In ancient Chinese culture, the Book of Music was once a highly regarded classic, and it was once considered one of the "Six Classics" but was lost during the Han Dynasty. Let's dive into this twisty story of political intrigues, cultural renaissance, and academic controversy.
First, let's understand the historical background and status of the Book of Music. In ancient China, Confucian classics were known as the "Six Classics", including the Book of Changes, the Book of Rites, the Book of Songs, the Book of Shang, the Spring and Autumn Period, and the Book of Music. These six classics are believed to contain the essence of Chinese culture and etiquette. However, over time, the Book of Music was lost and became a historical mystery.
During the period of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty, doctors of the Five Classics were established, and they were specifically responsible for teaching five classics such as the Book of Changes, the Book of Rites, the Book of Songs, the Book of Songs, and the Spring and Autumn Period, but the Book of Music was not restored. However, Wang Mang restored the Book of Music during the reign of Emperor Ping, a move that not only made up for the regrets of the Confucian community, but also increased Wang Mang's prestige. This was an important turning point in the history of the Book of Music.
There is a passage from the Zhuangzi Heavenly Fortune that provokes people to think about the six classics that Confucius believed to have six classics, including the Book of Music. This is seen as the consensus of the Six Classics, however, the loss of the Book of Music during the Han Dynasty became a mystery. This puzzle has prompted scholars to delve deeper into the possible content and form of the Book of Music.
The Book of Music may include scores, tunes, movements, and the practice of music and dance. However, unlike traditional musicology, Confucius thought deeply about the meaning of music behind music and dance. He believes that music is not only music, but also an understanding of morality and social order. As a result, it is widely believed that the Book of Music may contain the idea of music, rather than just a collection of musical scores.
In this historical context, the ritual music system of the Han Dynasty underwent great changes, especially after the loss of Leyi. The new system of ritual music was not recognized by Confucianism, which led to academic controversy and cultural conflict. The loss of the Book of Music also exposed divisions within the Confucian school and their debates over the understanding and inheritance of ancient traditions.
Although the Book of Music has been lost, its importance cannot be overlooked. It represents the essence of music and etiquette in ancient Chinese culture and is essential for understanding the culture and values of ancient societies. It has also sparked an inquiry into the reasons for its loss, as well as speculation and research into its contents.
In summary, the history of the Book of Music is a complex story of political, cultural, and scholarly controversies and changes. Its loss has become a major mystery in the history of ancient Chinese culture, which has stimulated the curiosity and research enthusiasm of scholars. This story teaches us that cultural inheritance and preservation are crucial, because the loss of a classic means the loss of a part of the cultural heritage.