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Journey to the West Library
(www.journeytothewestlibrary.weebly.com)
This blog site, Journey to the West Library, serves as a platform for exploration into the infamous 16th-century Chinese classic novel, Journey to the West (xiyouji, 西游记) [1].
This site will host a range of studies, research, lists, theories, along with a bunch of miscellaneous features on all things Journey to the West! More articles will be published as time passes, so make sure to check for updates. Overview of Journey to the West Contents:
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[Src. 1] The cover of Anthony C. Yu's first volume of his famed Journey to the West English translation
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1. Historical Background
[Src. 2] Classic television adaptations of the Four Classic Novels; (from top-left, clockwise) Three Kingdoms, Red Chamber, Water Margin & Journey West
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Journey to the West is one of the Four Great Classic Novels (sida mingzhu, 四大名著) [2] of China and has been recognised as a grand masterpiece since its publication in 1592, during China's Ming dynasty (1368-1644, 明朝, lit: the bright dynasty). The novel itself is loosely based on the historical pilgrimage of the monk Xuanzang (玄奘) in the 7th century (627-645 to be exact) on a similar quest to seek Buddhist sutras in India.
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[Src. 3] A modern depiction of the monk Xuanzang in a 2016 historical film
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Stories of the iconic Monkey King and his companionship with Xuanzang have been a part of Chinese folklore, going all the way back to even the Song dynasty (960-1279, 宋朝). The oldest forms of primary evidence for this are from cave paintings in China's Gansu province (甘肃), depicting a "Monkey Pilgrim (hou xingzhe, 猴行者)" with a monk master, dating back to the 11th century [src. 4-6].
Stories of the Monkey Pilgrim were passed on through word of mouth. These folk tales were already a part of Chinese literary culture before it was converted and popularised into the 100-chapter novel that we know today, introducing to us some of the most iconic figures in Chinese culture. These, of course, include our four protagonists and a few other main characters of the story (see para. 3). |
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The story of Journey to the West became popular to all, even in the Western world, with many English translations throughout the past few centuries. Many novel, television, movie, comic and game adaptations, too, use this story, or even at least the iconic Monkey King, as a basis. Journey to the West is no doubt one of the greatest, if not the greatest, novels of all time.
2. Authorship
[Src. 7] A painted portrait of Wu Cheng'en [artist & date unknown]
Since fiction was not a prestigious genre in classic Chinese literature, the authorship of fiction novels were not carefully attributed and soon became unknowable. The author of Journey to the West is still in some sense, uncertain, especially with the fact that the novel was first published anonymously. The novel has been popularly attributed to Wu Cheng'en (c. 1500-1582, 吴承恩), ever since a local newsletter article in 1625 from Wu's hometown claims so.
It's highly interesting to note that the novel was published in 1592, and Wu Cheng'en's death date is marked in 1582. That's 10 whole years before the novel was published by the Shidetang (世德堂) publishing house. The novel was indeed published anonymously at first, most likely due to the fact that there were set rules during that time, regarding what could or could not be written as literature. During Wu's time, in the Ming Dynasty, there was a trend in literary writing. Literature was supposed to written in "classical Chinese (guwen, 古文)", a form of old Chinese popularised during the Spring and Autumn period (771-476 BC, chunqiu, 春秋). Classical Chinese has also become to be known as "literary Chinese", and is traditionally used in pieces of formal literature. The opposite of literary Chinese is "vernacular Chinese (baihua wen, 白话文)", which is just the written form of informal spoken Mandarin Chinese. Wu Cheng'en allegedly went against the classical Chinese trend of the time, by writing his Journey to the West in vernacular Chinese, and because this was against the cultural rules of literature, the novel was published anonymously. For nearly 300 years, Journey to the West had no credited author.
It's highly interesting to note that the novel was published in 1592, and Wu Cheng'en's death date is marked in 1582. That's 10 whole years before the novel was published by the Shidetang (世德堂) publishing house. The novel was indeed published anonymously at first, most likely due to the fact that there were set rules during that time, regarding what could or could not be written as literature. During Wu's time, in the Ming Dynasty, there was a trend in literary writing. Literature was supposed to written in "classical Chinese (guwen, 古文)", a form of old Chinese popularised during the Spring and Autumn period (771-476 BC, chunqiu, 春秋). Classical Chinese has also become to be known as "literary Chinese", and is traditionally used in pieces of formal literature. The opposite of literary Chinese is "vernacular Chinese (baihua wen, 白话文)", which is just the written form of informal spoken Mandarin Chinese. Wu Cheng'en allegedly went against the classical Chinese trend of the time, by writing his Journey to the West in vernacular Chinese, and because this was against the cultural rules of literature, the novel was published anonymously. For nearly 300 years, Journey to the West had no credited author.
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Regardless of authorship, Wu has been popularly recognised as the author of Journey to the West, and his name, Wu Cheng'en, has become inextricably linked with the novel.
