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{{Short description|Chinese book about Liang dynasty (635)}}
{{italic title}}
{{Chinese|title=''Book of Liang''|t=梁書|s=梁书|p=Liáng Shū|poj=Liông-su}}
The '''''Book of Liang''''' ({{Transliteration|zh|Liáng Shū}}) was compiled under [[Yao Silian]] and completed in 635. Yao heavily relied on an original manuscript by his father [[Yao Cha]], which has not independently survived, although Yao Cha's comments are quoted in several chapters.

The ''Book of Liang'' is part of the ''[[Twenty-Four Histories]]'' canon of [[Chinese history]].

==Sources==
Although the ''Book of Liang'' was finally attributed to Yao Silian, a number of people worked on it. Initially, [[Emperor Wen of Sui]] ordered Yao Cha 姚察 (533–606) to compile the ''Book of Liang'' but Yao Cha died without being able to complete it. Before dying Yao Cha requested that his son Yao Silian complete the work. [[Emperor Yang of Sui]] agreed to compilation of the text by Yao Silian.{{sfnp|Chaussende|2015|pages=167–168}} In the Tang, the compilation of the text was part of an initiative at the suggestion of [[Linghu Defen]] shortly after the founding of the Tang dynasty to compile a number of histories for the previous dynasties.{{sfnp|Wu|Zhen|2018|pages=167–168}} Then, Yao Silian was ordered to complete the ''[[Book of Chen]]'' by [[Emperor Gaozu of Tang]], who ordered other scholars to work on the ''Book of Liang''. When those scholars did not complete their task, Yao Silian was again ordered to work on the text. The ''Book of Liang'' was finally compiled by Yao Silian under the supervision of [[Fang Xuanling]] and [[Wei Zheng]] in the Tang, incorporating at least some of the work of his predecessors.

==Quotations on Japan and its surrounding neighbours==
It contains the history of the [[Liang dynasty]], and various descriptions of countries to the east of [[China]]. One such passage is the description by the monk Hui Shen (慧深) of the country of [[Fusang]], 20,000 li east of China.

Note, the Chinese measure of distance (''[[Li (Chinese unit)|li]]'') used in the ''Book of Liang'' corresponds to 400 metres.<ref name="Coedes">{{cite book|last=Coedès|first=George|title=The Indianized States of Southeast Asia|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|others=trans.Susan Brown Cowing|year=1968|isbn=978-0-8248-0368-1|editor=Walter F. Vella|authorlink=George Coedès}}</ref>{{rp|37}}

===The State of Wa===
[[Wa (Japan)|Wa]] was an ancient kingdom of [[Japan]]. Though little concrete information can be found today, its capital precinct, [[Yamatai]], was most likely located either in [[Kyūshū]] or in the [[Kansai region|Kinki]] region.{{citation needed|date=February 2014}}

:"As for Wa, they say of themselves that they are posterity of Tàibó. The people are all tattooed. Their territory is about 20,000 li (1,500 kilometres) from our realm, roughly to the east of Guiji (modern [[Shaoxing]] ([[Zhejiang]])). It is impossibly distant. To get there from [[Daifang commandery|Daifang]], it is necessary to follow the coast and go beyond the Korean state to the south-east for about 500 kilometres, then for the first time cross a sea to a small island 75 kilometres away, then cross the sea again for 75 kilometres to Miro country (Ch: 未盧國). 50 kilometers to the southeast is the country of Ito (Ch:伊都國). 10 kilometres to the southeast is the country of Nu (Ch:奴國). 10 kilometers to the east is the country of Bumi (Ch:不彌國). 20 days to the south by boat is the country of Touma (Ch:投馬國). 10 days to the south by boat or one month by land is the country of Yamatai (邪馬臺國). There resides the King of the Wa people."<ref>Ch:倭者　自云太伯之後　俗皆文身　去帶方萬二千餘里　大抵在會稽之東　相去絶遠　從帶方至倭　循海水行　歴韓國　乍東乍南　七千餘里始度一海　海闊千餘里　名瀚海　至一支國　又度一海千餘里　名未盧國　又東南陸行五百里　至伊都國　又東南行百里　至奴國　又東行百里　至不彌國　又南水行二十日　至投馬國　又南水行十日　陸行一月日　至邪馬臺國 即倭王所居, Liang Shu, 7th century.</ref>

