University of Virginia Library

APPENDIX I

THE NATURE OF THE "CLERKLY WRITING"

In a note to HS 9: 13b, where Emperor Yüan is said to have been "good
at the clerkly [style of] writing," Ying Shao says, "[The clerkly writing
(shih-shu [OMITTED])] is the greater seal [character] created by the Grand
Astrologer of King Hsüan of the Chou [dynasty], Shih Chou," who is
said to have invented the greater seal of writing about 800 B.C. Li Hsien
(fl. 674-676) repeats this statement in a note to HHS, An. 5: 1a and
elsewhere.

Ch'ien Ta-hsin (1728-1804), however, replies, "Ying [Shao's] explanation
is mistaken. [According to] the Han [dynastic] code, `The Grand
Astrologer examines the youths who have studied, [to determine whether]
they are able to recite and write more than nine thousand characters;
if so, they are allowed to become clerks,' [a quotation from HS 30: 24b].
HS 72: [14b, 15a says], In the time of `Emperor Wu, . . . robbers and
brigands arose, . . . and [the officials in] the commanderies and kingdoms
. . . selected those who were skilled and clever at the clerkly writing
(shih-shu) . . . and made them senior officials . . . . The vulgar people
all said, . . . "Why should we employ the rules of proper conduct and
moral principles? If we can write the clerkly writing, we can be officials." '
HS 90: [16b says that] Chuang Yen-nien `was good at the clerkly writing.
Memorials [concerning] those whom he wished to punish with death
were completed in his own hand. His Master of the Records and the
officials near his person were not allowed to hear or know [the contents
of these memorials].'

"Probably the `clerkly writing' was the style of writing which the
Clerks to Prefects were accustomed [to use], namely the [ancient] official
style (li-shu). `Good at the clerkly writing' meant merely that [a person]
was able to recognize characters and write the official style. How could
all [these people] have completely understood the fifteen chapters of
Shih Chou's [book]? HS 97: [B: 1b, 2a] says that the Empress [née] Hsü
was perspicacious and wise and good at the clerkly writing. HS 96:
[B: 8a] says that an Attendant of the King of Ch'u, Feng Liao, was
capable in the clerkly writing. HS 76: [19b] says that when Wang
Tsun was young, he was good at the clerkly writing. HHS, Annals 5:
[1a] says that when Emperor An was in his tenth year, he loved to study
the clerkly writing. HHS, Annals 10 A: [14b] says that when the Empress
[née] Teng was in her sixth year, she was capable in the clerkly
writing and [ibid., B: 3a] that the Empress [nee] Liang when young

loved the clerkly writing. HHS, Mem 45: [4b says that] the mother who
bore Emperor An, the Concubine [née] Tso, was good at the clerkly
writing. HHS, Mem. 4: [7a] says that King Ching of Po-hai, [Liu] Mu,
was good at the clerkly writing, and that his age considered [his writing]
a model. HHS, Mem. 40: [4b] says that King Ching of Lo-ch'eng, [Liu]
Tang, was good at the clerkly writing and like to correct written words.

"Those who were called `good at the clerkly writing' were simply the
kings, empresses, concubines, and attendants, who, when they knew
something about the ancient official style, were already considered good
[enough] to make a name for themselves. They were not really excellent
and versed in the greater seal character."

For a discussion of the development in ancient Chinese systems of
writing, cf. D. Bodde, China's First Unifier, ch. VIII.