Written
Monuments
of the Orient

Volume 10, No. 1(20), 2024

ISSN 2410-0145

Issued twice a year

The entire issue as a *.PDF file

CONTENTS

Artiom Mesheznikov. Seven New Fragments of the Sanskrit Saddharmapuṇḍarīka-sūtra (manuscript SI 6781) in the Serindia Collection (IOM, RAS) — 3

The present paper introduces seven new manuscript fragments that have been identified with the Sanskrit Buddhist text — the Lotus Sūtra (Skt. Saddharmapuṇḍarīka). Until quite recently these fragments have had no pressmark and were revealed among the unregistered materials of the Serindia Collection (IOM, RAS). The fragments represent different parts of seven pothi-type leaves of paper containing Sanskrit text in South Turkestan Brāhmī script, which was used for recording Buddhist texts in the 8–9 cc. AD in Khotan — the largest center of Mahāyāna in Serindia (the Eastern part of Central Asia within the current borders of Xinjiang). Seven fragments bear clear similarities in terms of paleographic and codicological features (type of script, size and shape of graphemic symbols (akṣaras), number of lines and line-spacing, paper characteristics etc.). Given the express similarities, it is reasonable to assume that all the fragments could belong to one and the same manuscript. Furthermore, it was revealed that two new fragments almost join with those kept under the pressmarks SI 1934 and SI 6584 and represent altogether two relatively complete pothi leaves. After the identification and investigation these seven new fragments were assigned the inventory number and the pressmark SI 6781. This paper includes description of the fragments SI 6781, transliteration, comparison with the corresponding text of the Petrovsky manuscript (the most complete Central Asian copy of the Sanskrit Lotus Sūtra), English translation, and facsimile of two fragments.

Key words: Lotus Sūtra, Nicolai F. Petrovsky, Sanskrit manuscripts, Serindia Collection IOM, RAS

Kristina Korosteleva, Alla Sizova. Tibetan Birchbark Manuscripts in the Serindian Collection of the IOM, RAS: Restoration and Identification — 29

The article presents the Tibetan birchbark manuscripts kept in the Serindian collection of the IOM, RAS. The five birchbark manuscripts exhibit common codicological and paleographic characteristics, and the texts within them demonstrate a functional congruence, primarily associated with the rituals of consecration and empowerment. The objective of the conservation efforts was to flatten the birchbark fragments to both identify and preserve the inscribed texts. The fragments were sufficiently moistened in the birch sap as a plasticizer instead of regular water, given that it is a natural substance inherent to birch bark. The birch sap for conservation was hand-harvested from an ecologically pristine area. The soaking process in warm birch sap softened the fragments, and they were also cleansed of surface impurities. Damaged areas of the birchbark fragments were reinforced using Japanese conservation paper. For subsequent use and preservation, the fragments were stored in envelopes made of high-quality Melinex polyester film. Owing to the restoration work, five Tibetan birchbark manuscripts were described and transliterated.

Key words: Tibetan manuscripts, restoration, conservation, birchbark manuscripts, consecration, stupa

Tatiana A. Pang, Giovanni Stary. The Content and Concordance of the Chapters from the Manchu-Chinese Manuscript Emu Tanggû Orin Sakda-i Gisun Sarkiyan 百二老人語録 Kept in the IOM, RAS — 62

The Manchu text “The stories of one hundred and twenty old men” Emu tanggû orin sakda-i gisun sarkiyan compiled by Songyûn (Songyun 松筠) in 1790 was edited by Furentai, and then translated into Chinese by Fugiyûn (Fujun 富俊) in 1809. The text exists only in a manuscript form and was never published. Monolingual Manchu and bilingual Manchu-Chinese versions of this text are scattered all over the world. For nearly twenty years the text existed only in Manchu and had suffered edition and rearrangement of the stories’ order. That fact inspired the late Prof. Giovanni Stary to compare the available copies. The present article presents the content of 120 stories according to the Manchu-Chinese manuscript kept in the IOM, RAS. This list of subjects made it possible to compare the Manchu language copies from the University of Chicago, the Osaka university of Foreign Studies and the Beijing University of Nationalities, as well as the Manchu-Chinese versions from the IOM, RAS (St. Petersburg) and the Capital Library. It became obvious that there are no identical versions. Rather substantial differences are found between three Manchu language copies and the Manchu-Chinese bilingual versions from the IOM, RAS (St. Petersburg) and the Capital Library, but they are mostly limited to the 7th and 8th chapters. From the first analysis, which has to be deepened, we can conclude that these two last chapters of the bilingual manuscripts were entirely rewritten and reordered. Most probably it was done by Fugiyûn when he translated “The stories of one hundred and twenty old men” from Manchu into Chinese.