=== The State of Wenshen ===
: "The country of Wenshen{{NoteTag|''Wénshēn-guó'' (文身國), literally "mark-body country," i.e. country of tattooed people}} is 7,000 li (500 kilometers) north-east of the country of Wa. Over their body, they have tattoos depicting wild beasts. They have three tattooed marks on their foreheads. The marks are straight for noble people, and they are small for lowly people. The people like music, but are not very generous in spite of their affluence, and do not give anything to strangers. They have houses, but no castles. The place in which their king resides is decorated with gold and silver in a manner of rare beauty. The buildings are surrounded by a ditch, about one cho in width, which they fill with [[Mercury (element)|quicksilver]]. When there is rain, it flows on top of the quicksilver. They have many rare things in their markets. Those who are guilty of a light offence are immediately punished with leather whips. Those who commit crimes punishable by death are made to be eaten by ferocious beasts; if there has been any error, then the ferocious beasts will avoid and not eat the victim. Crimes can also be redeemed through imprisonment without food."<ref>Ch:文身國　在倭國東北七千餘里　人體有文如獸　其額上有三文　文直者貴　文小者賤　土俗歡樂　物豐而賤　行客不齎糧　有屋宇　無城郭　其王所居　飾以金銀珍麗　繞屋爲塹　廣一丈　實以水銀　雨則流于水銀之上　市用珍寶　犯輕罪者則鞭杖　犯死罪則置猛獸食之　有枉則猛獸避而不食　經宿則赦之, Liang Shu, 7th century.</ref>

=== The State of Dahan ===
: "The people of Dahan{{NoteTag|''Dàhàn-guó'' (大漢國), literally "great [[China|Han]] country"}} are 5,000 li (400 kilometers) east of Wenshen. They do not have an army and are not aggressive. Their manners are the same as those of the country of Wenshen, but their language differs."<ref>Ch:大漢國　在文身國東五千餘里　無兵戈　不攻戰　風俗並與文身國同而言語異, Liang Shu, 7th century.</ref>

==Contents==
<!---! width=5%| # !! width=15%| Title !! width=25%| Translation !! width=35%| Notes--->
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===Annals (本紀)===
{| class=wikitable width=100%
|-
! width=10%| # !! width=35%| Title !! width=35%| Translation !! width=20%| Notes
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷01|Volume 1]] || 本紀第1　武帝上 || [[Emperor Wu of Liang|Emperor Wu]] || 
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷02|Volume 2]] || 本紀第2　武帝中 || Emperor Wu || 
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷03|Volume 3]] || 本紀第3　武帝下 || Emperor Wu || 
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷04|Volume 4]] || 本紀第4　簡文帝 || [[Emperor Jianwen of Liang|Emperor Jianwen]] ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷05|Volume 5]] || 本紀第5　元帝 || [[Emperor Yuan of Liang|Emperor Yuan]] ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷06|Volume 6]] || 本紀第6　敬帝 || [[Emperor Jing of Liang|Emperor Jing]] ||
|-
|}

