Abstract:With the increasing number of unearthed texts of Pre-Qin, Qin, and Han Dynasties, the conditions for a comprehensive review and summary of the formation of ancient Chinese books have matured, and the previous discussions on the formation of ancient books can be revised, supplemented, and deepened. Specifically, by combining unearthed and transmitted texts, it is possible to observe the formation process of early Chinese ancient books from three perspectives: the aggregation of similar items in the early generation process of texts, the fluidity and layering of the texts during the circulation process, and the organization and sequence of the arrangement process. Three main regular characteristics can be identified: First, the phenomenon of “aggregation of similar items” in the early generation process of the texts. A smaller text unit evolves into a larger text unit, and the primary process is the aggregation of similar items. Short chapters gradually aggregate into articles due to reasons such as similar forms and related themes, and articles gradually aggregate into books due to factors such as similar texts, related figures, or the same theme. In this aggregation process, early authors, editors, or copyists may have participated in the generation process of the texts, such as examples of Laozi, Tsinghua Bamboo Slips “Yin Zhi”, “Yin Gao”, and “Chihu’s Stop on Tang’s House”. Second, the fluidity and layering of the texts during the circulation process. Once a text is aggregated and formed, it does not mean that it is completely finalized. During the circulation process, the text may undergo significant changes due to the subjective modifications of editors, unintentional errors of copyists, and other factors. For example, some short chapters may be abridged and merged into new chapters during the circulation process; some articles may absorb short chapters that are related in form or content, resulting in text reorganization and derivation; some articles may be integrated into another article to form a more complex article; some chapters may be deliberately modified during the circulation process to meet new needs, such as examples of “Ziyi” and Anda Bamboo Slips “Zhongni Said”. In summary, as long as the text is in circulation, it will not be completely finalized, especially during the early stages of circulation, where changes are most drastic. Third, the organization and sequence of the arrangement process. In the process of the formation of ancient books, the sequence of chapters is also very important, and the sequence reflects the author’s or editor’s understanding of the organizational structure of each chapter. Once the sequence is formed, it does not mean that it is completely finalized and may also change due to the subjective modifications of editors, copying, and other factors, such as examples from “Ziyi”. Through the examination of these three perspectives, concepts such as “aggregation of similar items”, “fluid text”, “layered text” and “text sequence” can be extracted to deepen our understanding of the formation process of early Chinese ancient books and to further consider the text compilation concepts of the “pre-Liu Xiang era” and its impact on Liu Xiang and others’ collation and organization of Pre-Qin, Qin, and Han Dynasties ancient books.
余建平. 出土文献视域下中国早期古书形成的主要特征[J]. 浙江大学学报(人文社会科学版), 2025, 55(5): 62-74.
Yu Jianping. Characteristics of the Formation of Early Chinese Ancient Books from the Perspective of Unearthed Texts. JOURNAL OF ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY, 2025, 55(5): 62-74.