Jìn Shū 晉書 (Xiāo Zǐyún)
History of the Jin, by Xiao Ziyun by 蕭子雲
About the work
Jìn Shū 晉書 by 蕭子雲 (487–549 CE) is a jíyìběn reconstruction of a Jin history compiled by the younger brother of 蕭子顯 (author of the Nán Qí Shū 南齊書 and the Jìn Shǐ Cǎo 晉史草). Xiāo Zǐyún, styled Jǐngqiáo 景喬, was a Liáng-dynasty calligrapher, historian, and member of the imperial Xiāo clan. His Jìn Shū was recorded in 11 juǎn (some sources say 102 juǎn) in the Suí Shū 隋書 bibliography. Only scattered fragments survive.
Tiyao
No tiyao found in source. This is a jíyìběn reconstruction.
Abstract
Xiāo Zǐyún was one of the most celebrated calligraphers of the Liáng dynasty, known particularly for his clerical script and his innovative “flying-white” (fēibái 飛白) style. His service at the Liáng court included historical compilation as a standard scholarly duty for members of the imperial clan. The Suí Shū bibliographic treatise records his Jìn Shū as 11 juǎn (though the Liáng Shū biography mentions a 110-juǎn work, suggesting different versions or confusion with the Jìn Shū compiled by an official committee). The surviving fragments are very few and brief, drawn from Táng and Sòng citations. They are insufficient to reconstruct the original’s scope, but testify to the ongoing interest among the Southern Dynasties aristocracy in compiling Jin history before the official Táng version superseded all earlier attempts.
Translations and research
No substantial secondary literature located.