Enhancing the East Asian Collection: Acquiring Ming Collection Series – Individual Collections Series in Ming Dynasty. VI (明別集叢刊. 第六輯)

Description:

This project supports acquisition of the “Individual Collections Series in Ming Dynasty. VI” (明別集叢刊. 第六輯), published in China in 2022. This valuable physical book series, initiated in 2013, aims to compile individual and separate collections from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). These collections offer unique content not found in the comprehensive compilations of The Complete Library in Four Sections (四庫全書) and The Continuation of the Complete Library in Four Sections (續修四庫全書), which cover works up to 1796.

The focus of this series is to gather those individual and separate collections that were not included in the previously mentioned comprehensive compilations. Many of these works have not yet been digitized and are located in various institutions outside the U.S., making them challenging to access.

The acquisition of this series would provide researchers and users with valuable access to these materials. These primary sources are pivotal for research in Ming literature and history and offer insights into the social and cultural milieu of Ming China. The sixth series specifically targets collections held in Japan.

The lack of digital resources and difficulty in accessing physical copies outside the U.S. make this series a significant asset. From a library perspective, acquiring physical copies fills a critical gap in UW–Madison’s digital resources, enhancing its Ming studies collection. Furthermore, as these Chinese publications were collected in Japan, they serve as a unique resource for understanding cultural exchanges within the East Asian region.

 

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:

Rania Huntington, Professor of Asian Languages and Cultures

CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:

AnlinYang, East Asian Studies Librarian