Author: Wu Cheng'en
Publisher: Sanqin Publishing House / Guomai Culture
Format: Hardback
Genre: Fantasy
Date: January 2021
Pages: 1120
Book Series: Chinese Classics
Number of issues: 86
ISBN: 9787551823371
Language: Chinese
Adaptation: Retelling
Summary:
★ All-New, Meticulously Edited Edition: Based on the earliest extant 100-chapter version of Journey to the West—the Ming-era Jinling Shidetang edition—this text incorporates insights from two versions held in Japanese collections (the Tenri and Asano editions). By synthesizing over a dozen significant editions, this version restores the original text and corrects long-standing errors.
★ Comprehensive Annotations: Featuring over 2,000 entries, these notes cover obscure vocabulary, colloquialisms, regional dialects, and specialized terminology from traditional religion, philosophy, astronomy, and more—ensuring you can easily navigate the linguistic intricacies of the text.
★ Fully Illustrated: Includes diagrams of the Journey to the West cosmology, maps of the Four Great Continents, the Celestial Realm, and the Underworld, as well as a detailed chart of the relationships between gods, demons, and other supernatural beings—offering an immersive gateway into this fantastical world.
★ Includes a full-color, large-format poster; interior illustrations feature gold-ink printing, specially commissioned from the visionary artist Satan-jun.
★ Comes with a handbook of the "Eighty-One Tribulations"—illustrated in the style of Qing-dynasty paintings—allowing for quick reference and an easy overview of the journey.
★ The ideal edition for first-time readers: a complete collection of the lore and settings of Journey to the West, enabling an accessible, authentic reading experience.
Following the historical pilgrimage of the monk Tang Xuanzang, the story of Journey to the West evolved over centuries before finally taking shape as a novel during the Ming Dynasty. This edition is based on the Jinling Shidetang edition—the oldest surviving 100-chapter version—and has been cross-referenced with two versions preserved in Japan to ensure the text remains as close to its original form as possible. Where the base text was incomplete, illegible, or contained errors, corrections were made by consulting other Ming and Qing-era editions. The annotations also draw upon modern scholarly research, providing rigorous explanations for terms related to traditional religion and philosophy, as well as colloquialisms, proverbs, and classical Chinese vocabulary. Furthermore, the original interlinear commentary found in the Shidetang edition has been partially preserved in the form of footnotes. We hope this helps readers gain a deeper understanding of this great literary masterpiece. Additionally, a special "Guide to the Lore of Journey to the West" is included to ensure an effortless reading experience.
