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水浒传 Water Margin - Heroic tales of marginalized figures
March 31, 2013, Sunday
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A celebration of 108 outlaws from the Song Dynasty (960-1279), "Shui Hu Zhuan," or "Water Margin" (also known as "Outlaws of the Marsh" or "All Men Are Brothers"), is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.
The other three are: "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," "Journey to the West" and "A Dream of Red Mansions."
Many scholars and historians believe that this novel was written or compiled by Shi Nai'an (1296-1370), a famous writer in the late Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).
Shi was a native of Xinghua, today a small city about 200 kilometers northwest of Suzhou, in east China's Jiangsu Province.
When 19, Shi passed county-level civil service examinations and attained the degree of Xiu cai (or licentiate). When 30, he sat the provincial examinations and achieved the degree of Ju ren (or recommended man). Then, Shi went to the capital to take the imperial palace examination, confident he could pass and obtain the title of Jin shi - presented scholar.
However, Shi failed completely.
Feeling ashamed, he didn't want to return to his hometown, so decided to take the post of a minor official in Yuncheng County in east China's Shandong Province. Yuncheng subsequently became an important setting in Shi's novel about rebels.
Later, Shi served in several other offices, but eventually resigned and went back home to teach and write.
Shi loved to sit in local teahouses and listen to stories told by customers. Finally, he decided to write a novel based loosely on historical events involving Song Jiang, the leader of an army of rebels in the 12th century, during the Song Dynasty.
Vividly describing the unusual tales of 108 outlaws, "Water Margin" is divided into 100 chapters, each featuring a relatively independent story.
Chapters have such intriguing titles as: "Yang Zhi Sells His Precious Saber," "Robbing the Convoy of Birthday Presents," "Song Jiang Kills Yan Poxi" and "Dandy Monk Uproots a Big Willow Tree."
The 108 outlaws come from diverse backgrounds - including a former chief military instructor of imperial guards, former government officials, monks, thieves, bandits, street peddlers and down-and-out scholars.
They eventually gather at Mt Liang in southwest Shandong Province to build up a base to fight troops sent by the imperial court.
The tales in "Shui Hu Zhuan" are so well-known that many of the book's heroes have become household names among Chinese speakers.
The novel is particularly loved by young readers as it praises the fight of the common people against corrupt authorities and hails the spirit of rebellion.
Some conservative scholars have advised that "one should not read 'Water Margin' when young," probably in a bid to prevent the young from imitating the brave and violent revolt of the 108 outlaws.
There have long been debates on who the author of the novel is, with some scholars doubting that Shi Nai'an ever existed. Others believe Shi was the author of the first 70 chapters and his student, Luo Guanzhong - author of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" - wrote the remaining 30.
Regardless of authorship, almost all scholars agree that "Water Margin" will remain popular as long as readers admire the heroism of common people fighting injustice.
"Water Margin" has been translated into many languages, with the Japanese translation appearing as early as the 18th century. It has had a far-reaching impact on art of fiction in many East Asian countries.
When the novel was first translated into English, it was called "Water Margin." But when Nobel laureate, American writer Pearl S Buck translated a 70-chapter version, she titled it "All Men Are Brothers."
The other three are: "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," "Journey to the West" and "A Dream of Red Mansions."
Many scholars and historians believe that this novel was written or compiled by Shi Nai'an (1296-1370), a famous writer in the late Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).
Shi was a native of Xinghua, today a small city about 200 kilometers northwest of Suzhou, in east China's Jiangsu Province.
When 19, Shi passed county-level civil service examinations and attained the degree of Xiu cai (or licentiate). When 30, he sat the provincial examinations and achieved the degree of Ju ren (or recommended man). Then, Shi went to the capital to take the imperial palace examination, confident he could pass and obtain the title of Jin shi - presented scholar.
However, Shi failed completely.
Feeling ashamed, he didn't want to return to his hometown, so decided to take the post of a minor official in Yuncheng County in east China's Shandong Province. Yuncheng subsequently became an important setting in Shi's novel about rebels.
Later, Shi served in several other offices, but eventually resigned and went back home to teach and write.
Shi loved to sit in local teahouses and listen to stories told by customers. Finally, he decided to write a novel based loosely on historical events involving Song Jiang, the leader of an army of rebels in the 12th century, during the Song Dynasty.
Vividly describing the unusual tales of 108 outlaws, "Water Margin" is divided into 100 chapters, each featuring a relatively independent story.
Chapters have such intriguing titles as: "Yang Zhi Sells His Precious Saber," "Robbing the Convoy of Birthday Presents," "Song Jiang Kills Yan Poxi" and "Dandy Monk Uproots a Big Willow Tree."
The 108 outlaws come from diverse backgrounds - including a former chief military instructor of imperial guards, former government officials, monks, thieves, bandits, street peddlers and down-and-out scholars.
They eventually gather at Mt Liang in southwest Shandong Province to build up a base to fight troops sent by the imperial court.
The tales in "Shui Hu Zhuan" are so well-known that many of the book's heroes have become household names among Chinese speakers.
The novel is particularly loved by young readers as it praises the fight of the common people against corrupt authorities and hails the spirit of rebellion.
Some conservative scholars have advised that "one should not read 'Water Margin' when young," probably in a bid to prevent the young from imitating the brave and violent revolt of the 108 outlaws.
There have long been debates on who the author of the novel is, with some scholars doubting that Shi Nai'an ever existed. Others believe Shi was the author of the first 70 chapters and his student, Luo Guanzhong - author of "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" - wrote the remaining 30.
Regardless of authorship, almost all scholars agree that "Water Margin" will remain popular as long as readers admire the heroism of common people fighting injustice.
"Water Margin" has been translated into many languages, with the Japanese translation appearing as early as the 18th century. It has had a far-reaching impact on art of fiction in many East Asian countries.
When the novel was first translated into English, it was called "Water Margin." But when Nobel laureate, American writer Pearl S Buck translated a 70-chapter version, she titled it "All Men Are Brothers."
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