Journey to the West (Illustrated Text) [Upper and Lower]

Author: (Ming) Wu Cheng'en
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The story of Journey to the West is very familiar to people. Among its most exciting chapters, such as Sun Wukong's Rebellion in Heaven, Zhu Bajie Marrying a Wife at the High Elder's Villa, Defeating the White Bone Demon, and Borrowing the Plantain Fan, are household names, known to all, even to the old and young. For hundreds of years, it has attracted generation after generation with its strong artistic charm, making it one of the most beloved classical novels in Chinese history. Journey to the West primarily depicts the story of Sun Wukong protecting Tang Sanzang on his journey westward to obtain the Buddhist scriptures, enduring ninety-nine and one thousand hardships. The journey of Tang Sanzang to obtain the scriptures was a real historical event. Approximately 1,300 years ago, in the first year of the Zhenguan era (627), the young monk Xuanzang, only 25 years old, left the capital Chang'an and traveled alone to India (Tianzhu) to study. After leaving Chang'an, he passed through Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, overcoming numerous difficulties and finally reaching India. There, he studied for over two years and was praised as a speaker at a major Buddhist theological debate. In the 19th year of the Zhenguan era (645), Xuanzang returned to Chang'an, bringing back 657 Buddhist scriptures. This journey to the west took nineteen years and covered tens of thousands of miles, a legendary long march that caused a sensation at the time. Later, Xuanzang dictated his travels westward, which were compiled by his disciple Bianji into the Great Tang Records of the Western Regions in twelve volumes. However, this book mainly described the history, geography, and transportation of the countries along the way, with little narrative. Later, his disciples Huili and Yancong wrote the Biography of the Venerable Monk Xuanzang of the Great Tang's Daxing Temple, which added many mythical elements to Xuanzang's experiences. From then on, the story of Tang Sanzang's journey to the west began to spread widely among the people. During the Southern Song Dynasty, there was The Poetic Tales of the Great Tang Monk Tang Sanzang; in the Jin Dynasty, there were Tang Sanzang and The Peach Blossom Banquet in the palace drama; and in the Yuan Dynasty, there were Wu Changling's Tang Sanzang's Journey to the West and an anonymous The God Erlang Locks Sun Wukong. All of these laid the foundation for the creation of Journey to the West. Wu Cheng'en, styled Ruzhong and known as Sheyang Mountain Man, was from Shanyang in Huai'an Prefecture (now Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province). The illustrated text of Journey to the West is based on the Ming Dynasty edition published by the Jingshi Hall of Jinling, with references to other versions such as Journey to the West Critiqued by Master Li Zhuo, The New Interpretation of Journey to the West, and The True Explanation of Journey to the West. The illustrations are primarily selected from Journey to the West Critiqued by Master Li Zhuo, The New Interpretation of Journey to the West, and The True Explanation of Journey to the West.