Classics at a Glance: A New Annotation

Author: Yin Yixiang
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-01-01
Features: Guwen Guanzhi is a distinctive collection of ancient prose selected by the Qing Dynasty scholars Wu Chucai and Wu Diao Hou, uncle and nephew. The book comprises twelve volumes, selecting 222 prose pieces from the pre-Qin period to the Ming Dynasty in chronological order. Since its publication in the 34th year of the Kangxi reign (1695), it has been widely popular among scholars and readers, remaining influential for three centuries and becoming one of the few ancient prose anthologies with significant impact in China. The selections in Guwen Guanzhi are both exquisite and precise, with most of the included articles possessing high ideological and artistic value. The purpose of compiling Guwen Guanzhi was to provide exemplary classical Chinese texts, inspire methods for writing classical Chinese, and serve as a source for learning and reference. Wu Chucai and Wu Diao Hou, uncle and nephew, were ordinary scholars during the early Qing Dynasty. They "strived daily in the study of classical learning," devoted themselves to diligent study, particularly excelling in classics and history, and had a unique understanding of classical Chinese. With keen insight, they sifted through the vast ocean of ancient texts, carefully selecting and compiling over two hundred pieces.