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In a note to HS 9: 13b, where Emperor Yüan is said to have been "good at the clerkly [style of] writing," Ying Shao says, "[The clerkly writing (shih-shu 史書)] is the greater seal [character] created by the Grand Astrologer of King Hsüan of the Chou [dynasty], Shih Chou," who is said to have invented the greater seal of writing about 800 B.C. Li Hsien (fl. 674-676) repeats this statement in a note to HHS, An. 5: 1a and elsewhere.
Ch'ien Ta-hsin (1728-1804), however, replies, "Ying [Shao's] explanation is mistaken. [According to] the Han [dynastic] code, `The Grand Astrologer examines the youths who have studied, [to determine whether] they are able to recite and write more than nine thousand characters; if so, they are allowed to become clerks,' [a quotation from HS 30: 24b]. HS 72: [14b, 15a says], In the time of `Emperor Wu, . . . robbers and brigands arose, . . . and [the officials in] the commanderies and kingdoms . . . selected those who were skilled and clever at the clerkly writing (shih-shu) . . . and made them senior officials . . . . The vulgar people all said, . . . "Why should we employ the rules of proper conduct and moral principles? If we can write the clerkly writing, we can be officials." ' HS 90: [16b says that] Chuang Yen-nien 'was good at the clerkly writing. Memorials [concerning] those whom he wished to punish with death were completed in his own hand. His Master of the Records and the officials near his person were not allowed to hear or know [the contents of these memorials].'
"Probably the `clerkly writing' was the style of writing which the Clerks to Prefects were accustomed [to use], namely the [ancient] official style (li-shu). `Good at the clerkly writing' meant merely that [a person] was able to recognize characters and write the official style. How could all [these people] have completely understood the fifteen chapters of Shih Chou's [book]? HS 97: [B: 1b, 2a] says that the Empress [née] Hsü was perspicacious and wise and good at the clerkly writing. HS 96: [B: 8a] says that an Attendant of the King of Ch'u, Feng Liao, was capable in the clerkly writing. HS 76: [19b] says that when Wang Tsun was young, he was good at the clerkly writing. HHS, Annals 5: [1a] says that when Emperor An was in his tenth year, he loved to study the clerkly writing. HHS, Annals 10 A: [14b] says that when the Empress [née] Teng was in her sixth year, she was capable in the clerkly writing and ibid., B: 3a] that the Empress [nee] Liang when young loved the clerkly writing. HHS, Mem 45: [4b says that] the mother who bore Emperor An, the Concubine [née] Tso, was good at the clerkly writing. HHS, Mem. 4: [7a] says that King Ching of Po-hai, [Liu] Mu, was good at the clerkly writing, and that his age considered [his writing] a model. HHS, Mem. 40: [4b] says that King Ching of Lo-ch'eng, [Liu] Tang, was good at the clerkly writing and like to correct written words.
"Those who were called `good at the clerkly writing' were simply the kings, empresses, concubines, and attendants, who, when they knew something about the ancient official style, were already considered good [enough] to make a name for themselves. They were not really excellent and versed in the greater seal character."
For a discussion of the development in ancient Chinese systems of writing, cf. D. Bodde, China's First Unifier, ch. VIII.
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 Published
by The Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities, © Copyright 2003
by Anne Kinney and the University of Virginia |
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