Siku Quanshu (Xuan Paper Thread Binding)

Author: None
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-07-01
Features: To further strengthen ideological control and satisfy the vanity of "studying the past to uphold literature" and "long-term prosperity of literature," Emperor Qianlong issued an imperial decree in the 38th year of his reign (1773) to compile the Siku Quanshu. He appointed Ji Yun, Lu Xizhong, and Sun Shiyi as chief compilers, deputy compilers, and supervisors, among a total of over 360 officials. Most of them were scholars of the time, such as the renowned master of Confucian studies Dai Zhen and the master of historical studies Shao Jinhan. Additionally, over 3,800 copyists were recruited. For a time, brilliant talents and scholars gathered in one place, with an unparalleled grandeur in the literary world. The Siku Quanshu included 3,461 entries, approximately 79,309 volumes, and 36,000 copies, divided into the four main categories of Confucian classics (Jing), history (Shi), philosophy (Zi), and literature (Ji). It played a positive role in preserving and disseminating ancient Chinese literature. Through the collection of lost works, many rare books that had been lost for a long time were brought back into the light. The compilation of the Siku Quanshu was an unprecedented grand event in the history of Chinese academic and cultural development.