Spring and Autumn Historiography: Form and Hierarchy in Ancient Chinese Annals

The Spring and Autumn is an annals text composed of brief records covering the period 722–479 BCE and written from the perspective of the ancient Chinese state of Lu. Newell Ann Van Auken argues that Lu record-keepers produced the formally regular core of the text, which employs formulaic phrasing and selective omission to encode the priorities of Lu and communicate the relative importance of individuals, states, and events. It is fundamentally a document designed to enhance the prestige of Lu, revealing a profound concern with relative rank and an idealized hierarchy that positions the state of Lu and its rulers at the apex.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 14 March 2023
Publisher: Columbia University Press

The Spring and Autumn is a comprehensive annals text composed of concise records spanning the period from 722 to 479 BCE, written from the perspective of the ancient Chinese state of Lu. This long-neglected part of the Chinese canon has traditionally been attributed to Confucius, who is believed to have embedded his evaluations of events within the text. However, the formulaic and impersonal nature of these records does not align with the purported repository of moral judgments.

In her groundbreaking research, Newell Ann Van Auken reveals that the Spring and Autumn is governed by a systematic system of rules. She argues that the core of the text, which is formally regular, was not produced by a later editor but rather by the record-keepers of Lu. Through meticulous analysis, Van Auken demonstrates that the Spring and Autumn employs formulaic phrasing and selective omission to convey the priorities of Lu and to communicate the relative importance of individuals, states, and events. Many of the records in the text are derived from diplomatic announcements received in Lu from regional states and the Zhou court.

The Spring and Autumn is fundamentally a document designed to enhance the prestige of Lu. Its records reveal a profound concern with relative rank, displaying an idealized hierarchy that positions the state of Lu and its rulers at the apex. By establishing the Spring and Autumn as a genuine Bronze Age record, this book undergoes a transformative shift in our understanding of its significance and purpose. It also presents new approaches to the study of ancient annals in early China and beyond.

In conclusion, the Spring and Autumn stands as a remarkable testament to the rich cultural heritage of ancient China. Through the meticulous exploration of its rules, phrasing, and omission, Van Auken has shed light on the intricate mechanisms behind its creation and revealed the profound concerns with rank and prestige that shaped its content. This book not only expands our knowledge of early Chinese history but also offers valuable insights into the broader study of ancient annals and their role in shaping historical narratives.

Weight: 728g
Dimension: 166 x 243 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231206501