Ancient Literary Theory and Aesthetic Studies

Author: Li Daotian, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Shu Province is renowned as the "Land of Abundance," offering not only a naturally endowed prosperous living environment but also a culturally distinctive region. For over two millennia, it has produced generations of renowned scholars, with the Han and Song dynasties leading the way. Since modern times, Shu Province's scholarship has once again shone brightly. Amid the dominant "Beijing School" and "Shanghai School," the "Shu Scholarship" has stood out as a unique and equally significant force. In the relatively isolated basin environment, a group of scholars, content with modest lives, have dedicated themselves to profound studies, upholding the lineage of Chinese culture with their deep roots in traditional studies and rigorous scholarship.
Recalling the autumn of 1962, when I was admitted to Sichuan University as a graduate student and traveled to Shu Province to join Professor Pang Shizhou's tutelage, I immersed myself in the study of Six Dynasties and Tang-Song literature, firsthand experiencing the academic atmosphere of Shu Province. Day by day, like entering a fragrant garden, one gradually internalizes the essence without noticing the fragrance. Professor Shizhou was a celebrated figure in Shu Province, and his disciples were all outstanding talents, each finding their own paths. Some went to the Wangjiang Pavilion (Sichuan University), while others joined the Lion Mountain (Sichuan Normal University). Thus, the study of ancient literature in Shu Province has developed into a dual-pinnacle, dual-current trend. When Professor Shizhou casually spoke of his disciples at Lion Mountain, he often praised them highly. As I listened attentively, I grew deeply admiring of them.
Now, over forty years have passed, not only has Professor Shizhou passed away, but many of the once-admired peers and senior scholars have also left us. The past remains vivid in my memory, yet it has become an eternal memory in my heart. Professor Li Cheng, a close friend, has edited and compiled this collection, Essays from the Academic Garden, gathering representative papers from the ancient Chinese literature discipline at Sichuan Normal University (formerly Sichuan Normal College) over half a century. Browsing the table of contents, one finds both the masterpieces of senior scholars and the innovative works of rising talents. What delights me most is that it seems to reveal certain elements of modern Shu Scholarship.
I believe that an academic tradition is both resilient and fragile. Modern Shu Scholarship has weathered the storms of social upheavals and political movements, appearing to have faded into history. Yet it has not entirely vanished; its spirit continues to linger in the academic pursuits of scholars in Shu Province and in this very collection. However, if we do not deliberately cherish, preserve, and promote it, the tradition of modern Shu Scholarship will soon be lost. To inherit this tradition, one must uphold Shu Scholarship's unique academic philosophy while keeping pace with contemporary research, ensuring its enduring vitality.