Outlaws of the Marsh from the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, with Commentaries by the Gentleman Li Zhuowu, 100 juan

Ming dynasty (1368–1644), Wanli period (1573–1619)

Compilation attributed to Shi Nai’an (ca. 1290–ca. 1365); revision attributed to Luo Guanzhong (ca. 1330–ca. 1400); commentary attributed to Li Zhi (1527–1602); engraved by Wu Fengtai

Hulin [Hangzhou]: Rongyu tang, n.d. [ca. 1615]

11 columns per half folio; 22 characters per column; white folding margin at center of folio; single-line borders; overall dimensions of volumes: 29.1 x 17.4 cm; block sizes of text: approx. 21.3 x 14.4 cm; stitched binding

Inventory number: 17358

The Shuihu zhuan is a quasi-historical prose epic with an episodic structure set around a marsh-girt mountain in Shandong Province during the closing years of the reign of Emperor Huizong (r. 1101–25).  Song Jiang (fl. 1119–21) and 107 other colorful, daredevils— both male and female (36 major chiefs and 72 lesser ones) —became the heroic leaders of a rebel army of thousands who robbed the rich and fought the powerful and tyrannical government.  Their lair was known as the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness (Zhongyi tang), from which part of the book's title is derived.

This Wanli-period edition is one of two versions with commentaries attributed to Li Zhi (1527–1602).  It contains 100 chapters (hui), each of which is headed by two corresponding woodblock illustrations.  The 200 finely engraved pictures were sometimes grouped and printed as a separate volume.  The episodes depicted are typically the most exciting or dramatic of the chapter.