Fantastic Creatures of the Mountains and Seas: A Chinese Classic

A classic Chinese text, Fantastic Creatures of the Mountains and Seas, has been re-released in an illustrated modern edition. It is a combination of a bestiary, a cultural and medicinal encyclopedia, and a map of an ancient world. With over 180 two-color illustrations that seem to move on the page, it is a work of fantasy, mythology, ancient knowledge, amazing beasts, and inspired art for fans of both. The creatures are from the known world, including the mountains and seas, the Great Wastelands, and the Lands Within the Seas that became China. They include spirits and deities, as well as strange creatures such as dragons and phoenixes, hybrid beasts, and others with human features, hideous features, or a call like wood splitting. The work was translated into English by the foremost translator of modern Chinese literature in the West.

Format: Hardback
Length: 376 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2021
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing

Fantastic Creatures of the Mountains and Seas is a captivating contemporary edition of an ancient Chinese text, appealing to fans of mythical creatures worldwide. This remarkable work serves as a geography of an ancient world, a bestiary of mythical creatures, and a treasure trove of cultural and medicinal knowledge. With over 180 stunning two-color illustrations that gracefully dance across the pages, it captivates lovers of fantasy, mythology, ancient wisdom, magnificent beasts, and inspiring art.

The beings documented within these pages hail from the vast regions of the known world, encompassing the mountains, seas, Great Wastelands, and the Lands Within the Seas that eventually became China. They encompass a diverse range of spirits, deities, and extraordinary creatures, including dragons and phoenixes, hybrid beasts with human features, some with awe-inspiring beauty, others repulsive or with a haunting call reminiscent of wood splitting, or that foretell drought, flood, or bountiful harvests. Moreover, there are others whose flesh possesses the power to cure diseases, ward off nightmares, or ensure a multitude of progeny.

Drawn from the timeless Classic of Mountains and Seas, Fantastic Creatures is the collaborative effort of two members of China's millennial generation. One is a young scholar and writer, once recognized as the youngest Genius of Chinese Cultural Studies, and the other is an accomplished illustrator with training in China and the United States. Through their remarkable connection, they managed to communicate with the soul of a 4,000-year-old beast and bring forth its enigmatic beauty. The English translation of their work has been skillfully accomplished by the foremost translator of modern Chinese literature in the West.

This captivating contemporary edition of the ancient Chinese text offers a unique and immersive experience, transporting readers to a world of wonder and imagination. Whether you are a fan of fantasy, mythology, or ancient lore, Fantastic Creatures of the Mountains and Seas is a must-read that will captivate your senses and leave you longing for more.

Weight: 1114g
Dimension: 220 x 365 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781950691388