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Book Industry in the Period of Great Prosperity: Early Ming to Mid-Qing Dynasty

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A History of Books in Ancient China

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Abstract

The era of Ming and Qing Dynasties was a flourishing period of Chinese feudal society. On the one hand, the social productive capacity reached the highest level in the feudal era and the population increased rapidly. In Hongwu fourteenth year (1381) of Ming Dynasty, population of the whole country was about sixty million (Ming Taizu Shilu 明太祖实录 vol. 140: “the total number of households in the country is 10,654,362, and the population is 59,873,305.”). By the end of the Ming Dynasty, total population of the country reached one hundred and fifty million to two hundred million. By Xianfeng first year (1851) of Qing Dynasty, population of the nation exceeded four hundred and thirty million. On the other hand, with the rapid development of commerce, great changes took place in the social structure as well.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Ming Taizu Shilu 明太祖实录 vol. 140: “the total number of households in the country is 10,654,362, and the population is 59,873,305.”

  2. 2.

    (Ming) Huang Zuo 黄佐. Nanyong Zhi 南雍志 vol. 1, printed in Jiajing twenty-third year.

  3. 3.

    (Qing) Quan Zuwang 全祖望. “Bian Qian Shangshu Zhng Mengzi Shi 辨钱尚书争孟子事” in Jieqi Ting Ji 鲒埼亭集 vol. 35, Shanghai Shangwu Yinshuguan’s Sibu Congkan edition based on Yaojiang Jieshu Shanfang’s edition.

  4. 4.

    (Ming) Liu Sanwu 刘三吾. “Tici” in Mengzi Jiewen 孟子节文·题辞, Shumu wenxian Chubanshe, 1988, Beijing tushu Guan Zhenben Congkan edition based on Ming prints.

  5. 5.

    (Ming) Zhu Yuanzhang 朱元璋. “Suzhou Rencai 苏州人材” Yuzhi Dagao 御制大诰, vol. 3, part 13, Shanghai Guji Chubanshe, 2002, Xuxiu Siku Quanshu edition based on the Imperial Household prints of Hongwu eighteenth year of Ming Dynasty.

  6. 6.

    (South Korean) Oh Keum-Sung 吴金成. “Mingqing Shiqi Shenshi Ceng Yanjiu De Zhu Wenti 明清时期绅士层研究的诸问题”, in Zhongguo Shi Yanjiu De Chengguo Yu Zhanwang, Zhongguo Shehui Kexue Chubanshe, 1991.

  7. 7.

    (Ming) Gui Qiyuan 顾起元. “Guochu Bangwen 国初榜文” in Kezuo Zhuiyu 客座赘语 vol. 10, Tan Lihua, Chen Jiahe collated and punctuated, Zhonghua Shuju, 1987.

  8. 8.

    (Ming) Wang Yangming 王阳明. “Da Ni Wenwei” of Chuanxi Lu (Zhong) 传习录 (中)·答聂文蔚in Wang Yangming Quanji 王阳明全集 vol. 2, Wu Guang et al. eds. Shanghai Guji Chubanshe, 1992.

  9. 9.

    (Ming) Shen Zan 沈瓒. “Li Zhuowu” in Jinshi 近事丛残·李卓吾, Guangye Shushe, 1928.

  10. 10.

    The term “Christianity” here refers to Christianity in a broad sense and is the general name of Catholicism, Orthodox Church, Protestantism and other smaller denominations.

  11. 11.

    (Ming) Li Rihua 李日华. Zitao Xuan Zazhui 紫桃轩杂辍 vol. 1, Shanghai Shudian, Congshu Jicheng Chubian edition based on Sun’s Wangyun Xianguan’s prints in Guangxu years of Qing Dynasty.

  12. 12.

    (Ming) Gui Qiyuan 顾起元. “Matteo Ricci 利玛窦” in Kezuo Zhuiyu 客座赘语 vol. 6, Tan Lihua, Chen Jiahe collated and punctuated.

  13. 13.

    (Qing) Zhang Tingyu 张廷玉 et al. “Yidaliya Zhuan” in Mingshi 明史·意大里亚传.

  14. 14.

    (Ming) Li Zhizao 李之藻. “Zhifang Waiji Xu 刻职方外纪序” in (Italian) Jules Aleni 艾儒略 (writer), Xie Fang 谢方 (annotated), Zhifang Waiji Jiaoshi 职方外纪校释, Zhonghua Shuju, 2000.

  15. 15.

    (Ming) Qu Shigu 瞿式穀. “Zhifang Waiji Xiaoyan 职方外纪小言” in (Italian) Jules Aleni 艾儒略 (writer), Xie Fang 谢方 (annotated), Zhifang Waiji Jiaoshi 职方外纪校释.

  16. 16.

