Illustrations
from Selected Yuan Dramas, 1 juan
Ming
dynasty (1368�1644), Wanli period (1573�1619)
Compiled
and edited by Zang Maoxun (1550�1620; jinshi of 1580); engraved by Huang
Yingguang (b. 1593), Huang Liqing, Huang Duanfu, et al.
Hangzhou,
Zhejiang Province: Diaochong guan, 1616
White
folding margin at center of folio, with black �fishtail�; single-line borders;
overall dimensions of volume: 25.7 x 16.2 cm; block sizes of illustrations:
approx. 20.3 x 13.7 cm; stitched binding
Inventory number: 16215
This
is a collection of 100 zajus (dramas), 94 of which belong to the Yuan
and six to the early Ming period.�
Compiled and edited by Zang Maoxun, this most commonly used edition of
plays from the Yuan dynasty is extremely significant because it documents
two-thirds of all this period's extant dramatic compositions.
This
work originally was printed in a handsome edition, which may have accounted for
its popularity.� The 100 volumes of the
complete set were printed in two batches.�
The first, issued in 1615, contained the first through fifth series in
50 volumes, while the second batch, containing the sixth through tenth series,
was published in 1616.� The 224
illustrations in the full set are all of a very fine quality and constitute the
single highest concentration of images in any extant collection of Chinese
dramatic works.� Each drama is
accompanied by at least two illustrations, some by as many as four. Evidently
there was a market for special editions containing only the separately
paginated illustrated folios like the present example.
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