Zuo Zhuan
The
Zuo Zhuan () is the earliest Chinese work of narrative history and covers the period from
722 BCE to
468 BCE. It was traditionally attributed to
Zuo Qiuming, as a commentary to the
Spring and Autumn Annals, although this has been questioned by some modern scholars. Most notable modern scholars of this book, such as Yang Bojun (楊伯峻) hold that the work was compiled during the period of
Warring States, and given the compilation of the date no later than
389 BCE. It is one of the most important sources for understanding the history in period of
Spring and Autumn.
The book also contain the earliest reference to the
Go (board game) under the section of 25th Year of Duke Xiang of Lu in
Gregorian year of
548 BCE.
With its vivid and concise language,
Zuo Zhuan is also a gem of
classical Chinese prose. This work and
Shiji were regarded as the ultimate models by many generations of prose stylists in ancient China.
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Zuo Zhuan Fully searchable text (Chinese)
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The Zuozhuan Digital Concordance. by
El Colegio de Mexico, the English data is based on the full translation published by the 19th century English sinologist-missionary
James Legge.
