Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Author: Luo Guanzhong (Ming Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-10-01
Features: "Xiu Xiang," also known as "Xiu Zi" or "Chuxiang," originally referred to embroidered images of Buddha or humans. Since the mid-Ming Dynasty, illustrations of individual characters included in plays, novels, and book covers were widely published in the market. Due to their fine line work and detailed depictions, they were also called "Xiu Xiang." The Romance of the Three Kingdoms has many versions, with approximately 30 extant Ming Dynasty editions and over 70 Qing Dynasty editions. The exquisite illustrations that accompanied its circulation have long been cherished by readers. It is commonly believed that these images were taken from the Qing Dynasty printed Romance of the Three Kingdoms Xiu Xiang. In fact, they are mostly derived from early Qing Dynasty painting albums, such as Late Laughing Studio Paintings by Shangguan Zhou, featuring depictions of Zhuge Liang and Pang Degong by the artist. However, some were adapted, such as depicting Han Xin as Fu Qian or Yan Zi as Kan Ze. Additionally, many original portraits of Ming Dynasty loyalists were transplanted into depictions of Three Kingdoms characters. Moreover, considering the abundance of fine Xiu Xiang illustrations related to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Volumes 1 & 2) (Supplemented Xiu Xiang Treasury Edition) includes numerous selected masterpieces from different dynasties to delight the discerning eye. The Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Volumes 1 & 2) (Supplemented Xiu Xiang Treasury Edition) is a supplemented Xiu Xiang Treasury edition of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, with its text based on the Qing Dynasty edition revised and commented upon by Mao Run and Mao Zonggang father and son in 1928 (the 17th year of the Republic of China) published by Shanghai Jinkuo Bookstore. The original text includes marginal annotations and double-line small-character comments. The illustrations are primarily selected from nearly 100 exquisite stone-printed portraits from the Qing Dynasty Shanghai Wenbao Bookstore's Complete Portrait Collection of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, drawn by Wu Men Hang Yongnian Zineng. In China, the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the Water Margin, the Dream of the Red Chamber, and the Journey to the West are widely known as the "Four Great Classical Novels," almost household names for all. As the ancients said: "Reading the Romance of the Three Kingdoms is better than reading the Water Margin. The Water Margin's writing is true, though it surpasses the Journey to the West's fantasy, yet it is born from nothing and can rise or fall at will, with its ingenuity not difficult, but ultimately not as compelling as the Three Kingdoms in narrating certain events that cannot be altered. The ingenuity of the Three Kingdoms is indeed more challenging, and its depiction of talents is outstanding, with each character shining brightly, some even surpassing Wu Yong and Gongsun Sheng by far. I believe that the title of 'Talent Book' should rightfully be given to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms."