Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang

The definitive, first-ever complete English translation of a Tang-dynasty masterpiece.

Dive into the fascinating world of 9th-century China with Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang. Compiled by the scholar-bureaucrat Duan Chengshi around 853 CE, this sprawling masterpiece of biji (notebook literature) spans 30 volumes and over 1,300 entries.

For centuries, Western readers have only had access to scattered fragments - including Chapter 21's famous Ye Xian, the world’s earliest recorded Cinderella story. Now, this multi-volume translation unearths the full collection in all its vivid detail, offering an unparalleled look at Tang-era folklore, foreign curiosities, medical lore, and the supernatural.

Moving far beyond standard historical records, Youyang Zazu acts as an ancient encyclopedia of the strange and the everyday. Across its pages, Duan records everything from local ghost stories, Daoist immortals, and Buddhist lore, to notes on tattoos, exotic flora, and culinary customs.

Capturing a distinct genre flavor that contrasts sharply with later Ming and Qing dynasty collections, this series is an essential addition for collectors, historians, and lovers of classical world literature.

Key Features of This Edition:

• The First Complete Translation: Fills a major gap in Asian literature by providing the first unabridged English translation of a 9th-century Chinese cornerstone.
• Over 1,300 Entries: Features a staggering variety of tales, from the supernatural and occult to historical anecdotes and natural phenomena.
• The Original Cinderella: Includes the complete, unedited text of Chapter 21 (Ye Xian), the earliest documented version of the Cinderella story.
• Broadens Literary Horizons: Offers readers a distinct Tang-era biji flavor, serving as the perfect historical anchor to late-imperial Ming-Qing collections.

Rediscover the great epics, mysteries and chronicles of dynastic China: gods and generals, swindlers and scholars, courtesans, ghosts and emperors, in complete English translations.