Tianjin Geographical Name Culture

Author: Tan Ruwei (Editor)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: April 1, 2005
Features: This book is mainly divided into three parts: the first part is a colloquial account of Tianjin place names, the second part is an examination of Tianjin place names, and the third part is an exploration of Tianjin's hutongs and alleys. Cartography, also known as geographical studies or map-making, has a long history. The saying "the sky is a cover and the earth is a vehicle" means that every mountain, river, lake, desert, landmass, and various structures, facilities, and settlements on Earth have their names, and recording and studying these names, along with their natural and human-related factors, is the essence of cartography.
Ancient classics and historical records contain references to cartography, and since the Wei and Jin dynasties, numerous works focused on or exclusively on cartography have emerged, such as Comprehensive Records, Comprehensive Treatises, Literary Records of Documents, Yuanhe Gazetteer of Commanderies and Counties, Taiping All-World Gazetteer, Records of Geographical Superiority, Extensive Records of Geography, and Jade Sea. Since the Qing Dynasty, cartographic works have remained abundant. Beyond general regional histories and local gazettes, many specialized works have been authored, such as Rhymed Compendium of the Ming Dynasty's Geography, Modern Interpretation of the Rhymed Compendium of Historical Geography, Unified Gazetteer of the Qing Dynasty, and Comprehensive Records of Historical Geography. These classics meticulously trace the origins and developments of every name through extensive references. They serve as important models for the emerging field of toponymy, which is now being promoted and practiced.
However, today marks more than half a century since the founding of the People's Republic of China. Over this period, earth-shaking changes and developments have taken place, including the construction of water conservancy, power, railway, highway, bridge, and culvert facilities, the establishment of new cities and regions, the renovation of old towns and villages, the development of mines and forests, and even land reclamation and underground archaeological excavations. These have led to a breakthrough in the scope of toponymy, making the old term "cartography" inadequate. It has now become an interdisciplinary science, spanning geography, history, politics, economics, language, ethnicity, folklore, and religion.
Relevant national authorities place great importance on this field. The central government has established the China toponymy Committee, and provinces, cities, counties, and districts have set up their own toponymy Committees, offices, or research institutes. The country has published The Gazetteer of Place Names of the People's Republic of China, with regional editions, while major cities have published district-level toponymy records and other related books. Central and local toponymy Committees and research institutes have recruited numerous experts for this work. Tianjin has achieved remarkable success in this regard.
Professor Tan Ruwei, a close friend of mine, is one of the experts who have made outstanding contributions to Tianjin's toponymy work. He is well-versed in the various disciplines related to toponymy and possesses unique research methods, especially fieldwork techniques. His studies are profound and relentless. He is skilled at utilizing the achievements of ancient and modern scholars while also filling gaps, correcting errors, and building upon their work. He has proposed many new theories and supported them with historical records, anecdotes, and practical evidence.
Recently, Tan Ruwei has frequently published articles on toponymy in various newspapers and magazines. Every time I read them, I am deeply impressed by his erudition, broad knowledge, and meticulous research. He has now compiled selected chapters into Tianjin's Toponymy Culture, which serves as a milestone in his work. I had the privilege of reading the entire manuscript before its publication and was struck by its excellence. It is not only rich in content and highly readable but also highly practical, serving as more than just a tool for name retrieval. The book systematically categorizes and analyzes existing place names, establishing a comprehensive framework that covers history, geography, politics, economics, as well as figures, events, folklore, and international aspects. It also includes vanished or disappearing names for reference and commemoration.