Qian Daosun

Qian Daosun 錢稻孫 (1887–1966) was a Chinese writer and

Qian Daosun
interpreter.[1]

Since 1900 Qian lived in Japan, where he studied in a French

language school. Afterwards he also lived in Belgium and Italy,
graduated from the University of Rome and returned to China in
1910. Qian Daosun was a close friend of Lu Xun and Xu
Shoushang. Together with them, he co-authored the Twelve
Symbols national emblem in 1912. His renowned translations
include the Inferno part of the Divine Comedy, Man'yōshū and
The Tale of Genji.[2]

Qian Daosun was a close friend of Lu Xun and Xu Shoushang

(1983–1948). Together with them, he co-authored the Twelve
Symbols national emblem in 1912. Since 1927, Qian taught Native name 钱稻孙
Japanese in the Tsinghua University, where he obtained the Born 1887
professor's title in 1931, while also being the head of the university Died 1966
library.[3]
Occupation Translator, Writer,
Teacher, Librarian
Life Nationality Chinese
Notable The Tale of Genji,
works Man'yōshū
Career Life

Qian worked at the Ministry of Education of the Beiyang government between 1912 to 1927.[4] Together
with Lu Xun and Xu Shoushang, he designed the Twelve Symbols national emblem during his first year in
office.[5] In March 1913, the Commission on the Unification of Pronunciation organized by the Ministry of
Education passed the proposal, which Qian participated in the drafting, to adopt Jiuwen (later renamed to
‘Zhuyin’) as the system of phonetic symbols to standardize the pronunciation of Mandarin Chinese
characters.[6]

Qian was a colleague and a close friend of Lu Xun between 1912 and 1915.[7] According to Lu Xun’s
Diary, they also helped prepare the 1914 National Children’s Art Exhibition together.[8] While Qian was
visiting Tokyo in 1916, the correspondence between him and Lu Xun continued via letters and
postcards.[9] In August 1917, Qian was appointed to work in the Department of College Education to
tackle the difficulties associated with the admission criteria.[10] In 1921, The Beiyang government ordered
a change of the national anthem to the Song to the Auspicious Cloud, before which Qian became a member
of the National Anthem Research Committee in December 1919.[11]

After leaving the Ministry of Education in 1927, Qian took on different positions at higher education
institutions in Beijing, one of which was the lecturer of Japanese language at the National Tsinghua
University Library.[12] Between 1913 to 1944, however, Qian also worked at different libraries in Beijing,
such as the Capital Library (nowadays the National Library of China) between 1913 to 1914, the National
Beijing College of Fine Arts in 1925, and the National Peking University Library in 1931.[13]
In 1936, after completing the handover procedures with Zhu Ziqing, Qian officially served as the director
of the National Tsinghua University Library and facilitated a considerable growth in the number of library
collections before the outbreak of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident of the Japanese invasion in July
1937.[13] Qian set up the “Library Director’s Reception Day” to communicate directly with the readers and
granted professors the authority to recommend and purchase books on the library’s behalf.[13]

According to the recollections of Jin Yuelin, when Qian worked at the National Tsinghua University
Library, he opposed Jin’s determination to resist the Japanese invasion as he believed that the Japanese
invaders, facing resistance, would be very likely to commit genocide against Chinese people.[14] Between
1940 to 1945, Qian endured the Wang Jingwei Regime and worked as the Secretary to the pseudo-Peking
University.[13][15]

Five years after the Nanjing Massacre took place, Qian delivered a speech at the National Central
University in Nanjing (controlled by Wang Jingwei’s regime) in 1943.[16] During his speech, Qian advised
the students to be responsible not only for their studies but also for their own health:[16]

“In today's era, unlike how things were in the past, you cannot expect others to pity you when you are
sick.” said Qian, “We must know that the right to pity does not belong to the patient but to others. Patients
have no right to demand pity from others. We individual persons belong to the country, not to our own. For
this reason, I think that significant events in the world should start with self-cultivation. Not only should we
have a sound body, but we must also have a sound spiritual self-cultivation. Only then can we be Chinese
and make great contributions to the country.” [16]

After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Qian was first assigned to the Qilu
University in Shandong to teach medicine as a retained member in the early 1950s.[17] "I had to carry my
own clothes and go to the post alone,” Qian later told his colleague at the People's Literature Publishing
House, “but it was much better than living in jail."[17] A few years later, Qian was transferred back to
Beijing and worked as an editor at the publishing house of the Ministry of Health.[18] After his retirement in
1956, he worked as a guest interpreter for People's Literature Publishing House.[18]

Additional Works: Poems written in Jail (1946)

