description Siku Quanshu Overview
The Siku Quanshu represents China’s largest single-volume encyclopedia compiled during the Qing Dynasty. Emperor Qianlong commissioned this vast collection between 1772 and 1782, encompassing over 360 volumes of Chinese texts covering a wide range of subjects including philosophy, history, science, and literature. It serves as an invaluable historical resource for scholars studying early modern China and provides detailed information about the intellectual landscape of the imperial court.
help Siku Quanshu FAQ
How many volumes are in the Siku Quanshu and who commissioned it?
The Siku Quanshu contains over 3,400 Chinese texts bound into approximately 36,000 volumes, making it the largest single encyclopedic collection in Chinese history. Emperor Qianlong commissioned the compilation between 1772 and 1782 as part of a massive literary project.
Why did Emperor Qianlong compile the Siku Quanshu?
Qianlong framed the compilation as a scholarly effort to preserve Chinese literary heritage, but it also served as a tool for censorship and political control. Works deemed critical of the Qing Dynasty were destroyed or altered, and the project involved reviewing texts for anti-Manchu content.
Where are the surviving copies of the Siku Quanshu housed today?
Only four complete manuscript copies survived into the modern era; these are housed in Beijing, Shenyang, Yangzhou, and Hangzhou. The Wenjin Pavilion copy in Chengde's Imperial Mountain Resort was later moved to the National Library of China in Beijing.
Can I access or purchase a modern reprint of the Siku Quanshu?
Yes, several modern reprints and digital versions exist, including photomechanical reproductions published by the Commercial Press in Taiwan. Full sets are extremely expensive and typically held by research libraries, but selected portions are available in smaller academic editions.
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