Hu You Zaji

Author: (Qing) Ge Yuansuxu, edited by Zheng Zu'an
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-10-01
Features: A Systematic and Well-Organized Early Masterpiece Introducing the Historical Changes in Shanghai's Early Years of Opening Up, Hai You Za Ji (Notes on Shanghai Tours), written by the late Qing traveler and scholar Ge Yuansuxu and published in the 13th year of the Guangxu reign (1887), is one of the earliest and most systematic works on the historical transformation of Shanghai during its early opening period. The four-volume book narrates various aspects of Shanghai in the more than 40 years after its opening, including administrative institutions, urban construction, commercial goods, transportation, local products, gardens and temples, social life, folk customs, and dark undercurrents, serving as an excellent written guide for visitors to Shanghai at the time and providing rich and detailed historical materials for later generations. With the passage of history, many of the scenes and features described in the book no longer exist. Some instruments, buildings, and landmarks left behind not even a single photograph for future generations. To make up for this loss, during the republication, experts were specially invited to collect a large number of illustrations from late Qing realistic periodicals of the same era that contained related themes, creating a one-topic-one-image correspondence. This not only adds to the reading pleasure of the readers but also provides convenience for Shanghai history enthusiasts in collecting visual historical materials. Hai You Za Ji is one of the earlier systematic works reflecting the state of modern Shanghai, with concise and rigorous language, rich and practical content. The first two volumes contain no empty or embellished words. The third volume, Hai Shang Zhu Zhi Ci (Poems on Shanghai), avoids poems already published in Shanghai Daily and other books, and instead collects dozens of unpublished Verses on the Shanghai River. The fourth volume clearly categorizes the names of commercial establishments. In the second volume, the author also records the history of the Shanghai-Suzhou Railway, which was completed in the 2nd year of the Guangxu reign (1876), the same year the author wrote the book. The author's ability to quickly record such important news into writing demonstrates his sensitivity and attention to Shanghai affairs, which is rare and enhances the value of the book. Hai You Za Ji provides important historical materials for modern Shanghai and served as an excellent written guide for people in Shanghai and those visiting the city at the time. The book received positive feedback upon publication. According to Yuan Zuzhi, "ten years later, those who came to visit this land still sought to purchase it." For this reason, when the book was being prepared for republication, considering the changing face of Shanghai, Ge Yuansuxu was repeatedly requested to revise and revise the manuscript to meet the needs of readers. However, at this time, Ge Yuansuxu had abandoned writing and taken up medicine, leaving no time to attend to his old work. He entrusted this matter to his close friend Yuan Zuzhi, the former owner of Cangshan. Yuan Zuzhi had lived in Shanghai longer than Ge Yuansuxu and was very familiar with the city, having already published many writings about Shanghai. He was undoubtedly the ideal choice. Therefore, Yuan Zuzhi revised the miscellaneous notes in the first and second volumes and the appendices in the fourth volume, and added some new entries. Additionally, several articles and poems such as Notes on the Vices of the Shanghai River, New Eight Pieces of Current Affairs and Discourses, Notes on Shanghai Tours, Hai Shang Zhu Zhi Ci, and Couplets in the Garden were added to the end of the book, some of which were written by Yuan Zuzhi himself. In the autumn of the 13th year of the Guangxu reign (1887), the Revised Hai You Za Ji was officially published. The book Hai You Za Ji had also been translated and introduced to Japan in the 4th year of the Guangxu reign (1878), condensed into three volumes, illustrated, annotated, and titled Shanghai's Prosperity and Growth, indicating that the book had also influenced overseas. Hai You Za Ji, written by the late Qing traveler and scholar Ge Yuansuxu and published in the 13th year of the Guangxu reign (1887), is one of the earliest and most systematic works on the historical changes in Shanghai's early years of opening up. The four-volume book narrates various aspects of Shanghai in the more than 40 years after its opening, including administrative institutions, urban construction, commercial goods, transportation, local products, gardens and temples, social life, folk customs, and dark undercurrents, serving as an excellent written guide for visitors to Shanghai at the time and providing rich and detailed historical materials for later generations. With the passage of history, many of the scenes and features described in the book no longer exist. Some instruments, buildings, and landmarks left behind not even a single photograph for future generations. To make up for this loss, during the republication, experts were specially invited to collect a large number of illustrations from late Qing realistic periodicals of the same era that contained related themes, creating a one-topic-one-image correspondence. This not only adds to the reading pleasure of the readers but also provides convenience for Shanghai history enthusiasts in collecting visual historical materials. Hai You Za Ji is one of the earlier systematic works reflecting the state of modern Shanghai, with concise and rigorous language, rich and practical content. The first two volumes contain no empty or embellished words. The third volume, Hai Shang Zhu Zhi Ci (Poems on Shanghai), avoids poems already published in Shanghai Daily and other books, and instead collects dozens of unpublished Verses on the Shanghai River. The fourth volume clearly categorizes the names of commercial establishments. In the second volume, the author also records the history of the Shanghai-Suzhou Railway, which was completed in the 2nd year of the Guangxu reign (1876), the same year the author wrote the book. The author's ability to quickly record such important news into writing demonstrates his sensitivity and attention to Shanghai affairs, which is rare and enhances the value of the book. Hai You Za Ji provides important historical materials for modern Shanghai and served as an excellent written guide for people in Shanghai and those visiting the city at the time. The book received positive feedback upon publication. According to Yuan Zuzhi, "ten years later, those who came to visit this land still sought to purchase it." For this reason, when the book was being prepared for republication, considering the changing face of Shanghai, Ge Yuansuxu was repeatedly requested to revise and revise the manuscript to meet the needs of readers. However, at this time, Ge Yuansuxu had abandoned writing and taken up medicine, leaving no time to attend to his old work. He entrusted this matter to his close friend Yuan Zuzhi, the former owner of Cangshan. Yuan Zuzhi had lived in Shanghai longer than Ge Yuansuxu and was very familiar with the city, having already published many writings about Shanghai. He was undoubtedly the ideal choice. Therefore, Yuan Zuzhi revised the miscellaneous notes in the first and second volumes and the appendices in the fourth volume, and added some new entries. Additionally, several articles and poems such as Notes on the Vices of the Shanghai River, New Eight Pieces of Current Affairs and Discourses, Notes on Shanghai Tours, Hai Shang Zhu Zhi Ci, and Couplets in the Garden were added to the end of the book, some of which were written by Yuan Zuzhi himself. In the autumn of the 13th year of the Guangxu reign (1887), the Revised Hai You Za Ji was officially published. The book Hai You Za Ji had also been translated and introduced to Japan in the 4th year of the Guangxu reign (1878), condensed into three volumes, illustrated, annotated, and titled Shanghai's Prosperity and Growth, indicating that the book had also influenced overseas.