Image Text - Shань Hǎi Jīng

Author: Liu Xiang et al. (compiled and selected)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-01-01
Features: The Classic of Mountains and Seas is one of the earliest geographical works in China rich in myths and legends. The date of its composition and the author(s) have long been debated. Traditionally, it was attributed to the Xia dynasty's Great Yu and Bo Yi, but this is unreliable. Modern scholars generally believe that The Classic of Mountains and Seas was compiled between the early Warring States period and the early Western Han dynasty. This span of three centuries suggests that it was written by multiple authors. Based on the varying styles of the text and the accuracy of the geographical descriptions, the authors' regions are thought to have centered around Chu, extending west to Ba and east to Qi. The earliest extant version of The Classic of Mountains and Seas was edited by Liu Xiang and Liu Xin father and son during the Western Han dynasty. Over the centuries, it has been annotated by numerous scholars, resulting in various versions circulating in the world. The book consists of 18 volumes, divided into The Mountain Classic (5 volumes), The Sea Classic (8 volumes), The Great Wilderness Classic (4 volumes), and The Inner Sea Classic (1 volume), totaling approximately 31,000 characters. It records about 100 states, 550 mountains, 300 waterways, and the geographical relationships between these states and mountains, as well as their customs, folklore, and important products. It also includes 140+ historical figures and their activities or genealogies. In summary, its content covers many aspects of ancient Chinese geography, history, mythology, ethnography, animals, plants, minerals, medicine, and religion, making it an important document for studying China's ancient society. This book is based on Hao Yixing's edition of The Classic of Mountains and Seas from the Huan Reading Pavilion, incorporating the strengths of various versions, with concise annotations. The translation primarily adopts a literal approach, ensuring clarity and accessibility; the illustrations are selected from Wu Renchen's Comprehensive Annotations to the Classic of Mountains and Seas from the Qing dynasty, aiming for a harmonious blend of text and images.