Ming Dynasty edition "Yingya Shenglan" annotations

Author: Ma Huan (Ming Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-07-01
Features: Ma Huan's《》, a translation by a follower of Zheng He, records his observations and experiences during Zheng He's three voyages to the Western Oceans. It provides a realistic depiction of Southeast Asia, South Asia, Southwest Asia, and the Indian Ocean region in the early 15th century. It is currently one of the closest available works reflecting the maritime conditions of Zheng He's era. Since it was finalized during the Yongle era, although manuscript and printed copies have circulated, many errors and omissions have led to difficulties in distinguishing authenticity. Wan Ming, a Ming history expert at the Institute of History, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, has collated and annotated five surviving Ming manuscript copies of 《》, largely restoring the original draft of Ma Huan's work. The publication of this new annotated edition provides firsthand materials for Zheng He studies and resolves some of the puzzles in this field of research.