On ZiShu

ZiShu, being a monograph of Chinese characters, possibly appeared in the period of Six-Dynasties time and hardly could get reached after BeiSong dynasty. But its comparative editions was collected from several monographs in Qing dynasty. Up to now, we have no specific information of this book. Likely we are not informed who wrote it? When it was born? What style and characteristic it is? How to evaluate its significance in the long history of philology? ZiShu was paid so less attention that its significance and influence was neglected. On the basis of analyzing all those materials available presently, the author summarized the ingredients of ZiShu, and compared with some other comparative books which can represent the philology of the specific period (mainly to ShengLei by LiDeng,ZiLin by LvShen and ZiTong by YangChengQing). And following with the comparison from different angles and combined with historical documents, the thesis attempts to give an appropriate position on the history of philology for it and show a glimpse for the upcoming relevant research.This thesis mainly analyzes ZiShu from the following perspectives:1) Based on the study of its characteristic and historical document materials, the first part limited the proper time about its occurrence is AD510-527;2) On the basis of analyzing all those materials available presently, the second part investigated the possible author of ZiShu;3) According to the analysis of its inheriting materials, the third part specified the time when ZiShu got disappeared, it's about after BeiSong dynasty;4) The forth part clarifies its content and style of ZiShu, which includes its arrangement style,methods for pronunciation and meanings to be explained. Then analysis it's writing aim;5) The fifth part generalized its characteristics by comparison with those representative books;6) Lastly the thesis concluded the position and its value of ZiShu.