"The Analects" A paper manuscript that seems to be the oldest in existence can be found. Published today, October 7, 11:09
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An oldest surviving paper manuscript of "The Analects", which summarizes the teachings of the ancient Chinese thinker Confucius, was found, and experts say, "It is a valuable resource for seeing the original."
The Analects is a book that summarizes the words and actions of the Chinese thinker Confucius about 2500 years ago, and contains words such as "Won's old wisdom" and "Forty and confused."
What was found was a part of a manuscript of a book called "The Analects" with annotated text of the analects, which was purchased by the Keio Library from an antiquarian bookstore three years ago and began to be released on the 7th. It was.
According to the research group's investigation, it is thought that it was written in China around the 6th century based on the shape of the letters and the material of the paper, and then it was brought to Japan, and it seems that it was owned by Mr. Fujiwara during the Heian period. I understood that.
The copy of the analects is that the "bamboo slip" written on bamboo has been excavated in China and North Korea, but it is considered to be the oldest surviving manuscript written on paper.
Professor Emeritus Michio Sato of Keio University, who conducted the survey, said, "I was surprised that it was very old and miraculously passed down from person to person. It is a valuable material to see the original form of the analects. You can clarify the appearance of the original by comparing it with other manuscripts found so far. "
This manuscript is on display at "Maruzen Marunouchi Main Store" in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo until the 13th of this month.