Title

Leisurely Chats, Faithful Records, and Dialogue: Song Biji and the Transmission of Mantic Knowledge

Author

Liao Hsien-huei

Genre

Article

Pages

387-418

Download

PDF

Language

Chinese

Key words

Song literati, miscellaneous notes, mantic arts, diviners, knowledge dissemination

Abstract

During the Song, interactions between the literati elite and mantic practitioners reached new heights. Exploring the intimate social networks that tied them together requires a close examination of the sources informing the elite’s mantic knowledge as well as their perception of it. Determining where they obtained mantic information, how such information was related to their interest in and contact with prognostication, and on what basis they made choices among the available mantic options are all crucial to understanding the Song educated elite’s perception of the mantic arts and their interactions with prognosticators. This study analyzes biji (miscellaneous notes) in an effort to shed light on the circulation of mantic knowledge as well as its impact on the Song educated elite. Song biji contain various accounts of the mantic skills and practices that circulated among the educated elite, and as such they provide a window into the elite’s mantic world.