A Study Of Pottery Inscriptions Of Qi State

Based on the philological studies of some Qi's pottery inscriptions, and referring to relevant historical documents, this thesis reveals the official and private pottery-manufacturing industry in Qi State during the Warring States period and discusses the then-social and economic system as well as the town-management system. Besides, the author analyzes the historical status and position of pre-Qi's and Qi's pottery inscriptions in view of palaeography.Three parts are included in the thesis:PartⅠis a general description of the discovery, study and records of Qi's pottery inscriptions.Since Chen Jieqi (whose literary name was Fuzhai) discovered and collected the first piece of Qi's pottery inscription, many archaeologists and palaeographers have given much emphasis to the study of Qi pottery inscription for over one hundred years. Most of Fuzhai's collections were unearthed in Qi area, mainly in Linzi and some were around Linzi. He himself documented nearly 5,000 pieces of pottery inscription. Studies of Qi pottery inscription started from Chen Jieqi, Wu Dawei and Wang Yirong; then Liu E and a Japanese began printing rubbings of Qi pottery inscription. In 1939s and 40s Huang Baohong, Wang Xiantan, Gu Yanlong and some other researchers studied relevant aspects of the pottery inscriptions. Since the foundation of New China experts such as Li Xueqin, Zhu Dexi, Qiu Xigui have written many articles on the study of Qi pottery inscription, and have made remarkable achievement. The records of Qi pottery inscription and those containing Qi pottery inscription are also substantial.In the second part, the author, referring to historical documents, makes philological studies of some Qi's pottery inscriptions, the official and private pottery-manufacturing industry around Qi's former capital. The social and economic systems of that time and town-management system are also investigated in this part.During Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the non-official industry and commerce developed rapidly, which led to the vigorous progress of hand-made pottery industry. Pottery writings are the product of the system of "inscribing one's fame and achievements on devices", and contributed much to the development of Qi's commercial economy. Through the philological study of the pottery inscriptions: gui(轨), lishi(立事) and wangsun (王孙), the author finds that Qi's official pottery industry mainly focused on the production of measurement devices and had a rigorous requirement on the quality and a uniform standard. Referring to historical documents, the thesis confirms the then system of "handicraft and commercial industries serving governments" and the system of "boosting handicraft and commercial industries". It also confirms that "ligui" and "lishi" were the official positions of that time. Through the philological study of towns' and villages' names inscribed on pottery, we conclude that the township pottery industry in Qi's capital was very prosperous, that there were clear production work division and area division in the non-official pottery industry in Qi State. All these show a very high level of commercial production level of Qi's pottery industry. According to the historical documents of Xiaokuang and Guanzi, the township organization in Qi has three levels: Xiang, Yi and Li.PartⅢis about the historical status and position of Qi's potter inscription. The rich materials of the unearthed pottery inscription in Qi reflect the great contribution that Qi's Dongyi people made to development of Qi's writing characters. Compared with Qi's other writing systems, the rich Qi's pottery inscription is of much value; and it is closely related to bronze inscription, royal seal inscription and inscription on knife-coins. Therefore Qi's pottery inscription is significant to the study of writing systems of the warring states as well as that of Qi state.