Records of the Historian

Overview

The Records of the Historian (Shiji), also known as Grand Historian's Records or Sima Qian's Records, is a monumental Chinese historical text compiled by Sima Qian during the Western Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE). Completed around 91 BCE, it is considered the first of China's "Twenty-Four Histories" and represents a groundbreaking achievement in historiography. The work spans approximately 3,000 years of Chinese history, from the legendary Yellow Emperor to Emperor Wu of Han's reign in the 2nd century BCE.

The Shiji introduced a new historiographical format known as the "annal-biographical" style (jizhuan ti), which became the model for subsequent Chinese historical writing. Unlike earlier chronicles that focused solely on political events and rulers, Sima Qian's work incorporated biographical sketches of individuals from various social strata, creating a more comprehensive and human-centered approach to history. This format divides the text into five distinct sections, each serving a specific purpose in documenting China's past.

History

The Records of the Historian was written during a tumultuous period in Chinese history. Sima Qian (145-86 BCE) came from a family of court historians. His father, Sima Tan, served as the Grand Historian (Taishi) and had begun collecting historical materials with the ambition of creating a comprehensive historical work. When Sima Tan died in 110 BCE, Sima Qian inherited this responsibility and the position of Grand Historian.

Sima Qian's own life was deeply affected by political events. Around 99 BCE, he became embroiled in the Li Ling affair, defending a general who had surrendered to the Xiongnu after an unsuccessful military campaign. This act angered Emperor Wu, who sentenced Sima Qian to castration. Rather than face this disgrace, he chose to undergo the punishment to continue his work on the historical records. This traumatic experience profoundly influenced his perspective as a historian, giving him greater empathy for individuals who suffered injustice.

Working under extreme personal hardship, Sima Qian completed the Shiji around 91 BCE. The original text reportedly consisted of 130 chapters, but it was not without issues. Later scholars noted that some chapters were missing or incomplete. During the reigns of Emperor Yuan and Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty, the scholar Chu Shaosun supplemented the text with additional material, which is marked by the phrase "Mr. Chu says" in the surviving text.

Key Information

Structure of the Records of the Historian

The Basic Annals form the chronological backbone of the work, beginning with the Five Emperors and continuing through the Xia, Shang, Zhou, Qin, and Han dynasties. The Tables provide genealogical information and chronological summaries, while the Treatises focus on specific aspects of Chinese civilization such as rituals, music, calendrical science, and economic policies.

The Hereditary Houses document the histories of feudal lords and important families who maintained power across generations, while the Biographies contain accounts of individuals from various walks of life—including officials, scholars, merchants, assassins, and even bandits—who shaped Chinese history in different ways.

Cultural Significance

The Records of the Historian holds a unique place in Chinese cultural history for several reasons. First, it established the standard format for Chinese historical writing that would influence subsequent historiography for over two millennia. Its "annal-biographical" format became the model for the Twenty-Four Histories, the official historical records of imperial China.

Second, the work demonstrates remarkable historical objectivity and critical thinking. Sima Qian included multiple perspectives on events and individuals, often presenting conflicting accounts without imposing his own judgment. This approach was unusual for its time and reflects a sophisticated understanding of historical complexity.

Third, the Shiji contains valuable information about early Chinese thought, literature, and culture. Its biographical sections include accounts of philosophers, poets, and statesmen, providing insights into intellectual developments during the Zhou and Han periods. The "Treatises" section offers detailed information about music, rituals, economic practices, and astronomical knowledge.

Finally, the work has had a profound influence on Chinese literature and art. Its vivid characterizations and dramatic narratives have inspired countless literary works, dramas, and visual arts throughout Chinese history. Many famous stories and quotations from Chinese literature originate in the Shiji.

Modern Status

Today, the Records of the Historian is studied both as a historical document and as a literary masterpiece. It is included in the curriculum of Chinese schools and universities, where students learn about both its historical content and its literary significance.

Numerous translations of the Shiji exist in various languages, with the most complete English translation being that by Burton Watson, published in 1993. Other notable translations include those by Yu Jiaxi, William Nienhauser, and Raymond Dawson.

Modern scholars continue to study the Shiji from multiple perspectives, including historical methodology, literary analysis, and cultural studies. The work remains an invaluable resource for understanding ancient Chinese history, thought, and culture. Its innovative approach to historical writing continues to influence historians around the world.

In recent years, digital humanities projects have made the Shiji more accessible to researchers and the public. Online databases and searchable texts allow for new ways of analyzing and interpreting this monumental work.

References

1. Watson, Burton. Records of the Grand Historian of China, Translated from the Shih Chi of Ssu-ma Ch'ien. Columbia University Press, 1993.

2. Nienhauser, William H., et al. The Grand Scribe's Records: Volume 1, The Basic Annals of Han China. Indiana University Press, 1994.

3. Puett, Michael J. To Become a God: Cosmology, Sacrifice, and Self-Divinization in Early China. Harvard University Asia Center, 2002.

4. Hardy, Grant. Worlds of Bronze and Bamboo: Sima Qian's Conquest of History. Columbia University Press, 1999.