Complete Notes on the Song Dynasty - (Part 2, Section 7)

Author: Zhu Yian
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Song Dynasty notes are an important part of Song Dynasty literature, with a vast number of them. Complete Notes of the Song Dynasty is the third large-scale comprehensive collection in the field of Song Dynasty literature and history after Complete Poems of the Song Dynasty and Complete Prose of the Song Dynasty. It is a systematically compiled and comprehensive collection of Song Dynasty notes. Each volume is accompanied by an academically valuable preface written by the compiler, including a brief biography of the author, the process of compilation, evaluation of content, version and sources, the base text used, and an overview of collation. The entire book is printed in traditional characters in vertical columns with modern punctuation marks, making it an extremely valuable historical source. It is presented in a brand-new exquisite packaging, making it an excellent gift and collectible, truly precious. The entire book is divided into approximately ten parts, and this book is the first part of the second volume. Overall, Complete Notes of the Song Dynasty, Volume 2, has the following characteristics:
First, based on a scientific definition of the term "notes," the book strives to collect as many notes written by Song Dynasty authors as possible, truly reflecting the "completeness" of Complete Notes of the Song Dynasty and avoiding omissions or disorganization. The compilers adhere to the principle that "notes are spontaneous records rather than deliberate works," limiting the collection to "specialized collections of notes by Song Dynasty authors" and excluding "scattered individual notes that have not formed a complete collection," as well as "specialized collections with focused themes and rigid structures," such as "poetic discussions, recorded conversations, and specialized works like The Tea Classic, Painting Anthologies, Records of Famous Officials, and Official Precepts." Of course, it also excludes novels and biographies that narrate stories in detail.
Second, most of the Song Dynasty notes in this book are being published for the first time after collation and punctuation, reflecting the "newness" of the collection. Among the 49 notes in this volume, 13 have already been published with collation and punctuation by Zhonghua Book Company and Shanghai, while 36 have been newly collated and published, accounting for over 73% of the total. These newly published notes, though some may be brief, contain content related to the social economy, politics, and customs of the time, leaving behind valuable historical materials that are truly precious.
Third, compared to previously collated and published Song Dynasty notes, this book is relatively "accurate" in terms of collation. The compilers of this book are mostly outstanding scholars in the fields of ancient Chinese history and literature, particularly in Tang and Song literature and history. Although it may be bold to call them the best in the world, they are undoubtedly top-tier selections. This book includes five Song Dynasty notes such as Notes on the Bright Way, Records of Conversations with Teachers and Friends, and Private Notes of the Qian Family, introducing the authors' biographies, the process of compilation, evaluation of content, version and sources, the base text used, and an overview of collation.