Mao Shi Fu Jian Tong Shi (Complete Three Volumes)

Author: Ma Ruichen (Qing Dynasty), edited and annotated by Chen Jingsheng
Publisher:
Publishing Date: Not available
Features: The main strengths of this book lie in leveraging the expertise of Qing Dynasty scholars in phonology, textual criticism, etymology, and the study of names and objects. Notably, it employs the method of deriving meaning from sound to collate and interpret characters. The Book of Songs is one of the earliest classics, with many characters carrying ancient pronunciations and meanings. Moreover, the text of the Mao Commentary on the Book of Songs is based on ancient Chinese classics, which contains a significant number of loan characters. The author extensively cites sources, draws parallels, and explains characters by comparing their sounds and meanings. For instance, a single character may be found to have over ten instances of loan usage in ancient texts, with the original character and its original meaning identified. This approach corrects many interpretations that previous scholars had based on superficial understanding or forced associations, providing a more accurate explanation of word meanings and grammar, thereby resolving many previously puzzling issues.