Suwen Shi Xi (Volumes 1 and 2)

Author: (Japanese) Ise Shokyuan
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Suwen Interpretation is a remarkable book, with its writing beginning in August 1866 and concluding in August 1867. This massive work, exceeding a million characters, was completed in just one year, making it a miracle in the history of scholarship. Suwen Interpretation was written amidst the turmoil of war, extensively citing the research findings of scholars from China and Japan over the generations. The original manuscript shows minimal revisions, giving the impression of being written without pause, in a single sitting. Almost simultaneously with writing Suwen Interpretation, Ise Shokyuan also completed the book Brief Private Lectures on the Golden Cabinet Jade Box. This astonishingly swift literary activity left a profound impression on later generations. The Qing Dynasty Chinese scholar Zhang Qi once wrote Suwen Interpretation, and a (carved woodblock edition) from the Daoguang era has been passed down. Ise's works quote Zhang Qi's work, indicating that he knew of Zhang and his book. Given this, why did he still title his own work the same? When we compile the works of predecessors, we have no right to change the titles. We can only hope that readers will not confuse Ise Shokyuan's Suwen Interpretation with Zhang Qi's Suwen Interpretation. We hope that in the near future, Ise Shokyuan's Suwen Interpretation will become more familiar to Chinese scholars.