The Qinshi by Zhu Changwen

Table of Contents

This post introduces the History of the Qin (Qinshi) by Zhu Changwen, the first full translation of this seminal qin zither text into a Western language — a valuable resource for researchers, musicians, and enthusiasts of traditional Chinese music.

History of the Qin
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The Qinshi, a historical Chinese text compiled by Song dynasty scholar Zhu Changwen (1041–1098), is a comprehensive collection of biographies of individuals closely associated with the qin zither — a central instrument in traditional Chinese music.

It features prominent historical figures such as:

Confucius (Master Kong)
the musician Yu Boya and his friend Zhong Ziqi, whose story epitomizes the Chinese ideal of friendship grounded in mutual understanding through music.
Cai Yong, who authored a poetic essay on the qin, included in the Qinshi
Ji Kang and Ruan Ji (members of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove) - the former also authored a poetic essay on the qin, which was translated into English by Robert Hans van Gulik.
Tao Yuanming, who is generally considered one of the greatest pre-Tang poets.
Wang Wei, a renowned poet, musician, and painter of the Tang dynasty.

In addition to nearly 150 biographies, the Qinshi features a dedicated chapter on the instrument itself—covering strings, dimensions, tonalities, tunings, construction, and aesthetic appreciation, among other topics.

Zhu Changwen
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Zhu Changwen (1041–1098) was a scholar, writer, and official of the Northern Song dynasty. Known for his refined literary style and deep engagement with classical culture, he compiled the Qinshi (History of the Qin), a unique biographical anthology dedicated to the qin zither and its cultural legacy. His work reflects the intellectual spirit of his time, blending historiography, music theory, and personal appreciation for the arts.

Luca Pisano
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Professor Pisano holds a Ph.D. in East Asian Studies and serves as an associate professor at the University of Genoa in Italy. He conducts research on Song dynasty music literature and qin zither traditions, and is also a skilled qin player.