Ancient Lost Classics (Complete 3 Volumes)

Author: (Qing) Li Shuchang (compiled), Yang Shoujing (translated and edited)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-10-01
Features: During the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, Li Shuchang (1837–1897), who served as the Japanese Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Japan and later as a Counselor in Japan, diligently sought ancient rare books that had long been lost in China from Japanese collections. With the help of his subordinates who were proficient in bibliography and manuscript cataloging, he authentically reproduced the original appearances of these precious ancient books, ensuring their preservation for future generations. In his preface to The Collected Ancient Books, Li Shuchang wrote descriptive annotations for each book, tracing their origins and examining their editions. Additionally, many appendices or postscripts were included at the end of each volume. The Collected Ancient Books has been highly valued by scholars both within and outside China since its publication due to its exceptional value in textual criticism and bibliography. Inspired and influenced by this work, Zhang Yuanji, Mr. Zhang, compiled The Continued Collected Ancient Books while overseeing the Commercial Press, and later, the Commercial Press published The Third Collection of the Collected Ancient Books. The editions of The Collected Ancient Books include the first printing in Tokyo, Japan, using beautiful Mino paper, as well as a photolithographic edition from the Japanese Tokyo Mission of the Li family in the tenth year of the Guangxu period (1884). This book is a photolithographic reproduction of the latter edition, with the original layout slightly reduced and the order of the included books adjusted. They are roughly divided into three volumes—philosophy, literature and history, and comprehensive reference tools—for easier reference.