description Yiwen Leiju Overview
The Yiwen Leiju is a Chinese leishu (encyclopedia) compiled during the Tang dynasty, completed in 624 CE under the direction of Ouyang Xun. The work organizes classical literature and quotations into 46 categories and 727 subcategories, serving as a reference for literary composition and statecraft. As one of the earliest surviving Chinese encyclopedias, it preserves fragments of pre-Tang texts that are otherwise lost.
help Yiwen Leiju FAQ
What is the Yiwen Leiju?
The Yiwen Leiju is a Chinese leishu, or encyclopedia, compiled during the early Tang dynasty. It served as a reference guide of classical literature, organizing historical quotes and passages for easy retrieval.
Who directed the compilation of the Yiwen Leiju?
The compilation of the Yiwen Leiju was directed by the Tang dynasty scholar Ouyang Xun. The massive work was presented to the imperial throne and completed in 624 CE.
How is the information in the Yiwen Leiju organized?
Unlike alphabetical encyclopedias, the Yiwen Leiju organizes its vast collection of classical literature and quotations into 46 distinct categories. These categories are further broken down into 727 subcategories based on thematic and topical associations.
Why is the Yiwen Leiju historically significant?
The encyclopedia is highly valuable to modern historians because it preserves fragments of hundreds of ancient texts that have since been lost to time. By collecting these quotes into its 46 categories, it acts as a window into early Chinese literature.
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