Problems Should Not Be Ignored In Chu Initials Study

This paper aims to explore the mistakes in previous study on Chu initials during Warring States Period.The paper consists of the reason for our study,research review,comments on questions,in which the third is the main body and focus.There are considerable controversy in conclusions from different scholars,as well as a lot of mistakes in ideas and material selection.We made a preliminary conclusion on the mistakes in predecessors’study.As follows,the mistakes are grouped into five aspects.The first,ignoring the configuration and using characteristics of Chu fonts.There are significant differences between Chu fonts and ones in handed-downs(傅世文献)on these two aspects.For example,one glypy(字形)in Chu may represents different meanings,which is its characteristic,compared with other regions and times.Must not deem the differences as tongjia(通假),but can not using mistake materials to study Chu initials during Warring States Period.The second,ignoring the spatial and temporal difference within the Chu materials.Although Chu Bamboo(楚簡),Han Mawang Dui silk books(馬王堆帛書)and Chu handed-downs(傳世文獻)all belong to Chu,however they can not be designated to the same period.Territory of Chu was vast,the south and the north may had differences between each other,because of diverse language contact.The third,ignoring the unearthed materials’philological(文獻的)background.During the Warring States Period,Chu had document communication with other regions,thus materials unearthed in Chu may not reflect the language features of Chu.Scholars have made a considerable study on this field,so future study on Chu initials should actively learn from the achievements in this field.The fourth,ignoring the inherent errors in Chu fonts,wrong liding(隸定)and wrong recognition of shengfu(聲符)The fifth,mixing synonyms(同義詞)and yiwen(異文)with tongjia(通假)This article advocates future study on Chu initials to avoid these five mistakes,and focus more on the particularity of the Chu documents and fonts.Hope that future study on Chu initials can be more detailed and scientific.