[Src. 8] A 2010 TV series, telling the story of Wu Cheng'en and his connection with Journey to the West; Liu Xiao Ling Tong takes on both roles of Sun Wukong and Wu Cheng'en
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[Src. 9] A modern Chinese edition of Wu's timeless classic
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3. Main Characters
Below is a short list of the major characters that appear in Journey to the West. Since they are listed on the Home page as main characters, they would not require an introduction when being mentioned in articles.
[Src. 10]
Chen Xuanzang (陈玄奘) [3] - Tang Sanzang (唐三藏) - Tang Monk (tang seng, 唐僧) - Tripitaka
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[Src. 11]
Sun Wukong [4] (孙悟空) - Pilgrim Sun (sun xingzhe, 孙行者) - Monkey
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[Src. 12]
Zhu Wuneng (猪悟能) - Zhu Bajie/Eight-Rules [5] (猪八戒) - Pigsy
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[Src. 13]
Sha Wujing (沙悟净) - Sha Monk (sha heshang, 沙和尚) - Sandy [6]
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[Src. 14]
White Dragon Horse (bai longma, 白龙马) - Jade Dragon (yulong, 玉龙)
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[Src. 15]
Bodhisattva [7] Guanyin (guanyin pusa, 观音菩萨)
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[Src. 16]
The Tathagata [9] Buddha [10] (rulai fo, 如来佛) - Sakyamuni (shijiamouni, 释迦牟尼),
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[Src. 17]
The Great Sovereign, Jade Emperor (yuhuang dadi, 玉皇大帝)
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[Src. 18]
Supreme Exalted [11] Lord Lao (taishang laojun, 太上老君) - Laozi [12]
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[Src. 19]
Venus the Metal Star [13] (taibai jinxing, 太白金星)
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[Src. 20]
Pagoda-Bearing Devaraja [14] (tuota tianwang, 托塔天王) - Heavenly King Li
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[Src. 21]
Patriarch Subodhi (xuputi zushi, 须菩提祖师)
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4. Novel Outline - The Four Parts
When talking about Journey to the West, the 100-chapter novel can be divided into 4 major parts, each telling a different section of the novel. Note that these 4 parts do not refer to the four volumes that Anthony C. Yu or W.J.F. Jenner have published their translations of Journey to the West in, nor do they refer to each set of 25 chapters of the novel's 100.
3.1. Part 1: Monkey's StoryChapters:
1 - 7 (7 chapters)
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4.2. Part 2: The Story of the Tang'sChapters:
8 - 12 (5 chapters)
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4.3. The JourneyChapters:
13 - 97 (85 chapters)
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4.4. Journey's EndChapters:
98 - 100 (3 chapters)
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A simple full summary of the whole novel can be found on this blog here:
Novel Summary
Novel Summary
- Notes
[1] Xiyouji (西游记)
Literal meaning: records of the journey west.
[2] Four Great Classic Novels (四大名著)
These are the four masterpieces of Chinese literature, which are still popular with readers ever since their publications 500 years ago.
In order of release date, these four novels are: Water Margin (shuihu zhuan, 水浒传), Romance of the Three Kingdoms (sanguo yanyi. 三国演义), Journey to the West and Dream of the Red Chamber (honglou meng, 红楼梦).
[3] Chen Xuanzang (陈玄奘)
For more info on why Tripitaka's name may seem unconventional, see:
A Misconception: "Tang Xuanzang" is Tripitaka's Wrong Name
[4] Sun Wukong (孙悟空)
Literal meaning (Chinese): macaque awakened to vacuity/emptiness.
[5] Bajie (八戒)
Also translated as: eight proscriptions, Eight Rules (Anthony C. Yu, 2012).
Literal meaning: eight precepts.
The eight precepts (i.e. forbidden acts) of Buddhism are: killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, drinking alcohol, using cosmetics (e.g. makeup), using personal comforts (e.g. a fine bed) and eating outside of regulated hours.
[6] Tripitaka [...] Monkey [...] Pigsy [...] Sandy
These English names were originally created by Arthur Waley. Since they are so well known to English readers, I have chosen to adopt them here, throughout this website.
[7] Bodhisattva (बोधिसत्त्व, 菩萨)
Literal meaning (Sanskrit): one whose goal is awakening.
A Bodhisattva is a status in the Buddhist pantheon. These deities are those who have successfully reached enlightenment, but does not attain full Buddhahood due to the delay of them remaining in compassion for the sufferings in the world.
[8] Guanyin (观音)
Literal meaning (Chinese): one who observes the voices (of the suffering).
Also known as: Goddess of Mercy.
Bodhisattva Guanyin is the Chinese counterpart of the Sanskrit deity Avalokiteshvara. She is usually depicted as a female in Chinese culture.
[9] Tathagata (තථාගත, 如来)
Literal meaning (Pali): one who has gone beyond.
