengzhou University has become a vital link for scholars worldwide. Based on an analysis of the history and current state of "Xuanxue" research, the Institute of Ancient Books at Zhengzhou University has decided to leverage its advantages as a link and make "Xuanxue" its primary research focus. After extensive consultations with experts, the institute plans to start with foundational work, centering on topics such as Catalogue of Wenxuan Works, Collected Collations of Wenxuan, and Comprehensive Annotations of Wenxuan, to plan a multi-volume series titled Comprehensive Studies on Wenxuan Research. This initiative has received strong support from the leadership of Zhengzhou University, who have appointed four renowned scholars—Cao Daocheng, Fu Xuancong, Shen Yucheng, and Mu Kehong—as part-time professors and academic advisors for the series. Xu Yimin has also been appointed as a part-time professor at Zhengzhou University, alongside Yu Shaochu, the director of the Institute of Ancient Books, to jointly oversee the compilation of the series.
The Comprehensive Studies on Wenxuan Research series is planned to include the following twelve topics: (1) Index of Wenxuan Studies by Scholars from China and Abroad; (2) Collected Works on Wenxuan Studies by Scholars from China and Abroad; (3) Compendium of Wenxuan Research Materials; (4) Catalogue of Wenxuan Studies; (5) Collected Collations of Wenxuan; (6) Comprehensive Annotations of Wenxuan; (7) Examination of Tang Annotations to Wenxuan; (8) Textual Studies of Wenxuan; (9) History of the Development of Wenxuan Studies; (10) Compilation Studies of Wenxuan; (11) Modern Annotations and Translations of Wenxuan; (12) Dictionary of Wenxuan Studies. Completing all twelve topics is planned in two phases. The first phase, centered on Comprehensive Annotations of Wenxuan, will focus on the first six topics. Among these, (1) and (2) are designed to provide an understanding of research achievements since the modern era, including overseas "Sinology." The third topic is a compendium of critical reviews from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, while the fourth is a general bibliography and summary of all works. The fifth topic is divided into two parts: one is a collation of the original text to provide a definitive version for "Xuanxue" research, and the other is a collation of Li Shan's annotations to lay the foundation for a comprehensive review of Tang-era annotations. The sixth topic, Comprehensive Annotations, differs from a lengthy compendium of materials. It involves selective and refined annotations, synthesizing the achievements of predecessors while adding original insights to form a unique perspective. The seventh topic and beyond will be part of the second phase, extending from annotation studies and textual criticism to the broader historical research of "Xuanxue." After completing these tasks, modern annotations and translations can be undertaken to reflect contemporary characteristics and bridge the gap between past and present. The final topic is the compilation of a specialized dictionary, serving as a database for interpreting the Wenxuan.