Journal of Eurasian Studies. Issue 4

Author: Yu Taishan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: Historians are generally tasked with restoring the original face of history, with their primary methods being the analysis and mastery of historical materials. Although the materials scholars refer to are often merely textual records, few are willing to put in significant effort in textual research. This important textual study was completed in 1984 and was published twice previously (in "Collected Works of Zhang Xun," Ocean Publishing House, 1986, pp. 237-244, and in "Journal of Central Asia Studies," Issue 3, Zhonghua Book Company, 1990, pp. 71-76). Unfortunately, it has not received the attention it deserves from researchers, and it seems necessary to emphasize this here. While historical materials do not equate to history, what historians have studied so far is more akin to materials rather than history itself. All attempts to glimpse the original face of history through materials so far cannot be considered entirely successful. This cannot be blamed on outdated methods but rather on the nature of the materials themselves. Although historical materials cannot largely reflect the original face of history, as remnants of history, even if they are merely distorted projections of some past information—however fragmented or illusory—they still retain certain traces of bygone times, even if twisted. It follows that restoring the original face of historical materials is of great significance. Mr. Zhang Danfeng's dedication to the value of textual research lies in this.