Tathagata is actually a rank rather than a name for a Buddha. Tathagata is the highest status for a Buddha and refers to one who has completely perfected all principles of Buddhism. It can also be used as a pronoun when a Tathagata Buddha refers to themselves. In the context of Journey to the West, Tathagata just refers to the Buddha Guatama, or Sakyamuni.
[10] Buddha (बुद्ध, 佛)
Literal meaning (Sanskrit): one who has awakened.
A Buddha is the highest rank for an individual of the Buddhist pantheon. It is a title given to those who have found enlightenment and reached nirvana.
[11] Supreme Exalted (太上)
Supreme Exalted is an honorific title used to address high ranking members of the Daoist pantheon.
[12] Laozi (老子)
Also translated as: Laotzu.
Laozi is the venerable name of Li Er (c. 571-442 BC?, 李耳), the founder of the religion Daoism.
[13] Metal Star (金星)
Also translated as: Gold Star.
I have chosen to use this translation (my own) rather than the more popularly known "Gold Star" because the name Jinxing 金星 here is the common Chinese name referring to the planet Venus. In Chinese, the five planets closest in orbit to the Sun (excluding Earth) are named after the five elements (wuxing, 五行) of water, metal, fire, wood and earth respectively for the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Gold is not a recognised element in traditional Daoism and therefore is not appropriate for Venus's name.
[14] Devaraja (देवराज, 天王)
Literal meaning (Sanskrit): god king.
Also known as: Heavenly King.
Literal meaning: records of the journey west.
[2] Four Great Classic Novels (四大名著)
These are the four masterpieces of Chinese literature, which are still popular with readers ever since their publications 500 years ago.
In order of release date, these four novels are: Water Margin (shuihu zhuan, 水浒传), Romance of the Three Kingdoms (sanguo yanyi. 三国演义), Journey to the West and Dream of the Red Chamber (honglou meng, 红楼梦).
[3] Chen Xuanzang (陈玄奘)
For more info on why Tripitaka's name may seem unconventional, see:
A Misconception: "Tang Xuanzang" is Tripitaka's Wrong Name
[4] Sun Wukong (孙悟空)
Literal meaning (Chinese): macaque awakened to vacuity/emptiness.
[5] Bajie (八戒)
Also translated as: eight proscriptions, Eight Rules (Anthony C. Yu, 2012).
Literal meaning: eight precepts.
The eight precepts (i.e. forbidden acts) of Buddhism are: killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, drinking alcohol, using cosmetics (e.g. makeup), using personal comforts (e.g. a fine bed) and eating outside of regulated hours.
[6] Tripitaka [...] Monkey [...] Pigsy [...] Sandy
These English names were originally created by Arthur Waley. Since they are so well known to English readers, I have chosen to adopt them here, throughout this website.
[7] Bodhisattva (बोधिसत्त्व, 菩萨)
Literal meaning (Sanskrit): one whose goal is awakening.
A Bodhisattva is a status in the Buddhist pantheon. These deities are those who have successfully reached enlightenment, but does not attain full Buddhahood due to the delay of them remaining in compassion for the sufferings in the world.
[8] Guanyin (观音)
Literal meaning (Chinese): one who observes the voices (of the suffering).
Also known as: Goddess of Mercy.
Bodhisattva Guanyin is the Chinese counterpart of the Sanskrit deity Avalokiteshvara. She is usually depicted as a female in Chinese culture.
[9] Tathagata (තථාගත, 如来)
Literal meaning (Pali): one who has gone beyond.
Tathagata is actually a rank rather than a name for a Buddha. Tathagata is the highest status for a Buddha and refers to one who has completely perfected all principles of Buddhism. It can also be used as a pronoun when a Tathagata Buddha refers to themselves. In the context of Journey to the West, Tathagata just refers to the Buddha Guatama, or Sakyamuni.
[10] Buddha (बुद्ध, 佛)
Literal meaning (Sanskrit): one who has awakened.
A Buddha is the highest rank for an individual of the Buddhist pantheon. It is a title given to those who have found enlightenment and reached nirvana.
[11] Supreme Exalted (太上)
Supreme Exalted is an honorific title used to address high ranking members of the Daoist pantheon.
[12] Laozi (老子)
Also translated as: Laotzu.
Laozi is the venerable name of Li Er (c. 571-442 BC?, 李耳), the founder of the religion Daoism.
[13] Metal Star (金星)
Also translated as: Gold Star.
I have chosen to use this translation (my own) rather than the more popularly known "Gold Star" because the name Jinxing 金星 here is the common Chinese name referring to the planet Venus. In Chinese, the five planets closest in orbit to the Sun (excluding Earth) are named after the five elements (wuxing, 五行) of water, metal, fire, wood and earth respectively for the planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Gold is not a recognised element in traditional Daoism and therefore is not appropriate for Venus's name.
[14] Devaraja (देवराज, 天王)
Literal meaning (Sanskrit): god king.
Also known as: Heavenly King.