    Qian Cunxun 钱存训. “Jinshi Yishu Dui Zhongguo Xiandai Hua De Yingxiang 近世译书对中国现代化的影响”, Dai Wenbo translated, in wenxian, No. 2, 1986, p. 176–204.

  17. 17.

    (Belgian) Nicolas Standaert 钟鸣旦, Adrian Dudink 杜鼎克. “Jianlun Mingmo Qingchu Yesu Huishi Zhuzuo Zai Zhongguo De Liuchuan “简论明末清初耶稣会著作在中国的流传”, Shang Yang 尚扬 translated, in Shilin, No. 2, 1999, p. 60–64.

  18. 18.

    Cited from Feng Tianyu’s 冯天瑜 “Jian Buduan, Li Hailuan—Cong Liang Qichao Dui Zhongguo Wenhu Liangji Pingduan Shuokai Qu 剪不断, 理还乱—从梁启超对中国文化两极评断说开去”, in Guangming Ribao, August 24, 2010, 012.

  19. 19.

    (Ming) Yang Tingyun 杨廷筠. “Daiyi Pian 代疑篇” in Zheng Ande 郑安德 compiled, Mingmo Qingchu Yesu Hui Sixiang wenxian Huibian 明末清初耶稣会思想文献汇编 (29), Beijing Daxue Zongjiao Yanjiu Suo, 2003.

  20. 20.

    According to (Dutchman, or also said to be Belgian) H. Verhaeren, C.M. 惠泽霖 “Beitang Shushi Lue 北堂书史略”, appendix of Beitang Shumu 北堂书目, 1949.

  21. 21.

    Mao Ruifang 毛瑞方. “Mingqing Zhiji Qiqian Bu Xishu Ruhua Jiqi Yingxiang 明清之际七千部西书入华及其影响”, in Wenshi Zazhi, No. 3, 2006, p. 4–8.

  22. 22.

    Gu Jiegang 顾颉刚. Gu Jiegang Riji 顾颉刚日记 vol. 11, Taiwan Lianjing Chuban Shiye Gufen Youxian Gongsi, 2007, p. 616.

  23. 23.

    (Yuan) Tuotuo 脱脱. “Xu” of “Yiwen Zhi” in Songshi 宋史·艺文志·序.

  24. 24.

    Daming Taizu Gao Huangdi Shilu 大明太祖高皇帝实录 vol. 34, (Taiwan) Institute of History and Language of Academia Sinica, 1962, reprinted the red-column lines edition held in the original Beiping tushu Guan.

  25. 25.

    There was still some book censorship in Ming Dynasty, and scholars often suggested that works by people who “dared to advocate different opinions, violate classical learning, and form private history through oral transmission or writings, so as to reverse right and wrong, and to vent their indignation, should not be printed without authorization” (“Wei Zunfeng Mingzhi Kaizhen Tiaoli Yi Wei Shijiao Shu 为遵奉明旨开阵条例以维世教疏” in Feng Qi’s 冯琦 Zongbo Ji 宗伯集 Vol. 57, Siku Jinhui Congshu edition based on Ming prints). At the same time, the court strictly prohibited such books. But it had little practical effects. If Li Zhi’s books were burned by decree at the end of Ming Dynasty, they were not allowed to be sold in bookstores. As a matter of fact, “many scholar-bureaucrats liked his books and often collected them. That was why his books were passed down to the future generations” (Gu Yanwu 顾炎武. “Lizhi 李贽” in Rizhi Lu 日知录 Vol. 18). An essential point was that the management of book publishing in the Ming Dynasty was relatively loose, which was quite different from the strict and thorough book censorship system in the Yuan Dynasty.

  26. 26.

    (Ming) Lu Rong 陆容. Jiaoyuan Zaji 菽园杂记 vol. 10, Yizhi collated and punctuated.

  27. 27.

    (Qing) Yongrong 永瑢 et al. “Sishu Daquan” in “Sishu Lei Er” of “Jingbu” in Siku Quanshu Zongmu 四库全书总目·经部·四书类二·四书大全. Zhonghua Shuju, 1965, reprinted based on Hangzhou of Zhejiang prints in Qing Dynasty.

  28. 28.

    Lin Qingzhang 林庆璋. “Wujing Daquan Zhi Xiuzuan Jiqi Xiangguan Wenti Yanjiu” in Mingdai Jingxue Yanjiu Lunji 〈五经大全〉之修纂及其相关问题探究, Wenshizhe Chubanshe, 1994.

  29. 29.

    (Qing) Sun Chengze 孙承泽. “Wenyuan Ge 文渊阁” in Chunming Mengyu Lu春明梦余录 vol. 12, Wang Jianying 王剑英 collated and punctuated, Beijing Guji Chubanshe, 1992.

  30. 30.

