Treatises of the Supervisor and Guardian of the Cinnamon Sea

Fan Chengda (1126-1193) was a high-ranking Chinese government official in Guangxi, an experienced traveler, a keen observer, and a gifted writer. His observations on a wide range of subjects are always interesting and revealing, and constitute an important contribution to the literature on Song dynasty China’s frontier peoples. Originally written in direct, unadorned, and allusion-free classical Chinese prose, the complete and annotated English translation of Treatises of the Supervisor and Guardian of the Cinnamon Sea (Guihai yuheng zhi) captures its charm and significance.

James M. Hargett is professor of Chinese at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte. He is the author of Jade Mountains and Cinnabar Pools: The History of Travel Literature in China (University of Washington Press, 2018) and Stairway to Heaven: A Journey to the Summit of Mount Emei (SUNY Press, 2006); and translator of Treatises of the Supervisor and Guardian of the Cinnamon Sea: The Natural World and Material Culture of Twelfth Century South China (University of Washington Press, 2010) and Riding the River Home: A Complete and Annotated Translation of Fan Chengda’s (1126-1193) Boat Trip to Wu (Wuchuan lu) (Chinese University Press, 2008).

James M. Hargett is professor of Chinese at the State University of New York, Albany. He is the author of Stairway to Heaven: A Journey to the Summit of Mount Emei and translator of Riding the River Home: A Complete and Annotated Translation of Fan Chengda's (1126-1193) Boat Trip to Wu (Wuchuan lu).

"Hargett’s conscientious translation and meticulous study of Fan Chengda’s Treatises of the Supervisor and Guardian of the Cinnamon Sea represents the culmination of a labor of devotion and love. The book does a great service to enhance our knowledge and understanding of the natural world, material culture, and ethnography in China’s southwestern frontier in the twelfth century. Such an indispensable book will definitely stimulate future researchers."

Roderich Ptak:

"Treatises is an item that specialists should definitely acquire for their library, and readers with an interest in natural history will certainly enjoy reading."

Angela Schottenhammer:

"The translation is carefully annotated and the extensive notes with many explanations use modern scientific terminology to provide the reader with an excellent insight into the themes and topics described . . . a very useful reference work for everybody who works on related topics . . . suitable for teaching classes . . . should not be missing in any sinological library of pre-modern Chinese history."

Benjamin B. Ridgway:

"A major milestone in the field of sinology as well as in Hargett's prolific career. . . . We are indebted to Hargett for his precise, readable, and thoroughly researched translation of the Treatises."

"Hargett’s excellent translation captures the charm of Fan’s prose and provides a wealth of information about non—Chinese peoples and products of the southwest."—Valerie Hansen, Yale University

"A sinological tour de force."—Paul Jakov Smith, Haverford College