In 1946, after the KMT-ruled Nationalist government took control, Qian Daosun was charged with
“conspiracy with enemy countries and plotting against one's own country,” sentenced to ten years in prison,
and deprived of his civil rights for six years.[19] While Qian was in prison, he sent to his friend the
classical-style verses he composed while he was in prison, and three of those poems were published in the
newspaper Qiao sheng bao in November.[20]

Works

Translation (Literature)

Divine Comedy ( 神曲一臠) (1921) [21]

Nihon shika sen (日本詩歌選) (1941) [22]

The Tale of Genji (源氏物語 Genji Monogatari) (1957) [23]

Man'yōshū (漢譯萬葉集選, 万葉集精選) (1959, 1992) [24]

Handcart Songs (荷車の歌 Niguruma no uta) (1961) [25]

 Chikamatsu Monzaemon and Ihara Saikaku senshū ( 近松門左衛門・井原西鶴選集)
(1987)[26]

Ying hua guo ge hua ( 樱花国歌话, 1943) [27]

Translation (Science, Medicine and Archeology)

Jintai kaibougaku vol. 1 (人体解剖学 第一巻) (1916) [28]

Jintai kaibougaku vol. 2 (人体解剖学 第二巻) (1916) [29]

You kao gu xue kan dao de zhong ri wen hua di jiao she ( 由考古学上看到的中日文化底交涉,
1930)[30]
Ri ben jing shen yu jin dai ke xue ( 日本精神与近代科学, 1937) [31]

National emblem

Twelve Symbols national emblem ( 十二章國徽) (1913)

Art and Music

盆樹記 : 謡曲, 1942)

Bonjuki : youkyoku ( [32]

Zoukei bijutsu (造形美術) (1924) [33]

Tōa gakkikō (東亜楽器考) (1962) [19]

Wooden puppet joruri (木偶浄瑠璃) (1965) [34]

The screenplay of the movie “Rashomon” (1979)[35]

Other works

A book on modern Chinese writings ( 中国现代文读本, 1938) [36]

Divine Comedy ( 神曲一臠, 1921)

Qian translated the opening part of Dante's Divine Comedy in the form of Chu Ci and published it in
Fiction Monthly.[37]

Man'yōshū

Han yi wan ye ji xuan ( 漢譯萬葉集選 , 1959) is the first Chinese-translated collection of Man'yōshū.[38]
Edited and translated by Sasaki Nobutsuna and Qian Daosun and proofread by Ichimura Sanjiro, Suzuki
Torao, Maekawa Saburo, and others. Translation continued during the Sino-Japanese War, but after the end
of the war in 1944, contact between Sasaki and Qian was lost, and publication was postponed.[39]
However, the connection was resumed in 1955, and thanks to Kojiro Yoshikawa of Kyoto University, the
book was finally published in 1959, with funding from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
Sasaki and Qian likely met at the first Greater East Asia Literary Conference (
[39]
第一回大東亜文学者大会 )
in 1942.
Wan ye ji jing xuan (万葉集精選, 1992), edited by Wen Jieruo, was based on Qian's translation. [24]

The Tale of Genji (1957)

He began translating slowly and carefully to interpret The Tale of Genji in 1933.[23] In the 1950s, the
People's Literature Publishing Company commissioned Qian to translate The Tale of Genji, but due to his
slow writing, Feng Zikai took place instead and became the first translator who translated the whole
chapter. In 1957, Kiritsubo (桐壺 ), translated by Qian, was published in the magazine Yi Wen (譯文 ). Qian
translated the first five chapters, but all but Kiritsubo were lost during the Cultural Revolution. In order to
reproduce the atmosphere and stylistic characteristics of the original text, Qian used Written vernacular
Chinese.[40]

Chikamatsu Monzaemon and Ihara Saikaku senshū ( 近松門左衛門・井原西鶴選集, 1987)

A collection book of Ihara Saikaku's The Eternal Storehouse of Japan ( 日本永代蔵 , Nippon Eitaigura,
1688) and Reckonings that Carry Men Through the World or This Scheming World ( 世間胸算用 , Seken
Munesan'yō, 1692) and Chikamatsu Monzaimon's The Love Suicides at Sonezaki (曾根崎心中 , Sonezaki
shinjū, 1703), The Love Suicides at Amijima ( 心中天網島 , Shinjū Ten no Amijima, 1721), Kagekiyo
Victorious ( 出世景清 , Shusse kagekiyo, 1685) and Shunkan. It was published as part of Nihon bungaku
sousho (日本文学叢書 ). [26]
Qian's translation was submitted to a publisher in 1963, but due to the chaos
and oppression during the Cultural Revolution, it was not published for more than 20 years.[41] He was
given this job instead of translating The Tale of Genji, which had been canceled due to his slow writing.[42]

A book on modern Chinese writings ( 中国现代文读本, 1938)

This was edited by Qian Daosun, You Bingqi ( 尤炳圻 ), and Hong Yanqiu ( 洪炎秋 ). It is a collection of
modern Chinese writings and consists of 20 volumes.[43]

