Outlaws of the Marsh from the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, with Commentaries by the Gentleman Li Zhuowu, 100 juan

Ming dynasty (1368�1644), Wanli period (1573�1619)

Compilation attributed to Shi Nai�an (ca. 1290�ca. 1365); revision attributed to Luo Guanzhong (ca. 1330�ca. 1400); commentary attributed to Li Zhi (1527�1602); engraved by Wu Fengtai

Hulin [Hangzhou]: Rongyu tang, n.d. [ca. 1615]

11 columns per half folio; 22 characters per column; white folding margin at center of folio; single-line borders; overall dimensions of volumes: 29.1 x 17.4 cm; block sizes of text: approx. 21.3 x 14.4 cm; stitched binding

Inventory number: 17358

The Shuihu zhuan is a quasi-historical prose epic with an episodic structure set around a marsh-girt mountain in Shandong Province during the closing years of the reign of Emperor Huizong (r. 1101�25).� Song Jiang (fl. 1119�21) and 107 other colorful, daredevils� both male and female (36 major chiefs and 72 lesser ones) �became the heroic leaders of a rebel army of thousands who robbed the rich and fought the powerful and tyrannical government.� Their lair was known as the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness (Zhongyi tang), from which part of the book's title is derived.

This Wanli-period edition is one of two versions with commentaries attributed to Li Zhi (1527�1602).� It contains 100 chapters (hui), each of which is headed by two corresponding woodblock illustrations.� The 200 finely engraved pictures were sometimes grouped and printed as a separate volume.� The episodes depicted are typically the most exciting or dramatic of the chapter.