===Biographies (列傳)===
{| class=wikitable width=100%
|-
! width=10%| # !! width=35%| Title !! width=35%| Translation !! width=20%| Notes
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷07|Volume 7]] || 列傳第1 皇后 || Empresses || Empress Zhang; Empress Chi; Empress Wang; Consort Ding; Consort Ruan; [[Princess Xu Zhaopei|Princess Xu]]
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷08|Volume 8]] || 列傳第2　昭明太子 哀太子 愍懷太子 || [[Xiao Tong|Crown Prince Zhaoming]]; [[Xiao Daqi|Crown Prince Ai]]; Crown Prince Minhuai ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷09|Volume 9]] || 列傳第3　王茂 曹景宗 柳慶遠 || Wang Mao; Cao Jingzong; Liu Qingyuan ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷10|Volume 10]] || 列傳第4　蕭穎達 夏侯詳 蔡道恭 楊公則 鄧元起 || Xiao Yingda; Xiahou Jiang; Cai Daogong; Yang Gongze; Deng Yuanqi ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷11|Volume 11]] || 列傳第5　張弘策 庾域 鄭紹叔 呂僧珍 || Zhang Hongce; Yu Yu; Zheng Shaoshu; Lü Sengzhen ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷12|Volume 12]] || 列傳第6　柳惔 弟忱 席闡文 韋叡 族弟愛 || Liu Tan; Liu Chen; Xi Chanwen; Wei Rui; Wei Ai ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷13|Volume 13]] || 列傳第7　范雲 沈約 || [[Fan Yun]]; [[Shen Yue]] ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷14|Volume 14]] || 列傳第8　江淹 任昉 || [[Jiang Yan (poet)|Jiang Yan]]; Ren Fang ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷15|Volume 15]] ||列傳第9　謝朏 弟子覽 || Xie Fei; Xie Lan ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷16|Volume 16]] ||列傳第10 王亮 張稷 王瑩 || Wang Liang; Zhang Ji; Wang Ying ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷17|Volume 17]] ||列傳第11 王珍國 馬仙琕 張齊 || Wang Zhenguo; Ma Xianpin; Zhang Qi ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷18|Volume 18]] || 列傳第12 張惠紹 馮道根 康絢 昌義之 || Zhang Huishao; Feng Daogen; Kang Xuan; Chang Yizhi ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷19|Volume 19]] || 列傳第13 宗夬 劉坦 樂藹 || Zong Guai; Liu Tan; Yue Ai ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷20|Volume 20]] || 列傳第14 劉季連 陳伯之 || Liu Lijian; Chen Bozhi ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷21|Volume 21]] || 列傳第15 王瞻 王志 王峻 王暕 子訓 王泰 王份 孫鍚 僉 張充 柳惲 蔡撙 江蒨 || Wang Zhan; Wang Zhi; Wang Jun; Wang Jian; Wang Xun; Wang Tai; Wang Fen; Wang Yang; Zhang Chong; Liu Yun; Cai Zun; Jiang Qian ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷22|Volume 22]] || 列傳第16 太祖五王 || Five Princes of Taizu || Brothers of Emperor Wu
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷23|Volume 23]] || 列傳第17 長沙嗣王業 永陽嗣王伯游 衡陽嗣王元簡 桂陽嗣王象 || Ye, Prince of Changsha; Boyou, Prince of Yongyang; Yuanjian, Prince of Hengyang; Xiang, Prince of Guiyang || Nephews of Emperor Wu
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷24|Volume 24]] || 列傳第18 蕭景 弟昌 昂 昱 || Xiao Jing; Xiao Chang; Xiao Ang; Xiao Yu ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷25|Volume 25]] || 列傳第19 周捨 徐勉 || [[Zhou She]]; [[Xu Mian]] || 
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷26|Volume 26]] ||　列傳第20 范岫 傅昭 弟映 蕭琛 陸杲 || Fan Xiu; Fu Zhao; Fu Ying; Xiao Chen; Lu Gao ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷27|Volume 27]] ||　列傳第21 陸倕 到洽 明山賓 殷鈞 陸襄 || Lu Chui; Dao Qia; Ming Shanbin; Yin Jun; 
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷28|Volume 28]] ||　列傳第22 裴邃 兄子之高 之平 之橫 夏侯亶 弟夔 魚弘附 韋放 || Pei Sui; Pei Zhigao; Pei Zhiping; Pei Zhiheng; Xiahou Dan; Xiahou Kui; Yu Hongfu; Wei Fang ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷29|Volume 29]] ||　列傳第23 高祖三王 || Three Princes of Gaozu || Sons of Emperor Wu
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷30|Volume 30]] ||　列傳第24 裴子野 顧協 徐摛 鮑泉 || [[Pei Ziye]]; Gu Xie; Xu Chi; Bao Quan ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷31|Volume 31]] ||　列傳第25 袁昂 子君正 || Yuan Ang; Yuan Junzheng ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷32|Volume 32]] ||　列傳第26 陳慶之 蘭欽 || [[Chen Qingzhi]]; Lan Qin || 
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷33|Volume 33]] ||　列傳第27 王僧孺 張率 劉孝綽 王筠 || Wang Sengru; Zhang Shuai; Liu Xiaochuo ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷34|Volume 34]] ||　列傳第28 張緬 弟纘 綰 || Zhang Mian; Zhang Zuan; Zhang Wan
