Mao Shi Fu Jian Tong Shi (3 Volumes)

Author: Zhonghua Book Company
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: The main advantages of this book lie first in leveraging the strengths of Qing Dynasty scholars in phonology, textual criticism, etymology, and the study of names and objects. It particularly employs the method of deriving meaning from sound to collate and interpret characters. The Book of Songs is one of the earliest of the Five Classics, with many characters carrying ancient pronunciations and meanings. Moreover, the text of the Mao Commentary on the Book of Songs is based on ancient script classics, which contain a significant number of loan characters.
The author extensively cites sources and draws parallels, employing methods such as "using ancient pronunciations and meanings to prove mutual substitutions" and "distinguishing loan characters through identical initials and rhymes." Sometimes, a single character can be traced to over ten instances of loan usage in ancient texts, with the original character and its original meaning identified. This corrects the interpretations of many scholars before the Qing Dynasty who relied on literal assumptions and forced associations, providing a more accurate explanation of word meanings and grammar. As a result, some difficult issues become clear as day.