    Zhang Chenshi 张忱石. Yongle Dadian Shihua 永乐大典史话, Guojia tushuguan Chubanshe, 2014.

  31. 31.

    (Ming) Zhou Honzu 周弘祖. Gujin Shuke 古今书刻 mentioned Yongle Dadian 永乐大典 in the chapter on printing of Palace Treasury. Maybe this was a careless mistake; maybe the publication of this book was discussed earlier, but failed to be put into practice; or only a part of this book was printed, but such printed parts could not be seen today any more. This is a question that needs further investigation.

  32. 32.

    Ba Zhaoxiang 巴兆祥. “Lun Mingdai Fangzhi De Shuliang Yu Xiuzhi Zhidu—Jianda Zhangsheng Mingdai Difangzhi Zhiyi 论明代方志的数量与修志制度——兼答张升〈明代地方志质疑〉” in Zhongugo Difangzhi, No. 4, 2004, p. 45–51.

  33. 33.

    (Qing) Zhang Tingyu 张廷玉 et al. “Lizhi Yi” in Mingshi 明史·历志一.

  34. 34.

    (Qing) Zhang Zhidong 张之洞. “Congshu Mu 丛书目” in Shumu Dawen 书目答问 vol. 5, Fang Xizeng 范希曾 supplemented, Shanghai Guji Chubanshe, 2001.

  35. 35.

    Liu Tianzhen 刘天振. Mingdai Tongsu Leishu Yanjiu 明代通俗类书研究, Qilu Shushe, 2006, p. 110–112.

  36. 36.

    (Ming) Huang Zuo 黄佐. Nanyong Zhi 南雍志 vol. 1, printed in Jiajing twenty-third year.

  37. 37.

    (Ming) Lou Xing 娄性. Huangming Zhengyao 皇明政要 vol. 1, printed in Jiajing fifth year by Dai Jin.

  38. 38.

    (Qing) Qian Qianyi 钱谦益. “Huangshi Qianqing Zhai Cangshu Ji 黄氏千顷斋藏书记” in Muzhai Youxue Ji 牧斋有学集 vol. 26, Qian Zhonglian collated edition, Shanghai Guji Chubanshe, 1996.

  39. 39.

    Ye Changzhi 叶昌炽 (writer), Wang Xinfu 王欣夫 supplemented, “Fan Qing Yaoqing, Congzi Dache Zixuan” in Cangshu Jishi Shi Fu Buzheng 藏书纪事诗附补正·范钦尧卿、从子大澈子宣, Shanghai Guji Chubanshe, 1989.

  40. 40.

    About Directorate of Ceremonial and Palace Treasury printing, see Ma Xueliang’s 马学良 Mingdai Neifu Keshu 明代内府刻书, Doctorate Dissertation of Nanjing University in 2014.

  41. 41.

    (Ming) Liu Ruoyu 刘若愚. “Neiban Jingshu Jilue 内板经书纪略” in Zhuozhong Zhi 酌中志 vol. 18, Feng Baolin collated and punctuated. Note: This number of ‘Jingchang Edition’ was only based on the statistics of the existing printing boards in Chongzhen years. In fact, this number should be bigger in the Ming Dynasty. ‘Jingchang’ was not well managed, besides biting insects and moulding, eunuchs even “splitting the printing blocks to keep warm and used them for other purposes by removing the words”. “Compared with the early years of Wanli’s reign, the number of prints were reduced by six to seven tenths.”

  42. 42.

    (Ming) Zhou Hongzu 周弘祖. Gujin Shuk (Shang) 古今书刻·上编.

  43. 43.

    (Qing) Chen Hu 陈瑚. “Wei Maoqianzi Yinju Qiyan Xiaozhuan 为毛潜在隐居乞言小传” in Quean Wengao 确庵文稿 vol. 16, Beijing Chubanshe, Siku Jinhui Shu Congkan edition based on the Mao’s Jigu Ge prints in Kangxi years of Qing Dynasty.

  44. 44.

    (Qing) Qian Yong 钱泳. “Jigu Ge 汲古阁” in Lvyuan Conghu 履园丛话, Zhang Wei collated and punctuated, Zhonghua Shuju, 1979.

  45. 45.

    (Qing) Chen Hu 陈瑚. “Wei Mao Qianzai Yinju Qiyan Xiaozhuan 为毛潜在隐居乞言小传” in Quean Wengao 确庵文稿 vol. 16.

  46. 46.

    (Ming) Feng Jike 冯继科. “tushu” in (Jiajing) Jinyang Xianzhi 建阳县志 vol. 5.

  47. 47.

    Zhang Xiumin 张秀民 (writer), Han Qi 韩琦 (revisor). Zhongguo Yinshua Shi 中国印刷史 (illustrated edition), p. 243–247.

  48. 48.

