References

• 《四库全书总目提要·卷40 经部·小学类一》

Source: The 'Yerya Yi' (尔雅翼) is a 32-volume lexicographical work originally compiled during the Song dynasty by Luo Yuan, and later annotated with phonetic explanations by Hong Yanzu in the Yanyou era of the Song's successor state, the Yuan. Luo Yuan (字端良), styled Cunzhai, was a native of Shexian and served as an official in Ganzhou before becoming governor of Nanjian Zhou during the Chunxi period under the Song. His career is briefly chronicled in the 'History of the Song' alongside his relative Luo Ruji. Hong Yanzu (字潜夫), also from Shexian, served as a local official and retired after holding positions in Suichang Xian during the Tianli reign period. The 'Yerya Yi' includes an introductory preface by Luo Yuan himself, followed by postfaces by Wang Yinglin, Fang Hui, and Hong Yanzu. Wang Yinglin's postface notes that his version was first printed in the capital offices during the Xianchun era (Gengwu). Fang Hui's 'bā' (跋) adds that a copy of Luo Yuan's preface was recovered from his great-grandson Shang, suggesting the text circulated after the 'Yuhai' (玉海). A revised edition in 1320 (Gengshen) was supervised by local governor Zhu Ji, with Hong Yanzu adding phonetic annotations. The book is divided into sections detailing botanical and zoological classifications: 'Shi Cao' (释草) in 8 volumes covering 120 names; 'Shi Mu' (释木) in 4 volumes for 60 names; 'Shi Niao' (释鸟) across 5 volumes listing 58 species; 'Shi Shou' (释兽) in 6 volumes with discrepancies noted—Yan Zuzhi's original count of 74 names diverges from the current edition's 85, likely due to transcription errors. Other sections include 'Shi Chong' (释虫), 'Shi Yu' (释鱼), and others. Wang Yinglin praised the work for its meticulous scholarship and rigorous structure, surpassing Lu Dian's earlier 'Biya' (埤雅). However, Chen Li later produced an abridged version of the 'Yerya Yi', criticizing Luo Yuan for excessive references to the 'Shijing' (诗经) and inaccuracies. Chen's surviving works—such as the 'Shangshu Jichuan Zuan Su' (尚书集传纂疏), 'Lichou Tonglüe' (历朝通略), and 'Dingyu Ji' (定宇集)—were deemed inferior in scope to the original, rendering his critiques largely dismissed. The 'Yerya Yi' was completed in Jiawu of the first year of Chunxi (元年). In contrast, Zhu Xi's 'Shijing Jichuan' (诗集传) was compiled three years later in the fourth year of Chunxi (Dingyou). Critics like Chen Li, who attempted to revise Luo's interpretations using later sources, were accused of anachronism. Today, Luo Yuan's original remains widely preserved, while Chen's abridgments have vanished entirely, underscoring the enduring scholarly value of the 'Yerya Yi'. ==References== * 《四库全书总目提要·卷40 经部·小学类一》