This research project deals primarily with block-printed editions and manuscripts of Chinese plays, but its subject matter is wide-ranging and also includes closely related novels, block-printed works in East Asia, and paintings formerly held by the Palace Treasury. In this section a variety of texts are introduced on the basis of new findings.
A Research Findings Series has been launched.
Specially Promoted Research Funded with a Grant-in-Aid “A Study of the Culture of Court Theatre during the Qing Dynasty”
Research Findings Series I
The Original Text of the “Rushiguan deng sizhong” Held by Tohoku University Library, with a Study
| Author | Isobe Yuko |
| Editor | Isobe Akira |
| Publisher | Specially Promoted Research "A Study of the Culture of Court Theatre during the Qing Dynasty" (reprv. Isobe Akira) |
| Printer | Tohoku Print Co., Ltd. |
Published March 2009, 400 copies, not for sale
East Asian Rare Books Series, vol. 8
Specially Promoted Research Funded with a Grant-in-Aid “A Study of the Culture of Court Theatre during the Qing Dynasty”
Research Findings Series II
The Original Text of the “Silang tanmu deng sizhong” Held by Keio University Library, with Explanatory Remarks
| Explanatory Remarks | Kim Moonkyong |
| Editor | Takahashi Satoshi |
| Publisher | Specially Promoted Research "A Study of the Culture of Court Theatre during the Qing Dynasty" (reprv. Isobe Akira) |
| Printer | Meirin-sha Co. |
Published April 2009, 400 copies, not for sale
East Asian Rare Books Series, vol. 9
Specially Promoted Research Funded with a Grant-in-Aid “A Study of the Culture of Court Theatre during the Qing Dynasty”
Research Findings Series III
The Original Text of the “Jiangliu ji” Held by Shanghai Library, with Explanatory Remarks
| Author | Isobe Akira |
| Publisher | Specially Promoted Research "A Study of the Culture of Court Theatre during the Qing Dynasty" (reprv. Isobe Akira) |
| Printer | Meirin-sha Co. |
Published March 2010, 400 copies, not for sale
East Asian Rare Books Series, vol. 11
East Asian Rare Books Series, vols. 5 & 6
The "Xinke zengbu piping quanxiang Xiyou ji" Published by Minzhaitang and Held by Keio University Library: A Study and Materials (2 vols.)
CNEAS Monograph Series, no. 19 (vol. 1, March 2006)
CNEAS Monograph Series, no. 23 (vol. 2, December 2006)
As a result of improvements in woodblock-printing technology, large numbers of novels were published in China during the Ming period. One of these novels was the Xiyou ji, which was published from the Wanli to Chongzhen eras in Nanjing and Jianyang, where commercial publishing thrived.
This work is a block-printed edition that was published by the bookstore of a Mr. Yang in Jianyang, Fujian province, and it is not only a basic source for the study of the Xiyou ji, but is also an important source of material for the history of commercial publishing and block prints. It is a valuable work of which only one copy has survived, and researchers around the world have had few opportunities to consult it. This reproduction of the original work came about through the kind offices of the Keio University Media Center, and it will benefit research on the history of Chinese novels and the history of publishing culture. The two volumes consist of 706 pages and 626 pages respectively, and the text has been reproduced in its original size.
* Copies were distributed as research material to registrants for the 4th International Scientific Conference on Publishing Culture in East Asia.