Qīn dìng shòu shí tōng kǎo 欽定授時通考
Imperial Comprehensive Investigation of “Establishing the Seasons” imperially commissioned by Qiánlóng; compiled by 鄂爾泰 (È’ěrtài, 1677–1745, 清, 奉敕撰), 張廷玉 (Zhāng Tíngyù, 1672–1755, 清, 奉敕撰); supplemented by 董誥 (Dǒng Gào, 1740–1818, 清, 補編) and 戴衢亨 (Dài Qúhēng, 1755–1811, 清, 補編)
About the work
A 78-juan imperial agricultural-administrative encyclopedia, the most comprehensive pre-modern Chinese agricultural reference work, commissioned by the Qiánlóng emperor in his early reign and compiled under the supervision of the YōngzhèngQiánlóng senior ministers È’ěrtài and Zhāng Tíngyù. Originally completed Qiánlóng 7 (1742); supplemented in late Qiánlóng / early Jiāqìng by Dǒng Gào and Dài Qúhēng. The work synthesises the entire pre-modern Chinese agricultural-administrative tradition: from Qí mín yào shù (KR3d0001) through Wáng Zhēn’s Nóng shū (KR3d0005) and Xú Guāngqǐ’s Nóng zhèng quán shū (KR3d0007). The frontmatter brackets to ca. 1737–1742.
The title shòu shí (establishing the seasons) draws from the Shàng shū “Yáo diǎn” canonical phrase on the imperial responsibility for harmonising the calendar with agricultural cycles.
Abstract
The Qīn dìng shòu shí tōng kǎo is the principal Qīng-imperial agricultural encyclopedia and the culmination of the pre-modern Chinese agricultural-administrative tradition. The bibliographic record: SKQS Zǐbù — Nóngjiā lèi; Wényuāngé shūmù.
Translations and research
- Joseph Needham, Science and Civilisation in China vol. 6 — extensive use.
- Standard modern Chinese reproductions of the SKQS WYG.
Links
- Predecessors: KR3d0001, KR3d0005, KR3d0007.
- Kyoto Zinbun, Sìkù quánshū zǒngmù tíyào
- Wikidata