On the Act and Representation ofReading in Medieval China

摘要

Books, throughout the medieval period in China, were precious objects, handed down astreasures from generation to generation in families wealthy or fortunate enough to possessthem. It is therefore not surprising that the sixth-century scholar Yan Zhitui NZA (531-591), in his remarkable Yanshi jiaxun 6.itKXli, sternly emphasizes how the care of books isa serious matter and that to allow books to be carelessly strewn about one's study is injuriousto moral character. Moreover, he also feels it necessary to point out that,Whenever I read the books of the sages, never once do I not treat the books with solemn respect.If old paper has the words or explanations of the Five Classics, or even the names of worthiesand the perfected, I would not dare use it for something foul.