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷35|Volume 35]] ||　列傳第29 蕭子恪 弟子範 子顯 子雲 || Xiao Zike; Xiao Zifan; [[Xiao Zixian]]; Xiao Ziyun ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷36|Volume 36]] ||　列傳第30 孔休源 江革 || Kong Xiuyuan; Jiang Ge ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷37|Volume 37]] ||　列傳第31 謝舉 何敬容 || Xie Ju; He Jingrong ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷38|Volume 38]] ||　列傳第32 朱异 賀琛 || [[Zhu Yi (Liang dynasty)|Zhu Yi]]; He Chen ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷39|Volume 39]] ||　列傳第33 元法僧 元樹 元願達 王神念 楊華 羊侃 子鶤 羊鴉仁 || Yuan Faseng; Yuan Shu; Yuan Yuanda; Wang Shenian; Yang Hua; Yang Kan; Yang Yun; Yang Yaren ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷40|Volume 40]] ||　列傳第34 司馬褧 到漑 劉顯 劉之遴 弟之享 許懋 || Sima Jiong; Dao Gai; Liu Xian; Liu Zhilin; Liu Zhixian; Xu Mao ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷41|Volume 41]] ||　列傳第35 王規 劉瑴 宗懍 王承 褚翔 蕭介 從父兄洽 褚球 劉孺 弟覽 遵 劉潛 弟孝勝 孝威 孝先 殷芸 蕭幾 || Wang Gui; Liu Jue; Zong Lin; Wang Cheng; Chu Xiang; Xiao Jie; Xiao Qia; Chu Qiu; Liu Ru; Liu Lan; Liu Zun; Liu Qian; Liu Xiaosheng; Liu Xiaowei; Liu Xiaoxian; Yin Yun; Xiao Ji ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷42|Volume 42]] ||　列傳第36 臧盾 弟厥 傅岐 || Zang Dun; Zang Jue; Fu Qi ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷43|Volume 43]] ||　列傳第37 韋粲 江子一 弟子四 子五 張嵊 沈浚 柳敬禮 || Wei Can; Jiang Ziyi; Jiang Zisi; Jiang Ziwu; Zhang Sheng; Shen Jun; Liu Jingli ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷44|Volume 44]] || 列傳第38 太宗十一王 世祖二子 || Eleven Princes of Taizong; Two Princes of Shizu || Sons of Emperor Jianwen; Sons of Emperor Yuan
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷45|Volume 45]] || 列傳第39 王僧辯 || [[Wang Sengbian]] ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷46|Volume 46]] || 列傳第40 胡僧祐 徐文盛 杜崱 兄岸 弟幼安 兄子龕 陰子春 || Hu Sengyou; Xu Wensheng; Du Ze; Du An; Du You'an; Du Kan; Yin Zichun ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷47|Volume 47]] || 列傳第41 孝行 || Filial Acts || Teng Tangong; Shen Chongsu;　Xun Jiang;　Yu Qianlou;　Ji Fen;　Zhen Tian;　Han Huaiming;　Liu Tanjing;　He Jiong;　Yu Shami;　Jiang Fou;　Liu Ji;　Chu Xiu;　Xie Lin
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷48|Volume 48]] ||　列傳第42 儒林 || Forest of Scholars || Fu Manrong;　He Tongzhi;　Fan Chen;　Yan Zhizhi;　He Yang, He　Ge;　Sima Yun;　Bian Hua;　Cui Lingen;　Kong Qina;　Lu Guang;　Shen Jun;　Taishi Shuming;　Kong Ziqu;　Huang Kan
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷49|Volume 49]] ||　列傳第43 文學上 || Writers || Dao Hang; Qiu Chi;　Liu Bao; Yuan Jun;　Yu Yuling; Yu　Jianwu;　Liu Zhao;　He Xun;　[[Zhong Rong]];　Zhou Xingsi;　Wu Jun
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷50|Volume 50]] ||　列傳第44 文學下 || Writers || Liu Jun;　Liu Zhao;　Xie Jiqing;　[[Liu Xie]];　Wang Ji;　He Sichen;　Liu Yao;　Xie Zheng;　Zang Yan;　Fu Ting;　Yu Zhongrong;　Lu Yungong;　Ren Xiaogong;　Yan Xie
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷51|Volume 51]] ||　列傳第45 處士 || Retired Gentlemen || He Dian; He Yin; Ruan Xiaoxu;　[[Tao Hongjing]];　Zhuge Qu;　Shen Yi;　Liu Huifei;　Fan Yuanyan;　Liu Xu;　Liu Xiao;　Yu Shen;　Zhang Xiaoxiu;　Yu Chengxian
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷52|Volume 52]] || 列傳第46 止足 || The Self-Sufficient || Gu Xianzhi;　Tao Jizhi;　Xiao Shisu
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷53|Volume 53]] ||　列傳第47 良吏 || Good Officials || Yu Bi;　Shen Yu;　Fan Shuceng;　Qiu Zhongfu;　Sun Qian;　Fu Xuan;　He Yuan
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷54|Volume 54]] ||　列傳第48 諸夷 || The Various Barbarians || '''Various States South of the Sea''': [[Lâm Ấp|Linyi]]; [[Funan (Southeast Asia)|Funan]]; [[Pan Pan (kingdom)|Panpan]]; Dandan; Gantuoli; [[Langkasuka|Langyaxiu]]; Poli; Central [[Tianzhu (India)|Tianzhu]]; [[Sinhala Kingdom|Shizi]]<br>
'''Various Rong of the [[Dongyi|Eastern Yi]]''': [[Goguryeo|Gaogouli]]; [[Baekje|Baiji]]; [[Silla|Xinluo]]; [[Wa (Japan)|Wo]]; Wenshen; Dahan; [[Fusang]]<br>
'''Various Rong to the West and North''' [[Tuyuhun|Henan]]; [[Gaochang]]; [[Hephthalite Empire|Hua]]; Zhouguke; Hebatan; Humidan; Baiti; [[Kucha|Qiuci]]; [[Kingdom of Khotan|Yutian]]; Kepantuo; Mo; Bosi; Dangchang; Dengzhi; Wuxing; [[Rouran Khaganate|Rourou]]

