The Study Of The Difference Between Xu Xuan And Xu Kai’s Version Of Origin Of Chinese Characters

The original version of Origin of Chinese Characters cannot be identified ever since Qing Dynasty. Fujian scholar Xie Zhangting compiled The Difference Between Xu Xuan and Xu Kai’s Version of Origin of Chinese Characters to find out what the original version was exactly like. Xie copied the difference between two versions of Origin of Chinese Characters according to Xu Xuan’s text format. Xie also did appropriate textual criticism. Xie’s book had the similarity to other works in Qing Dynasty, but it also had unique features. From his work, people can see Xie’s scholarly spirit.The Difference Between Xu Xuan and Xu Kai’s Version of Origin of Chinese Characters is a masterpiece among few textual criticism books of Origin of Chinese Characters and its value is self-evident. However, no one discovered its value after it was written over a century ago. The author believes that a comprehensive and in-depth study should be carried out and an objective and correct evaluation should be made to help people understand its status in the research history of Origin of Chinese Characters.This paper explains its limitations and value by studying its transcribed content, sorting out its style of writing, summarizing its characteristics, referencing other related works of the Qing Dynasty. This paper argues that Xie’s book has deficiencies, however its value and important status in the research history of Origin of Chinese Characters shall be realized and it deserves more attention.