A manuscript copy of the Yongle Encyclopedia during the reign of Jiajing Emperor (1522-1566) was found in Hungtington Library in Los Angeles. It comprises two volumes: volume 102070, Teaching the Princes and volume 102071, Prince Wenwang. It tells how the imperial family teaches its princes, with 12 documents quoted in it. The documents include four books that failed to be handed down from past generations, and The Book of Rites is also involved. The book was taken to America by a missionary in 1900 and handed down to the missionary’s children, who donated it to Hungtington Library in 1968.

The Huntington Library will hold special exhibitions for the Yongle Encyclopedia, and display the time-honored book to the public.

The Youngle Encyclopedia was found in the Hungtintong Library in Los Angeles. [Photo/Xinhua]