Description
Book SynopsisHidden and Visible Realms is one of the most significant medieval Chinese collections of stories of the fantastic and otherworldly phenomena, distinguished by its varied contents, elegant writing style, and Buddhist influence. This annotated first complete English translation explains the key themes and textual history of the work.
Trade ReviewThis book is an important contribution to the growing canon of translated primary source materials of medieval China. * Choice *
The nearly three hundred miracle tales that survive of Liu Yiqing’s compilation offer fascinating insights into China’s society and imagination of the late third to early fifth centuries. This complete translation will be eagerly welcomed by all students and scholars of Chinese literature, religion, and thought, as it was precisely in this period that Buddhism had become part of Chinese life. -- Wilt L. Idema, Harvard University
Hidden and Visible Realms is the most complete and critically annotated translation of the seminal collection of
zhiguai (‘tales of anomalies’), Liu Yiqing’s
Youming lu, in any language, one that will be enthusiastically welcomed by all who are interested in the history of Chinese fiction and religion. -- Victor H. Mair, University of Pennsylvania
The fields of early Chinese studies will enthusiastically welcome this excellent work by Zhenjun Zhang that combines a skillfully rendered translation of Liu Yiqing’s
Youminglu with an extensive treatise, providing the most comprehensive review of the long history of
zhiguai studies we have to date. -- Kenneth J. DeWoskin, University of Michigan
Hidden and Visible Realms makes a valuable contribution to the study of Chinese
zhiguai “Records of the Strange” literature. For the first time, Zhang’s translation of the
Youming lu gives English readers a sense of the marvelous richness of the text’s contents and its diverse themes. -- Keith Knapp, The Citadel
This is a substantial study and translation that can serve as a model for future translations of
zhiguai texts. Accurate and carefully annotated,
Hidden and Visible Realms is in effect a new recension of the
Youming lu. It is a valuable contribution to our growing understanding of early
xiaoshuo. -- Daniel Hsieh, Purdue University
This book is an appropriate work for Western students or non-native readers. For the beginner of zhiguai study, this work, and especially the “Introduction” is to be recommended. * Monumenta Serica *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Abbreviations
Terms Regarding Weights and Measures
Chronology
Introduction
1. The Wonder of Love
2. A Garden of Marvels
3. The Spectacle of Monsters
4. The Realm of Ghosts
5. The Netherworld and This World
6. Animals and Men
7. Anecdotes of Notable Figures
8. Local Legends
Appendix
Tales Appearing in Other Renditions
Works Cited
Index
