Holding the reins of power

The Collated Interpretations series, published by Commercial Press, is set to comprise 18 volumes. This collection systematically compiles all organized and released Tsinghua Bamboo Slips, incorporating revisions and annotations informed by the latest research advancements. The series also translates the complex and obscure Warring States bamboo texts into accessible vernacular Chinese, to promote and popularize these texts among the general public.

The Studies and Translations series, published by Tsinghua University Press, also plans to release 18 volumes. Each volume will summarize the latest research progress in the academic community and provide annotations and translations of the bamboo texts. The texts will be presented in a four-part format: the original text, its transcription into clerical script, modern Chinese characters, and English translation.

"In addition to the print editions, we have also released digital versions, or e-books, of the four volumes previously published. These ebooks are now widely available through major international platforms like Amazon and Google," says Shi Lei, deputy editor-in-chief of Tsinghua University Press.

Reflecting on the challenges of compiling the horse-focused volume, Huang says the team initially struggled due to a lack of practical experience with horses.

For example, "None of us had firsthand knowledge of horse handling, which made certain passages difficult to interpret. While we could recognize some of the characters, their precise meanings were unclear. Since the volume also covered treatments, we consulted traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, studied medical texts, and delved into a wide range of literature to deepen our understanding," he notes.

The forthcoming 16th and final volume, Huang says, will focus on philosophy and provide a comprehensive overview of the entire Tsinghua Bamboo Slips collection, including statistics on the total number of texts and characters. In addition to an English translation, work on a Japanese edition has already begun.

"Fully and accurately interpreting the content of the Tsinghua Bamboo Slips is a task that extends beyond a single generation of scholars, let alone just our team. Therefore, in our future work, we will continue to incorporate feedback and suggestions from the academic community to refine and improve our interpretations," Huang says.

Contact the writer at yangyangs@chinadaily.com.cn