Problems concerning the Authenticity of Shih chi 123 Reconsidered

Abstract

The Shih chi [The Grand Scribe's Records] by Ssu-ma Ch'ien 1,% (c. 145 B.C.-c. 86 B.C.) and his father, Ssu-ma T'an W -,A (d. 110 B.C.) is one of the masterpieces of Chinese history and literature. It has long been known as a model not only for traditional Chinese historiography but for the Chinese narrative tradition as well;' as such, it has drawn attention from both literary and historiographical critics. In China, studies of the Shih chi, particularly literary studies, are second in number only to work on the Hung-lou meng $iTE4f [The Story of the Stone].2 Nor has the Shih chi been neglected in Taiwan.3 Western students of Chinese culture have long been attracted to the Shih chi as well.4 Though most studies concern the author, textual problems and historiography, studies of the Shih chi as literature are gradually increasing.5 Yet the unsolved textual problems of the Shih chi still perplex literary critics. Joseph R. Allen in An Introductory Study of Narrative Structure in the Shi ji summarizes several studies of the authorship and the authenticity of the Shih chi, then remarks: For convenience I shall