Honchō Monzui


Honchō Monzui is Japanese book of Chinese prose and poetry. It was compiled around the middle of the 11th century during the Heian period by Fujiwara no Akihira.

Composition

Honchō Monzui is 14 volumes in length and contains 432 entries from 69 people over a period of approximately 240 years. The purpose of the work was to create a model and reference for writers. Entries are divided into 39 sections. Divisions are based on Chinese Wén Xuǎn in which the two share 12 sections. During compilation, Akihira referenced many works, including Fusōshū, Toshi Bunshū, and Ryō no Gige.

Title

The word honchō means Japan and is used in opposition to China. When prefixed before a title, it expresses that something is a Japanese version based on a Chinese original. Honchō Monzui is modeled after Yáo Xuàn's Táng Wén Cuì.
The oldest reference to this book is found in an entry in Taiki in which it is referred to as "Monzui". While this shorter title can be found in several other works, it appears in Honchō Shojaku Mokuroku' as "Honchō Monzui" which is believed to have been the official title.
In place of "monzui", the reading "bunsui" is found in Genchū Saihishō and Ikyōshū. However, the commonly accepted reading is "monzui".

Influence

Honchō Monzui had wide range of influence on later literature. The classification system is seen works such as Honchō Zoku Monzui. It is often quoted in composition references such as Sakumon Daitai and used as a model for writing.