Knowing Song: The Nooks and Crannies of the Song Dynasty Through Water Margin

Was the Song dynasty in Water Margin the real Song dynasty?

In Knowing the Song, the author draws on descriptions in Water Margin and analyzes a wealth of literary works, poems, and other writings by people of the Song dynasty and later generations to vividly recreate the social landscape of the era. The book exemplifies rigorous research that corroborates historical and literary sources. The author investigates the historical prototypes of characters in Water Margin, as well as the origins and meanings of place names and nicknames, then delves into these details to explore the Song dynasty's official and military systems, administrative divisions and governance, justice and litigation, currency and economy, food culture, popular fashions, and more. The discussion unfolds at a leisurely pace and makes for fascinating reading.

In Knowing the Song, Water Margin is not merely an outstanding work of classical literature. It is also a mirror reflecting the social landscape of the Northern Song dynasty.