Journey to the West (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: (Ming) Wu Cheng'en / Feng Zhi annotations
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-05-01
Features: The story of Journey to the West is very familiar to people. Among its most exciting chapters, such as Sun Wukong's Rebellion in Heaven, Zhu Bajie's Marriage at High Old Village, Fighting the White Bone Demon, Borrowing the Plantain Fan, etc., are household names, known to all, even to the old and young. For hundreds of years, it has attracted generation after generation with its strong artistic charm, making it one of the most beloved classical novels in Chinese history. Journey to the West primarily depicts the story of Sun Wukong protecting Tang Sanzang on his journey westward to obtain the Buddhist scriptures, enduring ninety-nine and eight trials. The journey of Tang Sanzang to obtain the scriptures was a real historical event. About 1,300 years ago, in the first year of the Zhenguan era (627), the young monk Xuanzang, only 25 years old, left the capital Chang'an and traveled alone to India (Tianzhu) for studies. After departing from Chang'an, he passed through Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, overcoming numerous hardships and finally reached India. There, he studied for over two years and was praised as a speaker at a major Buddhist scripture debate. In the 19th year of the Zhenguan era (645), Xuanzang returned to Chang'an, bringing back 657 Buddhist scriptures. His journey to the west took nineteen years and covered tens of thousands of miles, a legendary long march that caused a sensation at the time. Later, Xuanzang dictated his travels westward, which were compiled by his disciple Bianji into the Great Tang Records of the Western Regions in twelve volumes. However, this book mainly described the history, geography, and transportation of the countries along the way, with little narrative. Later, his disciples Huili and Yancong wrote the Biography of the Three Saints of the Great Tang Temple, which added many mythical elements to Xuanzang's experiences, and from then on, the story of Tang Sanzang's journey to the west began to spread widely among the people. During the Southern Song Dynasty, there was the Poetic Dialogues of the Great Tang Monk Tang Sanzang, while in the Jin Dynasty, there were the Tang Sanzang and Peach Blossom Gathering in the Courtyard Dramas, and in the Yuan Dynasty, there were Wu Changling's Tang Sanzang's Journey to the West and an anonymous The God Erlang Locks Sun Wukong. All of these laid the foundation for the creation of Journey to the West. Wu Cheng'en also drew upon folk tales, storytelling, and opera, through arduous re-creation, to complete this great literary masterpiece that has brought pride to the Chinese nation. Wu Cheng'en, styled Ruzhong, styled Sheyang Mountain Man, was a native of Shanyang in Huai'an Prefecture (now Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province).