A New Account of the Tales of the World
Encyclopedia
A New Account of the Tales of the World is a book of anecdotes and character sketches, dates back to the Southern and Northern Dynasties
(420-589 C.E.). The book was further compiled and edited by Liu Yiqing 劉義慶 during the Song Dynasty
.
The original text of the book was divided into eight volumes, though current editions generally span ten volumes.
The book documents gentry and the life of literati, musicians, and painters. Some people believe it to have a great deal of historical value. The 20th century Chinese novelist Lu Xun
also spoke highly of the book's aesthetic merits.
The text has been translated in full into English, with the Liang 梁 dynasty (502-557) commentary by Liu Xiaobiao 劉孝標, in Mather, Richard B, Shih-shuo Hsin-yü: A New Account of Tales of the World, by Liu I-ch'ing, with commentary by Liu Chün (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1976).
Southern and Northern Dynasties
The Southern and Northern Dynasties was a period in the history of China that lasted from 420 to 589 AD. Though an age of civil war and political chaos, it was also a time of flourishing arts and culture, advancement in technology, and the spreading of Mahayana Buddhism and Daoism...
(420-589 C.E.). The book was further compiled and edited by Liu Yiqing 劉義慶 during the Song Dynasty
Song Dynasty
The Song Dynasty was a ruling dynasty in China between 960 and 1279; it succeeded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period, and was followed by the Yuan Dynasty. It was the first government in world history to issue banknotes or paper money, and the first Chinese government to establish a...
.
The original text of the book was divided into eight volumes, though current editions generally span ten volumes.
The book documents gentry and the life of literati, musicians, and painters. Some people believe it to have a great deal of historical value. The 20th century Chinese novelist Lu Xun
Lu Xun
Lu Xun or Lu Hsün , was the pen name of Zhou Shuren , one of the major Chinese writers of the 20th century. Considered by many to be the leading figure of modern Chinese literature, he wrote in baihua as well as classical Chinese...
also spoke highly of the book's aesthetic merits.
The text has been translated in full into English, with the Liang 梁 dynasty (502-557) commentary by Liu Xiaobiao 劉孝標, in Mather, Richard B, Shih-shuo Hsin-yü: A New Account of Tales of the World, by Liu I-ch'ing, with commentary by Liu Chün (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1976).