Complete Gazetteer of the Yuan

• Yuan dynasty imprint of the 14th century Two books with five chapters　
• 19.5 x 25.5 cm

This is an official gazetteer of China made in the Yuan dynasty. After the country was unified in 1286, the Jixian Grand Academician Zhamalading memorialized the throne to have a general gazetteer compiled, to which Kublai Khan consented; the gazetteer was subsequently finished in 1291. Composed of 755 volumes, the gazetteer was entitled "Gazetteer of the Yuan." In the early years of Chengzong's Dade era (1297-1306), with the addition of the gazetteers for Yunnan, Kansu, and Liaoyang, the gazetteer was re-edited and expanded under the auspices of Bei Lanxi and Yue Xuan. Finished in 1303, it had 545 more volumes than the previous edition for a total of 1300 and was therefore given the final title "Complete Gazetteer of the Yuan." This work reflects the adoption of Chinese historiographic attitudes by the Mongol rulers and the cooperation of scholars of different ethnic backgrounds.

This copy in the Museum collection is the expanded version. Bei Lanxi came from the western regions and rose to prominence as a scholar in court. Yue Xuan, a native of Henan, rose to the rank of Grand Academician in the Zhaowen Hall at the Palace Library. This book covers a variety of subjects concerning the land, including geography, political divisions, ancient sites, customs, meritorious officials and figures, and religion. It follows the tradition of national gazetteers established by earlier books and also combines information from old gazetteers of the Tang and Song dynasties. Since most do not survive, this Yuan gazetteer is all the more important. Unfortunately, much of this gazetteer was scattered and lost in the Ming and Qing dynasties. This fragmentary copy in the Museum is composed of two books, volumes 730 and 731 in one and volumes 790 to 792 in the other. Though only a small fraction of the original, they are still invaluable.