Ru cao bian (Ming herbal), Preface

Ru cao bian (On the Consumption of Herbs), by the Ming (1368-1644) author Zhou Lüjing, was compiled in 1582. It contains entries on 102 edible wild plants, each with a versified description and an illustration. This is the first page (first half-folio) of the prefatory volume of the edition engraved in 1593 - the 25th year of the Wanli reign period of the Ming dynasty. The preface is mainly concerned with the aims and significance of the work. Physical characteristics: 20 cm high x 13.2 cm wide. Six lines per half-folio. Physical characteristics: 20 cm high x 13.2 cm wide. Six lines per half-folio. Single block of text (dan lan). White border (bai kou). Single marginal heading (dan yuwei). Cloth paper. One library seal.

[Cataloguing incomplete]