    Miao Yonghe 缪咏禾. Mingdai Chuban Shi Gao 明代出版史稿, Jiangsu Renmin Chubanshe, 2000, p. 91.

  49. 49.

    Miao Yonghe 缪咏禾. Mingdai Chuban Shi Gao 明代出版史稿, p. 77–78.

  50. 50.

    Zhao Wanli 赵万里. “Cong Tianyi Ge Dao Dongfang tushu Guan 从天一阁说到东方图书馆”, in tushu Fukan of Tianjin Dagong Bao, 3 February 1934.

  51. 51.

    (Qing) Zheng Fujiao 郑敷教. Zheng Tong’an Biji Buyi 郑桐庵笔记补遗. Zhao yizhen, Wang Dalong compiled, 1937, Dingchou Congbian edition.

  52. 52.

    (Qing) Wang Xianqian 王先谦. Donghua Xulu 东华续录 (Qianlong) vol. 88, printed in Guangxu tenth year of Qing Dynasty by Changsha Wang Xianqin.

  53. 53.

    Details for book banning in the Qing Dynasty can be seen in Lei Mengchen’s 雷梦辰 Qingdai Gesheng Jinshu Huikao 清代各省禁书汇考, Shumu wenxian Chubanshe, 1989.

  54. 54.

    Qing Gaozong Chun Huangdi Shilu 清高宗纯皇帝实录 vol. 964, Zhonghua Shuju, 1986.

  55. 55.

    Qing Gaozong Chun Huangdi Shilu 清高宗纯皇帝实录 vol. 964.

  56. 56.

    Lu Xun 鲁迅. “Qing Zhi Fengci Xiaoshuo” in Zhongguo Xiaoshuo Shilue 中国小说史略·清之讽刺小说, collected in Luxun Quanji.

  57. 57.

    Zhang Yu 章钰 compiled, Wu Zuocheng 武作成 supplemented, Qingshi Gao Yiwen Zhi Ji Bubian 清史稿艺文志及补编, Zhonghua Shuju, 1982.

  58. 58.

    Wang Shaozeng 王绍曾, “preface” for Qingshi Gao Yiwen Zhi Shiyi 清史稿艺文志拾遗·前言, Zhonghua Shuju, 2000.

  59. 59.

    This book series was an abridged edition of Siku Quanshu, but a few books in this book series were slightly different from Siku Quanshu in volume and content. They were compiled in the forty-third year of Qianlong Emperor, and contained 473 books covering 19,931 volumes.

  60. 60.

    The statistics of the number of books compiled by Siku Quanshu editors collected from Yongle Dadian were not exactly the same. Sun Fengyi 孙冯翼 wrote Sikuquanshu Ji Yongle Da Huangben Shumu 四库全书辑永乐大黄本书目 in the seventh year of Jiaqing in Qing Dynasty. He catalogued 388 titles and 128 titles of books that were not collected into Siku Quanshu, totaling 516 titles. Since then, Miao Quansun, Zhao Wanli and others had been re-edited and supplemented, and their numbers were also different. Wu Yingdian Juzhen Ban Congshu was completed from thirty-eighth to fifty-ninth year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign. It contained 138 titles of books covering 2421 volumes. The first four were printed with woodblock printing and the rest were printed with movable type printing.

  61. 61.

    (Qing) Wang Chang 王昶. Huhai Wenzhuan 湖海文传 vol. 29, printed in Daoguang seventeenth year by Wang’s Jingxun Tang.

  62. 62.

    Deng Hongbo 邓洪波. Zhongguo Shuyuan Shi 中国书院史, Dongfang Chuban Zhongxin, 2004, p. 404.

  63. 63.

    Li Jiarui 李家瑞. “Qingdai Beijing Mantou Pu Zulin Changben De Gaikuang清代北京馒头铺租赁唱本的概况”, in Zhang Jingl’s Zhongguo Chuban Shiliao Bubian, Zhonghua Shuju, 1957.

  64. 64.

    (Japanese) Ooba Osamu 大庭修. Jianghu Shidai Zhongguo dianji Liubo Riben Zhi Yanjiu 江户时代中国典籍流播日本之研究, Qi Yinping 戚印平, Wang Yong 王勇, and Wang Baoping 王宝平 translated, Hangzhou Daxue Chubanshe, 1998, p. 50–51.

  65. 65.

    http://www.3g.zhuokearts.com/html/auction/art/detail/2006/6/3/51314.htm [retrieved on November 27, 2016].

  66. 66.

    (Ming) Xie Zhaozhe 谢肇淛. Wu Zazu 五杂组 vol. 7.

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    Li Chen

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Chen, L. (2024). Book Industry in the Period of Great Prosperity: Early Ming to Mid-Qing Dynasty. In: A History of Books in Ancient China. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-8940-9_7

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