classical Chinese literature

  • Taiping Yulan

    Taiping Yulan (Imperial Readings of the Taiping Era) is a monumental Chinese encyclopedia compiled during the early Northern Song dynasty. Commissioned by Emperor Taizong of Song, it was edited by a team of scholars led by Li Fang, along with Li Mu, Xu Xuan, and others. Work began in 977 CE (the second year…

  • Zhuangzi

    Zhuangzi (c. 369–286 BCE) was a major philosopher of the Warring States period. His given name was Zhou, and he was a native of Meng in the state of Song—traditionally identified either as northeast of modern Shangqiu, Henan, or near Dingyuan, Anhui.

  • Records of the Grand Historian – Shiji

    Originally titled Taishi Gong Shu (“Book of the Grand Historian”), the Shiji was compiled by Sima Qian (c. 145–c. 86 BCE) during the Western Han dynasty. It is China’s first comprehensive biographical universal history (jizhuanti tongshi), covering approximately three millennia – from the legendary Yellow Emperor to the reign of Emperor Wu of Han…

  • Sima Qian

    Sima Qian (c. 145 or 135 BCE – ?) was a preeminent historian and literary figure of the Western Han dynasty. His courtesy name was Zichang, and he was born in Xiayang (south of present-day Hancheng, Shaanxi). He was the son of Sima Tan, the Grand Historian (Taishi) of Emperor Wu’s court.

  • The Art of Oral Imitation

    -by Lin Sihuan (Qing Dynasty) In the capital, there was a master of kouji – the art of vocal mimicry (also translate to oral imitation).

  • The false cultivation in Laoshan

    The pursuit of Daoist cultivation is a recurring theme in classical Chinese literature. For instance, Journey to the West’s Sun Wukong voyages to the Spirit Terrace, Square-Inch Mountain seeking immortality from Patriarch Subodhi (Subhuti).

  • The mountain demon – Shanxiao

    Sun Taibai once relayed a story about his great-grandfather, who had studied at Liugou Temple in the southern mountains.

  • Liu Boqin: The Tiger-Slayer of Journey to the West

    In ancient Chinese society, tigers and humans coexisted in close proximity, leading to inevitable clashes for survival. As society and culture advanced, human activity expanded, intensifying these conflicts.

  • Why is the author of Journey to the West unknown?

    Journey to the West (Xiyouji), one of China’s Four Great Classical Novels, was published anonymously in the 16th century during the Ming Dynasty. While Wu Cheng’en is traditionally credited as its author, the work’s true authorship remains debated and shrouded in mystery.