National Institute of Informatics - Digital Silk Road Project
Digital Archive of Toyo Bunko Rare Books

The task of preparing the work for publication and guiding it through the press has been complicated and laborious. It has been shared by five experts in the classical Chinese language, literature, and epigraphy, the leading part being taken by Dr Bruno Schindler, editor of the British journal of Far Eastern studies, entitled Asia Major, who first of all published in that journal (New series, Vol.I, pt.2, December 1949, pp.216-72) a `Preliminary Account' of the work, including photographic reproductions of a selection of the documents. Besides giving invaluable help in preparing the original manuscript, in compiling tables and selecting and arranging the forty plates of facsimiles, he planned the entire setting of the Chinese characters and read the page proofs. A heavy debt of gratitude is due to the eminent sinologist Dr Arthur Waley, C.B.E., F.B.A., who not only helped in making the manuscript ready for print and scrutinized every galley proof but also inserted alternative interpretations to those offered by the author in certain places. Dr Waley's readings are given in English within square brackets. The choice of material for the plates was made largely under Dr Waley's expert advice.

In the early stages much spade-work was necessary to put the manuscript into a fit state for the printer. This task, involving an accurate knowledge of Buddhist studies and of the Chinese and French languages, was admirably carried out by Dr Willy Baruch of the "Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique", Paris, who typed the numerous passages which the author had added in his own handwriting to his typescript. Dr Baruch corrected all obvious errors, supplied many missing references, and prepared some lists. Every page of the work before being printed off was subjected to a final examination by two other Chinese scholars, Mr Henry McAleavy, M.A., Assistant Keeper in the Department of Oriental Printed Books and Manuscripts at the British Museum, and M. Jacques Gernet of the "Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique", Paris.

The Index was compiled by Mrs H. Wright, B.A., formerly a lecturer in the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.

It will be seen, therefore, that no pains have been spared in the production of the volume to approach the highest possible standard of accuracy.

The care taken in the production of the book by Messrs Lund Humphries & Co. Ltd, London and Bradford, is deeply appreciated.

BRITISH MUSEUM 18 February 1953

A. S. FULTON

Keeper of the Department of Oriental Printed Books and MSS.

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