Description

This innocuously titled book is in fact a highly significant text for the study of Imperial rites, rules and regulations during the Qing dynasty. The work is divided into 14 categories: standards for imperial ceremonies, administrative proceedings, costume and tradition, rules and scope of study, education systems, military administration, administrative rules for government personnel, rules for formal and military costume and also standards for measurements of architectural tools, various imperial and folk rites, manners at different occasions, procedures and standards of weddings, procedures and standards of funerals, laws and regulations.

Wu Rongguang (1773-1843) was born in Nanhai west of Canton. In 1799 he passed the coveted jinshi degree and entered the prestigious Hanlin Academy, where he worked as a literary compilation officer, and a censor. In 1812 he was appointed to the Board of Punishment and after holding several posts in Fujian and Zhejiang he was appointed governor of Hunan. Somehow he fell foul of the Emperor during a rebellion of Yao tribesmen and was forced into retirement in 1840. He devoted himself to research and published his own works. The first edition of the Wu xue lu was printed in Hunan in 1832.