Journey to the West (Volumes 1 and 2) (Illustrated Textbook)

Author: Wu Cheng'en (Ming Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The story of The Journey to the West is very familiar to people. Among its most exciting chapters, such as Sun Wukong's rebellion in Heaven, Zhu Bajie's wedding at the High Elder's mansion, the battle with the White Bone Demon, and borrowing the Plantain Fan, are well-known to all, even to the old and young. For hundreds of years, it has attracted generation after generation with its strong artistic charm, making it one of the most beloved classical novels in Chinese history. The Journey to the West primarily depicts the story of Sun Wukong protecting Tang Monk on his journey westward to retrieve the Buddhist scriptures, enduring ninety-nine and one difficulties. The journey of Tang Monk to retrieve the scriptures was a real historical event. Approximately 1,300 years ago, in the first year of the Zhenguan era (627), the young monk Xuanzang, at the age of 25, left the capital Chang'an alone to study in India (Tianzhu). After departing from Chang'an, he passed through Central Asia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, overcoming numerous hardships, and finally reached India. There, he studied for over two years and was praised as a speaker at a major Buddhist scholastic debate. In the 19th year of the Zhenguan era (645), Xuanzang returned to Chang'an, bringing back 657 Buddhist scriptures. His journey to the west lasted nineteen years and covered tens of thousands of miles, a legendary long march that made a great splash at the time. Later, Xuanzang dictated his travels westward, which were compiled by his disciple Bianji into the Records of the Western Regions of the Great Tang. However, this book mainly described the history, geography, and transportation of the countries along the way and contained little narrative. Later, his disciples Huili and Yancong wrote the Biography of the Venerable Monk Xuanzang of the Great Tang's Daxing Temple, which added many mythical elements to Xuanzang's experiences. From then on, the story of Tang Monk's journey to the west began to spread widely among the people. During the Southern Song Dynasty, there was The Poetic Tales of Tang Monk's Journey to the West; in the Jin Dynasty, there were Tang Monk and The Peach Blossom Banquet in the court drama; and in the Yuan Dynasty, there were Wu Changling's Tang Monk's Journey to the West in the Western Heaven and an anonymous The God Erlang Locks Sun Wukong. All of these laid the foundation for the creation of The Journey to the West. Wu Cheng'en also drew upon folk tales, storytelling scripts, and operas, undergoing arduous re-creation, to complete this great literary masterpiece that the Chinese nation is proud of. Wu Cheng'en, styled Ruzhong, styled Sheyang Mountain Man, was a native of Shanyang in Huai'an Prefecture (now Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province). The illustrated edition of The Journey to the West is based on the Ming Dynasty Jinling Shide Hall edition, with references to other versions such as The Journey to the West Critiqued by Master Li Zhuo. The illustrations are primarily selected from The Journey to the West Critiqued by Master Li Zhuo, The Images of the New Journey to the West, and The True Interpretation of the Journey to the West.