Tian Gong Kai Wu (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: Song Yingxing (Ming Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-10-01
Features: The Treatise on the Works of Nature is a comprehensive scientific and technological work from ancient China, as well as the world's first comprehensive treatise on agricultural and handicraft production, referred to by European scholars as the Encyclopedia of Technology. It systematically summarizes various ancient Chinese technologies, forming a complete scientific and technological system. It comprehensively reflects the achievements of craftsmanship and technology through its rich experience in agriculture. Many of the production techniques recorded in the book were still used until modern times. The author is Song Yingxing of the Ming Dynasty. It was first published in the 10th year of the Chongzhen era (1637). The entire book is divided into three parts—Upper, Middle, and Lower—with a total of 18 volumes, describing the names, shapes, and processes of over 130 production techniques and tools. This world-renowned masterpiece, however, remained almost unknown to the Chinese people for over two hundred years after its publication. During the Qianlong era, the Siku Quanshu (Complete Library of the Four Treasuries) ignored it, and scholars of the time, including the top masters of Chinese studies, never referenced a single word of it in their works. Strangely, it was revered as a precious classic in neighboring Japan and Korea. Later, Europe obtained its Japanese edition from Japan and began to publish multiple translations, viewing it as a small encyclopedia of Chinese technology. It wasn’t until two hundred years later, in the 20th century, that China reprinted the book independently. What is even more surprising is that out of the ten or so existing versions of The Treatise on the Works of Nature, the majority are foreign editions—a rare phenomenon in Chinese ancient classics. This renowned masterpiece of the Chinese people remains familiar to most only by reputation rather than sight. Today, it is clear that viewing The Treatise on the Works of Nature merely as a classic in the history of Chinese science and technology is far from enough—it is also a classic in the history of Chinese culture and thought. The book speaks of opening the works of nature, yet it permeates traditional Chinese culture, with everything within it forming the foundation of the profound and extensive civilization of the Chinese nation. We can assure readers that if they thoroughly read this book and reflect deeply on it, they will undoubtedly gain a deeper understanding of the essence of Chinese civilization.