Shi Ji from the Song Edition (Huang Shanfu Print)

Basic Information

• Catalog ID: 201
• Management Target ID: 10286
• Category: Calligraphy and Books
• Country: China
• Period: Southern Song Dynasty
• Date designated: June 11, 1966
• Prefecture: Chiba
• Location: National Museum of Japanese History (Jōnai-chō, Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture)
• Owner: Japan Foundation for Research in Human Culture

Source: Excerpted from the National Designated Cultural Properties Database (https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/index)

Overview

The Shi Ji (Records of History), originally written by the historian Sima Qian, is a monumental historical text. This specific copy is an extremely rare and superior edition printed during the Southern Song Dynasty in China. Produced by Huang Shanfu, a renowned publisher from Jianyang, Fujian Province, this material is highly valued both in the history of Chinese printing and in Sinological studies (the study of Chinese language and culture). Of its 130 original volumes, 90 are held at the National Museum of Japanese History. Its exceptional completeness leads it to be regarded as a global treasure.

Historical Context

During the Southern Song Dynasty, publishing culture flourished across China. Jianyang in Fujian Province was particularly famous as a national printing hub. Huang Shanfu was known as a master craftsman representing this region. This specific volume belonged to the “Horita Library” (Horita Bunko), which was previously held by the Horita family—the lords of Sakura Domain (modern-day Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture). The fact that it traveled to Japan during the Edo Period and was carefully preserved by a powerful samurai house is crucial historical evidence. It demonstrates the deep tradition of Sinology and cultural reception within Japan.

Features and Significance

This material masterfully combines academic utility with artistic craftsmanship, possessing significant value in several areas:

• Establishment of the Three Scholarly Annotations: This is one of the earliest surviving examples of a “Three Annotation Combined Edition” (Sanjia Chūgō Kōhon). It was the first time that three major scholarly commentaries—the Shu Jie, Suo Yin, and Seigi—were integrated into the main text. This format subsequently became the standard model for developing the Shi Ji text.
• Powerful Calligraphy Style of Printing: The script is characterized by a robust, strong structure derived from the style of Yan Zhenqing, a famous calligrapher of the Tang Dynasty. The precise arrangement of characters and intricate carving showcase the pinnacle of woodblock printing technology during that era.
• Excellent Condition and Aesthetic Beauty: It retains the distinct clarity of Song Dynasty printing. Its high level of completion is evident in the deep blackness of the ink and the quality of the paper, making it a first-class work of art and craft.
• Historical Importance: As foundational literature that supported the development of Sinology in Japan, this volume holds an extremely important position in the history of cultural exchange between China and Japan, serving as a treasure in Chinese printing history.