A 289-year-old Kangxi Dictionary was found in Shilaoren Village in the Laoshan District in Qingdao, Shandong Province. The dictionary is apparently a first-print version compiled by the Imperial Academy in the 55th year of Emperor Kangxi's reign (1716).

The Kangxi Dictionary was compiled by Zhang Yushu, Chen Tingjing and other imperial scholars sometime during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It contains over 47,000 entries categorized by 214 radicals. The dictionary was an important reference book and represents a milestone in Chinese history and culture.

The imperial edition is extremely rare. Only high-ranking officials from that era had access to it.

The dictionary is in the possession of a Mr. Liu. According to Liu, the dictionary was given to him by his father. How the family came about this treasure is an interesting tale in itself, a tale that has been passed down the generations.

One of Liu's ancestors was the proprietor of a little restaurant during Emperor Qianlong's reign (1736-96). The restaurant was in a place that is now known as Jimo City near Qingdao.

One balmy evening, a county scholar entered the restaurant and said that he was on his way to the capital to sit the imperial examinations. But, he had been robbed of all his money and was unable to pay for meals or lodgings. The proprietor took pity on the scholar and gave him a meal and a room for free.

The next day, as the scholar was leaving the restaurant, he handed his dictionary, the Kangxi Dictionary, to the proprietor and said, "If I pass the imperial examinations, I will come back for my dictionary. If I don't, you may keep it and take it as payment for my meal and room."

The scholar never returned, and the dictionary has remained with the Liu family ever since.

The Kangxi Dictionary, wrapped in six blue cloth cases, is bound with thread and consists of 43 volumes. The six cases divide the dictionary into six parts according to the six arts of ancient China: li (ritual), yue (music), she (archery), yu (drive), shu (calligraphy) and shu (mathematics).

The yellowing front page of the first volume is stamped with the characters yu zhi, which means "made by order of the emperor". The dictionary differs from other editions in its paper, printing and design styles. The paper, specially made for the emperor, is still white and glossy. The printing plate that was used must have featured graceful letterforms and rich decorative patterns.

Zhang Shusen, a researcher with the Qingdao Municipal Folk-custom Museum, said that the Kangxi Dictionary was an important reference book during the Qing Dynasty. Many editions were published. The editions can be generally divided into two categories: imperial and folk (or common).

He confirmed the authenticity of the dictionary.

Zhang added that because this edition has never been the subject of an auction, it is a "priceless" treasure. 

(China.org.cn by Chen Lin, June 20, 2005)