References
1. Culture Hanba "- Life of Qian Inan That Translated Manyoshu" Toho Bookstore , 2014 .
ISBN 9784497214041
2. monster in Beijing in the 1930s - through the eyes of Japanese international students ",
"Research on East Asian Cultural Negotiation" No. 5, 2012, pp. 89-101.
3. Professor Junsei Inagaki" "Makita Makoto authored works" 8, Ryuke-gosa, 1986 , 121-124.
4. Chen, Keyao. “’Lu Xun ri ji’zhong de Qian Daosun ( 《鲁迅日记》中的钱稻孙 ).” Journal of
Modern Chinese Studies, no.4, 2013, pp. 103-107, doi:CNKI:SUN:ZXZD.0.2013-04-018.
[pp. 106.]
5. Lu, Xun. “Ren zi ri ji (壬子日記 ) [1912]” Lu Xun Ri Ji. Beijing: People's Literature Publishing
House,1976, pp 13.
癸丑日记
6. Lu, Xun. “Gui chou ri ji ( ) [1913]” Lu Xun Ri Ji. Beijing: People's Literature
Publishing House,1976, pp 41.
7. Lu, Xun. Lu Xun Ri Ji. Beijing: People's Literature Publishing House,1976, pp 1-174.
8. Lu, Xun. “Gui chou ri ji ( 癸丑日记 ) [1913]” Lu Xun Ri Ji. Beijing: People's Literature
Publishing House,1976, pp 68.
9. Lu, Xun. “Bing chen ri ji ( 丙辰日记 ) [1916]” Lu Xun Ri Ji. Beijing: People's Literature
Publishing House,1976, pp 205-206.
10. Ministry of Education. “Order NO.36 ( 委任令第三十六号 六年八月十一日 ).” Jiao yu gong bao
教育公报
( ), vol.4 no. 13, 1917, National Index to Chinese Newspapers & Periodicals, pp. 13.
11. Ministry of Education. “Order NO. 107 ( 第一百〇七号 十二月十日 安
).” Anhui jiaoyu yue kan (
徽教育月刊 ), no. 24, 1919, pp.3.
12. Chen, Keyao. “’Lu Xun ri ji’zhong de Qian Daosun.” Journal of Modern Chinese Studies,
no.4, 2013, pp. 106. doi:CNKI:SUN:ZXZD.0.2013-04-018.
13. Liu, Jiaku and Yang, Xuejing. “Briefing on Qian Daosun’s Career in Library.” Journal of
Academic Libraries, no. 4, 2014, pp. 116-120. doi:CNKI:SUN:DXTS.0.2014-04-023. [pp.
116-117.]
14. 葛胜华 鲁迅先生的三位酒友 文学自由谈
." ." , no.4, 2006, pp. 136-143.
doi:CNKI:SUN:WXLT.0.2006-04-020. [pp.142.]
15. Liu, Jiaku and Yang, Xuejing. “Briefing on Qian Daosun’s Career in Library.” Journal of
Academic Libraries, no. 4, 2014, pp. 116-120. doi:CNKI:SUN:DXTS.0.2014-04-023. [pp.
116-117.]
16. Qian, Daosun. “Zhou hui ji lu: Beijing da xue zhi guo qu yu xian zai ( 周会记录：北京大学之
过去与现在 中大周刊
).” Zhong da zhou kan ( ), no. 90, 1943, pp.1-3. CLC Number:
G649.285.3.
17. 文洁若 我所知道的钱稻孙 读书
." ." , no.1, 1991, pp. 55-62. doi:CNKI:SUN:DSZZ.0.1991-01-
007. [pp. 60-61.]
18. 文洁若 我所知道的钱稻孙 读书
." ." , no.1, 1991, pp. 55-62. doi:CNKI:SUN:DSZZ.0.1991-01-
007. [pp. 56.]
钱稻孙判决书
19. “Qian Daosun pan jue shu ( 新生报 ).” Xin sheng bao ( ), November 3, 1946,
pp.4.
钱稻孙狱中诗
20. Qian, Daosun. “Qian Daosun yu zhong shi ( ).” Edited by Zhen, Qiao sheng bao
侨生报
( ), November 14, 1946, pp.5.
檀德 神曲一脔
21. , (1924). 商务印书馆 发行者
. Translated by Qian, Daosun. [ ].
22. 岡村 敬二, 日本研究
(1992). "Japan in the Collection of Bei-jing Modern Science Library". :
国際日本文化研究センター紀要 国際日本文化研究センター . . 7: 115. ISSN 0915-0900.
呉 衛峰
23. , 銭稲孫と日本古典文学の中国語訳 『源氏物語』「桐壺」巻の訳を中心
(2017). " ―
に ―". 55: 40.