Key words: Manchu literature, Manchu manuscript, Emu tanggû orin sakda-i gisun sarkiyan, IOM, RAS

Anastasiia M. Smirnova. Kashmir Under the Influence of the Nadir Shah’s Indian Campaign (1738-39) (According to the Persian Manuscript of the 18th c.) — 80

The article explores the impact of the Nadir Shah’s Indian campaign on the region of Kashmir in the 18th c., according to the Persian-language manuscript written by Muhammad ‘Azam Didamari. The manuscript provides unique insights into how Nadir Shah’s actions affected Kashmir, including the appointment of a new subahdar and a rebellion of the local population. Contrary to a popular belief, the author suggests that after the campaign the Mughal Empire retained control over Kashmir, highlighting the complex relations between Iran and the Mughal Empire. The study calls for a reevaluation of historical accounts of Nadir Shah’s campaign and emphasizes the need for further research of the role of Kashmir in this significant event. The information presented in the work of Muhammad ‘Azam encourages researchers to reconsider the history of Nadir Shah’s Indian campaign in order to more accurately determine the boundaries between the Mughal Empire and Iran after this event. The mention of Kashmir in the context of these events adds particular value to the study, since other sources on Nadir Shah and his military campaigns either do not mention Kashmir at all or only briefly touch on the region. In this context, the presence of this plot in the work of Muhammad ‘Azam is unique and calls for further research and analysis.

Key words: Kashmir, Nadir Shah, Indian campaign, manuscript, Persian language

Kamilla A. Alieva. Some Сomments on Usage of Analytical form -p bar- in the Old Uyghur Language — 87

This article examines the use of the analytical form -p bar- as a means to express aspectual meanings and the conditions for its use. In the Old Uyghur language, which is considered one of the early stages of development of Turkic languages, morphological means are used to clarify the nature of actions. One of these means is the analytical form -p bar-. In studies on the Old Turkic and Old Uyghur languages, the use of the analytical form -p bar- to express the aspectual meaning of punctual action has not been previously noted. From this point of view, functional characteristics of this form’s use are investigated in the study. Analyzed examples serve as evidence that the Old Uyghur language had grammar means of expressing the aspectual meaning of punctual action.

Key words: aspect, punctual aspect, analytical form, Turkic manuscripts

Vasilii V. Shchepkin. The Northern Studies Collection of the Hokkaido University Library as the Major Repository of Sources on the History of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands — 96

The article traces the formation and development of the Northern Studies Collection at the Hokkaido University Library, the largest collection of Japanese written sources on the history of Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands in the 17th–19th cc. in Japan and beyond. This region was involved in trade relations with Japanese merchants under the control of the Matsumae clan, and later was partly administered by the Tokugawa shogunate. The Northern Studies Collection of the Hokkaido University Library is based on written sources that were collected and copied nationwide for the compilation of an official history of Hokkaido under the auspices of the island’s governorship in the 1910s–1930s. During the preparation of the catalog in the 1970s and 1980s, the collection was also enriched with copies of many sources from other collections in Japan. Thus, the Northern Studies Collection can be used to reconstruct a map of all the centers for storing sources on the history of the region in Japan. As this extensive collection is closely related to the history of the Northern Studies Collection Department and its predecessor, the Northern Cultures Research Department of the Hokkaido University, the history of these two branches is also traced in the article.

Key words: Sakhalin, Kuril Islands, Ainu, written sources, manuscripts, collections, archives

Hartmut Walravens. From the Kalmuck Steppes to Heinrich Heine — 109

The paper offers a survey of the Kalmuck and Mongol typography developed in St. Petersburg under supervision of Isaak Jakob Schmidt, Europe’s first expert on Kalmuck and translator of the Bible into this language. This work was practically, executed by Friedrich Gass, a designer, in St. Petersburg, probably advised by the engineer, Orientalist and printing expert Schilling von Canstadt. The actual printing was arranged by Nikolaj Grech, printer, bookseller, author, whose biography was translated by Maximilian Heine, brother of the poet Heinrich Heine. Two anonymous booklets on life in St. Petersburg were identified as M. Heine’s work by means of a dedication which led to Therese Heine — a cousin of the Heine brothers, to whom Heinrich addressed his probably best known love poem “You are like a flower”.

Key words: Mongol typography in St. Petersburg, Isaak Jakob Schmidt (1779–1847), Paul Schilling von Canstadt (1786–1837), Nikolai Ivanovich Grech (1787–1867), Heinrich Heine (German poet, 1797–1856), Maximilian Heine (physician, 1806–1879)

Alexey Lushchenko, Tatiana Ermakova. Handwritten Materials in Japanese from O.O. Rosenberg’s Personal Archive Kept at the IOM, RAS — 123

This article introduces several handwritten materials in Japanese from the personal archive of O.O. Rosenberg (1888–1919) now kept at the Archive of Orientalists, IOM, RAS. These handwritten texts reveal new details about O.O. Rosenberg’s interaction with Japanese Buddhist scholars and publishers before and after the publication of his two dictionaries in 1916 in Japan. In addition to academic activities, O.O. Rosenberg had to deal with financial and legal matters, maintained contacts with printing company staff, discussed various diplomatic procedures. He also had a wide network of contacts in Japan, including other foreigners. Relying on this network and his fluent knowledge of Japanese, handwritten Japanese in particular, O.O. Rosenberg was able to complete his publication projects successfully. This study presents O.O. Rosenberg’s dictionaries as an important component of the project led by Th.I. Stcherbatsky to restore the terminology of Sanskrit philosophical treatises. Future work plans outlined by the young scholar demonstrate his exceptional diligence and competence in matters of Oriental philology. All documents, translated from Japanese by A. Lushchenko, are published for the first time.

Key words: O.O. Rosenberg, Th.I. Stcherbatsky, Buddhist studies, Buddhism in Japan, personal archive, 1910s, Japan, correspondence, dictionaries