|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷55|Volume 55]] ||　列傳第49 豫章王綜 武陵王紀 臨賀王正德 河東王譽 || Zong, Prince of Yuzhang; [[Xiao Ji|Ji, Prince of Wuling]]; [[Xiao Zhengde|Zhengde, Prince of Linhe]]; Yu, Prince of Hedong ||
|-
| [[:s:zh:梁書/卷56|Volume 56]] ||　列傳第50 侯景 || [[Hou Jing]] ||
|}

==See also==
* [[Twenty-Four Histories]]
* [[Fusang]]
* [[Jinping Commandery]]

== Notes ==
{{NoteFoot}}

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |first=Damien |last=Chaussende |chapter = ''Liang shu'' 梁書 |editor1-first = Albert E. |editor-last1=Dien |editor2-first = Cynthia Louise |editor2-last=Chennault |editor3-first = Keith Nathaniel |editor3-last = Knapp |editor4-first = Alan J. |editor4-last=Berkowitz |title = Early Medieval Chinese Texts: A Bibliographical Guide |location = Berkeley, CA |publisher= Institute of East Asian Studies University of California |year=2015 |pages=167–170 }}
* {{cite book |first1=Huaiqi |last1=Wu |first2=Chi |last2=Zhen |title = An Historical Sketch of Chinese Historiography |edition=e-book |location=Berlin |publisher=Springer |year=2018 }}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Wikisourcelang|zh|梁書|''Book of Liang'' (in Chinese)}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20061006204552/http://ef.cdpa.nsysu.edu.tw/ccw/02/index.htm Text of the ''Book of Liang''], [[National Sun Yat-sen University]]
*[http://www001.upp.so-net.ne.jp/dassai/ryousho/frame/ryousho_frame.htm Vol. 54 in Chinese and Japanese] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328085659/http://www001.upp.so-net.ne.jp/dassai/ryousho/frame/ryousho_frame.htm |date=2007-03-28 }}
*[http://chinesenotes.com/liangshu.html ''Book of Liang'' 《梁書》] Chinese text with matching English vocabulary

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