呉 衛峰
24. , 銭稲孫と日本古典文学の中国語訳 『源氏物語』「桐壺」巻の訳を中心
(2017). " ―
に ―". 55: 37.
25. 山代巴 板车之歌
(1961). 叔昌 作家出版社
. Translated by Qian, Daosun; . .
26. Ying, Liu (2016). "Study on Chinese Translation of Saikaku's Ukiyozōshi: 'Selected Works of
Chikamatsu Monzaemon and Ihara Saikaku'" (https://kokubunken.repo.nii.ac.jp/records/190
7). Translated by Qian, Daosun. 国際日本文学研究集会会議録 : 43. ISSN 0387-7280.
27. Zou, Shuangshuang (2011). " 佐佐木信綱選、銭稲孫訳『漢訳万葉集選』研究 成立背景、 ―
出版事情、翻訳をめぐって ―" (https://kansai-u.repo.nii.ac.jp/records/12284). 4. Translated
by Qian, Daosun. Journal of East Asian Cultural Interaction Studies: 100. ISSN 1882-7748.
28. 石川 喜直, 人体解剖学 第一卷
(1915). 吐凤堂书店 ( ). Translated by Qian, Daosun. .
29. 石川 喜直, 人体解剖学 第二卷
(1915). 吐凤堂书店 ( ). Translated by Qian, Daosun. .
30. 原田 淑人, 由考古学上看到的中日文化底交涉
(1930). 清华周刊 . Translated by Qian, Daosun.
社 .
31. 永井 潜 日本精神与近代科学
, (1937). 近代科学图书馆 . Translated by Qian, Daosun. .
32. 盆樹記 謡曲 : 北京近代科學圖書館
, translated by Qian, Daosun, , 1942.
翻訳家銭稲孫と日本人との交遊－谷崎潤一郎、岩波茂雄を中
33. Zou, Shuangshuang (2012). "
心に 國文學 関西大学国文学会
". . . 96: 304. ISSN 0389-8628.
34. 有吉 佐和子
, 木偶浄瑠璃 (1965), 作家出版社 , translated by Qian, Daosun,
 罗生门
35. Akutagawa, Ryunosuke; Kurosawa, Akira; Hashimoto, Shinobu (1979). . Translated
中国电影出版社
by Qian, Daosun; Li, Zhenglun. .
36. 北京近代科学图书馆编 中国现代文读本 白水社
(1938), ,
37. 「文化漢奸」と呼ばれた男 万葉集を訳した銭稲孫の生涯 東方書店
- . . 2014. pp. 57–59.
ISBN 9784497214041.
佐佐木信綱選、銭稲孫訳『漢訳万葉集選』研究 成立背景、
38. Zou, Shuangshuang (2011). " ―
出版事情、翻訳をめぐって ―" (https://kansai-u.repo.nii.ac.jp/records/12284). 4. Translated
by Qian, Daosun. Journal of East Asian Cultural Interaction Studies: 98. ISSN 1882-7748.
佐佐木信綱選、銭稲孫訳『漢訳万葉集選』研究 成立背景、
39. Zou, Shuangshuang (2011). " ―
出版事情、翻訳をめぐって ―" (https://kansai-u.repo.nii.ac.jp/records/12284). 4. Translated
by Qian, Daosun. Journal of East Asian Cultural Interaction Studies: 104. ISSN 1882-7748.
呉 衛峰
40. , 銭稲孫と日本古典文学の中国語訳 『源氏物語』「桐壺」巻の訳を中心
(2017). " ―
に ―". 55: 37–38.
41. Ying, Liu (2016). "Study on Chinese Translation of Saikaku's Ukiyozōshi: 'Selected Works of
Chikamatsu Monzaemon and Ihara Saikaku'" (https://kokubunken.repo.nii.ac.jp/records/190
7). Translated by Qian, Daosun. 国際日本文学研究集会会議録 : 48. ISSN 0387-7280.
42. Ying, Liu (2016). "Study on Chinese Translation of Saikaku's Ukiyozōshi: 'Selected Works of
Chikamatsu Monzaemon and Ihara Saikaku'" (https://kokubunken.repo.nii.ac.jp/records/190
国際日本文学研究集会会議録
7). Translated by Qian, Daosun. : 49. ISSN 0387-7280.
43. 岡村 敬二, (1992). "Japan in the Collection of Bei-jing Modern Science Library". 日本研究 :
国際日本文化研究センター紀要 国際日本文化研究センター . . 7: 115. ISSN 0915-0900.

See also
Jintai Kaibougaku vol.1 (https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/931488)
Jintai Kaibougaku vol.2 (https://dl.ndl.go.jp/pid/931489)
Bonjuki : youkyoku ( 盆樹記 : 謡曲, 1942) (https://lab.ndl.go.jp/dl/book/1129303?page=14)

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