Research Of Jin Shi Wen Zi Ji Written By Gu Yanwu

Gu Yanwu, a pedantic soul from somewhere between Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty, advocated a useful, particular research by specializing in history and practical application of Classical Chinese. By writing the works Jin Shi Wen Zi Ji, Gu established his fame as the ground-breaking authority of epigraphy in Qing Dynasty.The dissertation is made up of six parts. The first part expounds the academic background for the works Jin Shi Wen Zi Ji. The paper reviews its development before the early Qing Dynasty, discuss the causes for the revival of epigraphy and elucidates Gu's overall accomplishment.The second part or chapter, composed of two sections, focuses on the writing time and circulating versions of the works Jin Shi Wen Zi Ji. As for the writing time, the first section concludes the book was written from the thirteenth year of Sunzhi reign to the eighteenth year of Kong Xi reign based on Gu's travels and his inscription locations. The second chapter combs through various circulating versions of the six-volume book best represented by three branches which is enclosed with a circulating route map.The third part or chapter probes into the compilation styles of Jin Shi Wen Zi Ji. By summarizing the styles of the various books on epigraphy in history, the paper classifies them into eight basic compilation styles. The detailed, orderly compilation style founded in Jin Shi Wen Zi Ji provides a scientific framework for revival and development of epigraphy in the Qing Dynasty.The fourth part or chapter concentrates on the studying way in the works Jin Shi Wen Zi Ji. The paper points out Gu applied a comprehensive scientific way to study the materials by means of field research, sampling, questioning, comparisons, induction, deduction and innovation, which constitutes a complete methodology extolled and learned by Qianjia school.The fifth part refers to the fifth and the sixth chapters. In the fifth chapter, the paper is devoted to introducing Gu's achievements in historical science. On the one hand, Gu made a careful study of the stone inscriptions so that he could supply a wealth of correct historical information; on the other hand, the scholar examined the inscriptions to identify their creators, birthdays and authenticity. The achievement in Jin Shi Wen Zi Ji highlights the historical value of the stone inscriptions that will facilitate the further study of history.The sixth chapter deals with Gu's academic accomplishment in the practical application of classical Chinese in the fields of etymology, scholium, and phonology, which respectively refers to Gu's contribution in critical interpretation of ancient texts, in precise identification of word sounds, and in overall observations of character evolutions.Chapter Seven is the last part which made for the questioning of Jin Si Wen Zi Ji in its order of volume and chapter. For all his intelligence, Mr. Gu can not be free from any mistake in creating the work, which resulted from limited recourses, incomplete materials, inaccurate research or false records.The concluding part mainly evaluates the academic impact of Study on epigraphy that founds a mature complete compilation style and provides a discreet studying method for the following Confucians who agreed on the magnificence of the study of epigraphy in the Qing Dynasty.The appendix is concerned with the page prelude of Jin Si Wen Zi Ji whose chapters are listed in Stone Engraving Prelude.