Tang and Song Historical Records: Notes from West Creek Forest - Family Ancestry and Old Tales

Author: Yao Bao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1993-12-01
Features: This book is one of the "Collected Notes on Tang and Song Historical Materials," featuring two works by Song Dynasty scholars. One is Xi Xi Cong Yu (Notes from West Creek), a note-taking work by Yao Kuan (1105-1162) of the Song Dynasty, divided into two volumes with a total of 141 entries. The book exhibits a pragmatic academic style and is rich in historical materials, documenting some lesser-known poems of Song Dynasty figures and lost literary works from various dynasties. It also includes descriptions of ancient artifacts such as musical instruments and mirrors, as well as records of historical official systems. Particularly valuable for modern research on Song Dynasty maritime economy and technology are the entries on the salt tax system of Zhejiang, the tidal of Huaiji, and the method of testing (water) salt. The other work is Jia Shi Jiu Wen (Family Anecdotes), a collection by the renowned Song Dynasty poet Lu You. It records the anecdotes and biographies of his ancestors, from his great-grandfather Lu Zhen to his father Lu Zai, as well as some predecessors of the Tang family on his mother's side. The book covers historical events from the reigns of eight emperors of the Song Dynasty, from Emperor Zhenzong to Emperor Gaozong, touching on politics, economy, diplomatic relations, institutional systems, moral norms, academia, and literature. Many of these historical materials are unique to this book and serve as important sources for studying the Northern and Southern Song Dynasties.