The Story of Han Xiangzi

The Alchemical Adventures of a Daoist Immortal

Erzeng Yang, Philip Clart

• Publisher: University of Washington Press
• Year: 2011
• eBook ISBN: 9780295801940
• Topic: Historia
• Subtopic: Historia de China

In this seventeenth-century Chinese novel, Han Xiangzi, best known as one of the Eight Immortals, seeks and achieves immortality and then devotes himself to converting his materialistic, politically ambitious Confucian uncle—Han Yu, a real historical figure—to Daoism. Written in lively vernacular prose interspersed with poems and songs, the novel takes its readers across China, to the heavens, and into the underworld. Readers listen to debates among Confucians, Daoists, and Buddhists and witness trials of faith and the performance of magical feats. In the mode of the famous religious novel Journey to the West, The Story of Han Xiangzi uses colorful characters, twists of plot, witty dialogue, and action suitable for a superhero comic book to convey its religious message—that worldly life is ephemeral and that true contentment can be found only through Daoist cultivation. This is the first translation into any Western language of Han Xiangzi quanzhuan (literally, The Complete Story of Han Xiangzi ). On one level, the novel is a delightful adventure; on another, it is serious theology. Although The Story of Han Xiangzi's irreverent attitude toward the Confucian establishment prevented its acceptance by literary critics in imperial China, it has remained popular among Chinese readers for four centuries. Philip Clart's introduction outlines the Han Xiangzi story cycle, presents Yang Erzeng in his social context, assesses the literary merits and religious significance of the text, and explores the theory and practice of inner alchemy. This unabridged translation will appeal to students of Chinese literature and to general readers who enjoy international fiction, as well as to readers with an interest in Daoism. The open access publication of this book was made possible by a grant from the James P. Geiss and Margaret Y. Hsu Foundation.

Table of contents

• Contents
• Preface & Acknowledgments
• Translator’s Introduction
• Preface
• Prologue
• 1. At Mount Pheasant Yoke, a Crane Refines Himself / At the Banks of the River Xiang, a Musk Deer Receives His Punishment
• 2. Seeking Escape from Samsara, the Crane Boy Is Reborn / Discussing Astrology and Physiognomy, Zhong and Lü Conceal Their Names
• 3. Han Yu Inscribes His Name on the Tiger Placard / Xiangzi Drinks the Wedding Cup in the Nuptial Chamber
• 4. Zhong and Lü Appear on Gold Sprinkle Bridge / Han Xiang Studiesthe Dao on Sleeping Tiger Mountain
• 5. By Cutting Down the Hibiscus, Mme. Dou Criticizes Luying /While Waiting at the City Gate, the Crowds Tease Xiangzi
• 6. Abandoning His Family Bonds, Xiangzi Cultivates Himself /A Transformed Beauty Tempts Xiangzi for the First Time
• 7. Tiger and Snake Block the Road to Test Han Xiang / Monsters and Demons Flee from Perfect Fire
• 8. A Bodhisattva Manifests a Numinous Sign as He Ascends to the Upper Realm / Han Xiangzi Guards the Elixir Cauldron with Firm Concentration
• 9. Han Xiangzi’s Name Is Recorded at the Purple Office / Two Shepherds Recognize a Divine Immortal
• 10. Bragging and Boasting, Turtle and Egret Bring Calamity upon Themselves / Singing Daoist Songs, Han Xiangzi Moves the Crowd
• 11. In Disguise, Xiangzi Transmits a Message / A Stone Lion Is Transformed into Gold
• 12. When Tuizhi Prays for Snow, Xiangzi Ascends the Southern Shrine / The Dragon King Bows and Follows Orders
• 13. Riding an Auspicious Cloud, Xiangzi Is Saluted by Emperor Xianzong / Discoursing on Complete Perfection, Xiangzi Chants a Poem
• 14. Rushing in at a Birthday Banquet, Xiangzi Engages the Guests in Conversation / Hearing of Nourishing Primordial Yang, Tuizhi Does Not Become Enlightened
• 15. Manifesting His Divine Powers, Xiangzi Lies Snoring on the Ground /A False Daoist Drinks Merrily before the Assembled Guests
• 16. Xiangzi Enters the Underworld to Examine the Registers of Life and Death / He Summons Immortal Maidens to Deliver Birthday Greetings
• 17. By His Divine Powers, Han Xiangzi Manifests Transformations /Lin Luying Is Entangled in Love
• 18. Emperor Xianzong of the Tang Respectfully Welcomes the Buddha Bone / Han Tuizhi’s Indignant Protest Gets Him Banished
• 19. Banished to Chaozhou, Tuizhi Travels to His Post / Crossing the River of Love, Xiangzi Rows the Boat
• 20. At the Village of Beautiful Women, a Fisherman and a Woodcutter Open Tuizhi’s Mind / On a Snowy Mountain, a Herdboy Awakens Tuizhi from His Confusion
• 21. Inquiring into His Fortune, Tuizhi Seeks an Oracle in a Temple / Seeking to Assuage His Hunger and Thirst, Tuizhi Stays in a Thatched Hut
• 22. Sitting in a Thatched Hut, Tuizhi Sighs to Himself / Expelling a Crocodile, the Celestial Generals Bestow Blessings on the People
• 23. Arduous Cultivation Leads Tuizhi to an Awakening / Willingly Guarding Her Chastity, Luying Remains Steadfast and Virtuous
• 24. Returning Home, Han Xiang Manifests His Transformative Powers / Shooting a Parrot, Mme. Dou Remains Attached to Her Illusions
• 25. Master Lü Sends a Dream to the Cui Family / Mother Zhang Two Makes a Marriage Proposal at the Han Mansion
• 26. Minister Cui Pretends to Act in the Public Interest while Taking Revenge for a Private Grudge / Two Fishermen Sit Together as They Cast Their Lines
• 27. At the Zhuowei Hermitage, Master and Servants Meet Again / Caring for an Ox, Han Yu Awakens to the Dao
• 28. On Cheating Mountain, a Woodcutter Shows the Way / Mother and Daughter-in-Law Cultivate Themselves in Magu’s Hermitage
• 29. A Bear-Man Carries Han Qing across the Mountain Ranges / An Immortal Transmits Mysterious Secrets to Mme. Dou
• 30. The Musk Deer Is Freed from His Water Prison / The Han and Lin Families Together Realize the Sacred and Transcend the World
• Notes